Sicilian Nights Omnibus by Penny Jordan Page A

were standing still, facing one another, and Alessandro still had his arm around her waist, securing her to him. It was just because of the role she was forced to play that she was not objecting to that imprisonment, Leonora assured herself.
    ‘You sound as feudal as he is, Falcon, and you know my views on that,’ Alessandro told his brother.
    ‘Yes. You say you are a modern man, who does not bow his head to anyone or expect them to bow to him. That is all very well for you, Alessandro, but many of our people do not think as you do. And if we ignore and insult our heritage then in effect we ignore and insult them as well.’
    ‘It is thanks to our father that they have been kept in the Dark Ages and treated like serfs—exactly as he tried to treat us when we were young. I can never and will never accept that. You know that. In my opinion our true duty and responsibility is to free our people from the feudal yoke our father has no right to continue to impose on them.’
    ‘I agree. But for some of them—the older ones—that freedom is feared because it means change.’
    ‘I am glad I am not in your shoes, Falcon, and that as our father’s heir the responsibility for righting his wrongs is yours and not mine.’
    ‘A fitting punishment for being born first, Sandro? We are all born to our given roles in life and we have no power over that. What we do have power over is how we choose to deal with that role. You have chosen to show the world that you do not and will not accept any limitations imposed on you by others in any way. But you are still a Leopardi. We still share the same blood—’
    ‘Our father’s blood,’ Alessandro interrupted him bitterly.
    ‘The blood of many generations of our name.’ Falcon overrode him. ‘Your example will show our people that they need not accept any limitations, whilst the duty I have shown our father will, I hope, enable the younger ones to make the transition to a more modern way of life without riding roughshod over the older generation. It is my wish that we use this weekend to set an example of all that is good and just and honourable about being a Leopardi.’
    Falcon Leopardi spoke less assertively than Alessandro, but there was no mistaking the determination of his purpose, Leonora recognised. He was very much the eldest sibling, very much making it plain that his will would prevail, and yet at the same time he was also showing true respect and brotherly love for Alessandro. But would that ever be enough for a man like Alessandro, who was so obviously driven by a need to come first? Would he ever be content with what he had achieved? Or would he always feel that it was not enough because he had not been born first?
    The huge double doors had been opened whilst the brothers had been talking, and now they were walking through them together. Alessandro was keeping her close to his side.
    The hallway beyond the doors had obviously been designed to impress and awe, with its richly painted and frescoed ceiling, its ornate gilded rococo decor and the huge glittering chandelier that dominated the curving stairway. The whole area breathed power and wealth.
    Another set of double doors stood open, giving visual access to not just the room beyond them but to an entire series of rooms, their doors also flung open, with sunlight illuminating intricately inlaid wooden floors. This wasn’t a home, Leonora decided, it was a statement of intent—a kingdom in its own right.
    Falcon looked at his watch.
    ‘It’s four o’clock now. I dare say you’ll want to take advantage of the chance to relax and settle in while you can, so I’ll leave you to take Leonora up to your suite, Sandro, and then we can meet in the library at five-thirty, just in case there are any last-minute changes to any of the arrangements that we need to discuss.’
    ‘This way.’ Alessandro turned her round so that they were facing the main doors, guiding her through them and across the courtyard to a narrow