Gia's bedchamber

Gia awoke to her guest chamber at Charlotte Knivert's new Venetian residence. She pushed the lush covers of the bed away from her as she reached for her tonic upon the nightstand and took a quick sip of the intensely bitter concoction.

She looked about the room, smiling to herself though the liquid burned moving down her throat. She felt a chill, and stood to her feet, calling for a maid to help her dress as she began to start her day...

Charlotte was bursting with excitement on her first day in Venice. The air was clean, the sea breeze was intoxicating, and the mood in general was lively. She dressed for her first day in town and went to Gia's room to say hello. She knocked, hoping she hadn't caught her still asleep.

Gia turned to the door as the maid helped her dress. "Come in, dear!" she smiled, knowing it was surely Charlotte.

She went in, tentatively, and smiled to see that Gia was awake and ready for the day. She gave a polite curtsy. "Good morning, your ladyship! Oh, I feel I am simply in a dream, I never thought I would have missed this beautiful city so much!" She went to the window, overlooking the water and the bustling city below.

Gia gave a smile, nodding as the maid tightened the strings of the bodice of her gown. "Good Morning, little Lotte," she beamed.

She gave a laugh, "Oh, my child, I fear I missed it very much as well." She held up a finger, smiling, "I am only happy that you have such a chance to see your old home again." She smoothed down the forest green cloth of her bodice as she took a quick glance of herself fin the mirror as the young woman began to take down the plait of her hair.

"And you are just in time, as I believe the Summer festivals shall be beginning very soon."

"The summer festivals!" she repeated with joy. She twirled around, her pink skirts twirling with her. "But of course, we shall do whatever your own heart desires. Venice has been like a siren, calling me to her jewel-like coast once more."

Gia gave a laugh, throwing her head back. "I am only glad it has been calling you near and not away," she laughed. She nodded to her maid and began to tug down the long sleeves of her modest gown, pulling at the high lace collar.

She turned to Charlotte and smiled. "I hope your little Henry will enjoy the fetes," she beamed. She began to glide about the room, moving to her vanity to find a necklace. "I have been wondering, if you would perhaps allow me to throw a masque for you and the little one's return," she looked for the choker, waving her hand a moment as she turned, placing the necklace to her neck. "Nothing too extravagant, mind you, but we could invite all your old friends, and some of the girls from the school, and have jugglers and puppet shows," she tilted her head.

Charlotte beamed. "Truly, my lady? You say it will not be extravagant but to me it sounds magical! I would adore seeing all my old friends again, and simply being here in the most beautiful city in the world..I can say I am already woozy with sheer joy!" She went to Gia and placed her hands in hers, grateful to have such a mentor and mother figure. "Thank you, ever so much. And I think little Henry will adore it too. I think I will take him to see the canals. I hope you will come too."

Gia threw her head back and laughed at Charlotte's excitement. It was like seeing her as a girl again.

"Of course, dear!" she laughed, "Afterall, he must get used to seeing all the water about," she jested. "Ohhh, and how is he? Is he very fussy?" she smiled.

"I think Henry will come to adore this city as I have, and as you do, my lady." She smiled widely as she thought of her little blue-eyed, sandy-haired son, likely still asleep in his nursery. "Oh he is growing too fast! He is very quiet, contemplative. Hardly fussy, but he lights up with joy when I sing to him. I think he will love music."