Nectar: A Novel of Temptation
Lily Prior
Language: English
Pages: 272
ISBN: 0060936827
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Ramona Drottoveo, an albino, is a chambermaid at a lush Italian estate. Distinguished by the intoxicating scent she exudes, Ramona is despised by all women and adored by all men, whose inexhaustible lust she eagerly satisfies. Life changes when her husband dies after discovering his bride with another man on their wedding night. Blamed for his death, Ramona and her lover are exiled to the neighboring city of Naples. There, Ramona's life is transformed once again by the birth of a daughter, Blandina, who "steals" her mother's scent. No longer able to seduce men into blind submission, Ramona humbly returns to the estate to an unexpected welcome -- and revenge.
A hilarious and naughty celebration of the senses and the strange places they can lead us, Nectar explores the mystery of sexual attraction and the frivolous nature of divine justice.
behind him but saw nothing, only Ramona’s grimacing face. “We’ve come about the rooms,” he said. “San Gennaro protect us,” the crone muttered toward the shrine. “Save us from the evil I smell in the air.” “She’s mad,” said Ramona. “Let’s go. It may be contagious.” Just then a man appeared behind the bent figure of the shrine keeper. He pinched her crumpled cheeks trying to draw out a smile, and failing, pulled her cap down over her eyes for a joke. “Death!” she cried. “Son-in-law, ’tis death
the Signora. No bristling devils. No body snatchers. No bandits with pitchforks. The bell seemed to be ringing itself. But then Immacolata, who had taken her rightful place at the front, raised a lantern and discovered what looked like a heap of rags at her feet. From the rags a dirty hand emerged, clasping the bellpull. Gingerly, Immacolata prized the bellpull away from the fingers, and then like the sun emerging from behind a cloud after a storm, the terrible clanging finally stopped. Heaven
were a law unto themselves. Each day there was some change. Some days he would be profoundly deaf. Some days too he would lose his sense of balance, and keep toppling over. Then he would recover his hearing and lose all sensation of taste. At such times he could not distinguish between the taste of a pear and a partridge, a boar sausage and a butterscotch pudding, and no efforts of Immacolata Metrofano could please him. The one constant was his belief in that wonderful aroma in his nose, and it
girl round and round La Casa brandishing the Signor’s riding crop, but Blandina was too fast for her. As she ran, Blandina sang tauntingly an off-key and altogether diabolical rendition of “O mio babbino caro” in a voice uncannily like her mother’s. Ramona was incandescent with rage. Defeated, Ramona stamped off to find her husband and voiced her intention of sending Blandina to a convent to be raised, but the Signor wouldn’t agree. He adored his stepdaughter, and wouldn’t hear of sending her
Drottoveo.” Dalinda Scandone began to bray at the top of her voice: “Ramona Drottoveo, Ramona Drottoveo, Ramona Drottoveo.” All the noise brought Immacolata Pescatore herself to the door. She quickly administered a slap to the cheek of Dalinda Scandone. It was the only way to silence her. “Now beekeeper, what is it you want?” asked Immacolata in a businesslike manner. “Please, would you tell Ramona Drottoveo that I have come to call for her.” “Not you as well, beekeeper?” Immacolata