Revelations

EIGHTY-EIGHT

Sofia was in Ezio’s den, stoking a fresh fire, when she heard the carriage tear up to the front of the house. Alarmed, she rose quickly to her feet. A moment later, Ezio burst in, closely followed by Shao Jun. He rushed to the window and closed the shutters, bolting them. Then he turned to his wife.

“Pack some bags. They are putting fresh horses to the coach. Some of our men will go with you.”

“What-?”

“You must stay at Machiavelli’s tonight.”

“What’s happened?”

“A misunderstanding.”

Sofia looked from him to Jun, who lowered her eyes, embarrassed at having brought her troubles to their door.

“Give me a moment,” she said.

Soon afterward, she and the children were installed in the carriage. Ezio stood at its door.

They looked at each other. Both wanted to say something, but no words came.

Ezio stepped back and nodded to the coachman. He cracked the reins, and the horses moved forward into the gathering gloom.

As they gathered pace, Sofia leaned from the window and blew him a kiss. He raised his arm in farewell, then, without waiting to watch them out of sight, returned to the villa and closed and locked the door.