by Gian Bordin
"Yes, Messer Faranese."
The notary nodded several times and then pointed to the other two scrolls on the table: "These are exact copies of what I have just read, as attested by me. Do you wish to inspect them?"
"No, Sir. I would not commit such an insult. I have complete trust in you."
"Then will you confirm this agreement by placing your signature and the seal of Casa Alberti de’ Morrone on all three documents, as the authorized legal representative of that house?"
Orlando nodded.
The notary continued: "And after your signature, Signor Sanguanero will do the same, and then I will attest having witnessed your signing."
"Before doing that, I would like to ask some points of clarification," interjected Chiara in the vernacular. All three men looked at her alarmed. The notary cleared his throat as if he wanted to intervene, but she stared him down, and he lowered his gaze to the parchments. "The letter by the illustrious Signor Arringhi da Catenaia stated three conditions the prospective groom had to satisfy, namely that he had to be the legitimate son of a notable merchant house, that he had to be of good health, and that he had to be willing to lend his commercial experience to Casa Alberti until my brother will be capable to assume a leading role." She nodded warmly to Niccolo. "I can vouch for the first two myself. They are amply satisfied. However, the marriage contract says nothing about the third. Am I correct to assume that this aspect will be the subject of a separate agreement?"
Niccolo’s chuckle gave away his relief. "Indeed, Lady Lucrezia, that is the case. It has already been prepared and approved by Messer da Quaranta. I must congratulate you for your astuteness. Quite unexpected from a young woman. May we now proceed to the signing with your blessing?"
"I am eagerly awaiting that solemn act, Signor Sanguanero," she replied, giving him one of her charming smiles.
When she got ready to leave, it was Niccolo’s turn to surprise her.
"Lady Lucrezia, please indulge me for a while longer. I intended to send a token of my admiration for your beauty to Casato di sopra, but it would give me enormous pleasure if I could place it into your hand in person."
Her curiosity raised, she took the little black wooden box he offered her, and admired the delicately inlaid cover.
"Will you open it for me?" Niccolo encouraged her.
She opened the lid and almost cried out, just managing to give it a twist of awed surprise. Her mother’s gold diamond ring lay on red velvet, its stone reflecting the light of the oil lamp on the wall.
"I see that you are pleased and for once lost for words."
She needed to gain time, to recover. At that moment she would give herself away if she met his gaze. She took out the ring and slowly put it on the ring finger of her right hand, willing her pulse to slow. She raised the hand, admiring the brilliance of the diamond, and only then felt safe to look at him, the actor in charge again, producing a delighted smile.
"It is exquisite. Thank you with all my heart, Signore. I will treasure it. It will remind me of you, whenever my eyes fall on it." She bowed deeply.
He was beaming.
She looked at the ring again, the devil in her rising. "Am I right to think that this is Moorish workmanship?"
"Yes, Spanish, in fact. How did you know?"
"My mother had a similar ring, and I always admired it when I was a child. I was told that it came from the south of Spain. But unfortunately, it got stolen." Her gaze returned to the ring. "How precious, Signore!" For once, I can stick to the truth, she mused silently.
"I am honored that you appreciate my token of admiration for your beauty."
Oh, you ignorant fool, but her eyes only revealed grateful pleasure.
* * *
"Chiara, I guess you didn’t expect to get an expensive gift," Orlando said, as they walked back to Casato di sopra. "He’s generous."
She raised her right hand again. "I said my mother had a ring like this and that it got stolen. This is my mother’s ring that he stole from me on the Santa Caterina."
"Really? … Now I understand. The surprise I saw on your face wasn’t pleasure to receive such an expensive ring, but that it was your mother’s."
"Yes, I came close to losing it then."
"But you recovered fast… What irony! He unknowingly gives back the very ring he stole from you… In fact, it’s too funny. At least, you have it again."
"Yes, you’re right. I should see its funny side rather than getting worked up over it. Thank you, Orlando."
They walked along in silence for a while.
"You really got them both flustered, though, before the signing. I admit, even I was startled."
"I could not resist upstaging these pompous fools."
"It’s amazing how, no matter what the situation, you wrestle control to yourself and make it look so natural."
"That isn’t fair, Orlando. I don’t always take control."
"My apologies. No, you don’t, but I still have to witness an occasion where it was not obvious that it was within your reach to do so, even if you didn’t. Please, accept it as a compliment, not as a reproach."
She simply smiled. Sometimes it even seemed to her to be this way. "Now all that’s left is to wait two weeks. It’s essential that you’re back in Siena to accept that letter of credit, but there’s no need for you to be here until then. So I suggest that you go back to Florence tomorrow. I’ll follow later in the week for our performance of Phormio — you know I really like that play — and then return to Siena again right away. I want to remain on good terms with Lucia." And figure out how I can take possession of my little book of poems. "And it may also be prudent to keep my ears to the ground, just in case Casa Sanguanero hears something from Naples. I wouldn’t want you to front up to take possession of the letter of credit, only to be arrested as a crook."
"You’re so considerate," he replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.
She stopped in mid-stride. "Orlando, do you have any doubts that I care for you and don’t want to risk getting you into trouble? … Because if this is so, I want you to quit your role right now."
"I’m sorry, Chiara, I didn’t mean it. It just slipped out. Maybe the stress of the whole affair is affecting me more than I thought. I’ve never known you to be other than caring and generous toward your fellow players."
"It’s all right. I believe you." She started walking again. "But once we have the funds, there will be no need for you to ever return to Siena."
"Nor for you."
"Not as Lady Lucrezia, but as a novice priest. There are still one or two things that I want to accomplish here before I Magnifici consider what to do next, where to spend the winter safe and with some enjoyment."
"What things?"
"I shouldn’t tell you because you just think it’s another of those crazy ideas. One way to get back my land on Elba is to claim that Casa Sanguanero forged the documents my father signed."
"But their notary has retained a copy —"
"So I’ll have to deprive him of that proof, and then it’s their word against mine."
He shook his head. "You’re the most devious person I know —"
"— but at the same time also caring and generous —"
"— and attractive and intelligent —"
"I thought you weren’t trying to woo me, Orlando."
"No, I’m not, but the temptation is great. You’re everything that I would seek in a woman."
"You’re making me blush."
"But I’m also sensible enough to know that you are out of my reach."
16
Florence, Siena, middle of September 1349
Although the marriage contract had been signed and Niccolo had presented me with my mother’s diamond ring — not knowing that he gave it back to its rightful owner — I was still not allowing a feeling of euphoria to take over my mind. It was another two weeks before I would have tangible proof of victory in the form of a letter of credit on a Siena banking house for half of their share.
In the meantime, the life of I Magnifici offered welcome relief from the necessity to make friendly appearances with Lady Lucia where I suffered through afternoons of idle talk and gossip with her women friends, doing needlework — something that has never appealed to me and I had only forced upon myself to please my grandmother — all to allay any suspicions from Casa Sanguanero.
Everything seemed to be going to plan. They honored their pledge and I got the document giving Casa Alberti de’ Morone the right to draw the staggering sum of ten thousand florins.
Looking back I now sometimes wonder what possessed me then, how I closed my eyes to the fact that I lowered myself to the level of a crook, that I closed my eyes to the inevitable consequences springing from my need for revenge, that I endangered not only myself but also the people that had become my family.
* * *
When Chiara arrived back in Florence, Alda greeted her with: "We’ve been invited by Casa Medici to give another performance of Phormio. Didn’t we give our first performance of it to them?"
"Yes, with Lorenzo and Maria." Two years ago already? "They were such beautiful people."
"You miss them?"
"Sometimes."
"I do too… Casa Medici — I thought that you would want me to accept. Shouldn’t I have?"
Chiara hugged her. "You did right, Alda… It’s good to be with you again." She relished the woman’s solid forms against hers, a wave of love suffusing her body.
"I missed you too."
"We all did," said Veronica, entering the kitchen.
"And how is my little sister?" asked Chiara, embracing the girl.
"Worried about you. I’ll be so glad when all this is over."
"We’re almost there. The most difficult part is behind us."
Just then Orlando and Pepe entered. She let go of Veronica and entered into Pepe’s outstretched hands.
"Hello, my favorite bear," she exclaimed and kissed both his cheeks.
He blushed. "Had a good ride? Is Jacomo looking after the horse?"
She nodded. "Is everything ready for tonight?"
"Yes," replied Orlando. "Did you hear about Casa Medici? Phormio has become the favorite play in Florence."
"It’s my favorite too."
"You know it is such a change to be part of I Magnifici. No more silly little skits —"
"But some of them are fun too," interrupted Alda.
"True, it’s fun to improvise and find new twists, but nothing compares to the tension and excitement of a serious play —"
"Except watching Pepe’s knives fly toward me, but then you wouldn’t know that." Chiara looked up to Pepe, who beamed.
"No, I don’t, nor do I care to find out. You know, when I saw you stand at the board the first time without the metal mask and Pepe getting ready to throw, I almost rushed forward to stop him."
"Oh, I’ve no illusion it’s Chiara’s daring that draws the people, rather than my skill," chuckled Pepe, hugging her to his shoulder again.
* * *
After the performance, Averardo di Bicci, the head Casa Medici, took Chiara aside from the other guests and handed her a delicately embroidered purse.
"How exquisite! So thoughtful! Thank you, Signor di Bicci," she exclaimed, bowing to him.
"Signorina, I am in your debt for such a splendid performance and it pleases me that you like this token of appreciation." His expression turned conspiratorial. "My informants tell me that you are a descendant of Casa da Narni of Elba. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Signore." Who could have told him?
"In fact, according to Lord d’Appiano, you are Lady Chiara, the girl supposed to tie the bonds with the Casa Sanguanero branch of the Baglione and accused of blinding its head, Massimo Sanguanero."
Chiara could not help blushing and tried to hide it behind a smile. "If the most honorable Lord d’Appiano says so, what else is left for me but to plead guilty on all three counts?"
Her ready admission seemed to take the wind out of his sails. He inclined his head a bit to the right, searching her eyes. After a pause he said: "Naturally, we are all curious to know why and how. The official story seems rather dubious."
"It is, Signore, but no woman would want to reveal what happened on that ship."
Again he searched her eyes for a while. "How old were you then?"
"Does a woman ever admit her age?"
He laughed. "No, when young they add years, when older they subtract them. I also heard that you translated Phormio from its original Latin version."
"No originals exist anymore, only copies rewritten hundreds of years later, Signore."
"For a woman, you are well educated."
"Education is one of my main weapons."
He smiled. "Yes, Lord d’Appiano said that you are a woman of many facets and secrets."
"It appears that my secrets have the vexing tendency to come out. What else did Lord d’Appiano reveal about me, if I may be so rash to ask?"
"He told me to look after you and keep you out of trouble."
"Did he? That sounds more like a request Contessa d’Appiano would make, but then I think Lord d’Appiano would do almost anything that she asks him to do."
"Nothing seems to escape you, Signorina. It is true, it was Lady Maria who asked for it when I saw her about two months ago. It is always a pleasure to see her."
"She in an impressive lady." Chiara lifted the purse. "And from the weight of this lovely purse I also guess that Lady Maria impressed upon you that I Magnifici are worth more than the thirty florins Casa Buondelmonti paid."
He exploded laughing, holding his sides. For a short moment Chiara was afraid for him. People turned to look.
"Indeed, she did," he managed to splutter between laughs. He caught his breath. "And I am glad she did. How could I allow having Casa Medici accused of being as stingy as Buondelmonti?" He had another bout of laughter. "You seem to know Lady Maria well."
"Yes, she feels like a kindred spirit to me… But, Signore, how do you plan to keep me out of trouble?"
"What a delight you are! It is so refreshing to be with a young woman who does not instantly clamp up when talked to by a man in his prime and even refuses to lift her eyes from the floor. Take this as a compliment."
"Thank you, Signore. But to come back to my question. How do you plan to keep me out of trouble?"
"I see, you are not easily distracted. Another remarkable trait for a young woman."
"I guess neither are you, or you would not be the head of the illustrious Casa Medici. But what about the answer to my question." Her eyes had not wavered from his, challenging him with a mischievous smile.
He responded in kind. "According to the story told by one of Lord d’Appiano’s guards, you are perfectly capable of looking after yourself and hardly need me looking over your shoulders, although I must admit that they are beautiful."
Chiara cast a brief glance at her left shoulder, partially revealed under her dress. "Thank you, Signore. So Mercurio has been singing my praises again."
"Is it true what he tells?"
"How could I know? I suspect he was exaggerating. Old soldiers’ tales have to be taken with a grain of salt."
"I am not so certain about that. Not after seeing you smile while your partner throws knives at you."
"That is easy. I have full confidence in his skills. I have done it for more than two years now."
"Yes, I saw you two years ago and marveled at that young girl with the innocent face, beaming confidently at the man with the knives, and I also recall that you were the prompter for Phormio."
"It was our first performance. Casa Medici has also honored us to be the first to see Electra."
"Casa Medici strives to be first in all things, not just in seeing new plays. But tell me, what happened to the original players of Phormio?"
"Both lead actors died in the plague."
"Sorry to hear that, although I think that tonight’s performance was in fact better and more catching."
"I guess experience shows, but Maria, who played the female lead, was both beautiful and the most gifted actress I have ever seen."
He pondered that for a moment, moving his head and upper body from side to side. "True, she had an eye-catching beauty, but I think yours goes deeper, and you gave the flow of words a more natural and convincing rhythm. Often it felt like you were inventing them on the spot, as I guess was Terrence’s intention. But then you wrote the verses, didn’t you? At what age? Seventeen?"
"Still trying, Signore?" she replied, smiling.
"But not succeeding… I would not want to have to face you in business negotiations."
"Thank you, Signore. I take this as a compliment too."
"Please, do, Lady Chiara," he chuckled. "You make me wish to be young again."
She noticed the switch to her title. "Signore, you might be a less interesting man if you were only in your twenties."
"It is now my turn to thank you… Are you ever lost for words? No need to answer that. I know already. But to come back to the play, Ser Orlando is also highly accomplished."
"Yes, he was a very fortunate find."
"But how do the men of your troupe take it to have a young woman as their corago?"
"I fell into that role by default —"
"Don’t underrate yourself. Even at your tender age, you come across as a natural leader. You should have been born a man."
"It has been said before. Intelligence, education, determination, even a woman may revel in such assets."
"Indeed, they are the only assets that will endure your whole life."
"True wisdom, honorable Signore. It is now my turn to wish you were younger."
"Young lady, even an older man may offer satisfaction. Do not forget that. Lord d’Appiano is living proof. But tell me, why is an intelligent and attractive young woman like you not married?"
"Lack of a sufficiently large dowry, lack of unattached intelligent and mature young men, and not necessarily in that order of importance."
He chuckled. "I guess Casa Sanguanero does not realize their loss, but then the son is not known for his astuteness, although it surprises me that the wily old fox let you slip from his grasp. He is not known to pass up a good thing, as a few of his competitors have found out to their dismay … or did he get what he was after? I heard you lost your inheritance."