The first crisis of their expanding enterprise arrived in the form of a tersely worded letter from the Marchese's former steward, delivered by a nervous courier who refused to wait for a response.
Count and Countess Ferretti,
Your baseless accusations have cost me my position and reputation. I demand immediate retraction of all claims regarding financial impropriety, plus compensation for lost wages and damaged standing. Failure to comply will result in legal action for defamation and slander.
You will hear from my solicitor.
Antonio Moretti
Lucia read it twice, anger simmering cold. "He's threatening us for exposing his theft."
"He's panicking because you documented everything too thoroughly for him to escape consequences." Alessandro was already drafting a response. "Let him bring legal action. We have three years of evidence."
"Legal battles are expensive and time consuming. Even if we win, the distraction could damage our consulting business before it properly starts." Lucia paced the study, thinking through implications. "The Marchese's other former stewards might join the suit, create a coordinated attack on our credibility."
"Then we make the evidence public before they can control the narrative." Alessandro's expression was calculating. "Giorgio knows a journalist in Milan. We provide him with documented proof of the embezzlement, let him publish the story. Theft exposed, our consulting business validated, Moretti's threats neutered."
"That's aggressive."
"So is threatening us with lawsuits for exposing crimes." Alessandro set down his pen. "We didn't create this situation, Lucia. We identified theft and reported it accurately. If Moretti wanted to avoid consequences, he shouldn't have stolen fifty thousand lire."
"The publicity could backfire. Make us look like we're attacking former employees rather than addressing legitimate problems."
"Or it makes us look like competent investigators who don't tolerate theft." Alessandro moved around the desk. "You're catastrophizing again. We have evidence. We acted appropriately. We're not the villains in this situation."
"Public opinion doesn't always align with evidence." But Lucia was already drafting a response in her mind, organizing the documentation into coherent narrative. "If we're releasing information publicly, it needs to be comprehensive and irrefutable. Every transaction documented, every discrepancy explained, no room for alternative interpretation."
"You want to build an airtight case before going public."
"I want to ensure that when Moretti's solicitor reviews the evidence, he advises his client to withdraw threats rather than proceed with litigation." Lucia pulled the Marchese's financial records from her files. "Give me three days to organize everything properly."
Alessandro studied her for a long moment. "This is the first real opposition we've faced as business partners. How are you managing?"
"I'm angry but functional. Moretti's threats are transparent attempts at intimidation." Lucia kept her voice steady. "I won't be intimidated into retracting accurate assessments."
"That's my formidable wife." Alessandro's smile held approval. "Though I should mention, Giorgio wants to visit next week with those potential clients. He's pushing for faster expansion than you initially planned."
"Of course he is. Giorgio sees opportunity and wants to maximize it immediately." Lucia rubbed her temples. "We're not ready for five simultaneous projects. We barely have methodology documented."
"We have your revolutionary treatise on agricultural transformation."
"That's philosophical framework, not implementation manual." Lucia moved to the window, watching workers in distant fields. "Giorgio thinks like a businessman. Expand quickly, capture market share, establish dominance. But we're not selling goods. We're providing specialized services requiring direct oversight and quality control."
"So tell him that. Giorgio respects competence and clear reasoning." Alessandro joined her at the window. "You're the agricultural expert. Set the pace you're comfortable maintaining."
"He's your uncle. Your family business connection. I don't want to overstep."
"You're my partner in this business. Your expertise determines our capabilities." Alessandro's tone was firm. "Giorgio's enthusiasm is valuable, but your judgment about what we can actually deliver matters more."
The conversation was interrupted by Signora Benedetti appearing with another crisis. "My lady, there's a problem with the harvest schedule. Three of our seasonal workers failed to arrive. Apparently they've been hired by the Russo estate at higher wages."
Lucia felt frustration spike. "The Russo estate? That's our neighbor to the east. Why are they suddenly competing for our workers?"
"They've heard about our improved wages and working conditions. They're trying to match them to prevent their own workers from requesting similar treatment." Signora Benedetti's expression was troubled. "It's creating regional wage pressure. Other estates are complaining that our labor policies are disrupting traditional arrangements."
"Traditional arrangements that paid workers barely subsistence wages?" Lucia kept her voice level with effort. "If other estates can't retain workers without matching fair compensation, that's their problem, not ours."
"True, but we still need harvest workers. We're now short three people with picking scheduled to begin in four days."
Alessandro pulled out paper. "I'll send word to Naples. I know several families looking for seasonal work. We can offer travel expenses plus our standard wages. They'll arrive within two days if we send express courier."
"That's more expensive than local hiring."
"But more reliable than depending on workers who might be poached by neighboring estates." Alessandro was already writing. "Consider it investment in completing harvest on schedule."
After Signora Benedetti departed to manage the logistics, Lucia sank into a chair with audible frustration. "We're creating ripple effects. Our improvements are forcing other estates to adjust or explain why they can't match our standards."
"That's the point of what we're building. Demonstrate that better practices produce better results, force systemic change through competition." Alessandro leaned against the desk. "You knew this would happen. Change creates resistance."
"Knowing intellectually and managing practically are different things." Lucia closed her eyes briefly. "I'm trying to improve one estate and accidentally starting regional labor transformation. That wasn't the plan."
"The plan was to implement sustainable improvements. The rest is inevitable consequence." Alessandro moved to kneel beside her chair. "You're doing everything right, Lucia. The opposition proves you're threatening the status quo effectively."
"I don't want to threaten the status quo. I want to manage our estate competently."
"Same thing in systems built on exploitation and incompetence." Alessandro caught her hand. "This is bigger than just our estate now. The consulting business, the public exposure of embezzlement, the labor practice improvements, you're building something that challenges fundamental assumptions about how estates should operate."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It is exhausting. It's also important." Alessandro's expression was serious. "You can stop if it's too much. Scale back to just our property, decline the consulting opportunities, avoid public confrontation."
Lucia considered the offer. Retreating to smaller scope would be safer, certainly. Less exposure, fewer complications, reduced risk of public failure.
But also less impact. Smaller reach. Compromised potential.
"No," she said finally. "No, I'm not stopping. I'm just overwhelmed by the pace of expansion and the immediate opposition."
"Understandable. So we adjust the pace, address the opposition systematically, proceed carefully rather than retreating completely." Alessandro squeezed her hand. "You set the timeline. I'll support whatever you decide."
They were interrupted by Paola appearing with unexpected visitors. "My lady, the Baronessa Valenti is here. She didn't send advance word, just arrived requesting immediate meeting."
The Baronessa swept into the study before Lucia could respond, a woman of perhaps forty with sharp eyes and expensive clothing that somehow managed to look practical rather than purely decorative.
"Countess Ferretti. Count. My apologies for arriving unannounced." The Baronessa's tone suggested she was not actually apologetic. "But I've heard disturbing rumors and wanted to address them directly."
"What rumors?" Alessandro asked, gesturing for her to sit.
"That your consulting business will only serve clients who adopt radical labor policies. That you're using agricultural improvements as leverage to force political transformation." The Baronessa's gaze was piercing. "Is that accurate?"
Lucia felt defensive walls rise immediately. "We're not forcing anything. We implement improvements that work, which include fair labor practices because worker welfare affects productivity."
"So you do require clients to change labor policies?"
"We require clients to value sustainable success over short term extraction. That includes treating workers fairly." Lucia kept her voice level. "If that's too radical for your comfort, we're not the right consultants for your needs."
The Baronessa was quiet for a long moment, studying Lucia intently. Then she smiled, sharp and approving.
"Good. I was hoping you'd say that." She pulled documents from her case. "I'm not concerned about labor policies. I'm concerned about competence. Half the consulting services in northern Italy promise improvements and deliver excuses. I need to know you're actually capable of results, not just idealistic theories."
"We have documented success on our own property and preliminary analysis of the Marchese di Soave's estates showing clear improvement opportunities." Lucia pulled her files. "What specifically concerns you about my competence?"
"You're young, female, and from non-aristocratic background. That doesn't align with traditional agricultural expertise." The Baronessa's tone was matter of fact rather than insulting. "But the Marchese vouches for your abilities enthusiastically. And your identification of embezzlement on his properties was impressive."
"So you want proof before committing to consultation?"
"I want to understand your methodology. How you analyze properties, identify problems, develop solutions." The Baronessa leaned forward. "Convince me you're worth ten percent of increased revenue."
For the next two hours, Lucia walked the Baronessa through her analytical processes, explaining soil analysis techniques, drainage assessment, labor efficiency calculations. The Baronessa asked probing questions, challenging assumptions, demanding detailed justifications.
It was exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure.
"You're genuinely competent," the Baronessa said finally, something like surprise in her voice. "The Marchese wasn't exaggerating."
"Were you expecting him to be exaggerating?"
"I was expecting you to be adequate with excellent presentation skills. Instead you're exceptional with terrible presentation skills." The Baronessa smiled slightly. "That's more valuable. Anyone can perform competence. Actually possessing it is rarer."
"So you're interested in consultation?"
"Very interested. My Padua estates have drainage issues similar to your southern section. I want your assessment and improvement plan." The Baronessa pulled out contracts. "Standard terms, ten percent of increased revenue for three years. When can you begin?"
Lucia glanced at Alessandro, who nodded slightly. "After harvest, assuming your timeline is flexible. I need to complete our current obligations before taking additional projects."
"Flexible timeline is acceptable if results are guaranteed."
"Results are never guaranteed. But I'm confident in my methods and willing to stake compensation on actual outcomes." Lucia kept her voice firm. "That's the best assurance I can offer."
"It's better than most consultants provide." The Baronessa stood, extending her hand. "We have an agreement, Countess. I look forward to seeing whether your competence matches your confidence."
After the Baronessa departed, Lucia sagged against her desk with visible exhaustion. "That was intense."
"That was you convincing a notoriously skeptical aristocrat to hire us through sheer demonstration of expertise." Alessandro's expression was proud. "You were magnificent."
"I was desperate to prove myself competent."
"You were confident and knowledgeable. The desperation was invisible." Alessandro moved behind her chair, hands settling on her tense shoulders. "How many projects do we have committed now?"
"The Marchese's northern properties, the Baronessa's Padua estates, plus five potential clients Giorgio mentioned." Lucia counted mentally. "Seven total, which is completely unmanageable with current resources."
"Then we hire additional staff. Giorgio knows competent engineers and agricultural specialists. We build a team."
"That requires trusting other people to implement my methods. What if they fail? What if my training materials are inadequate?"
"Then we adjust and improve. Failure is part of business development." Alessandro's thumbs worked at the knots in her shoulders. "You're trying to ensure perfection before starting. That's impossible."
"I'm trying to avoid public disaster that destroys our credibility before we properly establish it."
"You're catastrophizing remote possibilities instead of planning for likely success." But Alessandro's tone was gentle. "We'll proceed carefully. Hire slowly, train thoroughly, supervise closely. Build systematically rather than expanding recklessly."
Lucia leaned back into his touch, letting tension drain incrementally. "Giorgio will be disappointed by slow expansion."
"Giorgio will adjust his expectations when confronted with your sound reasoning." Alessandro pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're the agricultural expert. Your timeline matters most."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true and you keep forgetting." Alessandro moved around to face her properly. "You're brilliant at this work, Lucia. Stop doubting yourself long enough to recognize that."
"I'll work on it." But Lucia smiled slightly. "After I finish documenting Moretti's embezzlement comprehensively enough to destroy his lawsuit before it begins."
"That's my systematically vindictive wife." Alessandro pulled her to her feet. "Now come. It's nearly dinner time, and you've been working since dawn without adequate rest."
They ate quietly in the small dining room, conversation drifting from business concerns to lighter topics. Alessandro described chaos in Naples, merchant disputes that sounded simultaneously tedious and amusing. Lucia shared observations about changing harvest patterns, worker dynamics, the small satisfactions of seeing improvements materialize into concrete results.
"I spoke with Marco today," she mentioned. "He named his daughter after me."
"I heard. That's quite an honor."
"It's uncomfortable. I don't deserve that level of recognition." Lucia set down her fork. "I simply treated his family fairly during crisis. That shouldn't be remarkable enough to warrant naming a child."
"The fact that it is remarkable says more about typical treatment than your actions." Alessandro refilled her wine. "You gave his family security during vulnerability. That matters enormously to them."
"It was logical resource management."
"It was also compassionate. Those aren't mutually exclusive." Alessandro caught her hand across the table. "You care about people, Lucia. That's strength, not weakness."
"Caring feels dangerous."
"It is dangerous. It's also what separates meaningful success from hollow achievement." Alessandro's expression was serious. "You're building something that matters because it values people alongside profits. Don't diminish that by insisting it's purely practical calculation."
Lucia didn't respond immediately, turning his words over in her mind. She'd spent years protecting herself by limiting emotional investment, treating relationships as transactions, keeping feelings carefully contained.
But Alessandro was right. Her approach to estate management, her consulting philosophy, her revolutionary treatise, all of it was built on the foundation that people mattered. Not just as resources to be optimized, but as humans deserving dignity and fair treatment.
When had that become her actual belief rather than convenient justification?
"I think," she said slowly, "that I've accidentally developed principles. Actual values beyond mere efficiency."
Alessandro's smile was warm. "You've always had principles. You're just finally acknowledging them."
"That seems imprecise. Principles should be deliberately chosen, not accidentally acquired."
"Most important principles are absorbed rather than consciously selected. You've spent years learning what works, and what works happens to align with treating people decently." Alessandro squeezed her hand. "You can accept that you're fundamentally good without it compromising your competence."
"Being good sounds naive."
"Being good while being competent is powerful. That's what you are." Alessandro stood, moving around the table. "Now, we have the evening free. How would you like to spend it?"
Lucia considered her options. More work was always available, documents requiring review, planning needing refinement. But exhaustion pulled at her consciousness, the day's confrontations and negotiations having drained her energy.
"Something completely unproductive," she said. "No estate discussion, no business planning, no systematic improvement of anything."
"Unproductive evening. I can work with that." Alessandro offered his hand. "Walk in the gardens? Read together in the library? Retire early to inappropriate activities?"
"The last option is very tempting."
"Excellent taste, as always." Alessandro pulled her close. "My brilliant, occasionally principled, systematically exhausted wife. Let's go be completely unproductive together."
As they climbed the stairs toward their chambers, Lucia found herself thinking about the day's complications. Moretti's threats, labor conflicts, the Baronessa's intense scrutiny, the expanding business pressure.
All of it was manageable. Challenging, certainly, but within her capabilities. And she had Alessandro beside her, supporting without controlling, challenging her assumptions while defending her competence.
That was worth more than she'd initially calculated when writing that newspaper advertisement months ago. She'd wanted partnership. Clear terms, defined boundaries, mutual respect. She'd gotten all that, plus unexpected love, genuine collaboration, and someone who believed in her capabilities even when she doubted them herself.
That was considerably better than adequate.
That was exactly what she needed.
"What are you thinking?" Alessandro asked as they entered his room through the connecting door.
"That I'm glad I wrote that advertisement. Even with all the complications."
"Even with Moretti's lawsuit threats and regional labor conflicts and Giorgio's aggressive expansion pressure?"
"Even with all of that." Lucia moved into his arms. "I'd rather have complicated partnership with you than simple solitude without you."
Alessandro's expression went soft. "That's possibly the most romantic thing you've ever said to me."
"It's accurate assessment of preferences."
"It's romantic accurate assessment of preferences." Alessandro kissed her thoroughly. "I love you. Completely, systematically, without reservation."
"I love you too. Provisionally and with some remaining emotional uncertainty, but definitely love."
"I'll take provisional definite love." Alessandro began unlacing her dress with practiced efficiency. "Now, about that unproductive evening I promised..."
Lucia surrendered to want without immediately analyzing implications or worrying about vulnerability.
Sometimes, she was learning, it was acceptable to simply feel without thinking.
To want without justifying.
To love without measuring.
That was its own form of revolution, perhaps more significant than any agricultural transformation.
And she was gradually becoming comfortable with it.