by C. De Melo
“They must work long hours,” Allegra commented.
Bianca laughed. “No, their lovers are extremely wealthy and maintain them in high style.”
“What about the courtesans who don’t have wealthy patrons?”
“The less affluent ones stake out the fashionable areas of the city. They’re usually flanked by two servants so they can walk properly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Venetian law requires working courtesans to wear chopines in public.” Allegra shrugged and she continued, “Chopines are shoes with high platforms that makes the wearer at least a full head taller. Courtesans must stand out from other women when walking the streets.”
“What a concept,” Allegra mused thoughtfully.
“Sometimes I envy them,” Bianca admitted.
Taken aback, Allegra inquired, “Why?”
“They enjoy the same freedom as men, and no place in the city is banned to them.”
“Even public buildings?”
“Yes.”
Allegra couldn’t imagine such freedom. They watched the Venetians below with detached curiosity until Bianca’s face lit up. Following her gaze, Allegra noticed a plainly dressed young man in the street staring up at them. Bianca smiled at him before blowing him a kiss.
Astonished by her brazenness, Allegra asked, “Do you know him?”
“His name is Pietro Bonaventuri.”
Pietro caught the invisible kiss in his hand and placed it over his heart.
Bianca selected a red rose from a floral arrangement on a nearby desk then paused in thought. “Not you, my lovely,” she said to the flower as she opted instead for a white lily.
The angel Gabriel was often depicted offering a white lily to Mary in Annunciation paintings because the flower symbolized virginity. Bianca let the flawless lily fall from her hand.
Was she promising Pietro her virginity?
Pietro peered up at Bianca with an expression of awe and gratitude; a man hopeful of carnal pleasures to come. He waved and retreated into the alley, clutching the lily to his chest.
“There. That should keep him happy for a while.” Noticing Allegra’s discomfiture at having witnessed such a scene, she added, “You’re very pretty, you know. I’m sure you have several admirers in Florence.”
“Actually, no...”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Allegra thought it imprudent to confess her disdain toward men, so she said, “I’m so busy with my studies and helping my father that I barely have time for anything else.”
“There’s always time for love, my friend.”
The comment, which was meant to make Bianca appear worldly and sophisticated, rang hollow to Allegra’s ears. “Is Pietro your betrothed?”
Bianca sighed sadly. “He’s a lowly clerk working for a Florentine banker here in the city. Father would never approve of such a match.”
“Yet, you like him.”
Bianca shrugged demurely as she rearranged the flowers in the vase. “He worships me. How can I not?”
A loud knock at the door made both girls jump away from the window. It was Cattina again. “Your father is leaving now, Signorina Allegra.”
The two girls followed Cattina into the salon. Vittorio drank the remainder of his wine and Lucrezia seemed pleased—an indication that she had negotiated a good price for the gemstones.
“Signore Vittorio, would you and your daughter care to join us this evening?” Bianca asked without preamble.
“What an excellent idea,” Lucrezia chimed.
Vittorio’s face went blank. “To the ball? I don’t think—”
Lucrezia held up her hand. “Oh, I insist.”
“We don’t wish to impose on you…”
“There’s no imposition, I assure you. The host is a good friend of ours. He won’t mind if we extended the invitation to you and your daughter.”
Vittorio smiled. “That’s very kind, but—”
Lucrezia cut him off again. “Think of how pleasurable it would be for your daughter.” Turning to Allegra, she asked, “Have you ever been to a masquerade ball?”
“No, Signora Lucrezia.”
Lucrezia met Vittorio’s eyes. “Allegra could take home a very special memory of her first trip to Venice.” Lowering her voice, she added, “You can use the occasion to widen your client base.”
“Very well,” Vittorio conceded.
Bianca clapped her hands. “Cattina, wrap up the gown and mask that I set out on the bed.”
Cattina went upstairs and returned a moment later with a neat parcel, which Vittorio accepted with gratitude. He placed an arm around his daughter when they were outside.
“Well done, Allegra. Two commissions from your designs.”
Allegra’s face split into a grin. “I can hardly believe it. Thank you for accepting the invitation to tonight’s party.”
“We’ll stay for a little while, then make a polite and early departure.” His index finger shot upward to make a point. “Always leave a social event early. It’s the surest way to maintain an excellent reputation and receive more invitations.”
Later that evening, Vittorio and Allegra arrived at the ambassador’s stunning residence by gondola. The white marble palazzo stood out dramatically against a red twilight sky. Guests sporting fantastic masks stood on the balconies, chatting gaily and drinking wine from delicate glass goblets. Music poured from the windows as they alighted the small vessel.
They cut through the courtyard and ascended the stairs to the main floor where several couples danced in the center of an enormous ballroom. Together, they marveled at the grandeur of beveled mirrors, each finely etched with floral designs. Venetians were masters when it came to the art of glassblowing, which explained the sparkling chandeliers suspended from the frescoed ceiling.
Allegra took her father’s arm as he escorted her through the throng of guests. Vittorio noticed how the eyes of several men followed his daughter. With a deep pang of regret, he realized that she was no longer a little girl.
“This is your first social event,” he pointed out. “Too bad your mother chose not to come with us.” Not wishing to dampen the mood, he hastily added, “What do you think so far?
“Oh, Papa, this is a magical place.”
“Would you honor your father with a dance?”
“With pleasure.”
The musicians played one tune after another and the dancers kept pace with the music. After the third melody, Vittorio suggested they rest.
Bianca approached them in a pink velvet gown, her signature string of pearls, and a golden mask sporting white ostrich plumes. “Allegra!” she cried. “Is this not the most wonderful party?”
“It’s incredible,” Allegra replied.
“Hello, Signore Vittorio.”
Vittorio bowed. “Signorina Bianca, you are a vision of loveliness.”
“Thank you.”
“Where are your parents?”
Bianca indicated a group of people across the room. Lucrezia caught Vittorio’s eye and inclined her head. The candlelight caused the diamonds at her throat to sparkle like stars.
“Dance with me,” Bianca said, pulling at Allegra’s wrist.
Allegra turned to her father. “May I?”
Vittorio nodded and kept an eye on his daughter while she and Bianca danced to the merry beat of a popular tune.
A gentleman eventually came over to Vittorio and said, “Men with pretty daughters are forced to play the role of watchdogs. I should know, I have three of them.”
Vittorio chuckled, recognizing him as the husband of one of his clients.
The man continued, “Signora Lucrezia’s diamonds are the talk of the evening. My wife has already hinted twice that I should speak with you, so here I stand. I wish to commission a necklace similar in style and equal in quality for my wife.” He paused. “And another for my mistress.”
Thank you, Signora Lucrezia. “I’m happy to accommodate your request.”
“Ah, that would be Domenico Spinelli’s protégé...”
Seeing Vittorio deeply engrossed in conversation, Bianca grabbed Allegra’s hand and led her away from the dancers. “Come quickly, we don’t have much time.”
Glancing nervously at her father, Allegra asked, “Where are we going?”
“Pietro is here tonight,” she whispered. “He slipped a note to the scullery maid who passed it along to me.”
“Do you trust your servant?”
“I keep her quiet with sweetmeats and the occasional coin,” Bianca explained. “Pietro will be waiting on the lower terrazzo wearing a black cape and bauta.”
“There are many people wearing bautas tonight.”
Bianca ignored the comment as she squirmed her way through the guests and descended the stairs to the lower terrace. Unlike the upper balconies, this part of the palazzo was dimly lit, affording more privacy.
“There’s no one here,” Allegra whispered.
Bianca searched the darkness in desperation, then pointed. “There he is.”
Sure enough, a young man in a black cape and white bauta mask stood in a corner, beckoning them.
“Stay here and warn me if anyone comes.” When Allegra hesitated, she added, “Please do this for me. I would gladly do the same for you.”
“Very well,” Allegra reluctantly agreed.
Bianca ran and threw herself into Pietro’s arms. Allegra kept her eyes on the stairwell and did her best to ignore the sounds of lip-smacking and moans. At one point she peeked over her shoulder and saw Pietro’s hands roaming freely over Bianca’s bodice.
“I love you, Bianca.”
“Oh Pietro…”
Allegra cringed in disgust and was tempted to sneak back inside, but she didn’t wish to upset her new friend. After all, it was thanks to Bianca’s invitation that she and her father were here. To her relief, a black and white checkered harlequin and a Greek goddess appeared at the top of the stairs. They stumbled and giggled, obviously drunk. Allegra cleared her throat loudly in warning.
“Pietro, you must go before anyone sees you!”
Bianca appeared a moment later, breathless and bright-eyed. The girls practically ran back to the ballroom where Vittorio was avidly searching for his daughter.
“I have to go,” Bianca muttered, spotting Cattina across the dance floor. “Please don’t breathe a word to anyone of my meeting with Pietro.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Allegra promised.
“You’re a good friend. I hope to see you soon.”
Catching sight of Allegra, Vittorio approached her with a frown. “Where were you? I turned around to talk to someone and you disappeared.”
“Forgive me, Papa. Bianca and I grew hot and tired from dancing so we stepped onto the balcony for a bit of fresh air,” Allegra lied.
“I managed to acquire two more commissions tonight.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Let’s celebrate with a bit of wine, then we must leave soon afterward.”
Early the next morning, Vittorio dispatched a messenger to the Palazzo Cappello with Bianca’s gown, the mask, a note of thanks, and a bouquet of flowers. Later, Allegra accompanied her father to another client’s palazzo where he sold a sapphire, then to a goldsmith’s bottega where he sold a decent quantity of gold and silver. By mid-afternoon they had concluded their business in Venice.
As they walked back to the inn to collect their belongings. Allegra spotted a woman teetering on the highest shoes she’d ever seen in her life—the chopines! In addition to holding a walking stick in each hand, two servants helped her remain upright. She wore an exaggerated amount of white face powder along with garish rouge and lip paint. The gown she wore, although made of costly red velvet, screamed of vulgarity. The tight bodice’s neckline plunged so low that it exposed the tops of her rosy nipples, which were highlighted with gold dust. The overflowing breasts were heavily powdered, the delicate veins carefully traced with blue paint in order to draw attention to them.
Vittorio maneuvered his way through the crowded piazza, maintaining a wide berth from the courtesan. When he caught Allegra staring, he admonished, “Avert your eyes.”
Allegra was tempted to repeat what Bianca had told her about Venetian courtesans, but she thought it best to hold her tongue. After all, girls of good breeding had no business knowing about such matters.
Chapter 10
Allegra worked on her first official jewelry commissions with great care and diligence, prompting Domenico to supervise his pupil’s work without interference.
Upon completion of the two pendants, the old man looked into Allegra’s eyes and declared, “You no longer need me.”
It was the greatest compliment she had ever received from him. “Thank you, Maestro.”
“It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where you can’t take credit for your fine work.”
“I wonder how people would react if they ever found out that your mysterious protégé is a woman.”
“Banish the thought, Allegra. They must never know the truth.”
She smiled sadly. “Don’t worry. I’ll never reveal the secret, I promise.”
***
Lucrezia and Bianca were extremely pleased with their pendants. It was difficult for Allegra to remain aloof as they admired her handiwork while praising Domenico’s talented apprentice.
“Such detail,” Lucrezia said, astonished by the delicate intricacy of the filigree design. “I wish to know the goldsmith’s name.”
Vittorio paled. “I don’t know his name.”
“Does Domenico intend to keep this genius under lock and key forever?”
Genius. Allegra smiled inwardly as she pretended to be interested in a boat floating past the open window.
Vittorio shrugged apologetically. “The Maestro must have his reasons.”
Several barrels were heaped upon the deck of the boat and, in order to distract herself, Allegra tried to imagine what they contained inside. Wine, perhaps?
Lucrezia’s brow creased in confusion. “I would think a young man with talent like this would be ambitious and desirous of fame.”
Allegra’s tongue throbbed from the pressure of her teeth as she continued staring at the barrels. Oil? Gunpowder?
Vittorio laughed nervously. “I agree with you, Signora Lucrezia. Perhaps he’s exceedingly shy or lacks social skills.” He picked up his leather satchel. “Would you care to see the new opals I’ve recently acquired? I also have a pair of stunning sapphires.”
“I would love to see them.”
While the adults chatted over prices, Bianca led Allegra upstairs to her bedchamber. “I want to wear my new pendant,” she said while sitting down at her vanity. “I’ve missed you, Allegra.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
Bianca slid a strand of pearls through the pendant’s loop then held it to her throat. “The masquerade ball was grand, was it not?”
“So grand that it seems like a dream now,” Allegra replied as she fastened the clasp.
Bianca gazed at her reflection. “It’s even prettier than the sketch. Please relay my immense satisfaction to Maestro Domenico and the young man who created this for me.” She paused. “Your father has been conducting business with the Maestro for many years now, am I correct?”
“Yes. Although he provides gold and gems to other goldsmiths, my father prefers working with Maestro Domenico because he’s an honest man and highly skilled. He refers all commissions to him.”
“I met him only once, a long time ago. He came to Venice accompanied by a plump young man. A jolly fellow.”
“That would be Signore Bruno, his son.”
“I believe you’re correct,” Bianca said. “I imagine Signore Bruno must be envious of his father’s talented apprentice.”
“I doubt it. Signore Bruno left Florence a while ago.” Allegra didn
’t wish to recount the tragedy that led to his departure.
“Maybe this unknown pupil will someday come to Venice in his master’s place,” Bianca mused while touching the pendant at her throat. “A man who can create something so fine must have amazing hands…I wonder if he’s handsome.” Her eyes met Allegra’s in the mirror’s reflection. “You’re blushing,” she accused, turning around in the chair. “You’ve seen him. You know who he is.”
“No,” Allegra countered.
“Do you swear upon our friendship that you don’t know the young man?”
Allegra’s face grew hot. “No one knows who he is.”
Bianca stood and peered out the window. “Surely, you must have reached the same conclusion...”
“And what would that be?”
“His hands are divine, so he must be a good lover.”
“I…I wouldn’t know.”
“I’m a virgin, too,” Bianca confessed. “Naturally, I allow Pietro to kiss me, but we’ve never…”
“I didn’t think you did.”
“Cattina often tells me that I’m far too spirited for my own good.” Changing the subject, she said, “Pietro will love this pendant—he loves all of my jewels. He says they pale in comparison to my beauty, however. Isn’t he sweet? Father is trying to arrange a marriage between me and the widower, Girolamo Priuli.”
“Who?”
“Why, the Doge of Venice, of course.” Her lip curled in disgust. “Ugh, I can’t bear the thought of dancing with that wrinkled old man, or bedding him for that matter!”
You could easily suffocate him with a pillow while he slept. Allegra was shocked by her wicked thought. “How old is he?”
“Old enough to be my grandfather! Father talks of a daughter’s duty, and bringing honor to our family, and maintaining one’s status.” Bianca sighed. “Listening to him go on and on is tiring.”
“Your father could change his mind.” Bianca shook her head then began to cry. Allegra hugged her and said, “Don’t cry.”
Bianca stepped back and wiped away a tear. “Pietro has no title and can’t afford me.” Attempting a smile, she added, “Let’s speak of pleasant things, shall we?”