What Remains of the Fair Simonetta (26 page)

Chapter 46

I awakened the following morning slumped in a chair by the small bed. As I wiped the drool from my cheek, Luciana was standing next to me, tapping my shoulder incessantly. Her color had returned, and she wore an uncharacteristic smile on her face, while my Miraculous Medal dangled from her hand. It turned out to be truly miraculous after all.

“Are you ill,
Idio
…Simonetta?” Luciana asked.

“No, I’m fine. Just a little run down, I guess. But y
ou
look much better!”

“I am…thanks to you.” Luciana tied the necklace back around my neck and put a hand on my shoulder. “You have caused me to consider many things.”

I stretched my arms and yawned. “Such as?” I wanted her to have to say it.

Luciana sat on the bed across from me and leaned forward. “I have been wrong in my hatred of you, Simonetta.”

Yup.

“And have placed my affections with the wrong person as well,” she sighed.

“Marco?”

Now that was a surprise.

“He will never go against his father. He would have let me die in the streets if not for your intervention. I know this now. But I cannot stay here in this room forever. It is only a matter of time before I am discovered.”

“Do you have family?” I asked, scratching my head at her dilemma.

“My parents sold me to a slave trader in Sicily when I was seven years old in order to feed the other children. I have no wish to return to them. But I was so grateful to be taken into this beautiful
palazzo
. I have spent most of life between these walls, and yet Piero thought nothing of casting me out for the crime of loving his son.”

“Piero treats everyone like a commodity. He tried to trade me to the Medici in exchange for the seat of Priorate,” I said in commiseration. “But that gives me an idea!” I leaped from the chair. “Though, I’ll need some help.”

I climbed the stairs to Amerigo’s room, and opened the door slowly so as not to startle him. I found Antonella alone, sewing at Amerigo’s map-covered desk.

“Antonella,” I whispered. “Where’s Amerigo?”

She barely looked up at me. “He is at the Palazzo Medici working for Lorenzo.”

“Since when?”

“This is his first day,” Antonella responded. “It seems Piero now favors Amerigo over his own son, and has arranged for him to learn the trade of banking. Amerigo is quite pleased.”

Antonella never looked me in the eye, and became particularly forceful with her stitching.

“Are you angry with me?” I asked.

“You have chosen that ill-tempered wretch over me, Netta,” she said, finally turning her tearful eyes on me. “I have served you my whole life.”

“What? No!” I marched over to Antonella, pulled her up from the chair and embraced her tightly, tears now streaming from my eyes as well. Despite all my efforts, it seemed I’d inadvertently created more unfinished business.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Antonella,” I said, and pushed myself back from her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I just needed a place for Luciana to hide. I figured you’d be happy up here for a few days.”

“Even though I choose to spend my nights with Amerigo, my days are devoted to you. And you know I will suffer the same fate as Luciana if I am caught in here.”

“I’m sorry, Antonella. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Though, I suppose I understand,” she sighed. “It has always been in your nature to assist the ailing.”

“Well, she’s much better now, but needs a place to go. I was hoping Amerigo could help me with something.”

I guess I’ll have to go with Plan B.

I convinced Antonella to return with me to her chamber, so she might witness Luciana’s miraculous recovery. Once there, Antonella greeted her coolly, but Luciana embraced her anyway.

“You have helped save my life, Antonella,” Luciana said. “I am grateful.”

“Yes,” Antonella replied, as she pushed back from Luciana and smoothed her dress. “I see that.” I gave Antonella a not-so-subtle kick in the leg as payback for the many she’d given me. “You are welcome,” Antonella finally said.

After Antonella helped me get cleaned and dressed, we hid Luciana in Antonella’s chamber, then pounded on the door leading to my sitting room. After a long while, Carlo unlocked and opened the door.

“What do you require?” Carlo asked, annoyed.

“I wish to see my husband,” I insisted.

“You require him so early in the morn,
Signora
?” Carlo winked. “The master still sleeps.”

“Just get him, Carlo!” I growled through clenched teeth, with fire burning from my eyes.

“Very well,” he grunted and trotted off.

Within a few moments, Marco came to my door, wearing only a white, mid-thigh length smock. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his pale, skinny legs, as he panicked his way into the room, and I shut the door behind him. “Does she live?”

“Yes, she does,” Luciana answered, as she entered my chamber. “No thanks to you.”

“I…I…,” Marco stuttered. “I’m so glad you are well.”

“Never mind that right now, Marco,” I interrupted. “I need you to retrieve Giuliano de’ Medici, and bring him here.”

“I cannot just barge into the Palazzo Medici and demand he come hither. My father is trying to make an impression…”

“Stop being such a sissy-man!” I smacked him across the shoulder. “Luciana needs a place to go, and I believe Giuliano can help.”

He sought alliance from Luciana, who instead pointed a stern finger towards the door. Even if he was going to deny me, there was no way he’d risk the wrath of Luciana.

“Very well,” he muttered and obediently scurried off, tail between his legs.

Antonella scraped some rations together from the kitchen, and returned with cheese, wine, and stale bread for the three of us to share while we waited in my chamber for Giuliano.

“I’ll bet you never imagined this scenario,” I teased the two of them as they sat next to each other on the bed, dipping their bread into the same goblet.

“No, I most certainly did not,” Antonella replied. And a small smile crept across her lips, which was returned by Luciana.

The three of us jumped up when a key turned in the door. Luciana quickly ran to hide in Antonella’s chamber before it swung open. And when we did, Marco was nowhere in sight, but Carlo made sure lady and attendant were properly positioned in the sitting room before escorting in my gentlemen caller. Carlo excused himself, only too willing to give me privacy with the Medici Golden Boy.

“I hear I have been summoned,” Giuliano greeted, and took a chair across from mine. “This is an unusual surprise, Simonetta.”

“Yes, well, there is a pressing matter at hand.”

“Oh?” He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.

“Piero cast one of the servants, by the name of Luciana, from the
palazzo
when she was caught in bed with my husband.”

“As he should have!”

“Really, Giuliano? I wouldn’t have taken you for someone who values the laws of matrimony.”

“But a servant?” he scoffed.

Antonella cleared her throat to make him aware of her presence, and I interjected. “Oh, please. You’ll have me believe you’ve never touched a servant in your
palazzo
?”

“Never!” he scoffed.

“Well, that’s perfect then. I want you to take Luciana into your household. She’s been a faithful servant here, and will serve the Medici well from now on.”

“I think not.”

“I’m begging you, Giuliano. Her only other options are prostitution or rotting on the streets.”

“Not interested. To what do I owe her? Or you, for that matter? My brother is the civil servant. Why do you not take it up with him?”

“I should like to have a conversation with your brother,” Antonella added. “Is he yet aware that you married Fioretta Gorini without his permission?”

Married to Fioretta Gorini? Was he not just pursuing me while betrothed to my cousin?

But by the look of shock that washed over his face, I judged that it must be true.

“No, please. You mustn’t inform him. You do not understand the consequences I will suffer.”

“Then we have an arrangement?” I asked.

“Very well.”

I could get used to men cowering to my will.

“
There’s one more thing.”

“Yes,
La Bella,
” Giuliano answered, sarcastically.

“Luciana will be allowed to marry, if she wishes. A dowry should be provided.”

He huffed before answering, then raised his hands in exasperation. “As you wish.” 

“You’ll enjoy her, Giuliano.” I smiled, deviously. “She has a lot of…spunk.”

I opened the door to my chamber, causing Luciana to fall into the sitting room as if she had her ear pressed to the door the whole time. She’d removed her Vespucci servant’s dress, and helped herself into one of my more elegant gowns—one of a deep purple velvet—which perfectly accentuated her beautiful, dark skin.

“I gave
you
that dress!” Giuliano complained.

“But it looks great on Luciana.”

She marched straight over to Giuliano and took his arm as if being escorted as his royal date, rather than his servant. Speechless, he made his way for the door.

In the hallway, the pair passed Marco, who, after his head spun around on his shoulders, ran into my sitting room, startled. “What is the meaning of this?” Marco demanded.

“You should be happy for her, Marco. She’s alive and headed for the
palazzo
of Florence’s first family rather than the streets. You can rest assured she’ll be taken care of.”

“But—“

“And now I need another favor.”

“Huh?”

“I need you to fetch Leonardo da Vinci from the shop of Verrocchio.”

Chapter 47

Leonardo appeared a bit more mature than the last time I’d seen him. A short beard had formed on his young face, and a growth of dark hair peaked out from under a large beret that topped his head.

Leonardo bowed politely. “
Monna
Simonetta.”

Carlo was apparently not inclined to leave me alone with the young Leonardo as he quickly made himself comfortable in one of the elegant sitting room chairs.

I smiled and nodded demurely. “Thank you for visiting,
Signor
da Vinci. That will be all, Carlo,” I dismissed him with a flick of my wrist, finally getting used to the whole noblewoman thing, just as it was coming to an end.

“But,
Signora
—”

“That will be all!” I yelled in no uncertain terms.

Carlo jumped up at my hostile tone, and exited the room, turning back once or twice, clearly conflicted in his decision to obey me. As soon as he left, I closed the door behind him and turned to Antonella. “I’m sorry Antonella, I have to ask you to leave as well. I need to speak with Leonardo alone.” She simply nodded in agreement, and vacated the sitting room without question.

A shocking first for her.

“In what location have you been dwelling, Simonetta?” Leonardo blurted. “Piero has disseminated the message that you have been infirmed, but you have the appearance of vigor.”

“I haven’t been ill, but I will be soon.” I let out a psychosomatic cough or two. “April 26
th
is just around the corner.” I felt the crush of time envelop me and I had no fun bucket list planned this time around. I had already done so much, and a tropical vacation seemed out of the question.

“But you have tempted Fate thus far. Do you not think She is inclined to let you thrive?”

“No, I think not, Leo.” I sighed. “I’ve had a personal conversation with her.”

Leonardo fell silent.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything you wish.” Leonardo stood from his chair across the room and took a seat next to mine.

“Sandro will create a painting, something of a mythological nature. He’ll be convinced by a fiery preacher named Savonarola to burn it in a bonfire, and the modern world will never enjoy the pleasure of seeing it or even know its subject.” I took a deep breath before continuing. “Can you stop him?”

“Stop him? I am unsure. I have borne witness to those who converse about the preacher from Ferrara. But how will Sandro be persuaded to commit such an atrocity? It is not in his humor to ravage his own creations.”

“Historians don’t know why for sure. Either because he’ll believe Savonarola is sent from God and his art is a sin, or because he’ll fear punishment if he doesn’t. Most of Florence, including Sandro’s own brother, will blindly follow this man.”

“How am I to ascertain which piece will be destroyed?”

“Good question. I don’t know.” I rubbed my temples in exasperation “I only know which ones it isn’t. It won’t be the one portraying the arrival of Venus from the ocean, or Camilla with a centaur, or an allegory of spring with the Three Graces, which will all be painted for Lorenzo’s cousin, Lorenzo Pierfrancesco.”

“Sandro will portray all of these subjects?” Leonardo rubbed his chin, clearly impressed.

“Yes, but…wait! It won’t be something he paints for a patron, but one he creates solely for himself.”

“I will try my best,” he agonized.

“Something must be done before you go to France,” I thought aloud. In my desperation to save Sandro’s unknown painting, I just blurted it out.

“I am going to France?”

Shit. Yes. And Milan, Mantua, Rome
.
But which one was first?

“I don’t want say anything that will influence your decisions, Leonardo.” But then I thought maybe I could save him some unneeded heartbreak. “The citizens of Florence will never in your lifetime appreciate you for the genius that you are. But others will, especially the King of France.”

“The King?” He took a moment to absorb this astounding fact, then switched gears back to Sandro. “I shall do whatever it takes, Simonetta. I will even abduct his creation if I must to avert such a catastrophe.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, I threw my arms around Leonardo warmly. He shrank back from my affection, which was uncharacteristic of the brother-sister-type relationship we’d shared, but I refused to let go. When he’d had enough of my stifling embrace, he politely wormed his way out from under my arms, and went on his way.