Evening Star (Star Quartet 1)

en.”

“That is terrible. Surely he could not be such a monster.”

Angela shrugged, a faint pitying smile on her lips. “Of course he could, dear Giana. And he wouldn’t be a monster.”

But surely Luciana’s precious Carlo had mistresses.

“But why do you just accept that? It isn’t right, truly.”

Angela reached over and patted Giana’s hand. Giana followed her gaze toward an old woman in a starched gray gown and white cap who was walking toward them carrying a frilly pink bundle in her arms.

“Ah, my dear Giana. This is my baby, Maria.” Angela held out her thin arms and took the infant on her lap.

“Not too long, signora,” the woman said in a chiding voice. “The master does not wish you to tire yourself.”

“Oh, Teodoro,” Angela said, smiling fondly at the mention of her absent husband, “he always fusses so. He believes me so delicate, and in truth, I am not. Look, Giana, she is smiling at you.”

Giana looked at the baby’s tiny face, and indeed, the little girl’s mouth was curved upward. She let the baby clutch her finger and pulled gently against her grip. Suddenly before her was the image of Alfredo’s seed glistening on Emilie’s lips. That made this exquisite child? She shuddered, unable to help herself.

“Angela,” Giana said after the woman had taken Maria away, “exactly how are babies made?”

Angela turned a dull shade of red and looked quickly away from Giana, her hands fluttering nervously in her lap.

“I’m sorry. I do not mean to embarrass you. It is just that I am not certain exactly how it is done.”

“I know,” Angela said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I also wanted to know before I was married. I think it is better if one does not know. It is best that one’s husband shows what is necessary.”

Giana saw her flush again, and tilted her head questioningly. “Does it hurt?”

“Only at first, then not at all. Teodoro is a very kind man, and very considerate.”

“I see,” Giana said.

“No, of course you do not, but your husband will show you what is expected, dear Giana. He will be gentle, I am certain. It is not something to dread, indeed, I find that I sometimes—” Angela stopped in mid-sentence, still flushing. “And the result can be a lovely baby.” She rose suddenly and her voice became brusque. “Now, my friend, this is most improper talk. Let me show you my roses and azaleas. They are among the most beautiful in all of Rome, even more lovely, I think, than those at the Piazza di Spagna. Have you walked up the Spanish Steps to the Piazza della Trinita` di Monte? I can scarce climb twenty of those steep steps without feeling faint. But Teodoro’s arm is always there to steady me.”

Elvira, a tall, long-legged girl with flowing thick black hair, lay on her back on the golden coverlet, her white legs parted. A young, pale-skinned man, hairless and as soft-looking as Elvira, stood over her, running his long fingers along the inside of her thigh.

“It appears this gentleman will proceed in a more routine fashion,” Daniele said. “This, my dear Giana, is how most wives are taken.”

The man straddled Elvira’s legs and pushed himself against her, his white buttocks in the air.

“I do believe Elvira is enjoying this,” Daniele said indifferently, “else she’s a fine actress. Probably the latter.”

Elvira wrapped her long legs about his thrusting buttocks and looked up at him, her face contorted.

“He is hurting her.”

“Oh no, my dear. Elvira’s studied expressions encourage her partner to believe that he is the only man in the world and that she is experiencing great passion.”

Elvira and the man were rocking against each other on the bed, his arms rocking Elvira’s shoulders and her hands stroking his white back. The man suddenly tensed and threw back his head.

“Elvira is quite talented,” Daniele observed as the man collapsed on top of her. “She had to spend very little time and not a great deal of effort.”

But Giana’s eyes were closed. That was how babies were made, that was what Teodoro did with Angela. That is what you will do with Randall. Somehow, she could not now remember the pleasure she had felt when Randall had touched his lips to hers. She felt only fear and revulsion and shame.

“Could Elvira have a baby?”

“Whores do not have babies, Giana, only wives.” At her look of incomprehension, he sighed and said, “There are ways to prevent conception, and a girl who beds several men a night must use them. You may ask Lucienne if you are interested in specifics.”