Ama began giving Gabriella a history lesson and I sat back. Listening to a long list of when various renovations had been made to the castle, I squeezed Lexi’s hand. She seemed totally engaged. This was better than reading about history in some textbook. After serving the beverages, staff brought baskets of bread to the table. The scent of the fresh bread, no doubt baked this morning, made my stomach growl. I ducked my head. The butter that accompanied the bread was formed into little designs that sure looked like Marco’s coat of arms.
Although I’d never been much for wine during the day, it might be time I started. Looking over the land that spilled before us in undulating waves, I was amazed by the beauty. What was I doing sitting here with Lexi, lapping up history under the trees on this delightful day with a colorful group of people I didn’t know? Taking a chance had paid off. My friends Reena and Maddie would agree.
The pasta was the most wonderful I’d ever eaten, served with a sauce that did not overwhelm it. The delicate coat of the fish was easily broken by my fork. While I savored the meal, Gabriella played with her fork and made eyes at Marco, who responded in kind. Ama whispered in Gregorio’s ear and I wondered what she was saying. Although the older woman wasn’t at the top of my hit parade, she cared for her grandson. That counted with me.
“What is this stuff?” Lexi’s voice shredded the still air.
I looked down. “Pasta.”Please don’t ruin this, Lexi.Checking my wine glass, I realized that I hadn’t emptied it. Had she? My heart sank.
Face reddening, Gregorio leaned forward. “Gnocchi.”
“What the heck is Know She?”
To my embarrassment, Marco had stopped talking. He looked away from Gabriella’s beauty and turned a sharper gaze to my daughter. The fragrant moist bread lodged in my throat. I grabbed my water glass.
“Gnocchi is made with fresh eggs,” Ama said in her gravelly voice. “You break the eggs into the center of the shredded potatoes and carefully circle with your fingers.”
Lexi drew back. “That sounds complicated.”
“It sounds wonderful. And tastes even better.” What was I saying? I scooped up a forkful.
“This is Gregorio’s favorite.” Ama’s eyes pierced Gabriella, as if she should have known this. “The dish is made especially for the Crown Prince.”
Gabriella’s laugh tinkled on the air like a precious silver bell. The kind that can drive you out of your mind. She gave a baleful look to the spoonful on her plate. “So sorry. Way too many calories for me.”
Yes, in those pencil slim pants under her draped shirt, was the slim body of a model. Of that I was sure. “But it’s delicious.” I took another forkful. Feeling Ama’s approving eyes on me, I said, “Maybe the staff could teach me sometime.”
Wouldn’t that be great? I pictured myself wowing Reena and Maddie with my culinary skills. Maybe I’d even give lessons at the Rec Center.
Lexi snorted but Gregorio smiled. “I can teach you,” he said softly but with the rich timbre of his father’s voice. Promises of things to come. “It’s kind of fun. And tastes so good.” Bringing his fingers to his lips, he kissed them, maybe like some chefs he’d seen on TV. Then his face turned as red as the radicchio.
“The student instructing the teacher.” Gabriella raised her glass.
Marco studied his son with visible disapproval. Was cooking not considered manly enough for a Crown Prince? The king jerked his attention back to me. “And calculus? That is going well?”
“Yes, indeed.” Not the time to delicately tell him that we were busy with trigonometry, that I was trying to bring Gregorio up to speed. When I looked up, Lexi was giving me a curious look. She knew we weren’t working with calculus since she’d been sitting in the class. I’d have to talk to my daughter so she didn’t blow my cover.
“Signora Newhart will get my son into Harvard,” Marco confided to Gabriella.
Her lips formed an O, round and luscious. Did she even realize the importance of this past bit of news? Did she care? Marco seemed captivated by those lips. And for some reason I was becoming increasingly irritated.
To my relief, everyone went back to the meal. I tried not to eavesdrop on the others’ conversations, but I was not to be spared. Because she wasn’t eating. Gabriella had time to talk. “Gregorio, tell us what you have been learning.”
Maybe she’d already asked Marco about the lessons but he didn’t have a clue.
Brandishing one of the heavy silver forks, Marco said, “Yes, Gregorio. Tell us.”
My heart sank as I watched Gregorio struggle. He’d been chewing, and I hoped he didn’t choke.
Averting her eyes, Ama tensed. Gabriella was definitely not her favorite person. My guess was, Ama didn’t want this young woman to have any knowledge of what went on in this castle. The Queen Mother was a secretive woman.
“We've been readingThe Great Gatsby,” I offered. Gregorio threw me a grateful look. Hand shaking, he lifted his water goblet. The poor boy managed to spill water on what was left of his gnocchi.
Gabriella tipped up her beautifully sloped nose. “What is this Gatsby thing?”
“A classic,” I said. “In America, that is.”
One slender shoulder lifted dismissively. “Well, America.”
