Training commenced the minute I woke up. Which was at the crack of dawn, just as Giovanni had promised us. And it sucked. We ran miles upon miles together and got yelled at for slowing down. We lifted logs and trained with weapons. And I mean every kind of weapon imaginable, swords, daggers, throwing knives, and hidden blades. I was no great shakes with a blade, but Mario did say I had some skill with a dagger.
The physical exercises were grueling, but Maria took it upon herself to strengthen my mind. She instructed me in Italian and map reading. However for all my complaints, I did show progress. In just a month I could hold a conversation with Pettrucio, and I was fitter than I'd ever been. My baby fat had been slowly replaced with slender muscle. It was a routine that took up every minute of the day, some much so that I did get any chance to talk with the guys. Except of course the few words we traded in our combat lessons.
Federico and I seemed to have cleared the air a little bit. We didn't mention our fight again. I guess it was simpler that way. One day though at breakfast Mario made a special announcement.
"My dear friends, and family. I've been informed that our little Claudia turns sixteen in a few days. So I propose to hold a masque for the occasion." Claudia squealed and thanked her uncle profusely. The whole family began to talk about the event with extreme enthusiasm. Maria came up to me.
"Aren't you excited Amelia?" I shrugged my shoulders uncaring.
"I suppose so. I've never been one for parties." Maria immediately declared the notion unexceptable. She began adding new lessons to my day, and these ones were torture. Lessons upon lessons filled with dance and etiquette lessons. I began to hate it so much, Maria was a harder task master than Mario. But on the day of the party Maria finally declared me adequate to be presented as a lady.
"That evening Maria helped me get ready for the party. She dressed me in a corseted gown, did my hair in a complicated braid, and even dabbed my neck with some drops of rose water. When she was done she stepped back and looked at me like an artist observes there creation. I put on my mask and she smiled.
"My dear it is beautiful. See for yourself." Slowly I turned to face the mirror, I gasped under my breath. Gone was the stumpy girl in baggy clothes with tangled hair. In her place was a slender woman with pink lips, and sparkly eyes under her mask.
"I don't even recognize myself." I breathed quietly, Maria smiled at me.
"My dear its a masque, you can be who ever you wish to be tonight." We were startled by the sound of firecrackers outside.
"Its time for you to go." Gently Maria steered me outside and closed the door. Looking at the party in the square, it was over-whelming. People from the town were everywhere young, old, well-to-do, and poor. The smells of cooking food wafted around, and the sounds of firecrackers and music rang in my ears. Also everyone was in masks, some simple, others bizarre but it made the whole scene feel surreal.
I don't know how long I wandered without purpose before I wound up standing to the side watching the dancers. A low voice sounded in my ear.
"Such a wondrous beauty should not be standing alone." Frightened I turned around and saw a man. He was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark clothing with a wide brimmed hat. His mask was black as well covered half of his face. The whole picture made me think of Zorro. The stranger made an impressive bow and took my hand.
"Permit me Signorina." Lowering his head he kissed my hand. Maria's training kicked in and I swept my finest curtsy keeping a delicate grip on the strangers fingers. We didn't ask each other names, that was considered bad form at a masque. But he swept an arm toward the dance area and asked in a low voice.
"My I ask for the next dance set Signorina?" I was half tempted to say no, but etiquette forbade it.
"But of course." I replied in perfect Italian. The stranger flashed a dazzling smile and lead me to the dance area. We danced like we'd rehearsed it, the man lead me so naturally that I forgot the steps and we just flowed across the ground. I had no idea why I felt so comfortable around this stranger. I looked up at him and our eyes locked. His eyes were dark, nearly black and they had stars in them. This guy was so polite and gentlemanly, but of course he was probably some Casanova that would try to break my heart. Normally I would never dance with a stranger and let him hold me like this. But I could just hear Maria's voice in my head 'you can be who ever you wish to be tonight'.
It felt like something between us clicked and we stopped twirling. The look he gave me was so intense I felt like I was drowning. I felt the strangers arms tighten around me pulling me close, and surprisingly I let him. In fact I slid my hands up to his shoulders craning my neck to bring us closer. One of his arms left my waist and used it to cradle my neck. My cheeks and neck were burning with blush, I prayed that the dark lightening hid. His head lowered down to my level aided by my back bending backward. He put a gentle pressure against my neck and we were just a breath apart. Giving in entirely my eyes slide closed and my chin lifted.
Our lips met in a gentle embrace, and I saw sparks. Our arms tightened around each other and he dipped me down lower. Soon our lips were battling erratically as we clung to each other. Then there was a huge bang, the loud sound made us break away from each other. We looked up at the night sky and saw the bright explosions of fireworks above us bathing us in colorful light. I was dizzy and breathing heavily I looked around to get my bearings. When I did heard the chimes of the church bells, eleven chimes. Mario had warned the boys and me that training would continue the next morning without delay, I didn't want to stay out to late. I looked at the stranger with regretful eyes and spoke carefully.
"I'm sorry I need to leave now." He seemed shocked the way his mouth drifted open, I took the pause as a chance to walk away. The stranger grabbed my hand and turned me back to him.
"Wait, please Signorina. Meet me in front of the church tomorrow." I wanted to do a happy dance, this handsome stranger wanted to see me again. Did that mean he felt the sparks to? But I frowned when I thought about to the question.
"I can't, I'm sorry." I broke away from him and walked through the crowd to make my way to the villa. I was walking on air the entire way, grinning like a fool. On the way I saw Claudia, I waved at her. She seemed confused until I spoke.
"What's wrong Claudia?" Her face went from confused to astonished.
"Amelia! Mio Dio! I didn't even recognize you. It's gorgeous." Blushing lightly I smiled at her.
"Did you enjoy your party?" She smiled big and told me about her evening in incredible detail, every morsel of food she sampled, and every young soldier she danced with.
"What about you. Did you have a good time." I thought about my handsome stranger and giggled. Claudia raised an eyebrow with a curious face.
"Well?" I smiled as I answered her carefully.
"I danced with a very handsome man." Her face broke out in a delighted grin.
"That's great what's he look like, what's his name." Still keeping my stupid grin I replied.
"I have no idea." I skipped away after that leaving Claudia very confused. When I got back to my room I laid back on the bed and smiled at the ceiling. That night I fell asleep thinking about the feel of those soft lips on mine.
OOOhhhh, intrigue. So what happens next? Seriously, what comes next? I'd like to have some suggestions.