Francesca by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

her fast with a dish of warm grain mixed with fresh fruit, bread, butter, and jam. Her cup was filled with a mixture of water and light wine. When she had satisfied her appetite she rose and was dressed. Then she descended to the hall to find Aceline and Louisa there.
    “Ohh,” the French girl cooed, “you have missed our morning ride with Rafaello. He is like a magnificent centaur ahorse. Now you probably won’t see him until tonight. What a great pity.”
    “If Duke Titus’s son wishes to further our acquaintance, I’m sure he will make time for me,” Francesca said. “And if he is too busy, then so be it.” She smiled.
    Aceline was somewhat taken aback. “Do you not want to marry Rafaello?”
    “Only if he wants to marry me, and I wish the same,” Francesca said casually.
    Aceline was briefly speechless, but Louisa laughed. “Frankly,” she said, “he frightens me. He is so proud and fierce. But my father believes this is a wonderful opportunity for me. He will be very disappointed when I am sent home, I fear.”
    “Of course it is a wonderful opportunity for you,” Aceline said sharply. “For a bastard daughter to make a respectable marriage of such magnificence is unheard of, and you might even have a chance with him if you tried.”
    “I do try, but I prefer his friend Valiant’s company,” Louisa responded.
    “Who is he?” Francesca said.
    “He’s always by Rafaello’s side,” Louisa explained. “Tall with light brown hair and those northern blue eyes,” she sighed. He speaks so gently to me and is kind. That is the kind of man I would have. Not one who growls and scowls all the time.”
    “You are a simpleton,” Aceline told her. “If Rafaello chooses me, he will not look so dark all the time, for I shall keep him happy and smiling.”
    “Because you are such a charming maiden, I have not a doubt,” Francesca said wickedly. “Who wants to show me the gardens? You have both been here over a week, and I am newly arrived and do not know my way.”
    “I have more important things to do than waste my time in a garden,” Aceline said sourly. “I am already sewing a silk shirt for Rafaello.” She turned, and hurried off.
    “I love gardens,” Louisa spoke up. “Walk with me. Duke Titus has a beautiful garden, Francesca, and the day is fair.”
    Together the two young women found their way outside. The area was filled with both flowers and a small display of fruit trees. Gravel paths led the way through the planted area. Francesca was particularly intrigued to find that half of the fruit trees were growing heavy with peaches, and the other with half-formed apples that would be ready to pick in the early autumn.
    “It must be beautiful in the springtime,” she remarked to Louisa.
    “My father’s palazzo has peach trees in its gardens. Their blossoms are lovely and sometimes even faintly fragrant,” Louisa replied.
    “Aceline made a great to-do about your circumstances,” Francesca said. “I think she is very rude and unkind.”
    “She only seeks to make herself seem more important and therefore more worthy of Rafaello Cesare than either you or I are,” Louisa said shrewdly. “When you arrived last night with your great baggage train, your servants, horses, and dogs, she was very taken aback, for she considers you of little importance, being a merchant’s daughter. Yet the numerous men-at-arms accompanying your train were quite impressive. She isn’t certain now what to make of you.”
    Francesca smiled wickedly. “I am sorry to have confused her.”
    Louisa laughed. “No, you aren’t,” she replied. “My mother’s sire is a ship’s captain. He is very direct in his dealings, which is confusing to many who look for plots in the simplest matters. I know all the gossip that has emanated from Florence and Venice about you, for mariners hear everything. When my father told me you were one of the girls chosen to compete for Rafaello’s hand I was delighted, for I longed