The meeting with the Marchese di Soave took place in his private study, a room that spoke of wealth accumulated over generations rather than recently acquired. Alessandro handled the initial pleasantries while Lucia studied the maps covering one wall, noting property boundaries that extended far beyond what she'd anticipated.
"Your holdings are extensive," she observed.
"Five generations of careful acquisition and advantageous marriages." The Marchese poured wine himself, dispensing with servants. "But land without productivity is merely expensive burden. Which brings me to why I requested this meeting."
He spread documents across his desk, production records from his various estates. Lucia scanned them quickly, her trained eye catching patterns.
"Your northern properties are underperforming significantly," she said. "Yields are sixty percent below regional averages. Either soil exhaustion or poor management."
"Both, according to my stewards. Who are now former stewards." The Marchese's expression was grim. "I've dismissed three in two years. Each promised improvements that never materialized. I'm told the land is simply not viable for current agriculture."
"That's rarely true. Land doesn't suddenly become unviable." Lucia pulled the northern property records closer. "May I examine these in detail?"
"Please. That's why you're here."
For the next hour, Lucia dissected the Marchese's agricultural records while Alessandro discussed export logistics and market access. The problems became increasingly clear as she worked through the numbers.
"Your stewards were embezzling," she said finally. "Look at these expense patterns. Fertilizer purchases that never reached the fields, equipment repairs for machinery that doesn't exist, inflated labor costs for workers who weren't employed. Someone's been looting these properties for years."
The Marchese went very still. "You're certain?"
"Completely. The mathematical patterns are identical to what I found on our estate." Lucia turned the ledgers to show him. "See these entries? They're formatted to look legitimate, but when you compare purchasing volumes against actual field applications, the discrepancy is obvious. Someone's claiming expenses for materials that were never used."
"Madonna." The Marchese studied the numbers with dawning fury. "How much?"
Lucia did rapid calculations. "Conservatively? Fifty thousand lire over three years. Possibly more if the pattern extends beyond these records."
"And the land itself? Is it actually viable?"
"Absolutely. With proper drainage, appropriate fertilization that actually reaches the fields, and competent management, these properties could triple current yields within two years." Lucia pulled out paper and began sketching improvement plans. "The soil composition is excellent. The climate is ideal for your primary crops. You simply need to address the water management issues and hire people who aren't stealing everything."
The Marchese looked at Alessandro. "Your wife is remarkable. Bianca mentioned her competence, but this is extraordinary."
"I'm aware," Alessandro said dryly. "She identified similar problems on our estate within three days of reviewing the records."
"Three days." The Marchese shook his head. "I've had solicitors and accountants examining these books for months without finding anything conclusive."
"Because they were looking for irregular patterns, not systematic theft disguised as legitimate expenses." Lucia was already developing a comprehensive analysis. "If you'd like, I can provide detailed documentation of the embezzlement with recommendations for prosecution. But addressing the agricultural issues is more urgent. You're losing revenue daily."
"I'd like both. The documentation and the agricultural improvements." The Marchese leaned forward. "Count Ferretti mentioned you might be interested in consulting work. I'm prepared to make a substantial offer for your services."
Lucia glanced at Alessandro, who nodded slightly. "We'd need to complete our own drainage project first, demonstrate proven results. But after that, yes. I'd be willing to consult on your northern properties."
"Name your price."
"Ten percent of increased revenue over baseline for three years, plus expenses for implementation." Lucia kept her voice matter of fact. "That aligns our incentives. We only profit if the improvements actually work."
The Marchese blinked. "That's either very confident or very naive."
"It's confident. I don't propose plans I'm uncertain about." Lucia met his gaze directly. "If you want someone to take your money and make vague promises, hire another steward. If you want actual results, accept my terms."
Silence stretched across the study. Then the Marchese laughed, genuine and surprised.
"Your wife negotiates like a Venetian merchant, Alessandro. Where did you find her?"
"Newspaper advertisement, actually." Alessandro's tone was amused. "She wrote specifications for a business partnership and I was intelligent enough to respond."
"Extraordinary." The Marchese extended his hand to Lucia. "Countess, we have an agreement. Ten percent of increased revenue for three years. I'll have my solicitor draw up contracts."
After they left, Alessandro pulled Lucia into a quiet alcove before they reached their carriage.
"You just negotiated a deal worth potentially hundreds of thousands of lire."
"I negotiated fair compensation for services I'm confident I can provide." Lucia was already thinking through implementation logistics. "The Marchese's properties have significant potential. This could establish our consulting business credibility."
"This could make us wealthy beyond current estate income." Alessandro's hands framed her face. "You realize you just demonstrated exactly the competence my stepmother claimed you lacked?"
"To one person. That's hardly widespread validation."
"The Marchese di Soave is the most influential landowner in Verona. His endorsement matters considerably more than my stepmother's opposition." Alessandro kissed her briefly. "I'm extraordinarily proud of you."
"You're easily impressed."
"I'm appropriately impressed by watching my wife identify fifty thousand lire in embezzlement within an hour and negotiate a revolutionary consulting contract in the same conversation." Alessandro's expression was warm. "Accept the compliment, Lucia. You earned it."
The ride home was quiet, Lucia's mind churning through the implications. Consulting work meant expanded influence, yes, but also increased scrutiny. Success would validate her methods. Failure would confirm every doubt about her capabilities.
"Stop catastrophizing," Alessandro said without looking up from the Marchese's production records. "I can hear you thinking worst case scenarios."
"I'm considering potential challenges."
"You're imagining failure despite having just demonstrated exceptional competence." Alessandro set down the papers. "What would it take for you to believe you're actually good at this?"
"Sustained success without major disasters."
"You've had sustained success. The drainage project is progressing ahead of schedule. Tenant relations have improved dramatically. You've identified and addressed embezzlement on two separate estates. At what point does sustained success become convincing evidence?"
Lucia didn't answer immediately. Years of fighting for credibility, of having every decision questioned, these patterns resisted logic.
"I'm working on it," she said finally.
"Work faster." But Alessandro's tone was gentle. "You're allowed to feel proud of your accomplishments instead of immediately looking for how they might fail."
***
Giorgio arrived three days later with an entourage of business associates and enough enthusiasm to power a small city.
"Lucia!" He swept her into an embrace despite her startled resistance. "I've heard extraordinary things. The Marchese di Soave is telling everyone who'll listen about your analytical brilliance. You've made quite an impression."
"I identified embezzlement and proposed agricultural improvements. That's hardly extraordinary."
"That's exactly what makes you extraordinary. You describe remarkable competence like it's mundane observation." Giorgio released her to clasp Alessandro's shoulder. "Nephew, your wife is going to make us all very wealthy. I hope you're appropriately grateful."
"Perpetually grateful and slightly terrified," Alessandro said dryly. "She's already planning improvements for the Marchese's properties that sound ambitious even by her standards."
"Ambitious is good. Conservative is boring." Giorgio pulled out multiple folders. "I've brought five potential clients. All estate owners struggling with productivity, all interested in consultation after hearing about your success."
Lucia took the folders and began reviewing. Two northern properties with similar drainage issues. One southern estate with soil exhaustion. Two central holdings with unclear problems but declining yields.
"These are significant projects. Implementation would require months of direct oversight."
"Which is why I'm proposing we formalize this as actual business. Ferretti Agricultural Consulting, perhaps. You and Alessandro as primary partners, me handling administrative coordination." Giorgio was already sketching organizational structures. "We'd need to hire additional engineers, agricultural specialists, project managers. Build a team capable of managing multiple estates simultaneously."
"That's considerable expansion from managing one property." But Lucia felt interest spark despite her caution. "We'd need proven methodology, documented success, trained staff who understand our approaches."
"All achievable within six months if we're systematic about development." Giorgio looked between them. "What do you think? Are you interested in building something larger than your estate?"
Lucia glanced at Alessandro, searching for his reaction. This was his uncle, his family business legacy. She didn't want to push into territory he might resent.
"It's your decision," Alessandro said quietly. "I'll support whatever you choose."
"Our decision," Lucia corrected. "This affects both of us."
"True. So what do you want to do?"
Lucia considered seriously. Managing one estate was satisfying but limiting. Building a business that could improve multiple properties, that could demonstrate agricultural innovation on a broader scale, that held genuine appeal.
"Yes," she said. "But we proceed carefully. Prove success on the Marchese's properties first, develop clear methodology, hire competent people. No expansion until we're certain we can deliver quality consistently."
"Systematic business development. I approve completely." Giorgio was already making notes. "I'll begin identifying potential hires. Alessandro can handle contract negotiations with new clients. Lucia, you'll need to develop training materials and project management protocols."
"Training materials?"
"You can't manage every project personally. You need to teach others your analytical methods, your problem identification techniques." Giorgio's expression was serious now. "Building a business means building systems that work without your constant direct oversight."
That concept was both appealing and terrifying. Trusting others to implement her approaches, risking her reputation on their competence.
"I can develop training materials," she said slowly. "But I need to supervise initial implementations closely. Ensure quality standards are maintained."
"Absolutely. No one expects you to hand off everything immediately." Giorgio gathered his papers. "This is long term development, not immediate expansion. We have time to do it properly."
After Giorgio departed to review property documents, Lucia found herself alone with Alessandro in the study.
"Are you certain about this?" she asked. "Building a business means less time for our estate, more travel, significant risk if we fail publicly."
"I'm certain I want to build something with you. Whether that's just our estate or a broader business doesn't matter as much as the building together part." Alessandro moved to stand behind her chair, his hands settling on her shoulders. "Besides, you're already bored with just maintaining current operations. You need new challenges."
"I'm not bored."
"You completed next quarter's planning three weeks early and have been looking for additional projects. That's boredom." Alessandro's thumbs worked at the tension in her neck. "Admit you want this. The expansion, the challenge, the opportunity to prove your methods on a larger scale."
Lucia considered denying it, then remembered their commitment to honesty. "I want it. But wanting it feels presumptuous. Like I'm overreaching."
"Overreaching would be claiming expertise you don't possess. You have genuine competence, proven methods, demonstrated results. That's not overreaching, that's appropriate ambition." Alessandro leaned down to press a kiss to her temple. "Let yourself want things, Lucia. You're allowed."
"Wanting things leads to disappointment when they don't materialize."
"Or to achievement when they do. You won't know unless you try." Alessandro moved around to face her properly. "I believe in your capabilities completely. Giorgio believes in them. The Marchese believes in them. When are you going to believe in them yourself?"
"I'm trying."
"Try harder." But Alessandro was smiling. "My brilliant, occasionally self doubting, systematically cautious wife. You're going to build something remarkable despite your persistent conviction that you're merely adequate."
"I am adequate."
"You're exceptional, and I'm going to keep saying that until you believe it." Alessandro pulled her to her feet. "Now come. Signora Benedetti wants to review the harvest preparations, and you've been avoiding those meetings because they're tedious administrative details."
"They are tedious."
"They're necessary. Even exceptional estate managers must occasionally handle tedium." Alessandro kept hold of her hand as they walked. "Consider it the price of competence."
The harvest planning meeting was indeed tedious, full of discussions about storage logistics and market timing that Lucia found mind numbing. But necessary, as Alessandro had said. She forced herself to focus, to make decisions about details that mattered even if they weren't interesting.
Afterward, seeking escape from administrative minutiae, she walked to the southern section to inspect drainage progress. The transformation was remarkable. Channels carved with precision, water redirected efficiently, the first signs of vegetation beginning to establish in previously barren soil.
Marco was there, leaning on a cane while supervising the final installations. His leg had healed enough to allow limited mobility, his doctor's strict orders apparently not preventing him from checking on the project's completion.
"My lady." He attempted an awkward bow, hindered by the cane. "Didn't expect to see you out here."
"I wanted to see the progress directly. You should be resting, not standing in fields."
"Can't rest easy without seeing how it's finishing. This project nearly cost me my leg. I need to know it was worth something." Marco gestured to the channels. "It's beautiful work. Really beautiful. This'll be productive land now."
"That was always the intention. Your injury made the cost higher than anticipated, but the outcome remains valuable." Lucia studied the installations with satisfaction. "How's your family managing?"
"Better than we deserve, honestly. The wages you've continued, the midwife fees you covered when my wife delivered, that's more than most nobility would do." Marco's voice was thick with emotion. "We're naming the baby Lucia. My wife insisted. Said we owe you more than we can repay."
Lucia felt uncomfortable with the gratitude, the emotional weight of having her name carried by a child born into uncertain circumstances. "That's unnecessary. I simply met basic obligations."
"Basic obligations don't include paying for childbirths or continuing wages for months. That's generosity, my lady. Real generosity." Marco met her eyes directly. "The other workers talk, you know. About how you handle things different. How you actually care whether we're treated fair."
"Caring about fair treatment isn't special. It's logical business practice."
"Call it whatever makes you comfortable. But it matters to us." Marco shifted his weight carefully. "I'll be back to full work in another month, doctor says. When I am, I'll work harder than anyone on this estate. That's a promise."
After leaving Marco, Lucia walked back toward the villa slowly, thinking about obligations and generosity and the difference between the two. She'd acted logically, protecting estate interests by maintaining worker loyalty. But Marco perceived it as personal kindness, emotional investment rather than calculated strategy.
Perhaps the distinction didn't matter as much as she thought.
Perhaps caring about outcomes and caring about people weren't mutually exclusive.
Alessandro found her in the garden, staring at the villa without actually seeing it.
"You're thinking too hard again."
"Marco named his daughter after me."
Alessandro's expression softened. "That's quite an honor."
"It's uncomfortable. I didn't do anything worthy of that recognition."
"You ensured his family's financial security during crisis. You treated them with dignity and respect. That's absolutely worthy of recognition." Alessandro caught her hand. "You keep minimizing your own kindness like it's weakness."
"It wasn't kindness. It was logical resource management."
"It can be both. Why does it have to be one or the other?" Alessandro pulled her closer. "You care about people, Lucia. That's not flaw to be hidden behind practicality."
"Caring feels dangerous. Like building vulnerability."
"It is building vulnerability. That's what makes it meaningful." Alessandro's arms wrapped around her. "You've spent years protecting yourself by limiting emotional investment. But you're safe now. You can afford to care without it destroying you."
Lucia wanted to argue, to explain why caring remained risky despite security. Instead, she let herself lean into Alessandro's embrace and consider the possibility that he might be right.
That evening, working in the study on training material development, Lucia found herself writing about more than just technical methodology. She described why tenant relations mattered, why worker welfare affected productivity, why treating people fairly created better outcomes than exploitation.
It wasn't just business strategy. It was philosophy, built from years of managing alone and discovering that competence without compassion produced hollow success.
"That's beautiful," Alessandro said, reading over her shoulder. "You're not just teaching techniques. You're teaching values."
"I'm documenting what works."
"You're documenting what works because it values people, not just profits." Alessandro pressed a kiss to her hair. "My extraordinary wife, building a business on the radical concept that treating people decently produces better results. Revolutionary."
"It's logical, not revolutionary."
"In our world, logic and revolution are often synonyms." Alessandro returned to his own work. "Keep writing. This is exactly what our business should stand for."
Lucia continued writing late into the night, developing frameworks and methodologies that felt increasingly like manifesto rather than manual. When she finally finished, exhaustion pulling at her consciousness, she realized she'd created something more ambitious than simple training materials.
She'd outlined an entirely new approach to estate management. One that prioritized sustainable improvement over short term extraction, that valued human welfare alongside profit, that treated agriculture as complex system requiring care rather than resource to be exploited.
It was audacious. Possibly naive.
Definitely something she believed in completely.
"Ready for bed?" Alessandro asked, appearing beside her desk with wine.
"I think I just accidentally wrote a revolutionary agricultural treatise."
"Let me see." Alessandro read through her work with growing excitement. "Lucia, this is brilliant. You're not just proposing improvements, you're proposing fundamental restructuring of how estates operate."
"It's too ambitious. No one will accept this."
"The Marchese will. Giorgio will. Anyone who actually cares about sustainable success rather than short term gains will." Alessandro set down the pages carefully. "This is what separates us from every other consulting service. We're not just offering technical improvements. We're offering philosophical transformation."
"That sounds terrifyingly grandiose."
"It sounds like exactly what agricultural systems need." Alessandro pulled her to her feet. "Now come to bed. You can revolutionize estate management tomorrow. Tonight, you need rest."
Lucia followed him through the connecting door that had become their shared threshold, her mind still churning through implications. Building a business was one thing. Building a movement was something else entirely.
But as she settled into Alessandro's arms, his warmth solid and reassuring, she allowed herself to think that maybe, just possibly, she was capable of something more than adequate competence.
Maybe she could actually change things.
Build systems that worked better for everyone involved.
Prove that compassion and competence weren't opposing forces.
"You're still thinking," Alessandro murmured against her hair.
"I can't turn my brain off."
"Try. Tomorrow's ambitious enough without robbing yourself of sleep." His arms tightened around her. "I love you, by the way. In case I haven't mentioned it recently."
"You mentioned it this morning."
"Then consider this an evening reminder. I'm in love with you. Deeply, completely, systematically in love with you." Alessandro's voice was soft but serious. "No response required. Just wanted you to know."
Lucia was quiet for a long moment, feeling the words settle into her chest alongside all the other complicated emotions of the day.
"I love you too," she said finally, the declaration still feeling enormous but increasingly accurate. "Provisionally and with some remaining uncertainty about emotional categorization, but yes. I love you."
Alessandro's laugh was warm and delighted. "My systematically uncertain wife expressing provisional love. I'll take it."
"That's all I can offer currently."
"Currently is more than adequate." Alessandro kissed her softly. "Now sleep. We have revolutions to plan tomorrow."
Lucia closed her eyes and let exhaustion finally claim her, thinking that maybe revolutionary ambition and genuine love weren't such impossible complications after all.
Maybe they were exactly what she'd been looking for all along.
Just in forms she hadn't anticipated.
Which, she supposed, was becoming the pattern of this entire unexpected partnership.
And she was learning to be alright with that.