Sienna
I don’t know where Giovanni spent the night or where he is this morning, but it’s almost ten o’clock when I’m walking down the stairs of the big house because I somehow managed to fall asleep again after the episode in the kitchen.
“She’s here!” I hear a little boy’s excited, loud whisper.
“James, give her a little space,” I hear Declan say as I get to the first floor and see the big fire already burning in the fireplace. Lamps are lit through the room and I think they must need them on all day long because of the weather and thick walls of the house.
The little boy steps up to me with a wide smile on his face and Declan follows with an apologetic look on his.
“Hello. I’m James Declan Scott,” he says. “Almost laird of this house.”
“James,” Declan says in a chastising tone.
I crouch down so I’m at eye level and see that he has Giovanni’s eyes almost exactly. Their strange color is the same, but Giovanni’s hold none of the innocence this boy’s do.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, James. I’m Sienna and I was hoping you’d be here when I woke.”
“You were?” he asks, eyes brightening as I straighten.
“I saw your toy train last night and, well, I loved trains when I was a little girl and haven’t played with them much since.”
“Are you sure? Girls don’t like trains, Sienna,” he says, his expression very serious, very much like Giovanni’s.
“You look a lot like your father and uncle,” I say.
He smiles broadly again. “Thank you. About the trains…”
I look up at Declan who comes closer, ruffles his hair. “She just woke up, son.”
“No, it’s fine. And as far as those trains, a lot of girls like to play with them. Just like a lot of boys like to play with dolls.”
He makes a face. “Not me.”
I laugh.
“Would you like some coffee? Breakfast?” Declan asks.
“I’d love coffee. Do you know where Giovanni is?”
“Second time you ask me that in the two times we meet,” Declan says as he turns toward the kitchen. I walk beside him. “And my answer is the same. Who knows?”
James comes to my other side and takes my hand in his little one. I’m surprised by this. Warmed by it.
“I saw him this morning, Sienna. He said he was going to the tower,” James says.
“You’re not to be in that part of the house, James. You know that.”
James rolls his eyes at his father and it’s so exaggerated, I cover my mouth so as not to laugh. “I didn’t say I went with him. He just told me when I saw him this morning. And I told him to be careful.”
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, mister,” Declan says teasingly as he opens the kitchen door for me to walk through it.
“She’s pretty,” James whispers behind me. At least I think he intended on whispering but it’s loud enough for me to hear.
“She’s very pretty,” Declan says. “And she’s too old for you.”
I smile.
“How old is the house?” I ask after meeting the cook, Alice, and sitting down with coffee.
Declan sips his while James sits on the counter talking to Alice and eating a cookie.
“Centuries. It was built by my ancestors in the early 1500s.”
“That’s amazing.”
“We’ve done pretty well with restoring and keeping up renovations, but as you can see, things aren’t what they used to be. These houses are expensive to keep, and the estate is now bankrupt, but that’s my brother’s problem now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I signed the papers this morning. At least we’ll keep the distillery open.”
“I don’t understand, Declan.”
He puts his cup down and looks at me. “Do you know why Giovanni left Scotland?”
I shake my head.
“Has he told you anything at all?”
I look into my cup, embarrassed that my answer is no.
“Alice,” he says, his tone authoritative, different than when he talks to me. “Take James inside. Get him dressed and ready to go into town.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Will you come with us, Sienna?” James asks.
“Go, James. Or we’ll be late,” Declan says.
I don’t get a chance to answer as he’s ushered out.
Declan waits until the door closes before speaking.
“You asked what the tension is between my brother and me and I’ll tell you. You should know and it’s not only Giovanni’s story to tell. It’s mine too.
“My mother and father were having an affair while Giovanni’s mother was still alive. While she was lady of this house. My own mother, Ann was her name, was a maid. I’m the result of that affair.
“Giovanni’s mother died young and when my father married my mother and claimed me as his own blood, everything changed between Giovanni and I. We were less brothers then than we were before either of us knew we shared blood.”
“That’s why he left?”
Declan shakes his head. “My mother was much younger than our father. And she was not as committed to our father as she should have been,” he says, looking away momentarily. “Giovanni was trying to protect his father, but he went about it wrong.”
“Protect your father against what?”
“Having his fortune squandered. Having his new wife steal Giovanni’s legacy out from under him,” he pauses, sips the last of his coffee. “When Giovanni exposed one of her many affairs, I’m sure he thought that would be enough. That our father would divorce her, and they could go back to being their own little family mourning for his long dead mother. But Ann, well, I’ll just say she had a great deal of influence over my father. I think she could get away with murder when it came to him. And after the accusation, my father chose Ann over Giovanni. He disowned his son.”
“How old was Giovanni?”
“Sixteen.”
“That’s why he left.”
Declan nods. “And why he’s so filled with hate. Why he’s done what he’s done over the last decade of our lives.”
“Which is?”
“Look around you. This house was grand when I was a boy. Look at it now.”
“He’ll fix it, I’m sure. He has the means-”
“It’s not only that, Sienna. The family has lived in the house together for centuries. I’ve lived here since I was born, in the servants’ quarters to start, then as the laird’s son. My son deserves to grow up here. It’s his legacy as much as mine or Giovanni’s. But my brother will be taking that away from the boy.”
My mouth falls open. “He wouldn’t…”
Declan shakes his head, stands. “I’ve said too much. I don’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not… it’s not your fault. I appreciate you telling me.”
“I’m going to take James into town. He needs to see the eye doctor. You’re welcome to join us if you like. You need a jacket if you don’t have one. And better shoes. Those won’t do here, not if you want to stay dry.”
“Giovanni-”
“Giovanni isn’t here, is he?” Declan points out, gaze locked on mine.
The door opens and James enters the kitchen wearing a rain coat and galoshes and holding a small umbrella. “Ready! You’ll come, Sienna? I’ll even take you to get the best chocolate cake in the whole world.”
Declan moves to stand beside James as they wait for my answer.
It only takes me a moment to reply because Declan’s right. Giovanni isn’t here. And because Declan’s been more open with me in two short meetings than Giovanni ever has.
“I’d love to. Just let me grab my bag.”