The Family - Mario Puzo [107]
King Louis began by reassuring Cesare. “You do understand, my dear friend, that French soldiers moving into Italy will in no way challenge papal rights or threaten papal territories. Moreover, if there is any difficulty in unseating the local warlords or vicars in the Romagna, I can assure you that a sizable number of experienced French troops will be readied to assist you.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Cesare said. Pleased by the king’s generosity, Cesare immediately handed Louis the formal papal dispensation.
The king could not hide his delight, and when Cesare passed the wax-sealed parchment to Georges d’Amboise and he read it, his face radiated astonished pleasure at being named a cardinal, and being accepted as a prince of the Holy Mother Church.
Louis himself was now in an expansive mood. In light of the Pope’s generosity, he would make it official: Cesare would be Duke of Valentinois. That title carried with it some of the finest castles and most profitable estates in France. Cesare was greatly relieved, for he had spent far too much on his entourage and he knew he would need to hire troops for his campaign in Romagna. The king’s gift guaranteed he would never again have to concern himself about money.
The three men toasted each other. And then Cesare asked, “How goes the marital alliance?”
Suddenly, Louis seemed uneasy. “There is some problem with the Princess Rosetta. For though she is in France, a lady-in-waiting to my beloved Queen Anne, she is not one of my subjects but the daughter of the king of Naples—of Spanish heritage—therefore a subject of the house of Aragon. And a girl with a mind of her own. I cannot simply order her to marry you.”
Cesare frowned, but then asked, “May I speak with the lady, Your Majesty?”
“Of course,” the king said. “D’Amboise will arrange it.”
Later that afternoon, Cesare and Princess Rosetta sat together on a stone bench in the garden surrounded by the fragrant smell of orange trees.
Rosetta was a tall girl, and not the prettiest that Cesare had seen, but regal in her bearing. Her dark hair, pulled back at the nape of her neck, made her look severe. But she had a pleasant and forthright approach, and was not at all reluctant to discuss their proposed match.
Rosetta smiled gently, but spoke firmly. “I do not wish to offend the duke in any manner, for until this moment, I have never even seen him. But the unfortunate truth is that I am desperately in love with a Breton nobleman, and therefore have no love left to give another.”
Cesare tried to persuade her otherwise. “Often a desperate love is not the most trustworthy match for a life together,” he said.
But Rosetta looked at him unflinchingly. “I must speak candidly, for I believe you are worthy of my trust. You are the son of the Pope, and papal views as well as papal armies are very important to my father. I believe that they are of such supreme importance that, if you insisted, my father would force me to marry you. But I beg you not to do that. I would never be able to love you, for my heart has already been given.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Cesare admired the girl, for she stood for her truth. He handed her his handkerchief. “Not for a moment would I desire to force you into marriage. If my charm cannot win you, then I will not have you as a bride.” He smiled then. “But you have true value as a friend . . . and, if I am ever to fall victim to the courts, I would ask you to present yourself as a lawyer to plead my case.”
Rosetta laughed, amused and relieved. And the princess and Cesare spent the afternoon together enjoying each other’s company.
That night Cesare reported to the king, explaining what had happened. Louis did not seem surprised by Rosetta’s response, but he was pleased by Cesare’s reaction.
“I thank you for your kindness and understanding,” the king said.
“Do we have another princess who has not yet fallen in love?” Cesare asked pleasantly.
Still embarrassed by his inability to carry forth his promise to the Pope, the king said, “I have planned to offer