by C. De Melo
He gazed down at her and smiled. “Come, dearest, there is someone I want you to meet,” he said, leading her through the throng of guests. “Giuliano de’ Medici has arrived from Milan only a moment ago and is here to offer his congratulations.”
Sabina was led to a group of well-dressed men. The most exquisitely dressed was an attractive young man in his mid-twenties with brown, shoulder-length hair and a serene face. He smiled at Tommaso before embracing him with great affection.
“Giuliano, I’m so happy you could come,” Tommaso said.
“I wanted to arrive earlier, but we were delayed,” Giuliano explained. Noticing the stunning woman at his friend’s side, he added, “Is this bella donna your new bride?”
“Giuliano, may I present to you my wife, Sabina, daughter of Don Antonio Rossi.”
The dark eyes that studied Sabina were alert and intelligent. Giuliano stepped forward and gallantly kissed her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Signora. You are living proof of Tommaso’s impeccable taste.”
She smiled. “You are too kind, Signore Giuliano.”
Giuliano turned to Tommaso. “I congratulate you on finding such a lovely treasure.”
“Thank you, my friend. Where is Lorenzo?”
“Unfortunately, my brother was forced to remain in Milan and instructed me to convey his best wishes to you both. He regrets not being able to attend your wedding today.”
“I know the business he tends to is urgent; there is no need for him to feel any regrets. I shall see him soon enough.”
“You must present your wife at the palazzo when Lorenzo returns,” Giuliano said, winking at Sabina. “He will be charmed.”
“It will be an honor. Now, please, I want you and your men to eat, drink, and enjoy the festivities,” Tommaso said before quickly summoning his servants and instructing them to pay special attention to the Medici entourage.
Giuliano mingled easily with the guests since he knew everyone.
Sabina was duly impressed that her husband was on such friendly terms with the wealthiest and most politically influential family in Tuscany. “How long have you known the Medici brothers?”
“I was a good friend of their father, so I’ve known them since birth. Before that, my father and their grandfather did business together.”
“Oh? What kind of business?”
“Why, banking, of course.”
“I see. Do you regularly attend court at their palazzo?”
Tommaso stepped closer to Sabina and lowered his voice. “You must never refer to the Palazzo Medici as a royal court, my dear. It’s offensive.”
“Forgive me.”
He waved away her apology. “You must always keep in mind that Florence is a republic, not a monarchy.”
Her brow creased in confusion. “Oh.”
“You will be presented to Lorenzo, who, although not being a prince, assumes the role of one.” He paused. “Do you understand?”
“So I should treat him like a prince but never call him that to his face.”
Tommaso nodded in approval. “Correct.”
“And the Palazzo Medici is not an official royal court but it operates as such, although everyone pretends it doesn’t because Florence is a republic.”
“I think you’ll learn how this city operates very quickly.”
The wedding festivities lasted until nightfall. Don Antonio wished many blessings upon the marital union and kissed his daughter’s cheek before retiring to his guest chamber. Cecilia also approached her sister and brother-in-law before retiring. She hugged her sister coolly, muttering a blessing on their marriage before heading off to bed.
Later that night, after the guests had gone home, Sabina sat at the dressing table in her bedchamber. Teresa had already helped her mistress out of the wedding gown and was now brushing her hair in the light of three flickering candles.
“You are very lucky, Signora Sabina.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Signore Tommaso is a good man who gives with an open hand to those whom he loves. He is always helping people and never asks the cost, which is why God has blessed him with so much wealth.”
“How do you know this?”
“My father was cousin to his first wife.”
“Tell me about her.”
“We’re not allowed to speak of her because…Well, she fled with another man.”
Sabina hid her surprise. “I see…”
“Signore Tommaso helped us very much after my mother died.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Teresa. My mother is dead, too.”
“May her soul be blessed in Heaven,” Teresa said before crossing herself and kissing the tiny gold crucifix that hung from a chain around her neck.
“How well do you know my husband?”
“Well enough to assure you that he loathes impropriety and does not tolerate disrespect,” she replied candidly.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“He seems very fond of you, Signora Sabina. One of my cousins served as the lady’s maid to his second wife, Signora Mariella.” Teresa lowered her voice and added, “She and Signore Tommaso were never in accord. She died in childbirth. The baby died, too.”
“What happened to your cousin after her mistress died?”
“She was sent to another Florentine lady across the city.”
How clever of her husband to get rid of the girl. It certainly prevented any gossip about the late Signora Mariella. “Anything else I should know?”
Teresa froze, her cheeks bright red in the reflection of the looking glass.
Tommaso stood in the doorway. “Leave us.”
Teresa bowed her head. “Yes, Signore Tommaso.” She laid down the brush, curtsied to her master and mistress, and started to walk out of the room when Mendi began to caw loudly from within his cage.
Tommaso frowned. “Take that damned bird with you. I know you love that wretched crow, Sabina, but there is room for only one male in your bedchamber tonight.”
Teresa retraced her steps and picked up the cage. Mendi, unhappy at being moved, threatened to peck at the girl’s hand, but Sabina’s sharp reprimand kept him from doing so. Holding the cage as far away from her as she could, the maid hastily vacated the room.
“What do you think of Teresa?” Tommaso asked with feigned nonchalance.
“I like her,” Sabina replied cautiously, wondering how much of the conversation he had heard before entering her room.
“Good. I want you to be happy.” He stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t expect you to love me.” She stiffened at the unexpected statement and tried to turn around in order to face him, but his grip on her shoulders tightened. “I’m well aware your beauty and youth, Sabina. After seeing what your former lover looks like, I know you’ll probably never love me.”
“Tommaso, I—”
“Don’t interrupt me again,” he warned. “Unlike other men, I do not care that my bride is not a virgin. I’m no longer a young man prone to frivolous jealousies, nor do I wish to engage in any hot-tempered duels for the sake of your virtue. Time is precious to me.”
He moved her hair aside to expose her nape and bent to kiss the soft skin. “Now that you’re my wife, I expect your loyalty and respect. I want you to provide me with a son and not make a cuckold of me. In return, you will be afforded freedoms that are usually denied most women. You can read as many books as you wish, learn any subject you desire—with my approval, of course. I may even share political views with you, but only if you adhere to my conditions. If you refuse to abide by my rules and decide to take on a lover, or dishonor me in any way through improper conduct, you will be cast out of this house in shame. Your reputation will be ruined forever.” His hands fell to his sides. “Do we have an agreement, Sabina?”
“Yes, Tommaso.”
Without further words, he led her to the bed. Sabina was surprised by the unexpected finesse of his lovemaking. Marco had been lustful and clumsy in
comparison with Tommaso’s expertise. When they finished, she stared at the exposed timbers on the ceiling. The act itself had been pleasant enough, which was somewhat of a relief.
“You must be tired,” he said, kissing her cheek before getting out of bed. “I will retire to my chamber now. Goodnight, Sabina.”
“Goodnight, Tommaso, and thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything.”
He cast a wry smile over his shoulder and left the room.
Chapter 4
By the middle of September, two important things occurred: first, rain—blessed, glorious rain! The second, Sabina learned that being the wife of an important Florentine was a serious responsibility. The merchant republican society of Florence was committed to communal, Christian, and classical values. This meant that the honor of men should reside in their public image and service, and in the personal virtue of their wives. It was one of the reasons why Tommaso had warned her never to dishonor him in any way.
The constant male preoccupation to ensure their wives’ purity—and that of the bloodline through which their property descended—was so great that the majority of Florentine women were excluded from public life. Several of these women were sequestered to their homes, much to their frustration. The educated and genteel wives of affluent men were forced to deal with a certain measure of patriarchal demands. The only women who were free from any of these societal burdens were peasants, prostitutes and the mistresses of powerful men. For them, purity of bloodline and familial reputation were of little or no concern.
A mature man and a liberal thinker, Tommaso allowed Sabina the freedom that many other women were denied. Like other respectable husbands, he forbade his wife to wander the streets unescorted but saw no problem in allowing her to go out in the company of her lady’s maid and armed guards. Sabina attended church regularly with her husband, gave alms to the poor, and behaved modestly at all times.
Of the many rules she was expected to follow, behaving modestly was perhaps the most difficult. She desired to run barefoot through the fields while holding her skirts high in order to feel the tall grass on her legs. On hot days, she wanted to swim naked in the cool ponds and rivers located in the Florentine hills. In Lucca, she could easily escape into the woods and enjoy these simple pleasures in secret. In Florence, this proved to be impossible. As the wife of a prominent citizen, she could never indulge in any of her wild childhood activities. Her husband’s personal library was a wonderful consolation, however, and he granted her access to many books.
As the weeks passed, Tommaso noticed an array of books on his wife’s bedside table when he entered her bedchamber, but her red velvet journal was always absent; hidden.
One night, after making love to his wife, he noticed a sheet of parchment on the floor. He made sure she was asleep before holding the sheet toward the light of a sputtering candle. As he read the dark, elegant verse, he was genuinely impressed with Sabina’s talent. When he finished, he placed the sheet back on the floor.
***
On the last day of October, a page arrived early in the morning as Tommaso and Sabina were breaking their fast. He handed Tommaso a scroll sealed with red wax and imprinted with the Medici crest.
Tommaso broke the seal and read the message. “Lorenzo de’ Medici is back from Milan, and a banquet will be held to celebrate his return.”
“I will finally see the Palazzo Medici and meet Lorenzo?”
“Yes, my dear. I shall summon the seamstress today.”
“Why? You’ve already given me several fine gowns. I can wear any one of them.”
“This is no common banquet. You are being officially presented to the Ruler of Florence.”
Donna Maria arrived the following day with several swatches of fabric. After many years of creating gowns for Florentine ladies, she was one of the most sought-after seamstresses in the city. She was a tiny older woman with hands made rough from years of sewing. The only color she ever wore was black, and the only jewelry she flaunted was a gold crucifix.
After obtaining her husband’s opinion, Sabina settled on deep red silk with gold leaf pattern. Since the fabric was ornate, Donna Maria designed a simple style with a low neckline, flowing train, and long, bell-shaped sleeves. For the next few days, the seamstress and her apprentices worked hard to create a splendid gown.
On the day of the Medici party, Teresa gave her mistress a series of beauty treatments consisting of a milk bath and a lengthy massage with scented oil. Sabina’s hair was washed with rose water and brushed until it shone, then styled into a braided knot at the back of her neck.
“Lorenzo de’ Medici is an extraordinary man,” Teresa said as she pinned small gold beads into her mistress’s coiffure.
Sabina sat in front of the looking glass and met her maid’s gaze in the reflection. “Have you met him?”
“Only once. It was here, in fact, shortly before your arrival. I served him wine while he waited for Signore Tommaso. I will never forget that strong face or the fine clothes he wore.” She paused. “He made me shiver.”
“Fear?”
“Not fear, although he is feared by many. It was more like a presence.”
“How interesting.”
“You’ll know what I mean when you meet him,” Teresa said, smoothing an errant strand of hair.
“I was told that Lorenzo is politically shrewd and fond of the arts.”
Teresa laughed slightly, holding the ivory comb in her hand mid-air. “Fond of the arts? No, Signora, he loves the arts. Signore Lorenzo is patron to many artists and intellectuals living in Florence. He is also a philosopher who embraces Plato.” She tucked another gold bead into place before adding, “Rumor has it that he’s good friends with Signore Marsilio Ficino.”
Sabina had heard of the controversial philosopher. Most people avoided company with such types, afraid of the negative social repercussions. Only a man in a high position of power possessed the luxury of not caring what others thought. “Is that so? I assume he acts as Ficino’s protector.”
“Most definitely. There are those with closed minds who would destroy such great thinkers of our time,” Teresa replied. “I admire Signore Lorenzo for not being one of them.”
“You surprise me, Teresa.”
“How so?”
“Well, you seem to know so much.”
“I’ve always worked in important households and, since it’s my duty to keep quiet and listen attentively, I learn many things.”
“Well, I’m glad you share your knowledge with me.”
“You surprise me, too, Signora.”
Sabina’s brows lifted slightly in surprise. “Oh?”
“Many ladies care only for the trivialities of life, such as fashion and gossip. Some walk about with great airs, believing themselves superior to everyone else. You’re not like them—and I mean this as the greatest compliment. I hope my honesty doesn’t offend you. My father has warned me many times to bite my tongue.”
“As did mine. I’m not offended. On the contrary, I’m flattered.”
Both women turned in surprise at the sound of fluttering feathers. Mendi, who had disappeared three days ago, flew into the room and perched on a chair.
“He must be hungry,” Teresa said.
“Or perhaps he misses my company,” Sabina countered hopefully.
The plate of cheese, bread, and fruit that a servant had brought up earlier for breakfast was still on the table.
Sabina reached for a crust of leftover bread and tossed it at the crow. Mendi gobbled it up immediately. “You were right. He’s hungry,” she said sourly. Turning back to her maid, she asked, “Have you ever met his wife?”
“Signore Lorenzo’s wife?” Sabina nodded and Teresa replied, “No. I know he married a Roman noblewoman named Clarice Orsini eight years ago, but I have only caught glimpses of her. She rarely ventures out.”
“What is she like? Is she witty? Pretty?”
Teresa set down the comb and too
k a step back to admire her handiwork. “She is considered to be quite plain, but well-mannered. Many Florentines find her exceedingly prudish and resent her for being foreign.”
Teresa’s gossip was priceless!
The maid continued in a conspiratorial tone, “From what I’ve heard, Signora Clarice is a dutiful wife and Signore Lorenzo is fond of her, but she is rumored to be as cold as a winter’s day in Venice.”
“How unfortunate for Signore Lorenzo.”
“Do not pity him, Signora. It’s common knowledge that he gives vent to his appetites by keeping numerous mistresses.”
Sabina’s eyes widened. “How many?”
“Too many to count…but there is one mistress that reigns supreme above all other women.” She paused and whispered, “Even his wife.”
I wonder what Tommaso would say if he caught me gossiping like a scullery maid. “Who?” Sabina demanded shamelessly, leaning closer.
“Her name is Lucrezia Donati. You must have seen her in passing by now.” Sabina tried to place a face to the name and shook her head. Teresa continued, “You will probably meet her soon enough.”
“So, in addition to a wife, he has a main mistress as well as several other mistresses on the side.” Her maid nodded and Sabina smirked. “Lorenzo de’ Medici must be a very busy man.”
“He’s reputed to be a good lover,” Teresa said, giggling.
“Teresa!”
The maid had the decency to blush, if only slightly. “I’m only repeating what I’ve heard.”
“We should end this conversation right now for the sake of propriety,” Sabina announced with mock rigidness.
“I’m sure he’ll be impressed with you,” Teresa said slyly, ignoring her mistress’s suggestion. “Lorenzo admires beautiful women, but what he truly appreciates is intelligence, and you possess both in abundance.”
“How do you know so much about the Medici household?”
“I know one of Signora Clarice’s lady’s maids,” Teresa replied as she helped Sabina into the new red gown. “You look exquisite, Signora. I know you’ll enjoy yourself tonight.”
“Thank you, Teresa. Don’t wait up for me.”