Sweet Virgin Mary why had she not anticipated this? Perhaps she had, but she was sure Liam Tesano would take what she’d offered. He would take and take and take without marriage ever being part of any of it. He could enjoy their arrangement, full of carnal delights with no expectations and best of all no judgements. There would only be freedom. Forever was the antithesis of freedom.
***
Liam arrived in the kitchen the next morning to find the house empty. At first, he thought Athena had gone but then found her note. She’d taken one of the trucks and gone into town to market.
He had seen the shock in her lovely eyes when the words ‘Marry me’ escaped his tongue. No... not escaped. Freely danced from it. Heaven save him, but she was the woman for him. Her imperfections, ones he was sure were the cause for her hesitation to accept his proposal, were outmatched by her spirit. That spirit brought life to all she did. Simply put, he didn’t want to be without her.
Did he love her? He could not say. Was it only lust? No. Of that, he was certain.
The day was on tap to being a scorching one. By 10am, the heat was already penetrating the house- a big change from the evening hours where a roaring fire didn’t seem out of place at all. The windows as well as the front door were open. A small breeze was admitted, making the sweltering temps a bit more bearable.
Liam was at the kitchen spicket, pressing a damp cloth to the back of his neck when a single knock echoed through the house. He didn’t know the well-dressed, broadly built man in his doorway, but wasn’t surprised when he shared his identity.
“Apologies, Mr. Tesano, I’m Alcide Cavalese, Athena’s oldest brother.”
Liam shut off the spicket. “I’ve been expecting someone from your family for weeks now,” he said.
“Yes, well,” Alcide moved just past the threshold. “My brothers and I talked our father into putting some time between he and Athena. He can be a bit reckless when he’s angry.”
“Mmm, like chasing his naked daughter through a field with a gun.”
Alcide inclined his head. “He told us you were there. Did my sister tell you how she came to be naked in that field?”
Liam kept his expression grim. “It’s an easy enough guess.”
“Please,” Alcide gave an encouraging wave, “share.”
Liam sighed. “Clearly your father caught her in some compromising position with her lover. This brought shame to the family and he was intent on showing his displeasure.”
Alcide nodded as though he were impressed. “We heard you were a well-spoken young man with a head for business and courage to rival the most stout-hearted.”
“You’ll forgive me for saying I don’t give a damn about what you think of me, Mr. Cavalese. I know you must honor your father, but I am under no such obligation.”
Alcide looked around the kitchen. “Is she here?”
“Gone to market.”
Alcide nodded. “Tell me, Mr. Tesano, is that how she phrased it to you? That our father found her with her lover?”
“She didn’t phrase it in any way.”
Alcide’s slightly tilted stare illuminated with discovery. “Blessed Virgin...who is it you believe she was with?”
“No one I care to discuss with you.”
“And there is no need. I assume she was referring to that simple girl she’s been toying with for half a year.” Alcide grinned sourly when Liam remained mute.
“It’s true, Mr. Tesano, she was with the girl, but she was long gone by the time my father found my sister. By then, she was entertaining others in that outhouse she thinks we don’t know about. That’s right, I said ‘others’. As in male others-two at the same time.”
Liam blinked once and then several times more in rapid sequence. He moved awkwardly toward the table and groped for one of the chairs. It wobbled slightly as he took a seat.
Pity filtered Alcide Cavalese’s brilliant azure gaze. “I am sorry. As I said, we’ve heard of you. It wasn’t my intention to disrespect you in your home, but it seems you’re a good young man destined to be respected and successful. You should not saddle yourself with one such as my sister.”
Liam frowned slowly, bringing his eyes back to the man’s face. “So you do remember she’s your sister?”
“Yes, I do, Signore and my sister is a whore.” Alcide watched Liam bristle. Grimacing, he shut the front door and took a seat at the dining table.
“Forgive me for speaking this way, Mr. Tesano. It wasn’t always as it is now. Athena was always a...clever girl, but after our mother died things changed. Perhaps she was bitter over playing maid to four men- we have two other brothers. My father would tell you the darkness has always been in her soul.”
“Darkness?” Liam said.
“The fact that she has no self control is insignificant when weighed against the rest,” Alcide said. “Alas, she is a girl so her virtue and its absence are of great importance to my father.”
Liam reclined on his chair. “What more is there?” When Alcide Cavalese seemed hesitant, Liam brought his fist down on the table. “This is what you came to tell me, yes?”
“I take no pleasure in speaking negatively about my baby sister,” Alcide swore, his fist also clenched tightly on the table. “Her ways are not all dark. She can have a nurturing soul. She can bring glorious gardens to life in the most barren spaces-growing things that are a marvel to behold.”
Alcide’s expression soured again. “She’s known to have used the same talent to procure things to aid women who wish to rid themselves of unwanted children.”
Liam’s lip curled. “And her father and brothers didn’t approve, is that it?”
Alcide bristled once more. “My sister has a black heart, Sir. Her dark ways have threatened many in our village, if bringing them harm would get her way.”
“You aren’t saying she’s killed?” Liam sounded incredulous.
“Not killed, but there have been...accidents.”
“We all have dark parts, Mr. Cavalese.”
