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

by PAULO FOSCHI, JOÃO; Sobrinho, Vanusa;

  The governess nodded with a smile. While she was leaving the room, she heard her boss calling her name:

  “Fanny!”

  “Yes, milady.”

  “Tell Miss Mercedes that I am calling her, please.”

  “Right away!”

  In a few minutes, the young lady entered the chamber of the Countess of Assis.

  “I’m happy to see you are starting to feel better. Alma also wanted to see you, but preferred to stay downstairs will Atílio, who is very angry, by the way.”

  “We had a small argument...”

  “Lorena, I want to ask you a question...” Mercedes said reverently. “What did you do? Why did you throw yourself on the street, right in front of the Public Palace?”

  Lorena pretended she didn't hear her.

  “Did you know that Atílio decided to accompany the emperor by himself, and that he wants me to stay at Mrs. Veridiana’s residence?”

  “And you haven’t answered my question...” insisted her friend.

  “I don’t want to talk about it” was what she responded, emphatically. “It was simply an unfortunate accident.”

  “But Lorena...”

  “I already told you I don’t want to talk about it! Was I not clear enough?”

  “All right... if that is what you want...”

  “Why don't you talk more about Ernesto and your fling with him, huh?”

  “There is nothing to say...” Mercedes answered, frustrated.

  “Well, then I will talk about all that I intend to choose for the baby...”

  And they started to talk about all that the baby would need until the moment Alma also entered the room. From that moment on, the so expected child the couple was expecting became the main topic of every conversation in the Santiago family.

  After several days, Lorena recovered completely and Atílio was leaving the following day, in the ship that would conduct the Imperial Family to Europe. The day before his departure, the couple’s luggage was packed, since she would stay at Mrs. Veridiana’s residence during her husband’s absence.

  Early in the morning, while the housemistress was giving the last instructions to her house servants, Atílio was already ready to say goodbye. How elegant he looked with his black hat and coat!

  “Say goodbye to me, sweetheart, because it is time to go!”

  And Lorena, languid, threw herself in his arms.

  “And when will you return to me and our child?”

  “We can’t really tell the date... Fortunately, I believe the European climate will soon reestablish the emperor’s health.”

  Deep inside, she was feeling relieved, because now she would be free to execute her plan to destroy Rafael and Carolina’s marriage. Not that she disliked her husband, but his presence would certainly make everything harder.

  “I will write to you every day”, he said, taking her hands between his.

  “And I will answer all the letters that I receive from you!” she answered, involving him in a hug.

  They kissed.

  Atílio, still holding her tight, told her:

  “Anything you may need, you must always seek help from Alma. She is the one who administers some of our businesses here in the Court.”

  “I will miss you a lot”, Lorena said, caressing him. However, deep inside, she was exulting with happiness to get rid of her husband.

  “Try to avoid clashing with my mother, for the baby.”

  “All right.”

  “I will bring you many gifts, you’ll see!”

  “I’m already anxious!”

  They left the mansion, and Lorena accompanied him until the victory carriage, which was already waiting for him, ready to leave.

  “Goodbye!” he said, smiling.

  “Goodbye, sweetheart!”

  While the carriage distanced from their palace, both the mistress and the governess waved with their handkerchiefs.

  Finally, there was freedom for revenge.

  “Fanny, is everything ready?”

  “It is, milady!” the employee whispered.

  “Perfect! Now we’ll see which one of the two Countesses of Assis is stronger: the mother, or the wife!”

  Chapter XXVII

  Mrs. Veridiana had agreed to host her daughter-in-law in her house, even though it displeased her. Although it was only because Atílio had requested it, she made it clear that her intention would be to have the least contact with Lorena. Alma was the only one who welcomed her with happiness in that house.

  “Welcome! I already asked that yours and Fanny’s room be prepared, Lorena.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Come in, the house is all yours!”

  Lorena found Mrs. Veridiana knitting in the sitting room. The old woman didn’t even look up her way to greet her, already demonstrating her disdain.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Veridiana!”

  On the other side of the room, silence.

  “Mother, please!” her daughter pleaded.

  Mrs. Veridiana rolled her eyes, unable to come to terms with the idea of allowing Lorena to stay in her house.

  “Good morning!” she responded curtly.

  The unwelcome guest, however, was not willing to humiliate herself. On the contrary! What she wanted the most at that moment was to provoke her, cause her discomfort, and make her suffer syncope.

  “I apologize, my mother-in-law!” Lorena said, sitting on one of the armchairs. “You have no idea of how much I tried to convince Atílio to not bring me here, but what can I do?”

  “Hypocrite!” Mrs. Veridiana muttered under her breath.

  “Hypocrite, me? I’m simply stating what happened...”

  “Remember whom you are speaking to, young lady!” the mother-in-law said, getting up to look down on her with an air of superiority.

  “I know exactly whom I am talking to, my lady!” Lorena retorted, with a fulminant look in her face. “This house is as much yours as it is mine! I’m Atílio’s wife and I am your heir! Everything that is his is also mine!”

  “Ah! Now I see you learned the easy way quickly, didn't you?”

  Lorena was smiling shaking her head in disagreement. It would be impossible to stay indifferent with so many accusations thrown at her by her mother-in-law.

  “I don’t want to have any arguments with you... Remember that I am pregnant. It is your grandchild who will soon be born!”

  “I greatly doubt it...” Mrs. Veridiana said, resuming her knitting.

  “What did you say?”

  “That I doubt that this child is my son’s.”

  Alma, who was showing the house around to Fanny, couldn’t help but hear this last part of the dialog.

  “Mother, what is that?”

  “I am speaking the truth... Dear Lord! Am I the only one who is sensible in this house?”

  “My mother!” Alma exclaimed, horrified.

  It was Lorena’s turn to intervene.

  “Don't worry, Alma! There is no need to defend myself. I have no guilt conscience.”

  Mrs. Veridiana laughed out loud when she heard what for her was nothing less than a sour joke.

  “I will not rest until I see you destroyed, young lady!” she said, glaring at her with hatred in her eyes. “I will watch every step you take, day and night!”

  Lorena challenged her, approaching the house owner.

  “I am not afraid of you!”

  Atílio’s wife started up the stairs to go to her room. While she was walking up, she continued her provocations.

  “And to prove that, my dear mother-in-law, know that this afternoon, after dinner, I will go to visit my parents in Botafogo; and nothing, or anyone inside this house will prevent me from doing whatever I please to do!”

  When Lorena left, Mrs. Veridiana did the cross sign, begging for patience to put up with such provocation.

  “Did you see how she confronts me?” the matron said indignantly, knitting as fast as she could.

  “Mother, it is not like that!�
� Alma responded, disagreeing with her mother’s unkind attitude.

  “You are defending her!”

  “She was polite with you, mother!”

  “Oh, so it is all my fault, then!”

  “She is pregnant. Besides, she is your son’s wife!”

  “You better go take care of your business and your husband, that useless bum!”

  “Mother, seriously, you are obnoxious today!” Alma complained, and locked herself in the office to avoid another argument.

  After dinner, Lorena went to her parents’ house. Mrs. Teodora was very happy with her daughter’s visit, wanting to know everything about the child’s trousseau. When Mr. Gaspar got home, at the end of the day, more happiness for the Countess of Assis. For her, that man was her hero.

  My little one is going to give us a handsome son, Mrs. Teodora!” he joked, smiling.

  “Stop your little jokes, Mr. Gaspar!” interrupted the wife. “Who knows if it will not be a little girl?”

  “Stop arguing, you two! Whatever it comes, it will be a blessing, isn’t it?” Lorena intervened, smiling.

  “You are right, my dear!” the father answered.

  “Indeed”, her mother agreed. “And what about Atílio, is there any idea about the timeline for his return?”

  “Unfortunately there isn’t, my mother. It will all depend on the emperor’s health condition.”

  Mrs. Teodora didn’t hide her contentment in regard to Lorena’s marriage, always showering her with questions about the new life she had with Atílio.

  “Ah, my daughter! There are many changes in your life, huh? Now that you live in that mansion... and being related to the princess, imagine that! I want you to tell me everything about the palace and the soirées, the ladies’ hairstyles, their gowns...”

  Lorena satisfied her mother’s curiosity, telling her with detail all that she had seen and heard during the social events that gathered the nobility of that imitation of an European society in the heart of the tropics.

  Later on, when she returned to the Santiago residence, she was already getting ready to go to bed, when there was a knock on the door. It was Fanny.

  “Milady, I have news.”

  “Did something happen?”

  “You won't guess you showed up here today looking for you...”

  “Who would that be?” she said, undressing in front of the mirror, while Fanny helped her, loosing her corset.

  “Mrs. Carolina, accompanied by Mr. Rafael!”

  Lorena looked away from the mirror. Had she heard well? Carolina and Rafael had come to see her in her mother-in-law’s house?

  “How did they know I was here?”

  “I heard the conversation they had with Mrs. Alma. It looks like they went to your residence and one of the slaves informed them that Atílio had travelled and that you were staying here at Mrs. Veridiana’s house.”

  “Rafael and Carolina visiting me...”

  Fanny nodded her head.

  “I think they heard about your accident and wanted to pay you a visit...”

  “Yeah, it could be the case... Did they say if they would return or did they leave a message?”

  “Mrs. Alma told them that if they let you know in advance it would be easier to find you home.”

  “Indeed! I want to avoid staying in this house as much as I can so that I don’t have to face that old evil woman... Fanny, tomorrow I will send a message to the Abrantes. Send the footman to look for me early in the morning.”

  “Yes, milady! Good night!”

  And saying that, the governess left the room. The mistress, however, couldn’t sleep all night, curious to know the real reason for Carolina and Rafael’s visit.

  As soon as it was morning, she sent the footman with a message, and Carolina answered her back promptly. Rafael and she were coming to visit her that very same day.

  When her guests arrived, Lorena pretended to be undisturbed and welcomed them well. The girlfriends greeted themselves and the gentleman kissed the hand of the lady he was longing to see once again.

  “I’m happy to welcome you here, Carolina!”

  “We heard about what happened through Mercedes. I hope you forgive us for not visiting you before... You know how hard it is when one has so many commitments!”

  “Absolutely! Of course I am not offended! Please have a seat!”

  Lorena told them about the accident and about her pregnancy recently discovered. Nonetheless, the Countess of Assis kept noticing the complicit gaze between the couple every time she mentioned something about her current state, or when she said something about the preparations for the arrival of the baby. But, after all, what was going on?

  Alma, who had joined them, was also interrogated by Carolina.

  “How about you, Alma, when are you planning to have a child?”

  Atílio’s sister blushed, embarrassed by the question.

  “In God’s time, Carolina!”

  The young lady Abrantes realized she had committed a grave indiscretion, so she tried to fix the effect of such an unfortunate question, commenting about her own condition, similar to Alma’s.

  “Indeed! Rafael and I, for example, are yet to receive such a blessing...”

  It was then that Lorena realized that this was exactly the reason Carolina had come to visit her — an undeniable and rooted jealousy. Certainly, she also wished to become a mother tremendously; in fact, she had mentioned something about it in the past, and that she believed the best gift marriage could give to a woman was exactly the privilege of motherhood. Atílio’s wife, however, needed to confirm this suspicion. If that were so, she would know how to articulate her next moves in her chess game.

  “But I believe that very soon you will also know how marvelous it is to live this experience”, Lorena commented, sipping the tea that Fanny had served them.

  “And Atílio, when will he return?” Rafael inquired, curious.

  “We don’t know yet, for now...” she answered. “But I hope he won't take too long, because I already miss him a lot!”

  “Every woman needs her husband by her side”, Carolina added. “And on this aspect, we have all been lucky... I, for example, don't know how I would live without Rafael by my side...”

  “I say the same about Donato”, Alma commented. “I admit that he has a restless spirit, but he has never disrespected me...”

  “And how about Mrs. Veridiana? Where is she? We would like to greet her in behalf of my parents”, Rafael asked, wanting to change the subject of their conversation.

  “Mother preferred to retire to her room earlier today and asked that you would forgive her absence.”

  “Mrs. Veridiana!” Carolina exclaimed, with a sparkle in her eyes. “I remember her well when we were young. She used to be so elegant! Mother has always admired her a lot. It is sad that we almost never see her on the Court’s events...”

  “Indeed! Mother has changed a lot lately... Now, all she wants to do is to stay home; she doesn’t leave the house, unless it is to go to church or to visit our relatives. She doesn’t even go to the theater anymore, even though she used to like it a lot...”

  “But how could I have forgotten!” Rafael’s wife remembered. “Did you ladies know that Lucia di Lammermmor[51] is back at the Imperial Theater[52]?”

  “We didn’t know!” Lorena exclaimed. “But I know it is based on a novel by Walter Scott...”

  “Actually, it is an Italian adaptation by Donizetti[53]... But the libretto is excellent! Fortunately, I watched a performance by the same group when I was in Rome. An amazing performance that you ladies must watch!”

  “Why don’t we go, Alma?” Lorena proposed enthusiastically. “We could use a little distraction, besides, I don’t see you leaving the house much!”

  “I am not sure... and what if Donato doesn't want to come?”

  “You can say that you are coming with us!” Carolina affirmed, categorically. “We can come and pick you up and drop you off, after the performance. Rafael won�
��t mind taking you, right, my dear?”

  “No! Absolutely not!” he answered.

  “Well, then it is settled!” Lorena exulted, with a big smile. “We will all go to the theater!”

  Chapter XXVIII

  Lucia di Lammermmor was one of those operas that would gather together all the nobility and other distinct gentlemen and ladies of the Fluminense society willing to get emotional. The tragedy and the rare beauty of its actors’ interpretation were known to make everybody in the audience cry, making it a very competitive musical from Europe that was back once more at the Court of Rio de Janeiro.

  The D. Pedro II Imperial Theater, founded in 1871 and located on Guarda Velha Street, was a sumptuous space built to host great performances and operas of its time. Many artists passed through it, enchanting and touching hundreds of its regular guests.

  It was night, and many of its goers were already gathering in front of it. Lorena was amazed by the sophistication that could be seen there, by the entrance. Her sister-in-law, who had come with her, was lamenting the fact that Donato had not come. But what Atílio’s wife could not avoid observing was the elegance that such an event required. She could only grasp that the fact they were there represented a gesture of superiority. Each step of that stairway invited sensitive men and women to enter in a temple in which the beautiful symphonies transported their listeners somewhere like a paradise.

  While she walked up to the lobby, Lorena met the Baron of Cotegipe.

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Countess of Assis! How do you do, my lady?”

  “Very well, Mr. Baron! How have you been?” she answered, while the senile gentleman kissed her hand.

  “As God wishes! And have you received any news from your husband?”

  “No, not yet. But we are waiting for information any time now...”

  “Send him my greetings... Ah, and, by the way, do you know if the princess will come to the opera tonight?”

  “I know nothing about it, but Mrs. Isabel is very reserved, and I believe that she wouldn’t want to come on the very first day of the performance.”

  “I see you know Your Highness very well...” Cotegipe recognized.

  “Let’s just say that she feels at ease with me...” Lorena smiled, in a code that the baron didn't comprehend perfectly.