“It’s nice to see you both,” Henry greeted. “Stefano, is everything all right with the family? With the baby and Francesca?”
Eloisa’s mask of indifference slipped, and she looked distressed. Her fingers gripped the stem on her glass of wine. She pressed her lips together as if refusing to inquire further, but she waited for Stefano to answer.
“Thank you for asking, Henry. They’re both doing fine. Crispino is very healthy. He’s a good boy and learning fast. Francesca is doing very well.”
At his reference to Francesca’s health, Eloisa did frown. “And Grace? Is she doing any better?” Henry asked. Eloisa’s frown turned to a scowl. “Is there something to be concerned about with my daughters-in-law that you knew and didn’t tell me, Henry?”
“I wasn’t aware that you would want to know, Eloisa,” he returned gently. “You’ve never asked a single question about either of them, and you know I visit them regularly.”
Eloisa hissed her displeasure but simply turned her face away from him, as if dismissing him. Henry didn’t seem perturbed in the least by her actions.
“What can we do for you boys?” Henry asked.
“I’ve come to speak to Aunt Eloisa about an incident that happened a few weeks ago that I just learned of tonight,” Severino said. “It came out by accident, and I could barely believe that such a thing would happen, but I was assured it did. Aunt Eloisa, I was told that you not only referred to my mother as a whore in front of Velia, but you informed her that my father was forced to take her in marriage and that Velia was like her.”
Henry turned completely in his chair to face Eloisa. Stefano’s dark blue eyes never left her face. Color stained her cheeks and her chin went up defiantly, but she avoided looking at Severino.
“Yes, that did happen,” Eloisa admitted. “It was unfortunate. She was with Emmanuelle, and I was very angry with my daughter for her ridiculous attachment to Val Saldi. She just can’t seem to get over that horrid man. It’s treacherous on her part. She’s a traitor—”
“Stop deflecting, Eloisa,” Stefano snapped. “This has nothing to do with Emmanuelle. Your behavior is escalating out of control and you know it. What the hell is going on with you that you would say such a thing about Velia’s mother? Her mother was a rider. A shadow rider who served our community with distinction and honor. We don’t ever talk disparagingly about another rider, let alone one that is a Ferraro. Your behavior is a disgrace to our family, not Emmanuelle’s, as much as you’d like it to be.”
Eloisa rubbed her forehead as if it was throbbing. “I know, Stefano,” she admitted in a small voice. “I’m very sorry, Severino, and I will apologize to Velia. I’ll make it a point to go to your sister as soon as I can and tell her in person that I’m sorry for the things I said to her. I can’t seem to stop myself, Stefano. I keep getting these headaches. I have for years, and they’re so much worse now. That’s not an excuse, but I can’t think clearly, and then I’m saying horrid things and I can’t stop. I’m so afraid now, afraid for all of you …” She trailed off and looked at Henry as if she might crumble under a great weight.
There was a long, shocked silence while Stefano regarded his mother with a frown, his fingers steepled under his chin. The last thing he had expected was her frank confession of a physical ailment. In all the years he’d known her, that had never happened, and it alarmed him. “How long has this been happening to you?”
She shrugged and took a deep breath, waving it away. Stefano glanced at Henry. He wasn’t in the least surprised that the man knew all about their lives; he’d been with the family too long not to.
“No, Eloisa, you just admitted something that may end up affecting all shadow riders. We don’t know what long-term effects being in the tubes can have on our bodies or brains. Before, there were lots of riders, and so they didn’t have to go in as often. We’re riding all the time, long distances, staying in the shadows longer. Taking shift after shift. You took far more rotations than your share because Phillip didn’t take any and most of your brothers and sisters weren’t able to be riders. You should have told me immediately that you were having repercussions.”
Eloisa was silent for so long Stefano sighed and started to speak, but Henry signaled him to wait. The older man reached across his armchair and took Eloisa’s hand. At first, she resisted, looking stiff, but he didn’t relinquish his hold.
“Tell him, sweetheart. He needs to know for the others. You’ve always kept them safe. They don’t know the things you do for them. They don’t know about the night patrols. You need to at least let Stefano know.” His voice was very gentle but extremely firm.