The Countess Of Assis - Romance, revenge and ambition during the Second Reign

by PAULO FOSCHI, JOÃO; Sobrinho, Vanusa;

  “So, what is it, then?” Lorena seemed to not have comprehended the answer.

  “Dear daughter, love is something we build overtime. When I met your father, I didn't love him then; but little by little he grew on me. Now, look where we are, married for almost twenty years and with a daughter. However, do not think that everything is romance. Real life is not like in your books. These love stories that the young ladies like to read so much only have happy endings in paper...”

  When she finished saying these words, Mrs. Teodora walked towards the door and, before she left, she looked firmly into Lorena’s eyes as if she wanted to transmit a great lesson.

  “I hope I was clear enough. Remember what I said: this may be your greatest opportunity. Do not waste it!”

  Lorena, wanting to quiet her feelings and also to calm her mother’s heart down, said:

  “Yes, my mother. I will do what you ask for.”

  Mrs. Teodora was now convinced that her daughter had understood her message, and satisfied with herself, exited the room.

  Her mother’s request only made her more distressed than before. How did Carolina get a marriage commitment such as this? And especially to Rafael Abrantes! She remembered seeing him a couple of times. Indeed, he was an elegant bachelor that caught her attention since she saw him for the first time. Carolina did not deserve a man like Rafael, but she, Lorena, did! It was obvious that the influence of Mrs. Leonor’s family made her friend the ideal bride, but even so she didn't see in her friend what it took to be a woman born to love. Carolina was too restrained and had weird habits, besides being extremely shallow.

  What her mother wanted to clarify was not such a big discussion topic, for what really mattered was the chance to get lucky in the market of brides and grooms, and her dowry was already guaranteed! Now the only thing missing was a candidate, but he could not be just anyone. Lorena wanted to feel in her veins the confirmation that the man she chose was, in fact, her lover for a lifetime. And he would have to be a virtuous man that could take her away from the Carioca ballrooms that she was used to. If only she was closer to the Imperial Palace.... Her thoughts went back, once more, to Rafael. Yes, indeed, he was the ideal candidate!

  She thought for a moment in what came to her mind that night, after she heard her parents arguing. For a moment, she thought of religion and its moralities as a fantasy of superstitious people. If she was the innocent one for reading a poem of Mr. Álvarez de Azevedo[20], it would be worse to live with the “saint women” her mother had to deal with almost every day. Her religion was called love, and this love resided under freedom. In poetry, the emotion of the words is so real and filled with so much higher purity... She didn't know the end to her own story, but she was willing to risk anything for this belief. Obviously, Rafael could not belong to Carolina! She needed to avoid this marriage, and so she started to elaborate a plan...

  Chapter V

  The horse carriages occupied the whole street at this time of the day, and, far off, it was possible to make out the sounds of the orchestra welcoming the guests. Duarte Valão’s family carriage was received by one of the valets attending to the guests, and the Cassino Fluminense was before them, majestic and regal, to receive the most elegant gentlemen and the most distinguished ladies of the Carioca society.

  Lorena was indeed noticed for all those who saw her arriving, lovely and seductive, carrying in one of her hands a sophisticated bouquet of flowers in mother-of-pearl support. Her hair was ornate with a silvery tiara that highlighted with pride the beauty of her face, and the blue Organdy gown she was dressed with enhanced her contoured silhouette, molded by the corset underneath. Mrs. Teodora, who accompanied her daughter from a distance, chose to use a gown so straight-laced as she liked to be, while Mr. Gaspar seemed to be suffocated by the tie that constricted him, even though the impeccably shiny pair of shoes that he used bothered him so much more.

  Bursting with happiness, the girl observed, by the entrance, a great number of women being escorted in. Along the spacious lobby and among so many guests that mingled about, Lorena was surprised by the opulence one could breathe in once inside the building. From her point of view, she could even see the immense hall where the emperor would enter and be greeted by the crowds. There were so many distinct noble ladies and gentlemen, politicians, National Guard officials and influent tradesmen in that place!

  When Mr. Gaspar’s family was directed to the table reserved for them, Mrs. Teodora run her eyes through the others already seated and observed, afar, Carolina’s family seated together with Mercedes’ family. That was enough for her to become red as a beet with wrath and jealousy.

  “What an insult! Our table is here in this corner, practically hidden, while your cousin’s family is there next to Leonor’s!” Mr. Gaspar’s wife, angry, didn’t try to hide her dissatisfaction.

  “Don’t talk about Piedade in such a way in front of the girl, Mrs. Teodora! She is our daughter’s godmother, did you forget?” the husband censured.

  “Now you already know why I am so worried about marrying her to a good man, so that we don't have to experience humiliation such as now! What an outrage! Such a lack of consideration!”

  “Oh, yeah! And who had the brilliant idea of bringing us here?” said Mr. Gaspar, ironically, serving himself to a glass of champagne.

  “So be it! Those two are jealous of the beauty of our daughter, for they know that Lorena is way prettier than their daughters. And now they arranged this situation for us, those jealous women!”

  Mr. Gaspar ignored that last comment, and Lorena didn’t know how to react to the situation, but deep inside she agreed with her mother. Carolina and Mercedes approached the table where Lorena’s parents sat and asked that their friend kept them company until the Abrantes family arrived, so that they could be all properly introduced. The girls, moving away from them for a moment, waited anxiously for Carolina to introduce them to the groom, who hadn’t arrived yet. They had barely spoken a few words amongst themselves when Mrs. Leonor, walking up to them, informed the daughter, saying:

  “Carolina, Rafael has arrived!”

  The girls’ eyes turned towards the entrance of the ballroom and saw the charming figure of Rafael Abrantes, who was entering the place, accompanied by his sister Catarina and his parents, judge Henrique Abrantes and Mrs. Mariana. He was a young man whose height was uncommon, with wide shoulders and an elegant gait. His eyes had a light brown color that was quite peculiar, similar to his father’s, which marked an Aquiline face with light complexion.

  When they approached, the judge’s family was received by Carolina’s parents, who made sure to introduce them to the Duartes Valões and to the Romeros. When the young Abrantes was introduced to Lorena, he made one of those usual comments, made by gentlemen in order to initiate a friendly conversation with someone completely unknown.

  “I believe I have seen you before... Lorena, isn’t it?” The young man didn’t seem to have a good memory, for even after been introduced he hadn’t still learned the girl’s name for good.

  “Yes, we already know each other. I remember that it was in a soirée in São Clemente...”

  “Ah, I see you have a good memory! I have been to so many events these past months that I don't even know which one was last...” Rafael confirmed, smiling.

  “I believe you! But from what I remember, you dance very well.”

  “I see you know a lot about me... But I appreciate the compliment, even though I don't deserve it for sure.”

  “You’re welcome!” Lorena exclaimed, red with embarrassment.

  Mrs. Leonor and the others interrupted the beginning of a dialog because the Imperial Family was entering the Cassino. How magnificent that scene was! The Emperor D. Pedro II entered, accompanied by his family: the Empress Teresa Cristina, Princess Isabel, together with her husband Gastão — Count d’Eu — and Pedro Augusto[21], son of the deceased Princess Leopoldina, or as the gossipers and the ill-intentioned people would say, “the pretentious grand
son” who wanted to succeed his grandfather on the throne. All the people present were honoring them, bowing down in such a singular moment. When the Imperial Family sat at the place of honor, one of the ceremony’s hosts came to pay homage.

  “Oh, Your Imperial Majesty, D. Pedro II, The Magnanimous! We, who are honored with your presence and, in the name of all the Brazilian citizens, manifest our sincere votes on the occasion of the 43th anniversary since you ascended to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Long live the Emperor D. Pedro II!”

  “Long live the Emperor! Cheers! Cheers!” was what everyone present repeated enthusiastically.

  After the ceremony, the presentation of the guests started out, as well as the long line of the hand kissing.

  “Mr. Irineu Evangelista Sousa, the viscount of Mauá.... Mr. Atílio da Veiga Santiago, the Count of Assis... Mr. Augusto de Sousa Brandão, the Baron of Cantagalo...” and one after the other, until finally it was Lorena’s turn to approach D. Pedro II. The young lady was shaking; however, that didn’t prevent her of bowing reverently and of kissing the hand of the emperor. The monarch’s gaze transmitted clemency and kindness, and this made Lorena even more embarrassed. The emperor smiled at her and commented briefly:

  “My young lady, undoubtedly, it makes me very proud that the daughters of Brazil are so beautiful. You in nothing are less than any other lady of Lisbon or Paris. Isn’t it so, Isabel?”

  The princess nodded her head and, smiling at Lorena, asked her:

  “Yes, my father. You are right! What is your name, my dear?”

  “Lorena Duarte Valão, Highness!”

  “I don’t recognize your last name... but even so your beauty is by no means shadowed by the formality of a notarial document. Enjoy the night and celebrate with us!”

  Lorena nodded her head and bowed to them again. She felt anesthetized in that instant, after all, she had the chance to speak with Emperor D. Pedro II and with Princess Isabel! This was more than she could expect of that night. When she returned to her spot, Mrs. Teodora couldn’t contain her curiosity, asking her daughter about what they had talked in that brief moment with the Imperial Family.

  Soon afterwards, Mercedes and Carolina also came back from the line of the hand kissing. The first seemed to be as excited as Lorena, but Carolina displayed indifference with what for her was simply a protocol. When questioned about her attitude, she explained that this did not enchant her anymore, for her family was constantly present at the Court events.

  Carolina’s fiancée, who had just finished paying homage to the emperor as well, continued to pay a lot of attention to the young ladies, and tried to be as pleasant as possible to his future in-laws. When they announced the first dance, Rafael asked his fiancée to give him the first dance. Carolina rekindled her spirit before such an invitation and off they went to the center of the ballroom where other couples were already gathering. Mercedes and Lorena, who were next to their parents, both made remarks about the couple’s happiness.

  “They seem to be the most perfect couple in the world!” Mercedes said, exhaling.

  “Do not believe in everything you see, child!” Lorena answered, enigmatic.

  “Really? Why do you say so?”

  “Because a true love must survive the toughest of trials, and from what we know, this love has yet to be tested...” upon finishing these words, Lorena allowed herself to drink a little bit of the liquor she had in her hands.

  “What do you mean?” her friend asked, not understanding the real meaning of that comment.

  “Oh why! Do you think the two of them are marrying out of love? No, my friend! There are other interests behind the curtains of this little drama. You can be sure.”

  “Do you really think, Lorena?”

  “It seems that I am the only one with feet on the ground here! How stupid you are, Mercedes! You cannot see a foot under your nose!”

  “Ah, Lorena, you are offending me!” the friend protested, all red in the face.

  “Pardon me! It is just that sometimes you make me impatient...”

  “What’s wrong with you? It seems that you are not happy with Carolina’s betrothal.”

  “Me? Of course I am happy for her! What an idea!”

  “Thus it is better if you display a smile when we get together. Imagine if Carolina realizes the state you are right now! She will think you are jealous!”

  “You are right.... But I wouldn’t say it is jealousy, it is just protectiveness! I feel like we are going to lose her friendship, Mercedes! And that doesn’t make me feel any good...”

  Mercedes understood what Lorena meant, but didn’t want to see it the same way she saw it. She preferred to think of marriage as a need and a natural course of life. Like Carolina, she also wanted to have a family and several children. Actually, what she really wanted was to be dancing instead of being a mere spectator.

  The orchestra played a song after another, the best beats of the moment, while some observed the ability of those dancing at the sound of the instruments. At the end of the first act, Rafael came to talk to some of old college friends. He introduced Carolina, as well as Lorena and Mercedes, to Mr. Eduardo Ferraz and Otávio Leivas, lawyers such as him.

  Lorena couldn’t stop admiring Rafael for his beauty and refinement. And for good reason! It could not be any other way, for it was known in the Court that he had spent some time in Europe, and that there even the shyest of men acquire nobility manners. What was happening? Why the sudden interest? Was she in love? She was so absorbed with her own thoughts that when Rafael extended her an invitation, she didn’t even realize it.

  “Miss Lorena?” insisted the young man.

  “Pardon me, sir, but did you ask me something?” she answered, stunned.

  “I asked if you would consider giving me the honor of the next dance.”

  “She is just like that, Rafael...” commented Carolina, not caring for being indiscreet. “She is frequently pouting into a corner and, sometimes, she tends to daydream!”

  “I believe that a mind that dreams, in fact, is not capable of containing the grandeur of its own imagination”, said Rafael, looking directly into Lorena’s eyes. “Maybe the world of dreams is not such a bad place, for even I catch myself daydreaming sometimes.”

  Lorena lowered her head and smiled shyly.

  “So? Are you going to accept my invitation?” the young man said, smiling.

  “The girl couldn’t deny the request of such an enchanting and lovely man, who stared at her with keen curiosity.

  “Yes, I accept”, she answered.

  Rafael Abrantes extended his hand and, with her hand on his arm, Lorena was guided to the center of the ballroom when they announced another dance.

  Chapter VI

  Not even after dancing two polkas and a mazurka the pair of dancers lost their enthusiasm of dancing. Rafael smiled, firmly holding her hand and her waist, while Lorena admired the man in front of her. She recognized that the young man conducting her across the dance floor carried an intense energy, capable of influencing her with his energy all night! Rafael Abrantes was this piece of masculinity that would certainly enchant any woman in that ballroom. For a moment, she even forgot that it was the emperor’s coronation anniversary; that one of her best friends was engaged with this man for whom she was developing a strong feeling; and that her parents, especially her mother, must have been observing her all ready to criticize her as soon as the dance act was over.

  And while they were dancing, Rafael noticed this apprehension on the young lady’s face.

  “Is there a problem, Miss Lorena?”

  “Absolutely not, Mr. Rafael!” Lorena tried to camouflage her sudden worry with a wide smile.

  “I am relieved to know that I am not being boring!”

  “Not even a bit!” she answered, avoiding looking into his eyes.

  “Don’t take me wrong, but I believe I have a good perception of things around me. And, right now, at this very moment, I feel that you are a little bit te
nse.”

  “You are indeed mistaken!”

  “Am I really mistaken?” Rafael asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

  “Indeed, you are quite an observer; yet, this uneasiness has not a lot to do with tension. In fact, I’d call it lack of habit, for, as you can observe, I am not used to dancing a lot. But I must congratulate you, for now you have showed that you are a skilled dancer.”

  Rafael Abrantes laughed a hearty laugh.

  “I’m thankful for the compliment, but I still have the impression that you are really worried about something, as if something is troubling you. Your eyes give it away...” he said while they went around the ballroom.

  “I can understand your curiosity. But you shouldn’t forget that a decent lady must respect certain conventions. Either way, it wouldn’t be appropriate to dance another song with you.”

  “What are you trying to say, Miss Lorena?” he asked, skeptical. “Are you supposing that my invitation has other connotations besides showing you mere courtesy?”

  “No, please don’t get me wrong! I was just reminding you that a man with your status, that is, who is betrothed to one of my friends, should not give anyone else attention but to the one you are promised to”, Lorena answered, with a serious face.

  “I am sure of what I feel, Miss. Don’t you worry! One thing that I learned from my parents is to maintain a sense of decorum and, above all, stay away from those who don’t deserve my attention.”

  “Please, I insist in saying that it wasn’t my intention to offend you.”

  “How not to offend when the mouth acts faster than the brain? I see that you still have a lot to learn...”

  Finishing to say this, Rafael interrupted the dance, what shocked the girl. While he conducted her with wide steps back to her table, the man didn’t allow the last word to be from that little “killjoy” bourgeois.