Seabound [English Translation]

Chapter 6. The man in black appears again

A few days later I realised that my life in Granacci's house was not much different from my former life at the convent. Despite his promises, Ricardo had no time for me the next day. "Business, sister," he muttered, looking away, patted me on the shoulder and disappeared. Fabrizio, however, stayed at my disposal. But as I was about to get some air, donna Assunta immediately turned up, determined to accompany me wherever I went. I had to give up the canals and the shops on the Merceria − with that old witch by my side the walk wouldn't be any pleasure at all.

I didn't mind being alone. The old house was like a treasure box that kept surprising me every day. The dark carved pear-wood chests of drawers held rolls of the softest bright fabrics that made my hazel eyes look golden amber and my pale skin glow. Behind the glass doors of the cabinets I could see expensive dishes glittering. And while wandering through the empty rooms, I sometimes noticed a fragment of an old mural or painting. Julia's rooms were like Ali Baba's magic cave, full of wonderful things that every woman loved: silver-embroidered silk cloaks, scented gloves, lace, veils, crystal vials of various essences... I had never had such beautiful things before and now I enjoyed them while I had the chance.

Pulcino didn't like Venetta. "The fishermen here are cunning," he complained, " they often bring bad fish. Seagulls are insolent. People are always scurrying around, muddy the water and rumble heavy hammers. Why didn't we stay in our old lagoon? There used to be such soft sandbanks, swamps, reeds, salt lakes – that was a real paradise! Why on earth did we have to move to this dirty ugly place?"

When he was sullen, Pulcino wouldn't stop whining. We didn't often get to talk, though, because donna Assunta was watching my every move. She made no attempt to expose me to the servants – for the sake of our family name, I guessed, − but wherever I went I was soon followed by the clatter of a cane and an old quavering voice asking, "Julia? Are you there?"

She had a lot of different tasks for me to do: help her to spool wool, try a new recipe, read her a book... I wondered how she used to deal with it without my help?

"But I'm busy, auntie," I tried to escape. Yet in vain.

"I haven't seen you for too long, my dear. Just let me admire your lovely face before I'm gone," she moaned plaintively, turning threateningly senile. And with a gloating smile on her face.

"You'll outlive all of us, you nasty old hag!" I thought to myself, deeply irritated by my aunt's duplicity. But I had to hold my tongue because I didn't want the servants to gossip. The only time I got some freedom was early in the morning when donna Assunta got up and dragged her sinful bones to the confessional room. Fortunately for me, her piety did not allow her to miss a single early service at a church.

Ricardo didn't interfere. Actually, he was rarely at home those days. In the daytime he was busy with his work. And as for the evenings – well, he took Fabrizio and they disappeared into a moonlit maze of the canals. My imagination pictured a dark alley hidden from view, a secret door opening at a conventional knock, a female figure in a mask and a long cloak. Sometimes, as I was lying in my bed at night, I could hear the splash of an oar near our terrace and the murmur of conversation that carried far across the water...

I was curious. I was tempted to ask Fabrizio, but I knew that all gondoliers cherish the secrets of their young masters. It was a sort of male fraternity. My questions will only amuse him. And why on earth should I care about Ricardo's sweet nights?

"You shouldn't be thinking about such trifles," Pulcino's voice interrupted my blissful idleness. "You'd better worry about someone else. What do you know about the man with the scar who had met you and Ricardo on the quay?"