“Morning, Miss Shayna.” Dimitri was a severe man, strict and stiff in his expressions as well as his posture.
“Good morning, Dimitri. Are we ready to leave?” Shayna hoped he wouldn’t try to stop her when she took a turn to the right instead of to the left to go to the market. She would go there, but only after she discovered how many houses were beyond the west woods and who lived in them. It wouldn’t be a large community, she was sure. If memory served, there were a few vineyards past the rough forest and those were not close. Her father had gone to one of the grape farms on business when she was a child, but she had only ever seen them from a distance, as she was too young to accompany him to meetings.
Dimitri stood. His black hair had become streaked with silver over the last year, and his many scars shone starkly against his dark, tanned skin. He wasn’t the tallest man employed by the Ricci family, but Shayna thought he might be the largest. In hand-to-hand combat, most men wouldn’t stand a chance against him. She was safe traveling with Dimitri anywhere. Ruffians and scoundrels would take one look at his expression, and his size, and they would turn tail and run in the opposite direction.
Dimitri helped Shayna mount her horse, and they rode out of the stables at a steady walking pace. Urging his horse ahead by a few steps, he waited until they were out of earshot and asked, “What are you really up to today, Miss? I need to know if I am to be prepared to protect you.” He kept his eyes forward.
“Going to market. I would like to purchase some fresh—“
“Begging your pardon, Miss, but there are others to go buy anything you want or need. If I think you are not telling me everything, I will take hold of your reins and tether your horse to mine for the duration. I won’t have you darting off without me. I made a vow to your father to protect you at all costs, and I mean to honor my promise although he is gone.”
Sighing, knowing he meant what he said, Shayna nodded. “All right. But I don’t want you lecturing me or trying to stop me. I want you to go with me. If you don’t, I will find another way. I’ll go alone, if I must, but I will go.” She leveled her gaze on him, steadying her resolve.
Grunting, keeping his eyes straight ahead, and scanning side to side as he grinned. “As I suspected. A ruse. Where are you so determined to go, Miss?”
“Directly beyond the west woods. I wish to see who might be living there. Do you know?” Shayna looked at him, hope rising inside.
“No one lives there, Miss. The Bianchi family vineyards are out there but not close.”
Dimitri reached out and snagged the reins from Shayna. They were out of sight of the castle and its grounds now. Dimitri turned to Shayna, his severely set expression boring into her, searching for any lie in her.
“Why are you interested in who lives there? Why would you think anyone does?”
Shayna couldn’t tell him what had happened. Dimitri might not wait on Benicio’s orders; he might go on the hunt for the trespasser and beat him within an inch of his life. Looking anywhere but at her escort, Shayna stammered, cleared her throat, and tried to speak without stuttering.
“No reason. I just got curious. You know, since Father isn’t here, I thought I should know more about our surroundings. I’m old enough now. Alexandria isn’t interested, she’s on the hunt for a husband with money.” She couldn’t hold his gaze.
After several grueling seconds, Dimitri replied, “Did you think I would believe that, Miss? What piqued your interest? If you tell me the truth, I’ll consider escorting you there and keeping the secret. We all have secrets, you know.” He dropped the reins but didn’t move.
“I’ll make a deal with you. If you escort me there, I’ll take you into my confidence.” Shayna kept a straight face, hoping he would agree. If he did, it would give her time to think of a plausible cover story. Or, give her time to come to terms with the fact that she would have to tell him the truth, part of it, anyway. A man like Dimitri, so rigid in mind and body, wouldn’t understand the effect of the incident on her.
The burly man considered her offer and raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take the deal. But, if at any time, I feel there is danger in your little excursion, we leave. No questions, no arguments.”
Shayna nodded. “Thank you, Dimitri.”
They rode at a brisker pace, he stayed a length ahead, constantly scanning the upcoming landscape.
They followed the wide path for several minutes at a trot, the mostly flat and sometimes rolling land taking her breath as the sun rose higher and bathed it in a peach glow. The morning light made even the scrub brush appear beautiful. Spider webs glistened like diamonds in the low foliage as far as she could see.
A sense of calm and contentment settled over her. As much as she loved the leisure house in Switzerland, she was always happy to be back in Tuscany. This was her home. This was where she belonged.
At the end of a long, gentle curve in the road, a narrower path led off at a broad angle to the right, the way Shayna wanted to go, and the wide thoroughfare continued to turn sharply left, toward the market. Dimitri stopped and held out a hand to stop her. Had he already changed his mind? Had he foreseen danger?
“You’re certain you wish to go this way? I can tell you with certainty no one lives close to the west woods and it’s quite a ride out of the way to go so far back toward the castle, Miss.”
“How long will it take us to reach there from here?” Shayna eyed the narrower track, wondering why they couldn’t have cut across the rolling hills farther back and saved some time.
“About half an hour, I believe. It’s been a while since I’ve been this way.”
“We can follow a straighter path as we head back to market by riding across the shrub land.” She pointed to the low shrubs and grasses in a field.
“No, Miss. You don’t want to take your horse that way. There are holes and brier patches everywhere which you can’t see. We followed the road to avoid them.”
“I still wish to go and see for myself who lives out there.” She urged her mare forward and Dimitri did the same, going in front of her on the skinny path.
A small mountain with scant greenery rose from the land on their left, the distance from the pathway camouflaging it as a mildly sloped hill. On their right, the scrub brush grew taller until Shayna realized they were near the dense forest with the bad reputation. Dimitri slowed his horse to a brisk walk and called out over his shoulder to Shayna.
“The west woods begin around the next bend. When the road widens, I want you to come up on my side and stay close.”
“If no one lives out here, why are you worried about me?” Shayna didn’t mean to be sassy; she was only curious.
“Because there is a reason for you to want to come out here. My guess is you saw someone come out of these woods onto the castle grounds, and you think this is a grand adventure full of excitement and mystery, searching for the person. The only people who would come through here, the only ones desperate enough to risk life and limb in there, are criminals.” Dimitri turned and looked at Shayna.
Unable to hide her shock at how close he had come to the truth of the matter, she stared wide-eyed at him, and tried to keep her posture relaxed.
Grunting his displeasure and turning again to the front, Dimitri said, “I have nieces. They would think the same way. Always looking for excitement, never considering the danger.”
Shayna followed him until the road widened, and then she guided her horse up beside him, searching the woodland for any signs of movement, any indication that someone had been there recently. She was no hunter or tracker and had little idea what to look for in the undergrowth. Maybe broken limbs or a concealed footpath.
The west woods stretched much farther than she had guessed. Looking ahead, the wood was unending. Looking back, she saw the same endless stretch of wilderness. A chill crept up her spine. Now she wasn’t so sure she wanted to find her mystery man out here. The trees clamored closer to each other, huddled near the road, watching their progress. Deeper in, past the
front line of greenery, shadows cavorted into unusual shapes before disappearing. She was certain they were effects of the clouds crawling through the sky, but kept her attention focused on the eerie scenes.
Another mountain rose from the land on their left. The world was thrown into deep shadow as they rode between it and the woods. No birds chirped or darted about. No animals ran through the brush as they clopped by on their nickering horses.
“The end is there.” Dimitri pointed ahead and to the right.
Shayna could see where the trees thinned out and the land was elevated. “I had no idea the west woods covered so much of the area, or, its line on our property was so long. Distance has a way of shrinking things.” It also minimized thoughts of danger.
Dimitri chuckled at this. “Indeed, it does. Are you now satisfied that no one lives out here?” They passed the mountain and the tract to the left flattened into the softly rolling hills again. “The Bianchi vineyards are yon way. There is a market not far from there. We can also turn on the wide road and go back to the other vendors.”
Shayna was glad to see the land open again. “I’m satisfied, yes. No one lives out here. Thank you. Couldn’t we return the way we came? Would it not be quicker than going the other way?”
Again, Dimitri gave a stifled laugh and shot her a knowing look. “Yes, Miss. If you wish to go back through so close to the deep, dark woods, then yes.”
Shayna shook her head. “Not really. I think I’ve had enough adventure for one day.” As they rode toward the Bianchi family vineyards, a thought niggled at Shayna’s mind. Incompletely formed, it urged her to go to the closer market.
Dimitri tipped his chin in the direction of the boundary lines for the Bianchi vinery. Shayna needed little pointed out to her, though. The land was crowned in large grape arbors. She gasped at the beauty of it.
“I can smell the grapes. The whole area is covered with deep purple and topped with green as far as the mountains.” They rode deeper into the vineyard country and saw a few people working in the vines. The aroma of the huge vine fruit grew stronger. A little farther along and the vineyards stretched out to overlay the land on both sides of the path. Seas of deep rose-purple reached toward the horizon.
“Do you think the owners would sell me some of their grapes? The smell is making me hungry for them.”
Dimitri frowned at her. “I’m sure they are selling them, and their wine, at the vendor stalls. There’s no need to stop out here.”
Unhappy with his decision, Shayna knew he was probably right. No need to travel so far off the little path to hunt down the owner when she could visit the market.
Chapter 7
Luca filled his wagon with baskets of fresh grapes, juice, and wine. He had risen before daylight and begun his day. Mondays were his busiest days, spent running goods to the various vendor stalls owned by the Bianchi family and transporting wines purchased by the lords, ladies, cooks, public house proprietors, and the hostel owners. After delivering to his own stands and to his private clients, Luca returned to his parents’ vineyard to collect items, which he would deliver for them.
Francesca met him at the door with a warm smile and kind eyes. His mother had forever been a source of great comfort. No matter how dire a situation, she always had a welcoming hug and loving expression for her only son.
“Luca, come in and sit while the boys load your wagon. I know you haven’t eaten yet today.” She hugged him tight and motioned toward the smallest of the tables in the vast kitchen.
“And what if I told you I had a hearty breakfast before I left out this morning?” Luca sat at the table, the smell of warm bread making his mouth water and his stomach rumble.
Francesca laughed. “Then I would say you’re lying to your mother. Your belly is telling a different story, huh?”
She pushed the homemade grape jam across the table to Luca. Grinning, he took it, smeared enough on his warmed bread to feed two people, and devoured it in three bites.
“You must eat better, son. It’s not good to go so long between meals. Have some cheese and milk before you go, too. That should satisfy a young man’s appetite until the next meal. Now, tell me, how are things with you? I haven’t seen you in a while. We live so close; it’s terrible you don’t have time to visit your poor old mother more.” She pouted playfully.
“Mama, you are not old. Things are wonderful, and I don’t come by because I stay so busy.” Luca continued to eat, grateful for the food. Left on his own, he would not have eaten until returning home after sunset.
Shaking a finger at him, she scolded him. “You are too busy because you refuse to hire help. You’re stubborn Luca Bianchi; always have been. We have plenty of young strong boys here who are eager to work. They earn their pay and are reliable. Why don’t you take one, maybe two of them to your vineyard and ease your workload a little?”
“I’m saving my money. You know this. I want to be rich and I can’t be if I’m paying other people to do the manual labor which I can do.”
“Luca, Luca. You are rich, my son. Very affluent; more than enough of a fortune to get married and have children. They’ll never have to worry about anything. Don’t be greedy. I raised you better.”
“I’m not being greedy. You know why I am doing this. It’s just for a few years.” Luca disliked these discussions with his mother but having them with his father bordered on nightmarish. He wanted to ease her mind, but she would worry, as do all mothers.
Francesca scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Shayna Ricci? Are you still enchanted by her? Maybe she is a witch. Years you have wasted. Your father tried to hobnob with the aristocratic group, and you see where he is now, huh? They don’t like outsiders, Luca. It will only end in heartache for you. Can’t you see that?” She smacked the table lightly with her hand for emphasis.
Luca stood. “Shayna is different, Mama.” He bent and gave her a quick kiss on the head. “Thank you for the food and the milk. I love you.” He headed for the front door as fast as he could without running.
“I love you, too, silly boy. Come back and see me. I am your mother, you know.” She yelled the last bit so he could hear her as he exited the house.
Antonio waited by the loaded wagon. He was fourteen and eager to earn wages. Luca supposed many boys had dreams of working hard, saving money, becoming rich, and marrying the woman of his fantasies.
“Would you like to go to market and then to town to help with my father’s deliveries?” Luca jumped up into the wagon.
“Would I? Yes, sir, I would.” Antonio snatched his hat from his head and clutched it to his chest, eyes wide and bright. Most of the younger workers didn’t get the opportunity to leave the vineyards often, and fewer got to go into town every couple of months, if at all.
“Then hop up and let’s get going. I have copious amounts of work today. We won’t return until after sunset. I hope you don’t mind working late.”
“I’d go even if I weren’t getting paid, sir.” Antonio flashed a toothy grin as he nimbly leaped up to the seat.
“Good. I’ll pay you a little extra for helping me.” Luca winked at boy, who was becoming a young man, and clicked his tongue at the horse, flapping the reins gently against her back.
Stella kept a nice regular pace all the way to the marketplace and then to town. The wagon was her only job, and she had long ago learned the way to market and to the little city beyond. She would halt at each vendor without Luca’s urging. After he stocked the last stall, she would head to the plaza. He always had to pull the reins to get her to stop in the bustling borough, though. She never took it upon herself to pause anywhere, only slowed to a walk, and waited for the tug.
Today was no different. Stella halted dutifully at the first shop and remained while Luca and Antonio stocked the crates and shelves at each stall. The boy laughed every time she stopped without guidance from her master.
Stocking the last stall’s many baskets with bunches of grapes, Luca spoke with the young couple who sat daily, from
daybreak until dusk, with the merchandise. They lived only a five-minute ride from the market and were happy to have paid work so close.
As a horse rode up beside her, Stella whinnied and tapped her hoof against the ground. Luca came out of the stand and went to fetch more bunches from the back of the wagon. Looking up, he saw Shayna lean over to pet Stella’s head while the two horses inspected each other.
The shock of her sudden appearance made him dump the grapes. In the middle of catching them, his feet tangled, and he tripped. Landing awkwardly on one knee, he jumped back to his feet and dusted his pants leg.
From behind, deep male laughter let him know at least one person had seen him fall. Thankfully, Shayna had not seen.
“Luca Bianchi. How are you, boy? I’ve not seen you since you were twelve.”
The gruff tone startled him, and he whirled to see Dimitri, recognizing him immediately. “I’m well. And you?”
“Good as can be expected. I’m getting old, though. Something not suggested for the weak of heart.” He scoffed and smirked as he shook his head.
“What can I do for you? Would you like a jug of wine? It’s my father’s, and so it’s better than mine.” He offered a wry grin, recalling the man’s fondness for the drink.
“Your father’s is the finest in all of Tuscany as I remember. I’ll pass today, though. I’m escorting young Miss Ricci to market, and I believe she wants to purchase some of the best grapes in Italy. Know where we can find any?” Dimitri chuckled at his own cleverness, and Luca also remembered the guard’s sense of humor was dry and brittle as dead leaves most of the time. It had improved a bit over the years.
“As a matter of fact,” Luca took a deep breath and motioned toward the stand. Turning his head, he faced Shayna, who now stood in front of the stall, inspecting bunches of grapes. All the air left his lungs, and for a moment he was unable to draw more in. After what seemed hours, he found his words. “Miss? May I help you with anything?”
Gentleman in the Shadows Page 5
