Fruit of the Golden Vine

by Sophia French

  “It’s lovely.” Irena touched the outline of the silver star. “But wouldn’t it have been more romantic if you wore the tree? If it’s meant to symbolize her.”

  “Oh, I didn’t think of—” Adelina scowled. “No, it works both ways. Don’t make me regret anything. It was like something out of a dream. We even kissed.”

  “You kissed her?” Irena’s eyes grew huge, and her mouth formed a startled circle.

  “A romantic kiss. On the lips. I felt her teeth, her tongue. Her body was pressed against mine.” Adelina’s face and neck prickled. “Please don’t hate me. I can’t help it. I covet women the way you covet men. I swoon over a maiden’s breast the way you swoon over a pair of shoulders. I crave a feminine touch, a silken strand of hair against my cheek, a soft and gentle pair of lips…” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m so scared of what Mother will do if she finds out.”

  “She’d send Rafael and Silvana away.” Irena squeezed Adelina’s hand. “Neither of us want that, do we?”

  Adelina shook her head. Her stomach roiled, and she fought a dizzying need to lie down. “Please tell me you understand what I’ve just confessed to you.”

  “You love Silvana the way I love Rafael. I understand.” Irena put an arm around Adelina and drew her closer. “I didn’t know such things were possible, but it explains why you seemed so giddy at the market today.”

  Another tear followed the first, and Adelina rubbed her cheek. “Do you hate me? Are you going to tell Mother?”

  As Irena smiled, a tender light touched her eyes. “Don’t be silly, Ada. We’ll go on courting them both, and we can gossip and giggle over our lovesickness, just as sisters should.”

  Adelina stared at Irena until her sister disappeared behind a wavering curtain of tears. A sob convulsed Adelina’s chest, and she clutched Irena close, buried her head in the curve of Irena’s neck and wept. Irena stroked Adelina’s hair and murmured indistinct consolations.

  “I love you,” said Adelina between heavy sobs. “I’m so sorry I’ve been so awful to you.”

  “You haven’t been awful at all. We’ve always had our good times and our fractious ones.”

  “It just feels like I’ve always been awful. Especially as you’ve never been anything but gentle with me.”

  “You’re my grumpy little sister. I expect it from you, Ada. It’s because you’re so clever that you say such pointed things.”

  “But I’m such a hypocrite!” Adelina blinked until her vision cleared. “I teased you for being so sappy about love, but secretly I craved that sentimentality too. Just not with a man. If you could hear the things I’ve said to her…”

  “Only feebleminded people care about romance.” Irena grinned. “Isn’t that right?”

  Adelina sighed and wiped her cheeks dry. “Well, it is silly. Courtship’s just a game of throwing yourself into a reckless love with someone you don’t know, continually striving for artful ways to boast of your adoration. And at play’s end, regardless of how well you performed, it’s still your parents who decide whether you get to spend the rest of your life in marital banality.”

  Irena giggled. “Only you could be lovesick and cynical at the same time.”

  “It’s foolish, but it’s also exhilarating. Especially for me, courting a love that everyone is too timid to speak of. We don’t have chaperones, we don’t pretend to virtue. Men invented the ideas of chastity and wedlock purely to deprive women of carnal pleasures—they don’t obey those rules themselves, you know.”

  Irena flushed to her ears. “Ada! What are you saying?”

  “That I intend to know her.”

  “God!” Irena covered her mouth. “Can that even be done?”

  “Of course it can. She’s promised to teach me.”

  “But it’s shocking. You won’t be a virgin any longer if you do. Well, I don’t think you would be.” Irena gnawed on a fingernail. “You’d be sent to a convent. I know romance is thrilling, but don’t do something you’ll regret.”

  “My only cause for regret would be if I never experienced that intimacy with her.”

  “You’re so much bolder than me. I’d never dare do anything like that.” Irena lowered her scarlet face. “Well, I’m sure whatever you do, God will understand.”

  “I don’t believe—” Adelina caught herself. She’d already given Irena enough scandal for one night. “I don’t believe that what we’re doing is wrong.”

  Irena twirled a lock of her hair. “Will you help me write a love poem for Rafael tomorrow? I can never think of the words.”

  “Of course I will. I’ll have to pretend that we’re addressing a woman, though, otherwise it doesn’t work.”

  “I’m sure he won’t notice.” Irena pressed Adelina’s hand. “And I’ll insist to Father that I want you and Silvana to be my chaperones together, because you’re both so forthright that I feel safest with you around. That way, wherever Rafael and I may go, you and Silvana can follow. Nobody would question the propriety of it.”

  “Ira, there’s something else. I think Rafael knows about us, and I don’t think he approves. Remember his grim expression after their talk this morning?”

  “Well, he’d better approve if he wants my favor.”

  Adelina’s heart lifted on a wave of elation. To hear her say such a thing—what had Adelina done to deserve such a sister? “Do you really mean that?”

  “I do.” Irena yawned. “I’m so sleepy. Let’s talk more tomorrow. We’ll do something fun this week, all four of us. Maybe I’ll convince Father to let us borrow Orfeo’s horses and ride them through those lovely wooded meadows on his land. I suppose Rafael and Silvana can ride. They both seem very capable.”

  “Ugh, Orfeo. But an afternoon on horseback does sound pleasant. I just hope that ogre doesn’t ask to come with us.”

  “I don’t think he would. It would be inappropriate. And he does own the most gorgeous horses.”

  “Very well.” Adelina kissed Irena’s forehead. “Let’s sleep, then. Goodnight, Ira.”

  “Goodnight, Ada. I love you.” Irena wriggled back beneath her covers, turned toward the wall and closed her eyes. Adelina remained for a moment by Irena’s side, running her fingers through Irena’s beautiful blond hair. Finally she kissed Irena on the top of the head and retreated to her own corner of the room.

  As Adelina removed her dress, she considered the possibility that Silvana might someday untie its laces. A nervous yet pleasant feeling rippled through her. It had been fun to surprise Silvana with her well-practiced kiss, but in truth Adelina knew very little about what happened within bedchambers. What if her body was unattractive? What if she put her hand in the wrong place, somewhere foolish rather than erotic? What if—

  No, she was worrying over nothing. Silvana adored and respected her, and those skilled, sensual hands would guide them both to erotic heights. Adelina slid beneath her sheets, closed her eyes and ventured into fancies of which her mother would most certainly not have approved.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Silvana splashed her face in the basin, pulled on her clothes, laced her boots and swept a stray hair from her forehead. The mirror confirmed what she already knew: there had never walked a greater beauty on this earth. Goddess, how well her lungs worked this morning! She raised the ring to her lips and kissed it. Like heaven and earth.

  She entered the corridor at the same moment Rafael poked his unruly head into the light. He squinted at Silvana through eyes still shrunken from sleep. “Look at you,” he said. “Radiant with morning cheer.”

  “The night treated me well.” Silvana plucked a downy feather from Rafael’s hair. “It seems your pillow has a leak.”

  “Either that, or a bird roosts on my head.” Rafael stretched. “Ah, God slay me, I’m still exhausted. Yet if I don’t get up early, they’ll think I’m slothful.” He twisted his shoulders, grimacing. “And they all seem to get up early in this household. Listen, you can hear them pattering around now.”

  Sure en
ough, light footsteps echoed from further down the corridor. Silvana followed the sound toward the high balcony that overlooked the lobby. Felise was running through the morning light below, spinning on her toes and jumping between floorboards.

  “Good morning, Felise,” said Silvana.

  “Yes, it is!” Felise landed on her heels and wobbled. “I can’t touch the cracks or I’ll fall in.”

  Silvana smiled as she descended the stairs. She had never experienced any maternal longing for children, and beneath a certain age they were howling irritations, but Felise was at the endearing point between innocence and adulthood—clever enough to hold a conversation, guileless enough to relax around. “Do you always rise so early?”

  “Always. Ada and Ira do too. Mother and Father sleep all morning, you see, so we get the run of the house.” Felise yelped. “Oh, I stepped on it.”

  “You get three tries. Didn’t you know?”

  “No! Do I?” Felise bounced back to the center of the floorboard. “That’s good. I thought I’d lost already.” She raised a tentative foot. “Are you looking for Adelina?”

  “Now why would you assume I’m looking for her?”

  “Because.” Felise swayed as she struggled to keep her balance. “She and Ira are in the garden having breakfast. If you hurry, they might have food for you.” A stair creaked above, and she glanced up. “Oh! Rafael! I want a piggyback!”

  Rafael roared like a lion and charged down to the lobby. “Up you get, then!”

  Felise sprang onto Rafael’s back. “Go!”

  Laughing, Silvana opened the door for Rafael, who jogged into the sunlight with Felise cheering on his shoulders. Silvana descended the front steps, followed the path to the garden, opened the gate and walked beneath the shifting leaves. Bees droned among the bushes, drifting in pursuit of pollen. The sound of female laughter caught Silvana’s attention, and she quickened her step.

  Adelina and Irena knelt on the grass, several plates of food in front of them. They seemed cozy, even conspiratorial, their heads bowed together and their bodies shaking beneath countless giggles.

  Adelina looked up, and her eyes brightened further. “Good morning!”

  “Good morning, beauties.” Silvana settled cross-legged onto the grass. “May I share your breakfast?” She glanced at Irena, who blushed scarlet and looked away. Strange.

  “Go ahead.” Adelina put a fruit bun into Silvana’s hands. “Bruna bakes these with raisins taken from our vines.”

  “How clever of her.” Silvana sampled the bun. Its interior was soft and white, nothing like the coarse bread she’d become used to on the road. “It has a fine texture.”

  “Mmm.” Adelina smiled and bit a fingernail between her teeth. “It’s sweet as well, I hope.”

  “Very.” Silvana licked the glaze from her lips. “The moonlight was spectacular last night. Did you notice?”

  “Yes.” Adelina stared at Silvana’s mouth. “I certainly did.”

  Irena cleared her throat. “My. Isn’t it warm.” She sipped from a tumbler of water. “I wonder how we might best entertain ourselves today?”

  “That’s a good question.” Adelina stretched out on the grass and propped her cheek in one hand. She was wearing a simple light green dress without adornment or a bodice, and it revealed enough of her neck and shoulders to set Silvana fidgeting. “Are there any games you enjoy playing, Silvana?”

  “I’m good at throwing rocks. Shall we see if I can knock out all the windows?”

  Adelina covered her mouth as she convulsed with laughter, and Irena’s eyebrows rose to the top of her forehead. “Silvana,” said Irena. “You can’t be serious.”

  “No, it’s true. I’ve excellent aim.”

  “You’re a silly one.” Adelina wriggled across the grass and rested her head in Silvana’s lap. Irena blushed again and inspected her fingernails. “Will you pick the tangles from my hair? I forgot to brush this morning.”

  “As you will, my lady.” Silvana pushed her fingers through Adelina’s hair, which was, it turned out, filled with hairy knots. She eased the bunches apart and stroked the curling strands. “You’ve beautiful locks.”

  “It’s about the only pretty thing I inherited.” Adelina sighed as Silvana’s fingers passed over her nape. “The rest of me is ugly. A plump little pig’s face.”

  “Absurd. You’re very comely.”

  “Oh?” Adelina sat upright and shook her hair. “And what’s so comely about me?”

  Irena smiled. “Well, you have lovely—”

  “Not you! I’m asking Silvana.”

  Silvana inspected Adelina’s expectant face. “Your eyes, of course. As blue as sapphire, as brilliant as starlight. And your cheeks are beautifully rounded.”

  “You mean they’re big.” Adelina prodded one of her cheeks. “Big fat cheeks, like an enormous baby.”

  “Hardly. It lends you a sensitive quality. And your lips have a remarkable allure. Lover’s lips, curved and inviting.”

  It was Adelina’s turn to redden. “Inviting?”

  “Lips that yearn to be kissed.” Silvana chuckled, and Adelina’s blush ran down her neck. “Are you convinced now?”

  Adelina giggled and stuffed a bun into her mouth, while Irena shifted closer and gave Silvana a serious look. “Silvana, do you think Rafael finds me beautiful?”

  “How couldn’t he? You’re an exquisite display of maidenhood.”

  A red line crested Irena’s cheeks. “I might see if Father is awake.” She bounded upright and took a shivery breath. “I’ll talk to you both later.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried into the cover of the trees.

  Silvana took Adelina’s hand and entwined their fingers. “What has overcome your sister? She doesn’t know, does she?”

  “You flustered her, I expect.” Adelina slid closer to Silvana and pressed their bodies shoulder-to-shoulder. “There are a few windows overlooking the garden, just so you know.”

  “So no kissing?”

  “Well, I know a few safe places…” Adelina grinned. “But perhaps it would be safer not to, even as much as I long for another taste. I thought of you all night. I can hardly believe you’re mine. A woman like you.”

  Silvana gazed into Adelina’s excited eyes. A warm glow of affection, almost melancholy in its intensity, spread through her breast. Had it ever been like this before? Certainly not for many years, not since she’d resigned herself to a life of fleeting intimacies and chance embraces. She could walk another thousand days and perhaps never find another woman like Adelina, innocent enough to offer her heart without reservation, pragmatic enough to know the risks and amorous enough to want to test them anyway.

  “Would you like to see the vines?” said Adelina. “There are no workers right now, and only Father has the key to the winery, but we can steal some of the new grapes.”

  “Steal from my host? That would be most ungrateful of me.”

  “Then I’ll pluck them, and you can eat them without guilt.” Adelina rose, and Silvana followed. “This way! There’s a second gate on the other side!”

  As they approached a row of hedges, Silvana frowned at the wall of the manor. The windows overlooking the garden all seemed vacant—no, in one there was movement, a pale shape that quickly vanished from sight. Had it been Sebastian? Yet even if it had, surely they’d done nothing improper. Women often enjoyed little physical intimacies with their friends.

  Adelina led Silvana to an iron gate that opened onto a wide flagstone path. The path took them to the rear of the manor, which overlooked a plain of vine-wrapped trellises arranged in ordered lines. Silvana and Adelina descended a short slope, and in minutes they were within a long green row of tangled grapevines. Purple fruit hung in bunches amid the close-packed leaves.

  Adelina snatched a grape and pressed it against Silvana’s mouth. “Take it.”

  Silvana parted her lips and let the grape slide onto her tongue. It was sharp and sweet, and its flesh crunched beneath her teeth. “Stolen g
rapes taste even better than honestly bought ones.”

  “Anything forbidden tastes sweeter, I imagine.” Adelina stuck a grape in her own mouth and winked. Silvana took Adelina’s arm, and they pursued the shaded row until they reached its furthest end. Above them, slightly elevated upon a gentle rise, sat the stone-brick winery. “Father will hire laborers soon. He’s been talking about buying another basket press too.”

  Silvana ascended the hill with Adelina struggling behind. They sat on a ledge beneath the shadow of the winery wall, their backs to the uneven bricks. The vineyard stretched ahead of them. Beyond it crouched the low bulk of the manor.

  “How much of your father’s wealth is from his wine?” Silvana said.

  “I wouldn’t think very much. His tavern is where he makes his money. Everyone knows that.” Adelina brandished a grape. “I saved one. Let’s share it.”

  “It’s a little small to share.”

  “Then you can have it, but you have to take it from me.” Adelina set the grape between her own lips. Unable not to experience a thrill, Silvana leaned in and took the fruit with her mouth. Their lips brushed, and Adelina’s eyelashes trembled.

  Silvana chewed the grape slowly before swallowing it. “That was the sweetest fruit yet.”

  “No doubt.” Adelina plucked a blade of grass and twisted it. “I love you, Silvana, and I only wish I knew why.”

  Silvana draped an arm over Adelina’s shoulders. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, how can I love you when I hardly know you?”

  “I can only speak for myself, but I don’t need to know more than I do. You give me hope and pleasure. I share the stirrings of your heart.”

  “Is that love, though?”

  Silvana smiled and brushed a strand of hair from Adelina’s cheek. “If not, it ought to be.”