Lucy Gordon: Rinaldo’s Inherited Bride

‘He isn’t. Oh, he made a big theatrical comedy of it, but I think that’s just his way.’

Rinaldo nodded. ‘You’re right. All his life, everything had to be a production number.’

‘But since I came back he’s been a quieter, very polite, very respectful. Haven’t you noticed?’

‘Yes. And it’s not like him.’

‘He’s probably just a bit embarrassed about backing off after all that theatrical “passion”,’ Alex mused. ‘Especially after my engagement broke up.’ She laughed suddenly. ‘Oh, now I understand. Poor Gino. He was afraid I’d expect him to marry me, and he was trying to let me know, very kindly, that it’s not on.’

Rinaldo’s brow cleared.

‘That would be it. But to be fair, he was probably madly in love with you at one time-for about two days.’

Alex raised an eyebrow at him. ‘That’s all you think I’m worth, eh?’

‘No, but it’s his record.’

They laughed together.

‘Trust me, he’ll be glad to have the problem solved,’ she said.

She glanced into the corridor, saw that it was clear and signalled to Rinaldo. A brief kiss, and he was gone.

She followed him down a few minutes later and found him alone in the kitchen. Gino was just entering the house.

‘Now?’ Rinaldo asked her softly.

But Alex shook her head. ‘No, I have something to tell you both first.’

He looked puzzled.

‘Wait and see,’ she said in a voice of teasing anticipation.

Gino came in, smiling when he saw Rinaldo.

‘You look more cheerful than you did last night,’ he said.

‘And you’re both going to look more cheerful when you’ve heard what I have to say,’ Alex told them.

They looked at her expectantly.

‘Enrico Varsi owes you money,’ she said. ‘Quite a lot of money if I’ve got my figures right.’

‘But how?’ Rinaldo asked.

Alex took a deep breath. ‘Because he’s been cheating you for years,’ she announced.

‘What?’

The exclamation was Gino’s. Rinaldo was more wary.

‘Alex, I really think that’s very unlikely. Varsi is an eminent man-’

‘Which makes it easier for him to get away with it.’

‘He was also an old friend of our father, who trusted him completely.’

‘Someone who trusts you is the easiest to deceive. I don’t suppose it ever occurred to your father that his friend was stealing from him. It occurred to me as soon as I got a long look at your books.’

‘I know you mean well,’ Rinaldo said, ‘And you’re an expert in British accounting practices, but this is Italy. We have a different financial year, remember?’

‘I know, and all sorts of other things are different. That’s why I’ve been taking a crash course in Italian accountancy.’

‘Where? How?’

‘From a man called Tomaso Andansio. His offices are just up the street from Varsi’s.’

‘Is that what I saw you looking at that day?’

‘That’s right. I knew I’d heard the name somewhere, then I remembered we had some dealing with him in London. Signor Andansio is brilliant and totally honest.

‘I called him, and he let me spend a week in his office, learning all I needed. When I showed him my evidence he agreed there was a case, and gave me a whole lot of reading to do. There’s no doubt of it. Varsi’s stolen a fortune from you.’

She added wryly, ‘But for that, your father might never have needed a mortgage.’

Gino flung his arms about Alex in a fierce hug that turned into an exuberant waltz about the room.

‘You’re a genius,’ he yodelled. ‘A genius, our good angel, our glorious, shining star-’

‘Yes, that’s very nice,’ Rinaldo interrupted him, ‘and I admit it opens interesting possibilities, but-’

‘Interesting possibilities, you soulless man!’ Gino protested, releasing Alex. ‘Is that all you’ve got to say for what Alex has done for us? You’ve never appreciated her properly and I think it’s time you-’

‘I’m trying to be realistic,’ Rinaldo cut him short quickly.

‘Rinaldo means he doesn’t trust me to get it right,’ Alex said cheerfully. ‘I anticipated that, so I’m arranging for us all to go and see Signor Andansio. I dare say you’ll believe him, seeing that he’s a man.’

‘Seeing that he’s an Italian,’ Rinaldo said, smiling at her and refusing to be provoked. ‘I think visiting him is a very good idea, Alex.’

She went straight to the phone, followed by Gino who whispered in her ear, ‘You’re having a really civilising effect on Rinaldo. Keep up the good work.’

They drove into Florence later that day and in a few brief words the accountant confirmed everything Alex had said.

‘It’s a matter of how you define things,’ he explained. ‘Transfer certain things from one column to another and the whole picture changes. In between the two “pictures” there is a gap. A lot of money can fall into that gap, and an unscrupulous accountant can help himself. For years your tax liability has been less than the amount you paid, and since the cheques were routed through him-’ He finished with an eloquent shrug.

‘And Poppa never checked because he trusted him,’ Gino sighed.

‘It would have made no difference if he had checked,’ Andansio said kindly. ‘It’s been very cleverly disguised, and you need to know what to look for. This lady-’ he indicated Alex ‘-was particularly sharp-eyed to notice it in an unfamiliar environment. I’ve already told her that if she chooses to take the exams in this country there’ll always be a position for her in my office.’

‘I may just do that,’ Alex said.

‘I told you she was a genius,’ Gino said.

‘Can we get back to the point?’ Rinaldo asked. ‘We now know that Varsi has been robbing us all these years. What’s the next step? The police? Can it be proved?’

‘Oh, yes, but I think there may be another way of dealing with him,’ Andansio said. ‘We show him our evidence and demand restitution, not only to yourselves but to all the other clients from whom he has undoubtedly been stealing. That will do them far more good than prosecution, and believe me, he can afford it. In return we’ll have to promise to keep quiet.’

‘Which leaves him free to prey on others,’ Rinaldo pointed out.

‘Oh, I don’t think so,’ Andansio said smoothly. ‘I shall make it very clear to him that he’s under my eye.’

‘How much can he be forced to return to us?’ Rinaldo asked.

Andansio named a sum. The three facing him stared in shock.

Gino gasped, ‘But that’s-’

‘Almost as much as the mortgage,’ Rinaldo murmured.

Alex said nothing. She merely smiled.

‘I assume you will be wishing to move your affairs out of his hands,’ Signor Andansio said.

‘And into yours,’ Rinaldo agreed.

‘In that case, may I suggest that you leave matters to me? I believe I’ll have good news for you quite soon.’

In a daze they went out into the light, and stood looking at each other for a few moments. Gino recovered first.

‘A celebration!’ he declared. ‘Because we really have something to celebrate.’

It was almost evening. Gino grabbed both their hands and led them into the best restaurant he could find.

‘Because we can afford it now,’ he said. ‘Waiter, what’s the best champagne you have?’

He seemed carried away by exhilaration. It was as much as the others could do to calm him down, and then only for a short while.

Later that evening, after an excellent meal, they piled him into the back seat of the car, where he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

THEwhole area around Florence seemed to be one great harvest festival. Every night there was a party somewhere or other.