Mountains of Dawn

"Tanya, I'd like to introduce Luigi Amedeo, Count of Monteturro. Luigi Amedeo, Tanya Howard," Kevin said as he entered the room with a tall, aristocratic gentleman.

"Please forgive me if I've interrupted your work," Luigi Amedeo said. He bent slightly, lifted Tanya's hand to his lips, and kissed the back of it. "I am so very pleased to meet you. I have admired the portrait you are making for Mr. Matwin-"

Tanya shivered, only half listening. She had never been greeted with a hand-kiss before, nor met a count. And she was more than aware of the paint remover fumes drifting from her fingers. The odor would not go away with a simple hand wash; it would stay for hours and hours. What a first impression, she thought, and shuddered.

"I was in the vicinity and thought to drop by earlier," Luigi Amedeo said, still holding Tanya's hand. "I hope I didn't cause any inconvenience to either of you."

"Not to me," Kevin replied, "And Ms. Howard was about to leave." He looked to Tanya, who was staring at her hand, still held by Luigi Amedeo. "Of course, she could stay, if she wants. Would you like to stay for lunch, Tanya? It's a light lunch, since we have a great deal of work to do."

"Oh, I don't know," Tanya said, retrieving her hand and clutching it to her chest. "I'm still in my work clothes."

"Ah, but you look simply wonderful in your sports outfit," Luigi Amedeo said.

Tanya searched for Kevin, anxious to be freed from the responsibility of a response. Her heart fluttered in her throat. What would Malcolm think, what would he say? And she had no idea where Charles was, though Edda waited back at her house.

"Ah, I can see that I don't deserve Ms. Howard's attentions," Luigi Amedeo said with a contrite look. "Although I'm only a business man, Ms. Howard, I'd greatly appreciate your company."

Tanya took a deep breath. She had little choice. If she were rude to this man, she would be rude to Kevin. "I guess I could stay for lunch," she said with reluctance.

"Wonderful," Kevin said. He took her arm and drew her into the dining room.

Marta had prepared a delicious cold salad of clams and calamari, with her homemade bread. Tanya nibbled, and watched Luigi Amedeo from the corner of her eye.

"Ms. Howard, Mr. Matwin tells me you're a recent university graduate. I find that hard to believe. Your portrait of Kevin is very-very expressive, very professional."