Chapter 52

“Is there anything I can do?”

“You’ve performed your sad duty most commendably. I think perhaps my grandmother would like to be alone just now. I will take care of things, thank you.”

When I returned from showing them to the door, I took a long look at Grandmother.

“Don’t say it,” she said. “We had this conversation earlier. If anyone is to blame, it is my ignorant son and his foolish children.”

“I didn’t know them,” I said, “but I’m sorry this happened.”

“Thank you, and may God forgive me for what I am thinking just now.”

“Let me guess: a small part of you is grateful that the family will be spared the scandal of a trial.”

“You are a very perceptive young man. You do realize what this means, do you not?”

“No, Ma’am.”

“It means that you, Marco, are now the fourteenth Conte di Conti.”

“How is that possible?”

“You are the only male descendant of my late husband.”

“Guido had no children?”