Azzurra’s throat tightened as she swallowed, her voice swallowed by the silence between them. Marcello wanted to see her smile. But why? Was it truly just that supposed infatuation he claimed to have for her?

“Let’s go to our room,” she whispered, rising with the baby cradled in her arms. Without granting him even the courtesy of a glance, she walked away, her steps measured, retreating into her room.

She placed Cesario on the bed, gently instructing him to take off his clothes so ...