Mid-May 1792 - Angelica arrives in Venice

Angelica had been in this palazzo before and it was years ago; but now she was back and with an agenda. Her father had told her to find a husband… and she supposed she should, just like Alessandro was supposed to find a wife, but rumor had it that he was engaged and she had to get the full story. Oh she missed her brother! He had moved to Venice during the fall last year and she had not seen him since. It was so strange to live in the castle that belonged to their family, with both her brothers and their wives and her mother and father, but without Alessandro. She loved her sweetest brother dearly and she could not wait to embrace him again.

She opened the door; she was part of this family, after all, she did not need to knock. It was quiet when she entered, but clean and kept beautiful. She would expect nothing less from Alessio. She stood for a moment in the hallway, before a dark-haired male servant with his long, straight hair kept in a ponytail appeared. Emilio! She remembered him!

“Emilio, how good to see you! Do you remember me?” She asked with a bright smile and before he could stop her, she had approached him and gently embraced him, placing a kiss on each cheek.

“How could I ever forget the beautiful Angelica? Even more beautiful than what I recall.” Emilio replied with a charming grin, but then turned more serious again, “Alessandro is upstairs in his chambers, if you’re looking for him.” He told her and she thanked him and hiked up her skirts to slip up the stairs. Halfway up, Emilio spoke again though, “He may not be who you remember.” He said and she wondered what that was about, but moments later she knocked on Alessio’s door. He allowed entrance and Angelica went inside. Alessandro sat on a chaise, looking comfortable and with a poetry book in his hands. He was all alone. The room was quiet.

“Alessandro!” She exclaimed and he jumped up when he saw her. Alessandro and she shared a long, warm and tight embrace, before they let go to look at each other, “I have missed you, dearest brother!”

“And I have missed you, Angelica. Are you here alone?” He then asked, naturally wondering if the rest of the family had come with her. She shook her head.

“Yes, I have come alone. They sent me to do the same as you… find a spouse, or so they say. How is life in Venice?” She asked and they went over to sit down together on the chaise, close enough so that their knees were touching, if it wasn’t for her skirts of course.

“Life in Venice is… good. I’ve experienced so much, especially over the past few months.” He told her, but his charming smile faded a little and she wondered what that was about. Angelica slid an arm around his shoulders to pull him closer to her.

“What happened? Emilio said you might be different or something?” Angelica asked, “Is it because you’re engaged?” She then asked with a grin and Alessandro looked at her; it was supposed to be a secret, after all.

“I am engaged, yes… and I suppose that has changed me, but… that's not all...” He trailed off and shook his head, “It’s a long story for another time. I don’t want to dwell on it right now, when you’ve just arrived. We’re going to have so much fun! We should throw a party for your arrival!” Alessandro then added and she laughed.

“Of course we should!” She agreed and kissed his cheek, “It’s so much more fun spending time with you than with Alberto or Andrea… or their wives. Although I do feel sorry for Andrea’s wife, she’s not doing so well. But as you said, let’s not dwell on less fun incidents. Show me around the house, dearest brother, and tell me all about social life here in Venice. I can’t wait to dive into it.” Angelica said and like they’d done at home a thousand times before, they easily linked their arms and began the tour around the house… which they both knew and the tour was just an excuse to gossip and get together again. Alessandro felt good now – the house had been lonely after Lucien and Michela left, but now there would be life again.