Page 21 of Bloodlines and Birthright

“No.”

“It’s just their way,” he went on, as if my answer had been different. “Haven’t you noticed how the Italians greet one another with kisses?”

“They greet their friends and family with kisses. Not strangers.”

“I suppose we’re now Scala’s acquaintances, so he thought it was appropriate.”

We passed two gentlemen on their way to the villa. We touched the brim of our hats in greeting but didn’t exchange words.

“They must be the art dealers Signore Scala is expecting,” Oscar said.

I kept walking, lengthening my strides.

Oscar easily matched them. “I know you prefer English formality, Gavin, but we’re in Italy now. Why not try to experience it like a local?”

“Because I am not a local.” I waited until we’d passed through the gate and were out of earshot of the guard. “Nor am I a thief. You should not have volunteered us to steal back that spell.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have spoken for you. Stay in the hotel if you prefer. I’ll go alone tonight.”

“I’m coming with you, Oscar. You need someone to keep watch while you look through the boatshed. But next time, think before you answer. I’m not Willie. I won’t go along with your mad schemes without thought for the consequences.”

“Thank God you’re not Willie. If she were here, she’d have offended the abbot, Signore Scala, and probably half of the hotel guests.”

“More than half,” I said. “Actually, I don’t think she would have made it out of Milan. She would have been arrested for being drunk in a public place, and then for offending the Carabinieri.”

Oscar grinned. “Italy doesn’t know how lucky it is that we refused to let her come along.”

I laughed, not because my mood had lifted, but because I didn’t want Oscar to know how worried I was. Ever since he’d promised Signore Scala that we’d steal back the spell, the familiar, gut-churning anxiety settled in. Not only would we be breaking the law, we were also foreigners in a country that was on edge with the unrest caused by the anarchists. I didn’t want to think about what would happen if we were caught.

“Something amusing, Gentlemen?” I heard the silky voice of Miss Wheeler before I saw her. “Care to share the joke with me?” She emerged from behind a thick tree trunk and regarded us both levelly, although her gaze softened a little as it met Oscar’s.

He touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “I wondered if you’d reveal yourself or whether we’d have to confront you.”

“So you did follow us from the hotel,” I said. “Why?”

“Don’t look at me with such disappointment, Professor,” she said. “I was simply doing as my employer bade. He went on to the abbey to see what he could learn there, while he ordered me to follow you both.” She indicated the villa gate behind us. “Signore Scala lives at Villa Corzoni. Does he have the book now? Did he refuse to sell it to you? Is that why you’ve come away empty handed?”

“We’re not telling you anything.” I sounded like a petulant child, but I didn’t like being duped. I suppose I ought to be cross with Defoe, not Miss Wheeler, since she was merely following his orders, but I couldn’t hold back my emotions. It had been a trying morning.

Oscar wasn’t in the least cross. Indeed, he seemed pleased to see Miss Wheeler. “I’m glad you chose to reveal yourself. I didn’t want to have to confront you.” He indicated she should walk with us back to the village.

Miss Wheeler stepped between us, her ambling pace matching ours. “Don’t pretend you saw me, Mr. Barratt. I was well back the entire time.”

“And yet I knew you were there. I must be attuned to you the way a bee senses a flower.”

She made a face. “Good lord, that was tortured. I hope you don’t have plans to abandon your factual writing and attempt poetry instead.” She hooked her arm through mine. “Now, do save us all a lot of time and tell me if Signore Scala had the book with the tattoo spell.”

“We’re not telling you anything, Miss Wheeler,” I said.

“We all know I’ll find out eventually.”

“We know no such thing.” I extricated myself from her grasp. “For your own safety, do not try to follow us again.”

“My own safety?” She frowned. “Professor, are you expecting to encounter danger?”

I quickened my pace, only to stop when I realized they weren’t following. I glanced back to see them facing each other.

“What have you got yourself into, Mr. Barratt?” Miss Wheeler asked. “Perhaps I can help.”