Magicians of Caprona - Diana Wynne Jones [18]
With so much worry about, it was hardly surprising that Paolo and Tonino looked forward daily to being invited to the Duke’s pantomime. It was the one bright spot. But Antonio and Rinaldo went to the Palace—on foot—to deliver the special effects, and came back without a word of invitation. Christmas came. The entire Montana family went to church, in the beautiful marble-fronted Church of Sant’ Angelo, and behaved with great devotion. Usually it was only Aunt Anna and Aunt Maria who were notably religious, but now everyone felt they had something to pray for. It was only when the time came to sing the Angel of Caprona that the Montana devotion slackened. An absent-minded look came over their faces, from Old Niccolo to the smallest cousin. They sang:
“Merrily his music ringing,
See an Angel cometh singing,
Words of peace and comfort bringing
To Caprona’s city fair.
“Victory that faileth never,
Friendship that no strife can sever,
Lasting strength and peace for ever,
For Caprona’s city fair.
“See the Devil flee astounded!
In Caprona now is founded
Virtue strong and peace unbounded—
In Caprona’s city fair.”
Every one of them was wondering what the real words were.
They came home for the family celebrations, and there was still no word from the Duke. Then Christmas was over. New Year drew on and passed too, and the boys were forced to realize that there would be no invitation after all. Each told himself he had known the Duke was like that. They did not speak of it to one another. But they were both bitterly disappointed.
They were roused from their gloom by Lucia racing along the gallery, screaming, “Come and look at Rosa’s young man!”
“What?” said Antonio, raising his worried face from a book about the Angel of Caprona. “What? Nothing’s decided yet.”
Lucia leaped from foot to foot. She was pink with excitement. “Rosa’s decided for herself! I knew she would. Come and see!”
Led by Lucia, Antonio, Paolo, Tonino and Benvenuto raced along the gallery and down the stone stairs at the end. People and cats were streaming through the courtyard from all directions, hurrying to the room called the Saloon, beyond the dining room.
Rosa was standing near the windows, looking happy but defiant, with both hands clasped around the arm of an embarrassed-looking young man with ginger hair. A bright ring winked on Rosa’s finger. Elizabeth was with them, looking as happy as Rosa and almost as defiant. When the young man saw the family streaming through the door and crowding towards him, his face became bright pink and his hand went up to loosen his smart tie. But, in spite of that, it was plain to everyone that, underneath, the young man was as happy as Rosa. And Rosa was so happy that she seemed to shine, like the Angel over the gate. This made everyone stare, marveling. Which, of course, made the young man more embarrassed than ever.
Old Niccolo cleared his throat. “Now look here,” he said. Then he stopped. This was Antonio’s business. He looked at Antonio.
Paolo and Tonino noticed that their father looked at their mother first. Elizabeth’s happy look seemed to reassure him a little. “Now, just who are you?” he said to the young man. “How did you meet my Rosa?”
“He was one of the contractors on the Old Bridge, Father,” said Rosa.
“And he has enormous natural talent, Antonio,” said Elizabeth, “and a beautiful singing voice.”
“All right, all right,” said Antonio. “Let the boy speak for himself, women.”
The young man swallowed, and helped the swallow down with a shake of his tie. His face was now very pale. “My name is Marco Andretti,” he said in a pleasant, if husky, voice. “I—I think you met my brother at the bridge, sir. I was on the other shift. That’s how I came to meet Rosa.” The way he smiled down at Rosa left everybody hoping that he would be fit to become a Montana.
“It’ll break their hearts if Father says no,” Lucia whispered to Paolo. Paolo nodded. He could