Jack didn't know about Milton's plans; all he knew was the trial was postponed, and there was a chance Rose wouldn't be involved thanks to what happened. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit he wasn't entirely upset about that possibility. He didn't want Rose exposed like that again. It was bad enough the first time. Who knew what might happen if she went up there a second time?

"We're going to Chicago," he announced over breakfast. He'd come to the decision without even thinking about it. Rose gave him a puzzled look. "We are?" she said.

Fabrizo glanced up from his oatmeal. "Why?"

"Me and Rose are," Jack said. "You can too, if you want." He turned to Rose. "Remember how we were gonna go find a lawyer so you can have the divorce?"

"Jack, you want to do that now?" she said.

"Yeah. I think we should do it now," he replied. "The only reason we haven't is because of everything that's been going on. With the trial delayed, why not? You know you'd feel better if it were all over with, or at least in the works. And with Cal locked up..." He saw hesitation in her eyes. Putting his hand on hers, he added, "I just think it would be good. This way, no matter how things turn out, you're free."

Rose smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "Maybe you're right," she said. "Maybe we should go."

"We'll leave today," Jack said.

...

Fabrizo decided to stay home. "This is yours to do," he explained. "You should be alone for it. Besides, someone should stay and look after things here." He didn't add that someone should be around to keep up with new trial developments. He suspected part of Jack's reason for going now was to get Rose away from it.

They left on the noon train. They weren't gone five minutes before at least a dozen stories about where they went and why began circulating. Fabrizo heard snatches of conversation as he drove back through town, but he ignored it. He burrowed into his coat, eager to be back home in the warm kitchen. The sky was already dark, and he could tell the temperature had dropped since he left. No, he wouldn't going anywhere else today.

...

Fabrizo was awakened by loud, insistent knocking. His chair was tilted back, resting against the wall; one foot held him steady. He looked around, startled by the sudden burst of sound. Had they come back? Was the door even locked? After what happened, Jack kept the doors locked, something he'd never done before, but Fabrizo couldn't remember feeling the urge to lock it. Who would be threatening him?

Of course, there were a few people in town who felt very much like issuing a threat or two after seeing him with Lucy in court, but he didn't think about that.

Fabrizo broke into a wide grin when he saw Lucy standing on the front porch. She was hunched over, coat tight around her. "Aren't you going to let me in?" she said, impatiently, but with a grin.

"Of course," Fabrizo said. "I didn't expect you."

"I didn't know I'd be coming over," she said. "But I found myself alone, and well..." She shrugged. "I wanted to see you."

"I'm glad you came." He took her hand. "Come into the kitchen where it's warm."

"What were you doing?" she asked.

"Sleeping."

Lucy laughed. "In the middle of the day?" She draped her coat across a chair. "Where is everyone?"

"I didn't plan it," he replied. "I guess I needed the nap," he added, with a chuckle. "Jack and Rosa are on their way to Chicago. They went to find a divorce lawyer."

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Really? And they went all the way down there?"

"Jack insisted. They have to get the best."

"I can see his point," she said. "That Cal guy's going to fight them, even if he stays in jail."

Fabrizo put his arm around her waist. "He'll stay there."

Without thinking, she leaned against him. "I'm not worried about that," she said. "I mean, I'm not worried about him coming after me. Why would he do that? I'm nobody to him. No, what worries me is that he won't ever be punished for what he did. It's not right the way people treat him." She wore a frown. "Did you know people think he's innoccent? People right here in town, people who've known me all my life, and they think I'm making it up!"

"No-one believed Rose either," he pointed out.

"I know, but...I guess I thought I was different, you know? I just figured those people weren't like us. All that money. How could they be the same?"

"I know what you mean," he said.

Lucy sighed and put on a smile. "I didn't come here to go over all that again."

"What did you come here for?" he asked flirtatiously.

She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. "Well, I didn't expect to find you alone."

He pulled her closer as they kissed, wrapping both arms around her. Her hands pressed against his shoulders. The kiss was heavy with unexplored passion. Finally, after what felt like hours, they parted.

Lucy's eyes shone. Fabrizo had to force himself to let go of her. "Do you-do you want something to eat?" he asked.

She nodded. "Sure."

...

"I can't believe you cook like this every day," Lucy said. A sauce was simmering on the stove, and the table was covered with bread ingredients.

"I don't. Some days we eat leftovers. And some days we eat what Jack makes," he joked. "Or try to."

"Is his food really that bad?"

"No," Fabrizo said. "But compared to mine..." He shrugged, grinning. "He knows cooking's not his skill."

"Well, this is just bread. Anyone should be able to manage that."

"Ah, but Lucia, this is Italian bread," he said. "It's very different. Requires more."

"Like garlic?" she said jokingly.

"Not just that." Fabrizo stepped behind her. "Do you mind?" he asked, placing his hands over hers. Lucy shook her head. "You have to knead differently," he explained.

Lucy's heart beat faster. His hands were strong, but he held her gently. His breath blew against her ear, and she was sure she heard his heart beat. He was so close. Jack was the only person who had ever come this close to her. But she wasn't thinking about Jack now.

...

She should go home. She should've already left, hours ago, but Lucy ignored the voice in her head urging her to go. So what if she was a little late for dinner? She'd been late before. Her brothers didn't need her to cook for them. They were perfectly capable.

But they wouldn't like her being alone with Fabrizo like this. She couldn't deny that. And yet, the very fact that she wasn't supposed to, made it all the more thrilling.

"It's getting late," Fabrizo said casually. He glanced out the kitchen window. It was nearly dark, but he could see thick clouds covering the sky. "Looks like rain." He sucked in his breath as she came up behind him. Her hand brushed his arm.

"I think those are snow clouds," she said. "Wouldn't it be funny if a blizzard kept the trial stalled? Cal and his lawyer would love being stuck here for weeks."

Fabrizo kept his voice level, despite the flutter in his stomach. "Should you go home? I mean, should I take you?"

"I don't have to go yet," Lucy said. "It's not snowing."

"Still..." Their eyes met, and he trailed off. The air grew thicker around them, and they both sensed something was coming, something they wouldn't be able to walk away from.

"Do you want me to go?" she asked.

He shook his head. "But that doesn't mean you should stay."

Lucy took his hand. "Tell me to go, and I will."

"Lucia."

"Tell me," she insisted.

"You know what people will say."

"I don't care," she said.

...

Night had set in by the time Jack and Rose arrived in Chicago. A sharp wind blew in from the lake, and they huddled together in a taxi, shivering. Nothing was said about the cost. Rose didn't even protest when they checked into an expensive hotel. She was too frozen and overwhelmed to do anything but let Jack lead her upstairs.

The room wasn't lavish, but they did have their own bathroom, which told Rose more about the price than anything else. She suspected Jack had done it for her. Sharing a tub with strangers didn't seem like the sort of thing that would bother him.

"You didn't have to do this," she said.

"Do what?"

Rose waved her hands, gesturing toward the room. "This."

"We had to stay somewhere," Jack replied amiably.

"Jack, you know what I mean. You didn't have to spend this kind of money. I would've been perfectly fine somewhere else."

"I know. I wanted to," he said. "I don't wanna do it all the time, but it's nice to spend a little money now that we have it." He took her hands. "And this is a special trip," he added.

"Do you honestly believe we can find a lawyer capable of extracting me from my marriage?" Rose asked.

He nodded. "I do."

"Because we have money now," she said.

"That helps, but also because we're right," he said. "That's what matters."

"I wasn't aware goodness always prevailed. I thought it was generally the other way around. No good deed and all that."

"I wouldn't say always," he replied. "But more than you think. Cal's gotten away with too much for too long. He's due for a loss." Jack pulled her closer and kissed her lovingly. "Don't worry, Rose."

...

They found a lawyer in the telephone book. It wasn't the most conventional method, but since they knew nothing about the firms the city had to offer, Jack figured it was as good a way as any. They flipped through and made a list of names that stood out to them. After breakfast, they set out. It took three tries before they found someone willing to take on their case.

Eugene Cohen was bright and ambitious. Since entering the practice, he'd successfully tried dozens of cases and negotiated settlements in others, but he hadn't done anything spectacular. He'd fallen into family law without meaning to; one case led to another, and he'd discovered it was a good, steady income. He'd built a solid reputation. But that lack of at least one spectacular case, one memorable victory, nagged at him. He'd given up hope of finding it. Most people with the means to hire a divorce lawyer wanted things kept as quiet as possible. There was no courtroom theater, no way for his talents to truly shine.

Until now.

"I'll be happy to take your case," he said, careful not to sound too eager. The truth was, Rose's story touched him. He genuinely wanted to help her, and if he could help himself gain a little notoriety in the process, where was the harm? From what she'd told him, her husband was the sort who made scenes, one way or another.

"You will?" Rose said, shocked. She exchanged glances with Jack. "Mr. Cohen, you understand my husband is a powerful man. A man with a wealthy, well-connected family. He's a formidable opponent."

"I understand," Eugene said. "And I can see your point, but I assure you, I'm quite up to the task. I haven't represented anyone in such a-" He searched for the right word. "Complicated case," he said. "But I have experience. I know what I'm doing."

Jack looked him in the eye, holding his gaze for a long moment. Finally, he said, "Can you win?"

Eugene nodded. "I can."

"Alright," Jack said. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a stack of bills. Rose's eyes widened. "Jack-" she began. He laid the money on the desk. "That's what we're paying you for," Jack said.

...

"That was a lot of money, Jack." Rose spoke softly. The halls of the Art Institute demanded hushed tones. They hadn't seen anyone else yet.

"I know it was," Jack said. "It's worth it. We couldn't make this happen cheaply."

"You really trust him?"

"Yeah, I do," he replied. "Don't you?"

"I don't know. It sounds too good to be true."

Eugene had explained how everything would work. According to him, Rose could divorce Cal quickly and smoothly since he was in jail. Unless he was released before it went through, he wouldn't be able to contest. "She'll just argue desertion and cruelty," Eugene said.

"Few people are willing to believe that," Rose said.

"That was before," Eugene replied. "When it was just you."

"How long will it take?" Jack asked.

"A few weeks, at most," Eugene said. "Mexico and Nevada, those are the states with easy divorce laws, but I'm guessing you don't have time to establish a residency."

Jack shook his head. "No."

"We don't need to," Eugene said. "I know some tricks. Trust me."

Rose wanted to believe him, but it couldn't be as simple as he made it out to be. "Maybe it is," Jack said. "Maybe Cal just wants you to believe it's impossible."

"I'm sure he wants that," Rose said. "I just..."

"What?"

"I don't want you throwing your money away," she said.

"Rose, it's our money," Jack said. "And we're not. This has to happen. You know that."

"I know."

He lay his hand against her cheek. "Let me worry about things for a while," he said.

Rose kissed his palm. "I'll try, Jack."

He smiled. "Good. Now, there's some paintings we need to see."

...

They awoke to a cold, bright day. As soon as she opened her eyes, Lucy realized her mistake. Fabrizo lay next to her, still fully clothed, wrapped in his own blanket. His arm was draped across her. Nothing happened, though not for lack of interest. And yet, she knew it didn't matter. She'd stayed with him, alone, and now there would be consequences. Lucy rolled onto her side. He slept so peacefully; she couldn't bear to disturb him.

The previous night's events replayed in her head. They'd eaten dinner and cleaned up. Nothing more was said about her leaving, though Fabrizo seemed distracted at times, as if he wanted to bring it up.

He looked at her, and her face felt hot. His dark eyes were soft, but they sparkled with desire. His hand brushed hers, and she sucked in her breath. A light blush covered his cheek, and he ducked his head. "Sorry," he said.

"Don't be. I don't mind."

"Lucia..."

"Yes?" she said.

When had she gottens so close? Fabrizo could smell her hair. It smelled like violets, and he wondered if the rest of her smelled that way too. The urge to pull her to him and find out was almost more than he could bear. He settled for letting his hand rest on her waist. "Do you mind that?" he asked.

Lucy shook her head. She felt his hand burn through her dress. Before she could stop herself, she kissed him. Fabrizo stiffened, and she feared he would push her away. But he didn't. He pulled her closer. She sighed with relief as she sank against him. Her arms wrapped around his neck. His hand tangled in her hair, and she deepened the kiss.

They were breathless when it finally ended.

"Do you want me to go?" she asked again.

"I'm afraid you shouldn't stay," he said. "What I want doesn't matter."

"What about what I want?" She kissed him, slowly this time. "I never thought I'd want another man," she whispered.

"Lucia."

"It's not like it was," she went on. "It's so much more now."

"Your reputation," Fabrizo reminded her.

"What reputation?" she said, with a laugh. In a serious voice, she asked, "Do you love me?"

"I love you. You know I do."

"That's all I care about," she said.

They went up to his room, and for a moment, Lucy was sure it was going to happen. Their kisses were frantic, and their hands moved feverishly. Desire welled up in her, and she felt a long lost ache. He felt it too. It was in his touch, his eyes, his voice. Fabrizo murmured in Italian, and it sent a shiver down her back.

But nothing happened. Lucy couldn't say exactly why, except that perhaps, they weren't quite as ready for that next step as they thought. Or maybe it was Fabrizo's fear of offending her family. If that was it, he'd failed by letting her stay at all. It didn't matter that all they did was sleep in each other's arms. No-one would ever believe that, and even if they did, the implication was too strong to ignore.

"Morning," Fabrizo said softly. He rubbed sleep from his eyes. "I didn't think you'd still be here."

"I wouldn't just sneak out," Lucy said.

"I thought you might, to get home before anyone notices."

"I'm sure they noticed," she said.

He frowned slightly. "They'll be worried. You should let them know you're alright."

"If I do, you won't be," she said.

"I expected that," Fabrizo replied ruefully. He considered for a moment. "What if we got married?"

"Aren't we already? Wait. Do you mean get married now?" Lucy gave him an incredulous look. "Just run off and do it?"

He nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. They'll be angry, but if we're married, what can anyone say?"

"Nothing, I suppose." She smiled. "Well, it's not as if people aren't talking already. Let's do it. Let's go."