Chapter 21:  A Sweet Sentimental Bitterness

The Gardens, The Accardi Estate, Highland, Verdicci, Sicily, Italy, (1665)...

 Blooming orchids were all abounding as Athan Accardi found himself once more drawn to his late mother's beautiful outdoor garden. He had not seen Edmond since their final night in their formerly frequented hotel room and had not expected to. The heartbroken English lad had been banking on them being together, but Athan had informed him of the arrangements his father and brother had made due to their relationship. He'd been quite upset and understandably so when Athan had divulged the fact that he'd been soon to be wed to the daughter of a wealthy merchant the surprising news of the impending nuptials on top of Athan being shipped off to a private family island for the remainder of his years to live in exile had been the worst yet for young Edmond despite their rather spirited exchange before parting. 

It had been a bittersweet parting all things considered but it had in the end been for the best when it came to his already-aged father's will, Athan had known all too well how much he'd become something of a disappointment for him in his later years and as a result, sought to ease the burden of his existence as the elder Accardi's son in the best way he knew how. The soon-to-be-wed younger Accardi had not taken his eyes off the numerous rows of orchids that had been the staple of his late mother's garden for many years before and after her passing. His keen nose smelled the all too familiar fragrance of her scent when she'd been among them and they had no doubt rubbed off on her. 

He had wondered what she'd think of him. 

His less-than-ideal hedonistic existence before his forced engagement had not been something she would have been pleased to note but he had made up his mind to see this marriage through, even if it meant he would no longer gaze upon his homeland of Verdicci nor the very garden that had reminded him so much of his long-dead mother and all the time she had spent tending it during her lifetime. 

What little Athan had known of the workings of marriage had been due to the long years of watching his parents together in their relative happiness and mutual appreciation for one another, he had hoped to even attempt half as much on behalf of his soon-to-be wife despite his unsavory past. She had not appeared to have held it against him, a boon if ever there had been one for him in this rather delicate situation but he had been of the mind to ask what she truly thought of him, once they'd been finally alone and wed on the isle of Cantilena. 

Audra had been the most beautiful and enchanting woman Athan had ever known a true reminder of the days when his mother had been alive, her warmth and understanding a boon in the best of times had been that in equal measure during the worst. Her being the daughter of a wealthy fish merchant and a kept woman of color had not been an ideal thing for most men in his station but Athan saw differently from the moment he had finally gotten to see the enchanting beauty that had been his future wife. Her poise and elegant grace had been mesmerizing and her regal charm in addition to her well-learned and rather keen mind had been a welcome surprise from all the other women he'd known before her. 

Despite the bittersweetness of his sorrowful parting with his dearest Edmond, Athan had been truly enamored with the lovely fish merchant's daughter, Audra De Savoy. They had gotten to spend quite a bit of time together before saying their wedding vows and It had been quite easy to go from mere courtship to engagement as if they had known of each other their entire lives. Sergio had been happy for his youngest son as he proudly announced the engagement and threw multiple parties in honor of it. 

The joining had been a blissful one as Athan stood before his father's friends, Vincenzo, and his new wife's family and declared his love for Audra which had been genuine and well-received. She had been lovely dressed in her wedding gown which had been white, an appropriate color for a virtuous bride such as herself. 

Athan had not been able to take his eyes off Audra from the moment they stood before the priest, he had not put much stock in what Churches had to say about life nor the aspect of living it, but he had indeed been willing to stand beside the woman whom he had elected to spend the rest of his life with. The younger Accardi had not known it then, but the missing void that had filled him ever since the tragic loss of his mother seemed to slowly fill with an unwavering love for the beautiful woman who had now become his bride. 

The younger of the Accardi brothers could not have been more proud and nor could his own father after witnessing such a display. While it had pained Athan to have to bid his home and former lover farewell, he had taken into account that he had not been doing so in vain, he was to become Count of The Isle of Cantilena and Audra, his lovely Audra The Countess. With eyes teeming with hope and the bliss of their joining the first sign of many great things to come, Athan had been content with the dealings he'd been handed when it came to his scheming elder brother's machinations and his father's ideal and just punishment for him. 

With a kiss, Athan had sealed his fate and cemented his love for his new bride before their family and friends. Even Vincenzo seemed to be in good spirits as he toasted the new bride and groom with a rather wide smile filed across his handsome face. Athan had been enamored with his bride and a bit saddened knowing all too well that he and Audra had been bound for a ship to take them to the isle straight away. 

Sergio Accardi approached his youngest son, his newly married son, and pulled him into a father's hug. 

"You have made me and your blessed mother proud this day, my son," declared the elder Accardi, "While it pains me to have to see you off, I believe you will do wonders on Cantilena."

Athan treated his father to a rare boyish smile and returned his embrace in kind. He knew all too well that he'd miss his beloved Verdicci and The Accardi estate but he had been a boy no longer and spent more than his fair share of time away and out into the big wide world. 

"I shall earn your being proud, father," replied Athan meeting his ailing father's eyes. "And when I have a family of my own, they shall know of all you have done for me."

Sergio embraced his youngest son once more and then moved to greet his new daughter-in-law.

"Welcome to the family, Audra...my daughter." said the elder Accardi his voice still beaming with pride. 

He embraced Audra, which had caught her off guard for a moment before she reciprocated and smiled at the older man. 

Vincenzo stood in the back of the room, a glass of red wine in hand and his dark eyes scanning the guests they had been especially fixated upon Audra and Athan while they cut their ceremonial wedding cake and mingled with the guests. He knew it wouldn't be long before his younger brother had been shipped off with his new bride in tow. He would see to his father's guests and then to his father before heading off to adhere to some unfinished business. 

A business that had not been the sort that Athan would have liked to have been privy to in the least.