"I'd never met Maschera until just now," Umberto replies. "I knew there might be someone, like I said, I knew about the drawings on the family accounts, but I didn't know it was for a lover."
Umberto turns to look at Ta. "I didn't notice anything from her about your companion. She seems innocent enough to me, and if there's some dark force out to get her, I'll be far more vigilant than my poor brother, Cortesia care for him. And if those forces that are arranged against her are those same forces that slew my good brother, then I, for one, will stand against them proudly and offer her protection."
Umberto stands. "My carriage awaits, and I must prepare for this evening. Meet me at the theater tonight, and we shall prepare against whatever wishes her harm."
With that, Umberto heads out of the inn.
[sblock=Ta]
Oh, dear... Umberto's more smitten than he realizes.
[/sblock]