Infinite Devotion by L.E. Waters Read Free Book Online Page A

d’Albret is no doubt a beauty, but she seems to lack the grace and charm you possess.
Wanting to perform well on my wedding night, I was given a powerful aphrodisiac by a wedding guest and made Charlotte take double the dosage. It unfortunately had a laxative effect, and we were otherwise occupied throughout the night, but I managed to consummate it by dawn. Not the romantic wedding night I had planned but thought you would enjoy the story. My next visit may not be so pleasant, although you will always be safe while I still live.

Your neglected brother,
Cesare
    That night, I have a bonfire lit in celebration of Cesare’s marriage, hoping it will satisfy him so he’ll leave us alone. I watch the bonfire spark and light up the night as Alfonso sleeps in our chamber within. Something catches my eye. A form emerges from the gardens and makes its way to the bonfire. The figure takes off its cape, and I see it’s a well-shaped woman. The woman lifts up her arms to the fire and sings. She slowly begins to dance while chanting and keeps pushing and thrusting toward one direction: France. Her dancing is beautiful yet eerie. It’s not a dance of joy or relaxation but has an air from another world, an ancient, forgotten world. When the woman puts back on her cape and makes her way back up the stairs to the palace, I lean over the balcony to catch her face‌—‌Sancia.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    I give Alfonso the letter, and a month later, we receive word that Cesare’s attacking the provinces of Imola, Forli, and Pesaro. I know Alfonso has to flee to safety, and after sleeping tightly all night, he kisses me and then my belly and leaves for Genazzano with the Colona.
    By the end of the next week, I’m back at the Vatican for protection. Sancia holds my hand as I weep the whole carriage ride back, and each day I don’t receive a letter from Alfonso. When I stop eating entirely, Sancia panics so about the baby that she goes to urge Father to do something.
    Father appears at my bedside. “Bring her a feast. She will eat tonight.”
    Three servants rush from the room.
    “Father, I can’t eat. Food has no taste for me.” I keep sobbing.
    “Is this because Alfonso is away?”
    “Away and hasn’t written.” I sob hard, and the baby kicks at the assault.
    He brings a stack of letters out from under his robe, and I immediately see Alfonso’s handwriting and seal.
    “I haven’t read them but kept them because I thought it would help you adjust. But nothing is worth losing you.”
    He leaves, and I leap on the stack of letters and tear the first one open to read.
    Sancia cries, “I knew he wrote to you.”
Sweet Lucrezia,
I do not know why you have not replied to my letters, but I can only guess that you have not received them, since I have such faith in you. I have been begging you to come for weeks, and with no messengers arriving from you, I’m sick without you. I worry about you and the baby and wonder if you’re safer in their protection or mine. I feel as though I’ve failed you, not having more power and riches to keep you safe by my side. I have decided I would rather risk great peril with you than safety without you. I am coming back as soon as I can gather a company. Give my love to Sancia and tell her I expect her to watch over you until I arrive.

Yours Forever,
Alfonso ∞

Chapter 9
    I feel better instantly, knowing he’s on his way to me. He arrives home a week before I give birth to a son. His eyes tear as he holds him out to the people gathered in the courtyard. Rodrigo’s christened in gold with trumpets and oboes announcing the momentous occasion. For seven months, Alfonso, Sancia, and I stay secluded, doting on Rodrigo. Alfonso fears going out and stays close to his men he brought back with him for protection. I have the same nightmare repeatedly for a week:
    A fawn walks down the steps of St. Peter’s in the moonlight. A dark hunter appears at the top of the steps and shoots