#al luongo

Mike Lawson has never been a lucky man, at least until he met Rachel. Or so he thought. Born the bastard of a shipping merchant, life was never easy and one day while picking pockets he stole from a young red-haired woman. Seeing her distraught state after realizing her money was missing Mike was moved by her tears and her beauty and returned the silken purse to her. Profusely thanking her ‘rescuer’ Rachel invites him to dinner at her family's mansion. After seeing the grandeur and generosity shown by her family Mike eventually confesses to the theft but also that he loves Rachel and wishes to marry her once he is able to secure a position that provides the income needed to supply the type of living she is used to. Rachel assures him that she loves and forgives him and that she would rather marry him now, penniless than be forced to wait. Mike however is insists and leaves Venice determined to build a shipping empire to rival that of any who came before, especially his father.

Five years later he returns having amassed a great fortune. However, shortly after his return he discovers Rachel is engaged to a wealthy doctor named David and their wedding is mere months away. Blip Sanders, a captain of one of Mike’s many ships, as well as his best friend talks Mike out of challenging David to a duel. After all the practice is illegal and the outcome would likely not gain Rachel’s affections. So Mike comes up with a craftier solution. A Masquerade Ball is going to be held in his honor at the home of his benefactor Alphonso Luongo and Mike ensures Rachel receives an invitation. After receiving her acceptance notice he sends Blip’s wife Evelyn to stubbly enquire the colors of Rachel’s mask and gown so that he could match her. Evelyn reports that she will be wearing a gold and scarlet mask so Mike commissions a replica of white with red and gold accents.

At the ball Mike easily spots the striking figure in gold and scarlet that Evelyn told him about, but his plan is to avoid her until the unmasking at midnight. At that time he will swoop in and kiss her like she has never been kissed before, thus reigniting the love and passion she felt for him. However as the clock strikes the final hour Mike positions himself next to the enchanting lady and as she removes her mask he quickly and eagerly presses his lips to hers. As he pulls away he’s shocked to discover the woman he has kissed isn’t Rachel but an unknown female with dark brown eyes and velvety soft mocha skin. Confused and humiliated Mike makes a hasty exit.

Ginny for her part watches the mysterious man disappear into the crowd. In all her years as a courtesan no one had ever kissed her like that, like a cherished yet impassioned lover. After a few enquiries she discovers that he is none other than Michael Lawson, head of the richest shipping empire to-date and the adopted son of Signore Luongo. According to Amelia, adding Mike to her reputare would cement her reputation as the finest courtesan in all of Venice. And so along with Evelyn she arranges for Ginny to “happen” upon Mike at certain parts of the city.

Mike isn’t sure what kind of game the courtesan and her patroness are playing but their attempts at integrating Ginny into his life are at best distracting and at worst a nuisance. It doesn't help that Al, along with many of his ship’s captains think he should return the pretty woman’s attentions. But Mike’s heart belongs to Rachel, even if his thoughts and dreams are plagued by Ginny and her soft dark eyes.

It’s during an unguarded moment where Ginny believes herself to be alone on a balcony that Mike sees her, truly sees her for the first time. It was at a feast held by Oscar Arguella, a dignitary from Spain. She becomes drenched in sweat and her breathing becomes labored an erratic. When she begins clawing at her chest and gown Mike steps from the shadows and escorts her through the servants entrance to the quiet ally behind the mansion. Mike holds her as she spills out half nonsense but he gathers enough to realize that she views her life as a prison of which there is little hope of escape. Moved, he tells her of his own struggles. His mother’s thievery and how he was forced to do the same, about Rachel and the many setbacks and hardships faced while attempting to become worthy of her. As she calms a look of understanding passes between them. The next day Mike calls of Ginny the pair telling Amelia that they plan on strolling along the more fashionable canals. In reality they board one of Mike’s schooners and circle the city all afternoon, Ginny charming the crew with the slightly vulgar shanties she sings.