Page 43 of Bloodlines and Birthright

“Pietro’s family?” Rocco frowned. “I do not understand. He is not married and has no children.”

“He has a brother.”

Rocco’s lips parted with his soft gasp.

“I see you know all about him.”

“Not all.” Rocco shrugged. “I have not thought about him in a long time, but yes, Pietro’s brother is the abbot. Not many in the village know because they did not go into the village much as boys. Their father kept them in the villa when they visit here each summer.” He peered down the slope to the magnificent villa and its vast grounds. With boats, horses, and extensive gardens at their disposal, there would be no need to leave except to explore, or to observe others. “Their father did not like his sons to speak to the villagers. They were beneath his family, so Pietro told me.”

“What else did Signore Scala tell you about his brother, the abbot?” Oscar asked.

“Only that they do not like each other. The abbot is very pious; he believes strongly in the teachings of the church. Pietro does not. How can he believe in something that calls men like us disgusting, depraved?” Rocco spat on the ground. “Pietro told me he and his brother argued a lot about Pietro’s love of men. He tried to change Pietro, to drive the devil out of him. They no longer talk.”

“They do,” Oscar countered. “We know the abbot gave Signore Scala some books to do with as he wished.”

Rocco shook his head. “Pietro does not care for books. There are not many in the library, which I think you saw, Gavin.” He arched both brows at me.

“No. I mean yes,” I said. “There are not many books there. But Signore Scala did get books from the abbey. He told us he sold them.”

Rocco shrugged, disinterested.

“Do you know who he sold them to?” Oscar asked.

Rocco lowered his head and lifted his gaze to peer at Oscar through his thick, dark lashes. I’d seen coquettes regard him that way, but never a man. “Pietro and I do not discuss books when we are together. Can I go now? I have to meet my friends.”

“De Angelis?” Oscar asked, not at all perturbed by Rocco’s flirtation.

In a repeat of last night’s encounter, Rocco’s manner completely changed. “No! It is not true. We are not friends. I do not like the anarchists. Gavin, I tell you this last night. You promised you would keep it secret.”

“I promised not to tell Signore Scala,” I said firmly, even though I felt some sympathy for Rocco. He looked desperately worried. “I will keep that promise. My friends also won’t tell him about your anarchist connections.”

“No, no, no. Not a connection.” Rocco put a finger to his lips to silence me. Then he turned back to Oscar. “Please, sir, do not tell Pietro. I need him. My family back home are poor.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I am poor.”

Good lord, was Signore Scala paying him? I knew men paid for flats for their mistresses to live in, and clothes and jewelry for them to wear, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that in relationships like the one between Scala and Rocco, the same financial arrangement applied. Still, I’d never met such a mistress. It felt quite shocking to be in the presence of a male version.

Neither Miss Wheeler nor Oscar seemed shocked by the revelation. Both regarded Rocco coolly.

With a smile that unnerved even me, Oscar agreed not to inform Signore Scala…for a price. “We won’t tell him about your association with known anarchists, or your presence in the piazza when a bomb went off, if you find out who he sold those books from the abbey to.”

Rocco’s face paled. “But if I cannot?”

“Let’s assume you will. We are staying at the Grande Hotel. Ask for Professor Gavin Nash.”

I bit my tongue before I blurted out the question on the tip of it: why me?

Miss Wheeler took Rocco’s hand in hers and passed some coins to his palm. “For your trouble.” I wondered if she’d have paid him if she’d thought Rocco was with Signore Scala for love.

Rocco pocketed the money then hurried off without even a glance in my direction. We watched him go until he was out of sight.

“Do you think he’ll find out anything about the books?” I asked.

“Hard to say,” Oscar said. “So are we ready for the second part of our plan now that we know for certain the abbot is Scala’s brother?”

“I am,” Miss Wheeler said, setting off toward the driveway. Oscar fell into step alongside her.

I rushed to catch up. “I’m not going to break the promise I made to Rocco. I won’t tell Scala about him meeting De Angelis. Are we in agreement on that?”

Miss Wheeler seemed offended that I’d thought she’d not keep her word. “Of course, Professor. Rocco is in a vulnerable position here at the villa, and I won’t be the cause of Scala ending their arrangement, even if we discover Rocco lied and is betraying his lover.”