"I suppose that is the change in our times. Love and marriage have never been compatible in my experience. Women are used for alliances and the best way to form those are through marriage." A part of her envied Amy, even if the more cynical parts of her heart doubted such a marriage was possible. "I can't. My father will have other marriages in mind for me and if I wed Paolo, I'd be ruined."

And perhaps, as much as she loved him, she wanted something more for herself as well. The only security was power and she would never have that in a poor existence.