The Family - Mario Puzo [35]
The two emissaries nodded.
“Well then,” Alexander continued, “we have considered the matter carefully and spent long hours on our knees in prayer. And we have come to a decision. We must divide the New World along this longitudinal line.”
He pointed to a line on the map which was one hundred leagues west of the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. “All non-Christian lands east of this line, which include many valuable islands, will belong to the Portuguese kingdom. Henceforth the peoples there will speak Portuguese. All such lands to the west of the line will belong to Their Catholic Majesties Ferdinand and Isabella.”
Alexander looked at the ambassadors. “We have already issued our bull, Inter Caetera, issuing out our ruling on the matter. Plandini, the Vatican clerk, will give you each a copy as you depart. I hope this is satisfactory and that many souls will be saved rather than sacrificed because of our agreement.” He smiled his brilliant charismatic smile, and both men bent to kiss his ring as he gave them leave to withdraw.
When they had gone, Alexander turned to Cesare. “What did you think of my decision?”
“I think, Father, that the Portuguese are at a disadvantage, for they have received far less of the territory.”
Alexander’s face lit up with a wolfish grin. “Well, son, it was King Ferdinand of Spain who asked us to intervene, and at the heart of our family we are Spanish. We must also consider that Spain is probably the most powerful country in the world today. With the king of France considering an invasion and planning to move his troops across the Alps on the advice of our enemy Cardinal della Rovere, we may need Spanish help. The Portuguese, on the other hand, tend to produce hardy seafarers, but not much of an army.”
Before Cesare and Juan left the Pope, he placed his hand on Juan’s shoulder and said, “My son, due to our successful mediation, your promised betrothal to Maria Enriquez has been moved forward. Again, I say, prepare yourself. Do not offend our friend King Ferdinand, for it has taken much diplomacy to ensure our alliances. We thank God each day for the good fortune of our family, the opportunities to spread the word of Christ across the globe in order to strengthen the papacy for the bodies and souls of the faithful.”
Within a week, accompanied by a caravan of vast riches, Juan was en route to Spain, and a rendezvous with the Enriquez family in Barcelona.
In Rome, the Pope felt weary from the weight of the world; both heaven and earth seemed to rest on his shoulders. Yet, one small pleasure could revive him . . .
That night Alexander readied himself to appear in his finest silk sleeping costume, for his young mistress, Julia Farnese, had been invited to spend the night in his bed. As his manservant bathed him and washed his hair with perfumed soap, he found himself smiling at the thought of her sweet face gazing at him with admiration and, he believed, genuine fondness.
Though it puzzled him how a young woman of such beauty and charm could find herself enchanted by a man whose prime had passed, he accepted it as he had many of the other puzzlements in his life. Certainly, he was wise enough to know that his power and his favors could inspire a certain devotion. And her relationship with him as the Holy Father could improve the condition and the wealth of her entire family and therefore increase her own status. But there was more, and in his heart he knew it. For when Julia and he made love, it was a priceless gift. Her innocence was captivating; her need to learn and please and her curiosity for all manner of sensual exploration gave her special appeal.
Alexander had been with many beautiful courtesans who had far more experience, who knew how to please a man using pure craft. But Julia’s uninhibited response to sensual pleasure was that of a joyful child, and somehow, though he could not describe it as the most passionate relationship he’d had, it brought him immense satisfaction.
Now Julia, wearing a gown of purple velvet, was led into his bedchamber. Her golden