Chapter Seventeen
Alvise notified Alessandro in Rome and Pietro in Padua of their brother’s demise. Vitale, deep in his cups as usual, blubbered like a baby when told, although he and Filippo had never liked each other. A widow of the family’s acquaintance offered to fetch Lavinia to Venice since she was reluctant to leave the house on her own.
Having the shortest distance to come, Lavinia was first to arrive for the funeral. She wrung her hands when she saw how ill Elena was after her ordeal. Only once did she and Marietta speak about Filippo.
“If you hadn’t told me how to get into that hidden room,” Marietta said when they were alone, “Elena would still be there, but no longer alive.”
“Then I’m thankful I did, although Mother was furious with me.”
“But she has gone, Lavinia.”
Lavin
