Lucianna by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online

man,” he said to her.
    “He was. He left Norberto only his shop, and a small amount of gold. He left me his house, and a great deal of gold,” Lucianna said.
    “And now your mourning is over, and you will be besieged for your hand,” he said. “Will it please you?”
    “Not particularly,” she replied. “I shall have to waste my time chasing off fortune hunters who will all believe I am just being coy by sending them off. One thing Alfredo told me before he died: I was not to wed again unless I was madly in love. ‘Let none but a man you trust have charge over you,’ he said. I agree, and I shall follow Alfredo’s most excellent advice,” Lucianna said.
    “I asked your father this afternoon if I might court you,” he told her, much to her surprise. “He said that must be your decision, although your mother would disagree if she knew. We thought it best to say nothing to her. Will you let me court you, Lucianna?”
    She was actually very surprised by his candor. “I would prefer it better if we might just begin as friends,” she told him. “I am not ready to think seriously of marriage yet.”
    “I understand. You like the freedom being a widow has given you,” he observed.
    Lucianna laughed. “I do not know if I quite like it yet that you understand me so well,” she said, and though she made light of it with him, it did disturb her. “Besides, how can you court me? You must return to England very soon.”
    “I can come back,” he answered. “I can write you wonderful long letters while I am gone. And while I am not here, you can entertain all those gentlemen fascinated by your beauty, and more enchanted by your fortune.”
    “Does my fortune not interest you, my lord?”
    “I have my own fortune. Any fortune you possess would remain yours as my wife,” he told her. “I am delighted by your beauty, but more so by your intellect and charm. A woman needs more than skill in bedsport to be my wife, although I realize that will not necessarily be so with other men.”
    “You are not at all like Florentine men,” she observed. “It is both intriguing and frightening, my lord.”
    He stopped in their stroll, and taking her shoulders between his two hands, looked boldly down into her face. “Be intrigued, Lucianna, but never be afraid of me. I have never before been so charmed by a lady as I am by you.”
    “Nor has any gentleman been so direct with me but my husband,” she responded. Then she said, “It is getting late, and the light will soon begin to fade, my lord. I think it best you escort me home now.”
    “I agree,” he told her, and together they departed the path along the river Arno so he might bring her to her house. They did not speak again as they walked, but once at her door he said, “I will see you on the morrow at San Piero, Lucianna, if you will permit.”
    She nodded, saying only, “Yes.” Then she entered her house, closing the door behind her.
    Balia hurried down the stairs upon hearing her enter. “Gracious, mistress, where were you so long?”
    “The Englishman and I decided to walk in a park. I chose the one my family built, for I knew someone would have already hurried to fill my mother’s ear with the knowledge I was with Roberto. It was easier in his presence to answer the few questions she was able to ask. She insisted we have our meal with them. Afterwards he and I walked along the Arno.”
    The Englishman likes you,” Balia said.
    “So he has said to me. Come with me on the morrow to Mass so we may stem the worst of the gossip,” Lucianna said.
    “You should have taken me this morning,” Balia scolded.
    “I did not wish to walk in the park with you,” Lucianna said with a small smile, and Balia laughed.
    “No, I do not imagine you did,” she replied, “but you must consider your reputation, mistress. A man who enjoys a woman’s company usually has eventual seduction on his mind.”
    “You could very well be right,” Lucianna agreed. She was not