Hugo strolls along the cool stone walkways of Rocca Sorrentina. He regrets being remiss in certain duties, or rather, his manners but only a bit. A letter should have been written much sooner than this, yet Hugo has let his business dealings and especially the raven haired beauty, Beatrice, happily distract him. Hes been thoroughly enjoying some leisure time and her company.

Hugo also cant help the feelings hes been having of late, as if a dark stone is in the pit of his stomach. Its time to get thisletter finished as he arrives at his destination and sits down, putting quill to paper. He is not quite sure what to write, but he doesnt wish to keep Beatrice waiting too long. Beatrice stands nearby, patiently waiting, as Hugo is steadfast in his task.

Quickly perusing his writing, Hugo lays down the quill and is somewhat happy that the letter has been written. He looks up and smiles at Beatrice and she looks back at him expectantly. Hugo hasnt shared his doubts about their new friend with her, and he certainly isnt about to ruin the plans for this night either.

Ready for an evening stroll Hugo? Its another lovely night and the air will do us some good. Beatrice asks and then smiles sweetly.

Of course my dear, I needed to finish this letter first, Id like our friend Gandt to not feel as if hes been forgotten. We do owe him some gratitude. We are safe here and Elisabetta is doing so well. Hugo replies with an imperceptible tinge of misgiving. He looks down again at the paper and contemplates what hes just written.

Hugo rises and he and Beatrice start off to wander the island, as they often do in the evening. They pause and look East across the water in the direction of Venezia, unspoken words of the past there and how far they have come. Hugo is overcome with emotion and kneels before Beatrice, kissing her hand and looking up into her beautiful eyes. She smiles and welcomes his touch.

Not many more words are spoken between them, content to walk and just enjoy the peacefulness of Sorrentina. They find a quiet spot and sit on the ground to relax after their meandering walk. Soon after, Beatrice beings to yawn and excuses herself for the night for some blissful slumber. Hugo promises to join her soon enough. She goes off to her chambers while the orange sunset has turned into a purple night.

Hugo is yet restless and fully mulls over the nagging suspicions now that he is alone. Perhaps the delay in writing Gandt is also because of his feelings. He reaches into his pocket and produces his recently written letter, needing to read it once more. It sounds polite enough and without a hint of mistrust.

Sighing loudly, Hugo decides to send the letter to Mercury as soon as possible. If anything Hugo was polite and didnt like to leave any loose ends in any endeavors he attempted. Furrowing his brow and looking around, he makes a decision. He needed information from Venezia but didnt feel comfortable going back there on his own. Many of his own contacts back in Venezia were probably not going to help him. The sbirri and Cristofoli were not going to be too fond of a meeting with Hugo and they were still after the missing Contessa Elena. Hugo simply couldnt stomach the sbirri, he felt he was still paying some penance in his soul for his own dealings with them.

Hugo thought of Don Aldo and Conte Foscari, they were most gracious and welcoming. Many of the valets and servants were forthcoming and helpful. An idea forms in his mind because of a name he has heard spoken around the island very often. A certain gentleman, currently in Venezia, who was known for particular abilities may prove useful. Hugo wonders if a letter to the gentleman to find out about Gandt and a promise of some ducats would prove useful in his quest.

Would circumventing his hosts mean risking expulsion from here? The gentleman in Venezia was known to both the Conte and Don Aldo. Hugo dreaded the thought of going back to England or finding another port if his plan was discovered. But, he needed to know what Mercury Gandt had been up to in Venezia. What of the ladies? Would they suffer for Hugos decision? Beatrice and Elisabetta were settled and happy here, how could Hugo in good conscience jeopardize that?

Thoughts, plots, counter-plots, deceptions and subterfuge were making Hugos head swim and feel as if he were back in Venezia at that moment. Hugo returns to the villa and sits down once again at the desk. This letter begins awkwardly as hes not sure how to proceed. He must know what Gandt is up to but if the Conte or Don Aldo find out, he hopes the repercussions wont be too severe. Again, he puts quill to paper and starts slowly

Hugo stops after writing the last sentence. Hes completely torn and undecided. Placing the letter in the desk drawer under some other papers, he cant write anymore and will think about it again at another time. The letter to Gandt will go out by courier but this one, this letter to Saturnines, the Conte Foscaris own servant, needs careful thought and preparation. Business, Hugos business needed some attention so with the other letter tucked away, he begins tending to other matters long into the night.