"What is this?"
Georgiana accepted a glass of clear liquor. It smelled strongly of anise.
"Anís del Mono. It's very popular in both Spain and South America," Cicognara said. "I've heard the garrison at Gibraltar likes it too. They have a glass after soaking in seawater."
"Not because of the monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar. It's because there's a monkey on the bottle, holding a note that says, 'Science says it's the best. I wasn't lying,'" Denon said.
"Which do you think is better, this or Marseille anise liquor?" Cicognara asked Denon.
"I prefer wine. Anise liquor is too strong, better suited to sailors," Denon said.
Georgiana leaned closer and sniffed it. Sure enough, its alcoholic scent was far stronger than wine's.
"Want to try it?" Cicognara urged.
"If I drink any more, I'll get drunk." Georgiana set down the glass of clear liquor. "We'll head back today and come see you again tomorrow."
"Why don't I show you around Milan?" Cicognara said.
Georgiana neither agreed nor refused, casually taking two unopened bottles with her.
"What do you think of this liquor?" Georgiana asked Bougainville drowsily. She might really have had too much to drink.
"As the Italian proverb goes, those who have never tasted bitterness do not know how to appreciate sweetness," Bougainville said as he savored the wine Polina found too bitter.
Georgiana felt exhausted. She realized that she had little drive for any so-called righteous cause. She was more inclined to obey the International Statute of Secrecy and remain hidden.
"Once the attack at sea begins, someone on land will need to seize the port of Naples as well, especially Taranto. Which general do you think would be best suited?" Bougainville asked.
"I don't want to discuss war," Georgiana said wearily. She had thought that after