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

by PAULO FOSCHI, JOÃO; Sobrinho, Vanusa;

  “You do know you hurt me a lot with those comments and that you were too advanced towards my fiancée...”

  “Please, don't say that! You know that he was the one who invited me to dance, and in your presence.”

  “All right, but stop that, please! Get up!”

  Lorena got up, pretending to be emotional, and knowing she had achieved her objective. She looked deeply in Carolina’s eyes and allowed her friend to glimpse, on her own face, the spurious description of regret.

  “You know that I have a good heart and you take advantage of that, isn't it?” Carolina said, embarrassed to see how much her friend was suffering and humiliated. And how that annoyed Lorena! All that egocentrism of a spoiled girl was evident in Carolina’s face, as if her act was nothing more than her own obligation.

  “Oh, my friend! I know that I hurt you, but your friendship means a lot to me. If I didn't seek you earlier, it was because I knew you would need time to heal from that misunderstanding.”

  They hugged each other. To Carolina, Lorena was forgiven.

  “All right, then! Let’s end this unpleasant issue right now. Come! Have a seat, we have to talk...”

  Carolina, already demonstrating to have forgotten what had happened, started to tell Lorena all the details of her wedding and of the trousseau. She was so entertained with Lorena that she even forgot about her cousins that had come to visit her. When she realized that, she said she needed to go check on her cousins and invited Lorena to go to her room with her, but her friend refused, alleging that she couldn’t stay any longer and saying they would set a time with Mercedes to come and get together again.

  They said their goodbyes. And while Carolina went up the stairs, she was shrewdly observed by Lorena, who was muttering to herself:

  “Oh, you wretched, just wait a little longer and you will know who Rafael will marry to!”

  When she left the Figueiredos, Lorena went towards Rafael Abrantes’ home. She heard from Mercedes, that he didn't live too far from there, at the Largo do Machado. Upon arriving there, she was faced with a beautiful house with a charming façade, wide and heavy gates and, by the entry, a beautiful garden enclosed by the high walls of the distinct place. A wide variety of flowers in all tones made the atmosphere feel enchanting and ethereal, as if taken from a dream. How she wanted to congratulate the responsible and maintainer of all of that, for taking care of that garden! So, that was the home where her beloved resided...

  Lorena was received by Rafael’s sister, Catarina, and their mother, Mrs. Mariana.

  “Good morning, ladies! Allow me to introduce myself: Lorena Duarte Valão.”

  “What’s the purpose of your visit, Ms. Lorena?” Mrs. Mariana inquired.

  “I need to exchange a few words with Mr. Rafael. Don't you remember me, from the Cassino’s ball? I am one of Carolina’s best friends!”

  “Oh, yes! That’s right!” Catarina remembered. “There was also another young lady with you, wasn’t there?”

  “That was Maria das Mercedes Romero, another good friend.”

  Mrs. Mariana, intrigued with the unexpected visit, invited her to have a seat and offered her water, tea or a cold drink, which Lorena quickly refused.

  “My dear, Rafael is not home right now. He will probably not be back until dinner’s time...” Mrs. Mariana informed. “Thus, if you want to leave a message, we will let him know so that he may seek you in another more appropriate occasion. What’s the content of the matter you want to talk about with my son, Ms. Lorena?”

  “Well... it is a private matter.”

  “Huh, and what would a single lady want to talk about in private with a gentleman that is betrothed?”

  The tone of Rafael’s mother’s voice when she asked that question was so stern that it made Lorena’s smile disappear.

  “Why would you say that, my lady?”

  “Because you didn't even notified my son of your visit and, besides... A lady deliberately seeking a man... that is unconceivable!”

  “Mother!” Catarina exclaimed, wanting to intervene, fearing her mother to be too harsh with the visitor.

  “Forgive me, Mrs. Mariana, but the reason of my visit is completely formal, and what brings me here doesn’t compromise my dignity as the honest lady that I am. If I am here, it is above all, for Carolina’s sake.”

  “And as an honest woman I believe you should have been chaperoned. Don't you have a father or a mother, by chance?”

  Lorena hadn't foreseen that things would come down this way, but she wouldn’t allow this kind of attitude to upset her, and she did nothing less than just smile.

  “May I know the reason why you are laughing?” the house owner questioned, with disapproval in her face.

  “You may know it for sure, my lady! I just didn't imagine that my presence would cause you this kind of inconvenience. The motive of my visit was to discuss a way to celebrate the birthday of one of my best friends, your daughter-to-be, but now I realize that it was not a good idea to take the initiative...”

  As soon as she heard Lorena’s response, Mrs. Mariana answered her in a very superior tone.

  “You didn’t have to worry about it so much! We are certainly aware of the event and will invite all those that we consider worthy of an invitation for the occasion.”

  Rafael’s sister, embarrassed by the energetic posture of her mother, couldn’t help but simply lower her gaze to the ground.

  As she heard that, Lorena got up, held her sunshade and purse, looked firmly into Mrs. Mariana’s eyes and said:

  “In that case, there is nothing else for me to do. I’m happy to know that Carolina’s birthday will not pass unnoticed... Good day, ladies!”

  Upon finishing those words, Lorena started towards the door. That was when, at that instant, Rafael arrived, accompanied by one of his best friends.

  “Good morning! Ms. Lorena, what are you doing here?”

  Lorena looked behind her and noticed the two women were equally surprised with the sudden arrival of the man. She was surprised to see him again, so handsome and elegant. He had stopped at the door, and was staring at her curiously. She didn’t even pay too much attention to the other gentleman that was observing her intently. If she had given him any more attention she would have noticed the jubilant air of Rafael’s friend. Oh, how many days he had been imagining how this encounter with Lorena would be!

  “Mr. Rafael!”

  “Ms. Lorena!”

  “Forgive me for coming to seek you so early in the morning, but I was with Carolina and wanted to talk to you about something important...”

  Mrs. Mariana interrupted her, taking over the conversation.

  “She didn’t want to wait for you any longer, my son! I told her she could wait for you a while, but she told me she couldn't wait too long.”

  Lorena noticed the dissimulation of Rafael’s mother.

  “And is this really important?” The young man questioned dryly.

  “And for which other reason do you think I came all the way here? I wanted to talk to you about Carolina, but I see this was not a good time at all. Thus, if you will all excuse me...”

  “Ms. Lorena, wait!” The stranger spoke firmly.

  She looked at the gentleman’s face again, the one that accompanied Rafael, and little by little she realized his features were not that unknown to her. He was a man that looked to be around thirty years of age, tall, and with elegant posture; his face, with regal features, was marked by mustache and beard perfectly shaved. Certainly he was one of the Court’s noblemen.

  “Don’t you remember me?” The stranger asked, visibly thrilled.

  Lorena’s face brightened up when she remembered him. Yes, she had danced with him at the Cassino, at the emperor’s coronation anniversary.

  “Oh, but it is you!” She said, delighted. And offered her hand in a gesture, in the form of a greeting.

  The gentleman took her extended hand and kissed it with fervor, it was her, her adored Lorena Duarte Valão, with w
hom he had fallen in love!

  “Atílio Santiago, at your service!” he said, with a smile of happiness.

  Lorena and Atílio had reunited. The surprise didn't even leave room for them to realize where they were, and that there were other people in the room, observing them. Rafael had met his friend at Quitanda Street. It had been a long time since they had met each other and, at the Cassino, they didn’t have time for a conversation. As soon as Rafael saw him, he invited him to come over to his house so that they could talk about the old times; besides, judge Henrique Abrantes, Rafael’s father, had also been friends with the late Count of Assis, Atílio’s father.

  “Well, Ms. Lorena, what do you want to talk in regard to my fiancée?” Rafael asked her again.

  In the presence of Atílio and of the two women, it would be impossible to talk to him in private, thus she preferred not to talk about the subject anymore.

  “It is nothing that we might not discuss in another occasion, Mr. Abrantes! I hope you forgive me for the inconvenience. Have a good day!”

  Atílio once more quickly acted for, not wanting to lose sight of his goddess, he offered to accompany her to her house. He apologized to Rafael for not staying to talk about their good times, but promising to do it another day. He didn’t want to miss another chance to know all about Lorena, the woman for whom he was in love with since that first time they met at the Cassino weeks prior.

  “Please, Mr. Atílio! There is no need to accompany me...”

  “I insist, Miss! It will be my pleasure to accompany you to your home. My victory[29] is close by, and I will be happy to enjoy your company.”

  Lorena looked at all the others with an enigmatic gaze. That family would still learn how to appreciate her. Turning to Rafael, she spoke once again:

  “Mr. Abrantes, I came to talk about Carolina’s birthday. Fortunately, your mother warned me that you are already talking care of the arrangements for the event. Anyway, I had the best of the intentions...”

  Rafael nodded his head, smiling.

  “When they got to the garden, Atílio extended his arm to Lorena with satisfaction, while she, with the other hand, opened her delicate sunshade as they walked towards the street.

  Chapter X

  Atílio was jubilant with happiness for reuniting with his beloved one; and he noticed, soon enough, other qualities in that young lady, besides her beauty that impressed him. Lorena was surprisingly vivacious and witty. The Count of Assis had the opportunity to meet the girl’s parents and became a frequent guest at her house, at Voluntários da Pátria Street. For Mr. Gaspar, it was clear that that gentleman was interested in his daughter. Mrs. Teodora, in turn, after knowing about Atílio’s social position at the Court of Rio de Janeiro–that he was a doctor and that he had a noble title–was constantly flattering him whenever she had a chance, bragging that the daughter had in her hands an unique opportunity to become a true lady of the society.

  Lorena, however, could not forget the feelings she felt for Carolina’s fiancée. For her, Rafael’s love would be the only way to fulfill herself completely. Even though the passing days revealed Atílio’s intentions, she felt nothing else for him, besides a deep affection. Her admirer was gentle and respectful. A few times he went to church with her and her mother, and a few times he accompanied her to her godmother’s house, so that she could visit with Mercedes. Even though she dreamed about becoming part of the nobility and accessing the Imperial Palace, Lorena imagined that the cost for that decision would mean sacrificing her own happiness. She could easily respect a commitment with Atílio, but loving him was impossible.

  In a Friday evening, during suppertime, Mrs. Teodora commented with her husband about one of the conversations she had had with the young doctor.

  “Atílio is really a man of breed! This grandfather was a Portuguese nobleman that came to Brazil with the royal family in 1808...”

  Mr. Gaspar didn’t even notice all the flattery. So much so that he didn’t even understand what the wife had just said.

  “What? No, Mrs. Teodora! Tomorrow there is no meeting...”

  “But what are you talking about?”

  “You were just asking if tomorrow there would be a fraternity meeting, weren’t you?”

  “Of course not!” She answered already irritated. “I’m talking about Atílio Santiago! Oh, dear Lord, Gaspar! I will really have to take care of our daughter’s future by myself, because if it would depend on you...”

  “What kind of talk is this, Teodora? Of course I care! I just want to know if Lorena would like to marry him or not. For instance, has he mentioned anything about it yet?”

  “Not yet... but it is just a matter of time!”

  “So be it, and may it be soon, for he has been coming to visit our house frequently. During my courting days, a man could not court a lady for that long...”

  Lowering her voice, so that Lorena wouldn’t listen to them, Mrs. Teodora anticipated:

  “It will not be long. Soon we will be preparing Lorena’s wedding’s trousseau. You will see.”

  On the following morning, Saturday, after breakfast time, Lorena was seating at her desk, preparing a letter to Rafael Abrantes, so that they could talk about Carolina’s birthday. This would be an excellent opportunity to try to get closer to the young man. She carefully wrote the letter and, while she was sealing the envelope to be sent, someone knocked at her door. Sebatião, the family slave of the house, opened the door. It was Mr. Atílio Santiago.

  Lorena, after seeing him, stood up diligently to receive the gentleman that had become a very dear friend. The young Count, thrilled to see her once more, kissed tenderly the perfumed hand that she extended to him.

  “Miss Lorena, you are more beautiful every time I see you!”

  “That’s very nice of you, Mr. Atílio! It is always a pleasure to welcome you here. But I am surprised to see you here so early. I didn’t even hear the clock announcing the nine hours of the day...”

  “Actually, I came with the intention of proposing something that you cannot refuse”, he said in a mysterious tone.

  “Go ahead, then, and we will know if it deserves my refusal or not.”

  “I am not sure you already walked in your garden today but the day is radiant and the sun inviting; and for this reason, I take the liberty to invite you to a walk on the beach this morning. And of course, I brought with me some snacks for a picnic. What do you think?”

  “Go to the beach?” She looked at him curiously. “It is a little far, but very quaint.”

  “Please, Miss, don't refuse this invitation. It may be the last one I ask...”

  Lorena could not refuse such a request.

  “The last one? Oh, my dear Mr. Atílio... you really know how to convince a lady!”

  “So, do you accept my invitation?” he asked, predicting the answer with a wide smile.

  “Of course I do! I just need some time to get ready...”

  “Obviously! I will be here waiting for you.”

  “But first...” the young lady turned away from him and walked to the desk to finish what she had started. “I need to finish this letter to our friend Rafael Abrantes... I want him to come here, because I already came to his house and unfortunately we could not talk properly.”

  Atílio didn’t like what he heard. Why did Lorena seem to give so much importance to Rafael, especially because he was a betrothed man!? No, it could not be what he was thinking... Lorena, interested in Rafael?”

  The young lady noticed the sudden mood change.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Nothing to worry about...” Atílio answered, unsettled. “Forgive the indiscretion, but do you and Rafael know each other for a long time?”

  “No”, Lorena answered with ease, “but he will get married to one of my best friends, so we will certainly keep in touch more frequently. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, forgive me once more my indiscretion, but I believe that when we met at the Abrantes residence, you we
re not so at ease, as if you were anxious to get out of there.”

  “Yes. And only I know what happened there. I wanted to talk to Rafael about the possibility of planning something together for Carolina’s birthday, which is soon approaching, but Mrs. Mariana was very rude to me, and I have to say that I am not a sensitive person that gets hurt that easily by someone’s discourtesy.”

  Atílio felt a little better after hearing these words. Now he understood that Lorena simply wished to be attentive in regards to the great affection she felt for her friend.

  “It is ready... Sebastião!” She called for the slave. “Sebastião, I need you to take this letter to Mr. Rafael Abrantes, at this address. Go fast and don’t forget to get his answer. Now get going!”

  “Right away, Miss!” And the lad went running towards the street.

  An hour later, Atílio and Lorena headed out to the majestic Gamboa[30] Beach, near a small fishermen village, where it was also located the ancient English Cemetery. The slave, the horseman and the maid that accompanied them improvised a beautiful banquet by the sea, while the couple prepared themselves for a walk. Atílio, helping Lorena to get off the carriage, and taking her by the waist, felt like she belonged to him at that moment, vulnerable and unprotected. The girl, with that gesture, blushed in her modesty, for no other man had, until now, touched her with such intimacy, besides her father.

  The waves were calm and peaceful on that splendid Saturday morning. The young couple, arm in arm, was the perfect image of divine love being pictured by a talented painter. Atílio was overjoyed with the opportunity to be alone with his beloved one, having as a witness that spectacular scenery made by the hands of the Creator.

  “Do you like the view?” Atílio asked, with his black hair getting messy by the wind.

  “Oh, yes, very much! This sky, these clouds, this sea... Sometimes I even forget of how terrific this is!” Lorena answered, admiring the beauty of the landscape.

  “We can come here as often as you want.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Atílio! You have never let me down thus far.”

  “Please, don’t call Mr. anymore!” he said, standing in front of Lorena.