Page 52 of The Seven Sisters

Later, as she climbed into bed, wishing yet again that Loen was here to chat to, she heard a knock on the door. ‘Come in.’

‘Querida.’ Carla’s face appeared. ‘I didn’t wake you, did I?’

‘No, Mãe. Please, come in.’ She patted the mattress and her mother sat down on the bed and reached for her hands.

‘Izabela, please remember you are my beloved daughter and I know you well, so I must ask you now, as it seems Gustavo is bound to propose to you soon. Is this what you want?’

Again remembering her vow, Bel thought carefully about how she should reply. ‘Mãe, in truth I don’t love Gustavo. And neither do I like his mother or father. We both know they are patronising towards us and would prefer a Portuguese bride for their only son. But Gustavo is sweet and kind, and a good person, I think. I know how happy this will make you, and especially Pai. So’ – Bel couldn’t help releasing a small sigh before she said the words – ‘if he proposes, I will be happy to accept.’

Carla stared hard at her daughter. ‘Are you sure, Bel? Whatever your father wants, as a mother, I must know your true feelings. It would be a terrible sin to subject you to a life you don’t wish for. Above all, I want you to be happy.’

‘Thank you, Mãe, and I’m sure I will be.’

‘Well,’ Carla said after a pause, ‘I believe that love can grow between a man and a woman over the years. Trust me, I know. I married your father.’ She chuckled wryly. ‘I too had doubts at the beginning, but now, for all his failings, I would not change him. And remember, it is always important for the man to be more in love with the woman than she is with him.’

‘Why do you say that, Mãe?’

‘Because, my dear, although women’s hearts can be fickle, and love a number of times, men – although they are less outwardly emotional – once they love, they usually love forever. And I believe Gustavo does love you. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. And that will ensure your husband stays by your side and doesn’t stray.’ Carla kissed Bel. ‘Sleep well,querida.’

Her mother left the room, and Bel lay thinking about what she had said. She only hoped that she was right.

*

‘You are ready to go?’

‘Yes.’ Bel stood patiently in the drawing room as her mother and father inspected her.

‘You look beautiful, myprincesa,’ said Antonio admiringly. ‘What man could refuse you?’

‘Are you nervous,querida?’ asked Carla.

‘I’m taking a train up Corcovado Mountain with Gustavo, that is all,’ said Bel, trying hard to contain her rising irritation.

‘Well,’ said Antonio, visibly jumping as the doorbell rang, ‘we shall see. He has arrived.’

‘Good luck, and God bless you,’ said Carla as she kissed her daughter on both cheeks.

‘We’ll be waiting here later for the news,’ called Antonio, as Bel left the room and found Gabriela outside, waiting to pin on her new silk cloche hat, purchased especially for the occasion.

Gustavo was standing on the doorstep, his thin, wiry frame looking unusually dapper in a cream linen suit, a jaunty straw hat perched on his head. ‘Senhorita Izabela, you look beautiful. I have our driver waiting outside. Shall we go?’

As they walked to the car and both climbed into the back seat, Bel realised that Gustavo was far more nervous than she was. On the three-minute drive to the tiny station from where the train up to Corcovado Mountain left, he was silent. He escorted her from the car, and they climbed into one of the carriages, which in reality was one of two basic carts attached to the back of a miniature steam engine.

‘I hope you will love the view, even though it is not a comfortable ride,’ commented Gustavo.

The train began its ascent up the mountain, the incline so steep that Bel felt her neck straining to keep her head upright. As the train gave a lurch, instinctively Bel grabbed Gustavo’s shoulder, and he immediately encircled her waist with his arm.

It was the most intimate physical gesture they had shared so far, and although Bel felt no stirring from it, neither did she feel revulsion. It was akin to the comforting touch of an older brother. The noise from the engine made any conversation impossible, so Bel relaxed and began to enjoy the ride as the little train chugged through the lush urban jungle, the roots of which lay at the back of her own garden.

Bel was almost disappointed when the train drew into the station at the top and the passengers climbed out.

‘There is a vantage point here that affords an excellent view of Rio, or we can climb the many steps right to the top and see how they are digging out the foundations for theCristo Redentor,’ said Gustavo.

‘I want to go right to the top, of course,’ smiled Bel, and she noted his approving look. They followed the braver souls up the steep steps, the burning sun testing their endurance as they grew warmer and warmer in their formal clothes.

I must not sweat,thought Bel, as she felt her undergarments damp against her skin. Finally, they arrived at the plateau at the top of the mountain. In front of them was a viewing pavilion. Further along the mountaintop, Bel could see mechanical diggers tearing out chunks of rock with their giant claws. Gustavo took her hand and pulled her into the shade of the pavilion.

‘Senhor da Silva Costa explained that they must dig down many metres into the earth to make sure the statue doesn’t topple over. Now’ – he turned Bel around by her shoulders and led her to the edge of the pavilion – ‘look over there.’