Piazza San Marco

She awoke early to visit the beautiful square of which she'd grown so fond. The daylight over the water made the air seem to shimmer in the early morning light. She walked around enjoying the sights and smells of the ocean. In the square itself she found vendors selling foods, toys, even masks for the upcoming Carnivale. As she walked she realized she knew almost no one here in Venice, and she wished for a friend to confide in.

Venice, the central of all culture and art. This lively and beautiful city had never ceased to enrapture Lilith. She had always enjoyed visiting the place for once in awhile to admire its magnificent features, especially during the Carnivale, when the place glittered under the sunlight, as if the entire city were covered with gold and silver. Making her way to the Piazza San Marco, Lilith wandered between the vendors, trying on various masks with high spirits, as she tended to find a perfect one for the occasion.

She went among the vendor stalls and saw another lady perusing the masks. "If I may, the red satin with gold trim would suit your complexion very well. Are you planning to attend the festivities of Carnivale?" she asked with a friendly smile.

Lilith turned around as she heard the sweet voice of a young lady. She replied with a polite smile. "Do you mean this one?"She asked as she picked up one of the masks, holding it before her face, beaming with delight. "Why of course!" She exclaimed. "I wouldn't want to miss it for the world! And yourself? Miss..." She realized she had yet to learn the lady's name. "I'm awfully sorry to ask, but have we met?"

"That's the one," she said smiling. "I'm Lady Charlotte Rosenauer," she introduced, deciding to omit her rank. "This will be my first time truly celebrating it, I was always too young before, or too far away from Venice." A mask of deep purple velvet with silver ribbon caught her eye and she placed it in her basket. "I don't believe we have met before, but you seem familiar. What is your name, my lady?" She couldn't quite grasp what it was about her.

Noticing the lady approved her choice, a smile touched the corners of her lips. She then paid the vendor generously. "Oh 'twas nonsense! One can never be too young for Carnivale!"She pursed her lips in a smile and giggled. "Then you shall this time Lady Charlotte."She grasped both her hands in her own. "With me. I insist."She said, placing her hand upon her chest in a playful manner. Lilith then tilted her head as she mentioned she looked familiar to her. "Do I now? Well..'tis only making it easier for lady Charlotte to befriend me I suppose." She chuckled. "I'm lady Lilith Spencer."

Charlotte smiled. "I had a very strict guardian when I was young, then I went to England, got married and started a family. That seems ages ago," she said with a tinge of sadness in her voice. "I believe I should very much enjoy celebrating with you, my lady. I have a feeling we  shall get along wonderfully, you have as much spirit as I!" She smiled widely. As soon as she heard the woman's name, Charlotte's eyes widened. "Lady Lilith.. Spencer? Are you perchance a relation of Leonardo Spencer, Baron of Naples?" Her heart began to beat rapidly.

"Oh..'Tis good news indeed." She smiled, beaming in delight. "It brings me great joy to know that I won't be celebrating such wonderful event this time a year." Slowly, she placed her hand upon her chest. Lilith felt rather surprised seeing her reaction as she introduced herself. "Why..yes, My Lady. Leonardo is my elder brother. I presume you have heard of him..?"

Charlotte grinned, her vivacity when it came to parties was beginning to show. "There will be so much food, and oceans of wine! Music, dancing, perhaps some romance.." she sashayed her hips and giggled. The news that Lilith was Leonardo's brother was a surprise, and Charlotte wasn't quite sure how the lady would take the news that she and her brother were an item. "The baron is a very good man," she replied. "We know each other quite well." She pretended to study a skein of rose-colored silk as she spoke, her voice nonchalant. "But perhaps you, being his sister, know things about him I wouldn't."

"Yes, indeed! Imagining all the wine flowing through the golden fountain.." Lilith paused as she mentioned the word "romance" as a sideway smile curled at the corner of her lips. Although she had never been the one who's lack of suitors, she had yet to meet anyone who's capable of sweeping her off her feet.

Lilith raised her head to meet her gaze. She was stunned knowing the lady was in fact an acquaintance of her brother, or perhaps something more? She knew not what to think of her, knowing her brother had quite a "reputation" at court. "Could this lady be one of the misfortune ones whom my brother is courting?" She thought to herself.

"I wouldn't be so certain of it, M'lady. I do admit my brother and I were quite close in our childhood and the following years, but I haven't seen him for ages." She paused, letting out a soft sigh. "Hence, it would be reasonable to assume M'lady know my brother better than I do."

"I may just outdo the doge of Venice!" she said in a conspiratorial whisper. The news of the rift in Lilith's relationship with Leonardo surprised Charlotte. Perhaps it was better to out with the truth. "I'm sorry for your lack of communication with him," she said in a soft voice. It began to make sense that he'd never mentioned a sister before. "Please know that if you wish to speak of things that trouble you, I am here. For you see.... I am Leonardo's fiancee, and we shall soon be sisters," she smiled.

On his way back from seeing Victoria, Leonardo decided to walk around the Piazza. He needed to clear his conscience before going back to Charlotte.

She walked around the square in the dying light of the day, her mind drifted from one thought to another. When she looked up she thought she saw Leonardo and her heart beat like the wings of a hummingbird. With a wide smile she went to him. "My love, I've missed you!" she said as her eyes shone.

Hearing a familiar voice, Leonardo turned around, and to his surprise was Charlotte. He smiled as he walked toward her. "Charlotte my love, how good it is to see you" he said as he scooped her up in his arms and held her realizing how much her loved and cared for her.

Her laughter rang out clear as a bell as he scooped her into his arms and she placed a firm kiss upon his lips. "Mio amore, have you been traveling? Tell me of your adventures," she said with bright inquisitive eyes. Hand in hand she walked with him around the square on the soft autumn evening with the salt smell in the air.

He returned her kiss and then smiled missing her sweet lips on his. "Indeed, I was in Germany. Forgive me for not writing I was told I couldn't tell a soul where or what I was doing. Although there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think of you." He said honestly as squeezed her hand and glanced over at her.

She gently squeezed his hand as her thoughts flew to all kinds of danger he could have been in. But he was here with her now, and that was all that mattered. "Of course I forgive you, Leo," she said softly. "I wouldn't want you putting your life in danger for a simple letter. Perhaps I can tell you my news. Firstly, I have a new lady in waiting. She's quite the mysterious type, but I think I can trust her. I want to trust her." It was hard to admit she hadn't many friends here.

He adored that she called him Leo, it made him smile. He was pleased that she understood what kind of predicament he was in. Then he nodded as she spoke "A new lady? well i'm pleased you have someone to help you. Speaking of friends, my good friend Victoria Brandon and her husband would like to have dinner with us. She said she has met you before do you remember her?" He asked hoping he wasn't being too forward mentioning the dinner.

"Victoria? Of course I remember her, she's a great woman. I would be absolutely delighted to have her and her husband here for dinner. And to be honest I'm pleased you're her friend as well," she replied as her eyes sparkled with the thought of having guests.

Leonardo was pleased that she liked the idea of him being friends with Victoria. "Then it's set, I shall send a messenger out to let Vicki know we will have a grand meal." He said with excitement.

She smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "I still can't believe you're here! I hope it's not a dream. But if it is I hope never to wake."

He smiled and took her in his arms "I'm here and I don't plan on leaving for a long time" he then moved a stray hair away from her face and kissed her passionately

It felt wonderful to be in his arms again, to kiss him again. She felt a longing only Leo could fulfill. "I think we should celebrate with spending the rest of the night under the sheets. What do you think?"

He smirked and pulled her body close to his "That sounds like a perfect idea" he said in a cheeky voice.