“First, I believe we may need another Amaretto digestivo to strengthen our resolve,” Isabella exclaimed as she pulled a tasseled rope that silently signaled to the young houseboy who appeared with two fresh glasses of Amaretto on a silver tray, while removing the empty ones. “Now, my dear Sally, I’m sure you are familiar with similar situations with nobility in your home country of England,” Isabella continued. “Like many noble families all over Europe, we have our titles, land, lavish homes, furnishings and art collections, but alas we don’t all have steady flows of incoming capital to continue maintaining our way of living and all that entails.” “Many over the years have resorted to selling their precious art collections one piece at a time to wealthy foreign investors, many of whom are Americans who began traveling all over Europe during the Gilded Age, collecting paintings, antique furnishings, rare books, decorative arts, and more.”
“Sometimes, they “collected” a European title of nobility by marrying into a noble family. It was viewed as an even change, the title for the ultra-wealthy Americans as a gift they couldn’t buy at home, and desperately needed money for the noble families of Europe to stay afloat, continuing to maintain their lifestyles and estates. Conte Cavallo at one point suggested that we consider such an arrangement for our Luca, but he is too independent and set in his ways to go along with such an idea. Besides, I didn’t want to use my son that way.”
Isabella, taking a sip of her amaretto, said, “I continued to do what I had learned from my mother and Conte Cavallo’s mother, by carefully curating items from our vast art collection for wealthy American collectors who are willing to pay high price for the right items.” “I was but a young girl in the early 1900’s when our first wealthy American socialite came to visit and see our art collection. It was another Isabella, Mrs. Isabella Stewart Gardner, a wealthy socialite from Boston who had began spending several summer months in the Renaissance Palazzo Barbaro on Venice’s Grand Canal every year. As an avid art collector, especially of Renaissance art, Mrs. Gardner traveled all over Italy, sometimes accompanied by one of her favorite artists, John Singer Sargent, and her art historian and collecting advisor, Bernard Berenson, who specialized in the Renaissance. These wealthy American art collectors always came with their advisors,” Isabella chuckled.
She built a new place in Boston to exhibit her growing collection and was always seeking novel items to add. She built Fenway Court, modeling it after Palazzo Barbaro and other Renaissance palazzos of Venice. She paid extravagant sums of money for several paintings and other decorative arts and furniture that I now hear are displayed prominently in Fenway Court on the second floor in what is described as the Early Italian Room.” “If you ever find yourself at Fenway Court in Boston to view Mrs. Gardner’s art collection, take a peek in the Early Italian Room.” “Many of those items were once part of this noble household, including a 15th century painting, if I recall correctly, depicts the Virgin Mary and child standing before some flowers of some sort. I can’t recall quite what flowers.” “But if you ever see it, that is but one of the paintings we sold to continue maintaining our noble family and home for these past few decades,” Isabella sighed.
“And now, it is once again time to open our doors of hospitality to yet another wealthy American socialite and art collector, Mrs. Marjorie Davies, the American Ambassadress to the Soviet Union. Mrs. Davies will be arriving late tomorrow afternoon by her personal sailing schooner yacht, the Sea Cloud, along with her art advisor Sir Joseph Duveen, 1st Baron Duveen. Mrs. Davies prefers to collect 18th Century French furnishings, porcelain, tapestries, and other decorative arts as well as Russian decorative arts.” “I’ve already gone through and selected several items that I believe will be most enticing to her.” “Do you mind helping me tomorrow evening in giving Mrs. Davies a tour and showing her these items in hopes that she will buy them and once again our way of life and home may be maintained?” Isabella pleaded with Sally.
“It will be my honor Isabella to help you any way I can to entertain Mrs. Davies and connect her with the collections she won’t be able to resist!” Sally exclaimed.
“Splendid!” Isabella shouted. “Oh dear, it is much too late!” Isabella said startled when looking at the clock.” “We must get you to bed for a good night sleep before our big day ahead.” Isabella reached for a different fringed rope and silently rang. Immediately appeared a dark complexion young girl, curtsying to Contessa Cavallo. “Please take Miss Bowles up to her guest suite please Anna,” Isabella said calmly before kissing Sally on each cheek wishing her, “Good night my dear and thank you. I’m so happy you are here with us now and happy that you and Luca are together.” “We will see you in the morning on the terrace for breakfast.”
Anna quickly led Sally up the marble staircase to the second floor and down to an enormous bedroom suite. Sally barely remembered undressing and falling towards the plush mountain of soft sheets and pillows before the fullness and excitement of the day and the warmth of the Amaretto swept her away into dreamland.
Sally awoke as the warm summer morning sunrise beamed into her bedroom. She stretched and yawned, pinching herself to make sure it wasn’t all a dream the day before. But here she was in a posh Italian villa bedroom after meeting the noble parents of Luca and forming such a strong bond immediately with his mother, Contessa Isabella Cavallo. She immediately jumped up and quickly washed and dressed to go down for breakfast on the terrace. At the bottom of the marble staircase stood Luca, looking more dashingly handsome than ever.
“Where are you off to quickly this morning mi amore?” Luca smiled. “You and mother talked so long last night I was a bit worried, but father told me everything was fine and go to bed.” “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t come see you at bedtime.” “I missed you beside me,” Luca sighed with a teasing tilt of his head.
“I missed you too darling Luca,” Sally cooed. “But I had such a lovely conversation with your mother and felt very much connected with her.” “It was extremely late when we finished talking and I got to my room. I fell asleep before even hitting the bed.” “Your mother said she was incredibly happy that you and I are together and that she approves of our relationship. She said that she would talk with you,” Sally replied.
“I talked with mother this morning already and she told me the same,” Luca beamed. “It will be a little longer before father is ready and down for breakfast,” Luca continued. “May I escort you on a stroll in the gardens overlooking the sea?” Luca said, offering his arm for Sally to take as she stepped down from the marble staircase.
“That’s a lovely idea,” Sally said warmly. They strolled out through the massive front doors into the motor court, turning towards the gardens. Walking through the garden gate, a brambly path among the wildflowers flowing into the formal rose gardens giving way to the expansive olive groves in the distance. Finally, the path opening up to the lush green lawns of Villa Vittorio stretching leisurely to the cliffs overlooking the turquoise Adriatic Sea. “What a breathtaking view!” Sally exclaimed. “I don’t want this moment to end.”
“Well, there’s one way we can always remember this moment,” Luca teased then turned serious.“ Kneeling down on the soft lawn on one knee, reaching into his pocket, Luca pulled out a most impressive large but tasteful solitaire pear-cut diamond engagement ring and taking Sally’s hand nervously asked, “Miss Sally Bowles, will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”
Sally squealed with delight, ‘Oh yes, yes, yes, my darling Luca! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Luca slipped the exquisite diamond ring on Sally’s trembling finger, stood up and lifted her off the ground, spinning her around as she tilted her head down to kiss him passionately. “I will make you the happiest woman Miss Sally Bowles!” Luca shouted with delight.
“And I will love you always my dear Luca!” Sally shouted as she threw her arms up in the air before leaning down to kiss her fiancé once again. “We have to go tell your parents now Luca!” “There’s so much to do today for the guests arriving, and I want to celebrate our engagement with them as well,” Sally exclaimed.
“Most right mi amore!” Luca replied. “Let’s go tell them now!” Luca and Sally rushed back to the house and out onto the veranda where the Conte and Contessa were just sitting down for breakfast. “Bring us some champagne!” Luca shouted to the houseboy nearby. “Mother and father, we have something to celebrate! I’ve asked Sally to marry me, and she said yes!” Luca beamed ear to ear.
“Evviva!” shouted Conte Cavallo, clasping his son in his arms and patting him on the back. Then Conte Cavallo gave Sally a huge hug exclaiming “Welcome to the Cavallo family Miss Bowles.”
“Please call me Sally, Lord Cavallo.” Sally shyly said, returning Conte Cavallo’s hug.
“My pleasure, Sally,” Conte Cavallo replied. “And you may call me Vincenzo or even Papà or Papi.”
“Papà Cavallo, I’m truly blessed to join your family,” Sally smiled then turned to Isabella. “And Isabella, I’m equally thankful to you and blessed to be part of the family,” Sally continued.
“You may call me madre my dear,” Isabella smiled broadly. “We are so happy for you and Luca both,” she continued, giving Sally and Luca a warm embrace together. Just then the houseboy appeared with the champagne and four crystal flutes. Conte Cavallo popped the cork, quickly filling each glass and raising their glasses together in a toast, “To amore!” they all exclaimed.
“Tonight’s dinner party for our guest of honor will now also be a first of many engagement celebrations as well!” Contessa Cavallo shouted. “Let’s eat quickly for there’s much to do to prepare for this evening.”
The day was a whirlwind of dress fittings, tailoring, hair styling, makeup, decorations, fresh floral arrangements, food menu final selections, setting the formal dining table and preparing all of the household for the arrival of the guest of honor, Mrs. Marjorie Davies. Extra household staff were brought in from neighboring manor homes to supplement the regular staff, and as the household gathered to welcome Mrs. Davies, they were thankful for all the extra hands!
As the Conte and Contessa Cavallo, Luca, Sally, and the household staff gathered in the motor court of Villa Vittorio, suddenly cresting the rolling hills leading up the drive roared the customized Rolls Royce Phantom on a Packard Twelve chassis, bearing the formidable Mrs. Davies and Sir Joseph Duveen. Everyone could just make out Mrs. Davies holding the dictograph in her hand, communicating with her chauffer as the impressive luxury automobile came to a smooth stop in front of the gathered household. As the chauffer quickly alighted and ran around to open the car door for Mrs. Davies, Luca noticed the framed wooden panels of English ash and the suede upholstery, as Mrs. Davies gave her gloved hand to the chauffer who assisted her from the car. As Mrs. Davies made her way to the awaiting household, several other accompanying cars drove up, each containing four trunks each and numerous other luggage pieces of varying sizes. Mrs. Davies made her way in front of the Conte and Contessa Cavallo and with a slight curtsey greeted, “Lord and Lady Cavallo, it is an honor and pleasure to meet you.”
Sir Joseph Davies followed close behind, bowing and likewise greeting “Lord and Lady Cavallo, it is an honor.”
“Welcome to our humble home, Villa Vittorio, Ambassadress Davies.” Conte and Contessa Cavallo said in unison. “It is our honor and pleasure to host you as our guests.”
“May I introduce our son, Luca, and his fiancé Miss Sally Bowles.” Contessa Cavallo said proudly. “They’ve only just became engaged this very morning!” she smiled.
“That’s splendid!” Mrs. Davies responded. “Congratulations young man and my dear.”
“Thank you so much Ambassadress Davies,” Sally responded formally.
“Please, everyone, call me Marjorie!” Mrs. Davies exclaimed. “It is so good to be out of Spaso House in Moscow for a bit and hear my regular name for a change without all the formalities of state.”
As they all turned to go into the grand foyer of Villa Vittorio, Sally glanced back at all eight trunks and numerous pieces of luggage Mrs. Davies had brought along, and the struggling household staff trying to manage it all.
Marjorie caught Sally’s glance and whispered to her, “Yes, my dear, I’m not a woman who travels light. I prefer to travel ready for any situation in life, both literally and figuratively. Besides, minimalism is not something that ever appealed to me.” Marjorie laughed.
“I have much still to learn Ambassadress Davies….I mean Marjorie,” Sally said timidly.
“And I’m happy to share my wisdom with you my dear,” Marjorie replied. “Now, let’s get inside and have a toast to the newly engaged couple!” “Contessa Cavallo, I’ve heard you have some exquisite 18th Century French porcelain and crystal. I hope we may be dining by candlelight on the collection for this special occasion! I believe a collection should be out for everyone to see and enjoy whenever possible,” Marjorie said boldly.
“Well, we have some lovely surprises for you this evening Marjorie.” Contessa smiled as she gestured for Marjorie to go before her into the grand foyer. Just then Isabella looked across to Sally and gave a knowing wink and nod, “The evening will be full of many surprises for us all,” Isabella exclaimed as they all ushered their special guests into the grand foyer.
