Light on Lucrezia - By Plaidy, Jean Page 0,24
happiness, but now I believe there can be even greater happiness than this. That will be on the day when I hold our child in my arms.”
They lay sleeping, arms entwined; and in their sleep they looked like two innocent children.
The next day brought realization to Lucrezia of what a flimsy thing happiness could be.
Sanchia came to her apartments in the morning.
“It is going to be a sunny day,” she said. “We should prepare for the journey to the vineyards of Cardinal Lopez.”
Lucrezia remembered. Last night the Cardinal had issued the invitation to the ladies, and they had accepted joyfully.
“Why,” said Sanchia, “pregnancy suits you, Lucrezia. You look more beautiful than you did two months ago.”
“It is happiness that suits me,” Lucrezia answered.
“You are not disappointed in my little brother?” Sanchia asked.
“You know my feelings for him.”
“Take care of him, Lucrezia. Take care of him when Cesare comes home.”
“You have news of Cesare?”
“I know that he is not going to marry Carlotta, but I knew that before he went.”
Lucrezia smiled sadly at her sister-in-law. Sanchia had been jealous, she knew, and she was sorry for Sanchia’s unhappiness.
Sanchia said fiercely: “He went in October. It is now February. Yet he remains unmarried. I tell you this, Lucrezia: Cesare is nothing more than a hostage of the French. The bonds are silken, shall we say, but they are nevertheless bonds. Why does Cesare not marry? Because the King of France wishes to keep him in France!”
“You mean he is so attached to Cesare …”
Sanchia laughed. “Do you think the whole world loves your brother as you do? No! The King of France is planning an attack on Italy, and if he holds the Pope’s beloved son as hostage he can be sure that he will be free from Papal interference when he makes the attack.”
“Cesare … a hostage!”
“Why not? He was once before, remember. He escaped at Velletri and thus inflicted humiliation on the French which they will not easily have forgotten. Mayhap they remember it still.”
“But the King of France greatly honors my brother. We constantly hear of the entertainments he gives for his pleasure.”
Sanchia put her face close to Lucrezia’s and whispered: “One of those who accompanied Cesare to France has written that the honors paid to Cesare are like those paid to Christ on Palm Sunday, when less than a week later there were cries of ‘Crucify him.’ ”
“Sanchia! You mean Cesare is in danger!”
“I doubt not that he will know how to look after himself. But he’ll not get Carlotta.” Sanchia lifted her shoulders. “Come, which bonnet will you wear?”
Lucrezia tried to turn her attention to the bonnets. She would not believe that Cesare was in any danger. If he did not marry Carlotta, then he would have someone else. Soon he would be home. She was not going to let fears for her brother cloud her happiness.
So they set out for the vineyards of Cardinal Lopez. They were very beautiful in the pale February sunshine and Lucrezia was determinedly merry, eager to banish the uneasy thoughts which Sanchia had set in motion.
Cardinal Lopez and his household had prepared a feast for the visitors, and they sat watching races or joined in the outdoor games which he had arranged for their entertainment. There was much laughter, but every now and then Lucrezia felt a longing to be with Alfonso that she might tell him of Sanchia’s words which had made her a little uneasy, and seek reassurance. She would not tell her father because, although he would dismiss the rumors, he might in the secrecy of his mind brood on them; but Alfonso, she was sure, would dismiss them as ridiculous because he would know that was what she wanted him to do.
Longing to be with Alfonso, she cried out as they were walking down one of the sloping paths to the stables: “Do hurry. Let us race!”
Bernardina, who was close behind her, gave a whoop of joy and, pulling at Francesca’s gown, shouted: “Come along. I’ll be at the stables first.”
Lucrezia cried: “Not you!” And sped away.
She was leading when her foot tripped over a stone and, as her ankle twisted under her, she fell; Bernardina unfortunately was too close on her heels to pull up and, as Lucrezia went down, fell on top of her. Francesca fell over Bernardina and for a few seconds the pair lay on Lucrezia, their full weight pressing her to the ground. They were laughing as they leaped to their feet;