Insatiable Appetites

17

Stone left through the side door and stepped into the hallway. Dolce was just disappearing into Eduardo’s study at the end of the hall. He walked slowly toward the study and hesitated at the doors. Finally, he figured he had to do this sometime, and it might as well be now.

He opened the door and peeked through. Dolce was sitting at her father’s desk across the room. He walked into the room, leaving the door open behind him.

Dolce rose, walked around the desk and toward him. She was wearing a tight black silk dress and had removed her hat and veil. She held out both her hands for Stone to take.

Stone liked the idea of her not having a free hand and took them both in his. She presented a cheek to be kissed, and he complied.

“A long time,” she said.

Not long enough, Stone thought. “Yes. I’m glad you’ve fared well.”

She took back her hands, walked to the sofa, and sat down. Stone took a chair next to her.

“The convent provided me with psychiatric care,” she said. “Gradually, I became myself again.”

Stone shuddered at the thought of who that might be. “I’m glad.”

“I want to apologize to you for my behavior in the past,” she said. “I can only claim insanity as a defense — and that, I have found, can be cured.”

“What are your plans?” Stone asked.

“Thank you for sending me the will and the codicils,” she said. “I’m going to take advantage of Papa’s generosity once more and move into this house, into his room, in fact. A little redecoration, and it will suit me perfectly. There’s an old stone barn out back in the woods, near the mausoleum. I’m going to turn it into a studio and paint.”

He hadn’t sent her the will, and he supposed that Mary Ann had. “I didn’t know you painted,” Stone said, trying to keep the conversation moving.

“I did as a girl, and I showed talent. I had time to develop that talent in Sicily, and now I want to make a career.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“Thank you. Stone, I know that we cannot be lovers again, but I hope we can be friends.”

Stone looked doubtful. “I’m seeing someone who is important to me, and I don’t think she would be happy with our being friends.”

“Cordial old acquaintances, then.”

“Of course.”

She rose. “Have we anything else to say to each other?”

“I have only to wish you well — most sincerely.”

“Then I’d better return to our guests,” she said, and preceded him out of the study.

Stone followed her at a distance, breathing large sighs of relief.

When he got to the living room, Kate Lee had arrived, and Ann Keaton was with her. Ann smiled and took a step toward him, but he raised a finger, stopping her in her tracks. Later, he mouthed. She turned back to her previous conversation.

Mary Ann approached him. “Did you speak with Dolce?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t expecting her. How did she seem?”

He almost said “Normal,” but that was a stretch. “Composed,” he replied. “She said she had seen the will, and she’s going to move into this house and take Eduardo’s bedroom, then she’s going to renovate an old stone barn out back and use it for a studio for her painting.”

“She painted as a girl, and beautifully.”

“I think it’s good that she has something to keep her busy.”

“Thank God for that, I’d hate to have to keep her amused.”

“She said she had psychiatric treatment in the convent.”

“Papa told me that, though he didn’t tell me much.”

“Do you have any problem with her living in this house?”

“If I did, would it matter? Certainly, I don’t want to live here, and Ben is in California. How is it going with the estate?”

“Eduardo’s final personal tax return and the estate return have been filed. Progress toward probate seems smooth.”

“How much in estate taxes?” she asked.

“Fifty million, give or take. You, Ben, and Dolce will get more than ten million each, taxes paid. Think you can squeak by on that?”

She laughed, something she didn’t do often. “I guess we’ll have to,” she said.

Gradually, the crowd thinned, and Stone walked out of the house with Kate and Ann.

“See you at seven,” Kate said. “Oh, and bring Dino and Viv.”

“Viv’s away on business, as she often is, but I’m sure Dino would be delighted. May he bring his son, Ben, and his girl, if they’re free?”

“Of course.” She got into a waiting government SUV.

Stone pulled Ann aside. “I’m sorry we couldn’t talk earlier,” he said. “I’ll explain later.” She followed Kate into the car and was gone.

Stone had a word with Dino about the evening, then he got into the Bentley with Peter and Hattie and was driven home.