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Rocca Sorrentina, May 1783

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greeted at the wharf

Conte Fillipe Foscari gazed thoughtfully out the window of the receiving room at the Villa Vesuviana. He had just been informed by Don Aldo Stern that there was a ship which had just recently arrived from Venezia, by way of Sicily, and it carried some passengers that the Conte might be interested in speaking with. The Conte agreed, and had asked that Don Aldo bring the new arrivals to talk with him; he also requested that the Professore remain and take part in the discussion. Don Aldo had gone to find the travelers and to invite them to the Villa for some refreshments and a bit of conversation. Now, Conte Foscari sat waiting, lost in his own thoughts and turning over in his mind what he knew of these people.

Don Aldo had said there was a man and two ladies; one of the ladies seemed to be unwell; the man was a venetian merchant; and one of the women claimed to be a Duchesa.but Don Aldo noted that he had heard her name before, from one of his associates in Venezia that the lady in question had been present at some gambling parties in the company of Mercury Gandt, of all people.

To make things even more interesting, the travelers had sent to Don Aldo a letter of introduction that Signor Gandt had written on their behalf.

Yes, this all was very interesting.

Presently, Don Aldo appeared at the door to the receiving room with a well-tanned and earnest-looking gentleman, a young lady who indeed, did not appear to be at all well, and a third woman who carried about her a veneer of some sophistication, but a rather thin veneer at best. She had a well-made gown, but very causally-dressed hair, and the air of someone whose life was more than likely characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty.

The man bowed. How do you do Signor Conte, it's a pleasure to meet you.

The Conte nodded in response and added, Professore, pray, introduce us.

Signor Conte, may I present Signor Hugo Dieter, lately arrived on the brig Annabella from Venezia.Signor Dieter, this is the Conte Fillipe Foscari

Hugo bowed again and then introduced the Duchesa Beatrice and her sister, Signorina Elisabetta. After the exchange of some pleasantries about the weather and the trip, Don Aldo had some cheese, bread and wine brought in. Elisabetta seemed entranced as she gazed around.

How pleasant near the windowand what a view! she commented softly.

Yes, this is a lovely island, added Hugo. Don Aldo and I were just discussing that outside.

The Conte nodded. Oh there is a wonderfully calm atmosphere here.

Indeed, that is a great part of the island's appeal, said the Professore. That and its distance away from unpleasant people.

Hugo coughed a bit at the mention of unpleasant people and shifted somewhat uneasily in his chair.

After a pause, the Conte went on. So....I gather your experiences of late have been rathershall we sayeventful"?

Elisabetta responded emphatically, oh yes!

The Conte was struck by how the question seemed to have given new life to the tired and ill-looking girl.

May I enquire as to the details of what happened? he asked.

Hugo, You tell! interjected the Duchesa. The she added admiringly, Hugo was so brave!

Hugo replied a bit nervously, Are you certain Beatrice? I will do my best to tell the whole tale.

We will add to it if necessary, answered Beatrice.

Conte Fillipe Foscari listened intently as Hugo Dieter sat up a bit straighter and began.

The Duchesa Beatrice alerted me to the fact that her sister was being held captive, in a prison in Veneziaquite unjustly, I should add..

Aldo Stern arched an eyebrow ever so slightly at this information, while Elisabetta let out an apparently involuntary sigh.

Held captive? asked the Conte. My dear....how awful.

Well, jailed on trumped up charges, explained Elisabetta. It was horrible. You can't imagine!

Under such circumstances, we three here are a bit....shall we say, looking for safe haven and refuge, added Hugo.

Yes off course, replied the Conte, you must rest and recuperate Sorrentina is the perfect place to do that nothing ever happens here.

Thank you, said Hugo. We were given hope that it would be such a place for usa friend and resident of this island -- Mercury Gandt -- suggested we come here.

Ah, that is interesting, the Professore commented quietly. As a matter of fact, while you were still struggling to get your baggage extricated from the hold of the Annabella, I was given a letter from Signor Gandt, a letter which he provided to introduce you to us.

Don Aldo then noted the young lady was gazing rather intently at the large cheese on the table, but she seemed a bit shy about helping herself. He quietly rose to cut off a slice or two, put it on a small plate and offered it to her. She accepted it and thanked him. He then proceeded to pour out glasses of wine for the travelers and handed them around.

Are you a native of Venezia? asked the Conte.

Umno, replied Elisabetta. my sister and I are exiles, and moved to Venice to make our way>

Where are you from originally? the Conte casually enquired.

Umm.. the north, Elisabetta responded vaguely. The Conte smiled and did not press the point, but he did not need to. After glancing at her sister, Elisabetta went on. We lived in the Court of Frederick the Great in Prussia.

Our days spent at Sans souci were wonderful, added Beatrice.

Conte Foscari nodded. Ahh yes, Frederick...an interesting man...and Sans Souci, a wonderful place. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then he questioned the girl further, And you had been in Venezia for how long when they arrested you ?

Oh, about five years.

So it was the Sbirri who arrested you?

Yes.

Hugo grumbled and twisted uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of the Sbirri.

As there were no real charges against you, Signorina, do you have any idea why they elected to take you into custody? asked Don Aldo.

Elisabetta frowned. We think they arrested me purely to use me as a bargaining chipapparently to help them in finding your daughter, Signor Conte.

If the Conte was surprised or distressed by this news, he gave no indication of it. He continued his questioning with a very business-like, almost disinterested air. You had no notion or warning of this arrestand once you were in custody, no legitimate reasons for it?

None whatsoever. I gather this is very common. They put a bag over my head, would you believe? And then dragged me to the piombiwhere was kept in a cell and fed nothing but bread and water for days

The Conte pressed the point. Why do you think they wanted to use you as a bargaining chip?

Elisabetta sighed and then began her explanation. From what they asked me, form things I overheard...they want to find your daughter, Signore, and thought that my sister would tell Mercury who would then contact you ... oh I dont understandit is all so strangeperhaps Beatrice understands this better, she concluded rather helplessly.

Conte Foscari looked at the Duchesa and smiled.

Can you, in fact, explain this more fully, Donna Beatrice? he asked.

Yes, but only a little, the "Duchesa" replied.

Sowhat has my daughter got to do with this? And how are you connected with my daughter?

Beatrice seemed hesitant.

With all due respect dear Conte, interjected Hugo, they want your daughter. In fact they seem to want very, very badly to take your daughter into custody. The reasons are still unclear to me... but she seems to have made enemies of the Sbirri in Venezia.

Beatrice nodded in agreement. They had been following your daughterand then they lost track of her, so then they thought that Signor Gandt might know of her whereaboutsand they were using Elisabetta to get to him through me, to get information about your daughterthey said they would let my sister go if I helped them to get what they wantedwhich was to get Mercury to tell them her location

As her voice trailed off, the Conte Foscari looked at the Professore, who shrugged slightly, adding the observation, Typically byzantine approach to what should be a simple problem for them, isnt it?

The tiniest of smirks passed across the Contes lips. Then he turned back to Beatrice. Please tell me more about this Signor Gandt.

The Duchesa coughed. She did not seem to know where to start.

The Conte frowned slightly, but then offered helpfully, This is the young Englishman who travelled with her to Venezia, no?

And it is the same gentleman who has maintained a residence on this island for sometimeand provided the letter of introduction for these good people.

And you are a friend of this Sior Gandt? asked the Conte.

I have met him, she replied. and I know he was trying to find your daughterafter she disappeared into a convent and never came out again.

But you do not know him well, I take it?

Beatrice shook her head. NoI live in Venice; he is from here.

Don Aldo noted that upon hearing this answer, Hugo Dieter had shot a quick glance at over at Beatrice, betraying what might have been a bit of surprise at her statement.

It would seem that a great many people are trying to find my daughter. the Conte remarked drily.

Yes, agreed Beatrice. As for the Sbirri, they seem to feel that she is a way to get to you and some organization you belong to.

Again the Conte gave no indication of any surprise at this revelation. Oh? Did they make some mention also of myself?

The Profesore frowned slightly. And how did you become aware of that information Signora Duchesa?

Oh- the odd rumour, she answered vaguely. You know...after all...I know many people through my profession...

The conte now looked a bit curious. And your profession is?

Beatrice's face took on a slight air of defiance and her reply was clear and direct. I am a courtesan, Signore; I know many fine gentlemen in powerI hear things on the pillow, so to speak

In spite of himself and the seriousness fo the situation, Hugo smiled a little at hearing all this .... old fond memories began to run in his head. But now that Beatrice had given her explanation she seemed to be at a loss for words. She simply sat, looking down at her hands.

To her surprise, the Conte smiled in a sympathetic sort of way. We all have to survive, Signora.

Then he turned to Elisabetta. Signorina, I am very sorry that you suffered in this unfortunate way because of my family; I shall endeavor to make it up to you in some way.

It was not your fault Signor Conte, she replied softly. There is no need

How long did they keep you at the Piombi?

For well over a month - the days seemed like years. And the cold ate into my bones.

The Conte nodded. I understandthat is the nature of such placesbut now you must rest and get your strength back I am sure that we will have the colour back in your cheeks by the end of the week.

Hugo coughed, and after a moment, broke the silence in order to bring up a new issue that was preying on his mind. Ah, Signor Conte, Don Aldo if I may, I feel I should mention something else that may be of concernwith relation to the Sbirri wanting to find your daughterand to have some leverage over youduring our trip here, there were also two ruffians who sailed on the ship from Venezia as wellthey seemed to know who we werethey showed strange interest in us, and asked odd thingsmade odd comments

Do you think they were Sbirri agents? Don Aldo asked bluntly.

I cannot say for sure," repleid Hugo, "but they were most certainly not your usual sort of people who take passage

The Professore leaned over and spoke quietly to Hugo. These fellows on the ship with you...was one with short hair, and a green sailor's roundabout...and another with long unkempt hair and a red waistcoat?

Hugo looked at Don Aldo in surprise. Why....Yes ! Yes, that was them! And yes, I do feel they were sbirri agents .... I'm not sure how much to say in front of the ladies here, so as to not worry them."

Don Aldo nodded. I thought so. Yes, probably agents of the Sbirrior at least in their employ ...private contractors as it were. Cristofoli mostly likely wouldnt risk any of his own men in such a pointless fashiondont you agree, Signor Conte?

No, you are quite right right, Professore, agreed the Conte. "My old friend Don Christoforo is very careful with his human resources.

Hugo was trying to keep track of things and was not doing a very good job of it. This was all becoming very confusing. He thought he had heard the Conte just say he was friends with Cristofoli, the head of the Sbirri secret police in Venezia, but that couldn't be right. Meanwhile, the Conte and Beatrice had moved on to going back and forth about how well Mercury actually knew the Contes daughter, and then there was another undercurrent about how well Beatrice actually knew Mercury...and Hugo could tell that Beatrice was not being entirely honest with the Conte. Meanwhile, Elisabetta was sitting there next to him, seemingly oblivious to all that was going on, happily eating cheese and licking her fingertips, and gazing around at the very nice murals that were painted on the walls

...and suddenly Hugo became aware that the Professore had quietly risen from his seat and left the room.

~

thank you to Aphrodite Macbain for the images