Page 48 of The Seven Sisters

‘Mãe, please, it is only a lunch,’ Bel pleaded with her. ‘I’m sure the Aires Cabrals will not care what you wear.’

‘Oh yes they will. Don’t you see that we are there to be inspected? One negative word from Luiza Aires Cabral and the doors that have so far opened so easily for you in Rio will immediately be shut in our faces.’

Bel sighed and walked out of her mother’s dressing room, wanting to scream that it didn’t matter what the Aires Cabrals thought of her parents or her because she would not be sold like a parcel of flesh toanyone.

*

‘Will you marry him if he asks you?’ enquired Maria Elisa when she visited that afternoon and Bel told her of the invitation.

‘Goodness! I hardly know him. And besides, I’m sure his parents want a Portuguese princess for their son’s bride, rather than the daughter of Italian immigrants.’

‘Perhaps they do, but my father says the Aires Cabrals have fallen on hard times. Like many of the old aristocratic families, they made their money from the gold mines of Minas Gerais, but that was two hundred years ago. Then their coffee farms were bankrupted when slavery was abolished. My father says they have done little to remedy the situation since, and their fortunes have dwindled away.’

‘How can the Aires Cabrals be poor when they live in one of the finest houses in Rio, and Gustavo’s mother is laden with jewels?’ asked Bel.

‘The gems will be family heirlooms, and apparently the house hasn’t had a lick of paint in fifty years. Pai went up there once to survey it because it was in such a bad state of repair. He said it is so damp, it has green mould growing up the bathroom walls. But when he presented Senhor Aires Cabral with a quotation, he gasped in horror and sent him packing.’ Maria Elisa shrugged. ‘I swear, they’re only influential in name, not in wealth. Your father on the other hand is very rich.’ She eyed Bel. ‘However you try to deny it, you must see what’s happening?’

‘Even if he does ask, they can’t make me marry him, Maria Elisa. Not if it makes me unhappy.’

‘Well, I think your father would take a lot of persuading otherwise. Having a daughter with the Aires Cabral surname and his own grandchildren carrying on the line would be a dream come true for him. Anyone can see it’s the perfect match: you provide the beauty and wealth, and Gustavo provides the noble lineage.’

Even though Bel had been assiduously avoiding thinking about the scenario, Maria Elisa’s blunt words struck home. ‘God help me,’ she sighed. ‘What can I do?’

‘I don’t know, Bel, I really don’t.’

Bel changed the subject in an attempt to quell the desperation that threatened to overwhelm her, and voiced the thought that had been in her mind since Maria Elisa had first mentioned it. ‘When do you leave for Europe?’

‘In six weeks’ time. I’m so excited. Pai has already booked our cabins on the steamer that will take us across the sea to France.’

‘Maria Elisa . . .’ Bel reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. ‘I beg you to ask your father if he would be prepared to speak to mine about me travelling to Paris with you? Convince him to persuade Pai that it will be beneficial for me to finish my education with a tour of the Old World if I’m to make a good marriage? Really, if I don’t do something now, you’re right: my parents will have me married off to Gustavo within the next few months. I have to escape,please.’

‘All right.’ Maria Elisa’s steady brown eyes took in Bel’s distress. ‘I will talk to Pai and see what he can do. But it may already be too late. The fact the Aires Cabrals have now invited you and your parents to their home tells me a proposal is imminent.’

‘But I’m only just eighteen! Surely far too young to marry? Bertha Lutz is telling us to fight for our independence, to earn our own living, so that we don’t need to sell ourselves to the highest male bidder. And women are joining her in her demands for equality!’

‘Yes, Bel, they are, but those women aren’tyou. Now’ – Maria Elisa patted her friend’s hand comfortingly – ‘I promise I will speak to Pai and we’ll see if we can whisk you away from Rio, at least for a few months.’

‘And I might just never return,’ Bel whispered to herself under her breath.

*

The following day, Bel climbed into their car along with her parents and they were driven to A Casa das Orquídeas, the family home of the Aires Cabrals. Carla sat next to her, and Bel could sense her tension. ‘Really, Mãe, it is only lunch.’

‘I know,querida,’ said Carla, staring straight ahead as the chauffeur drove through the tall wrought-iron gates and pulled into the drive of an imposing white mansion.

‘It is indeed an impressive property,’ remarked Antonio as he climbed out of the car and the three of them made their way to the porticoed front door.

Yet, despite the size of the house and its graceful classical architecture, Bel couldn’t help remembering Maria Elisa’s words as she noted the less than immaculate gardens and the weathered paintwork.

A maid greeted them and they were led through to an austere formal drawing room full of antique furniture. Bel sniffed the air. The room smelt of damp, and despite the heat of the day outside, she shivered.

‘I will tell Senhora Aires Cabral you are here,’ said the maid, indicating for them to sit down.

This they did, and after what seemed to be an inordinately long wait, during which the three of them sat in silence, Gustavo finally entered the room.

‘Senhora and Senhor Bonifacio, and Senhorita Izabela, I’m so happy to have you here in our home. My parents are a little delayed, but will be joining us shortly.’

Gustavo shook Antonio’s hand, and kissed Carla’s, then took Bel’s in his. ‘And may I say how beautiful you’re looking today, Izabela. Now, may I offer you some refreshment while we wait for my parents to join us?’