Page 54 of The Seven Sisters

‘Of course.’

Gustavo slid the ring onto the fourth finger of her right hand. ‘There,’ he said. ‘It will need to be altered slightly to fit your beautiful slim finger, but it looks well on you.’ Gustavo took her hand in his and kissed the ring. ‘Do you know, my sweet Izabela, that the first thing I noticed about you was your hands? They are,’ he said as he kissed each fingertip, ‘exquisite.’

‘Obrigada.’

Gustavo gently removed the ring from her finger and placed it back in its box. ‘Now, we had better make our way down before the train stops running for the night and we are stranded here. I can’t imagine that would please your father,’ he commented wryly.

‘No,’ she agreed as he drew her by the hand out of the pavilion and guided her back down the stairs towards the little station. But secretly, she knew that now she had netted her ‘prince’, her father would be pleased about absolutely everything.

*

When they arrived home, Bel disappeared immediately to her room while Gustavo spoke to her father. She sat tensely on the edge of her bed, shooing Gabriela away when she asked if she wished to change. She felt uncertain and ecstatic in equal measure.

She pondered the reason for Gustavo’s decision to encourage her trip to Europe. Was it possible that he was secretly relieved to have an excuse to postpone their inevitable union, that he too felt unready for a hasty marriage? Perhaps, she mused, poor Gustavo had been subjected to the same pressure from his parents as she had from her father? But then, the look of affection in his eyes when he’d proposed had seemed so genuine . . .

Her thoughts were interrupted as Gabriela came into her bedroom, a beaming smile on her face. ‘It seems your father wishes for your presence downstairs. I have been told to serve the best champagne. Congratulations, senhorita. I hope that you will be happy and that Our Lady will bless you with many children.’

‘Thank you, Gabriela.’ Bel smiled at her as she left the room, then stepped lightly down the stairs and followed the sound of voices into the drawing room.

‘And here she is, the bride-to-be! Come, kiss your father, myprincesa, and know that I have just given my blessing to your match.’

‘Thank you, Pai,’ Bel replied as he kissed her on both cheeks.

‘My Izabela, know that you have made me the happiest father in the world today.’

‘And me, the happiest man in Rio,’ Gustavo beamed.

‘Ah, here is your mother to share the news,’ Antonio added as Carla entered.

The mutual congratulations continued as the champagne arrived and the four of them toasted Bel and Gustavo’s future health and happiness.

‘Mind you, I am concerned that you wish to send her thousands of miles away from you before you marry, senhor,’ said Antonio, a slight frown passing across his brow as he looked askance at Gustavo.

‘As I explained, Bel is still very young, and I believe a visit to Europe will not only enhance her maturity, but what she sees there will make our conversations far more stimulating when we are old and have run out of endearments for each other.’ Gustavo smiled and gave Bel gave a surreptitious wink.

‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ said Antonio. ‘But I suppose at least it means she will have access to the finest couturiers in Paris for the design of her wedding gown,’ he conceded.

‘Of course. And I’m sure she will look perfect in whatever she chooses. Now’ – Gustavo drained his champagne glass – ‘I must take my leave and tell my own parents the happy news. Not that they will be surprised,’ he said with a smile.

‘Of course. And before your fiancée leaves for Europe, we must throw an engagement party. Perhaps at the Copacabana Palace, where you first laid eyes on your wife-to-be.’ Antonio could hardly prevent himself from grinning from ear to ear. ‘And we will need to make an announcement in the social columns of all the newspapers,’ he added as he walked with Gustavo towards the front door.

‘I am happy to leave the arrangements to my bride’s family,’ he agreed. Then he reached for Bel’s hand and kissed it. ‘Goodnight, Izabela, and thank you for making me a very happy man.’

Antonio waited until Gustavo’s car had driven away from the house, then, with a whoop of joy, he picked Bel up in his strong arms and swung her around, just as he had done when she was a little girl. ‘Myprincesa, you have done it!Wehave done it.’ He put Bel down, and then went to his wife and hugged her to him. ‘Are you not pleased too, Carla?’

‘Of course. As long as Bel is happy, then it’s wonderful news.’

Antonio studied Carla for a few seconds and frowned. ‘Are you well,querida? You look pale.’

‘I have a headache, that is all. Now’ – Carla made an effort to smile – ‘I will go and tell Cook to prepare something special for dinner.’

Bel followed her mother down the corridor to the kitchen, partly to escape from her father’s overwhelming euphoria.

‘Mãe,areyou happy for me?’

‘Of course I’m happy, Izabela.’

‘And are you sure you’re feeling well?’