The Family - Mario Puzo [66]
Cesare had spoken of it to no one; even when drunk and bedded down with courtesans, he had managed to hold his tongue. The servants of the court would certainly never speak of it, for fear they would be beheaded. But could his father, as the Holy Father, divinely inspired, see into the soul of his son? Cesare wondered.
Suddenly the fiery mask on the face of the Pope softened and he smiled. “My friend, Don Michelotto. Choose for me a messenger to travel daily to the convent. I have no doubt my daughter will relent. Make certain the young man is of good character, and intelligent. He must be well groomed and appealing, so my dear Lucrezia will accept my messages and eventually be convinced to return home.”
Don Michelotto did as he was commanded. He chose for messenger a young man called Perotto, whom he knew Alexander favored. A musician and a poet, the boy served the Pope as a messenger in return for his keep and his salvation. More highly educated than many of the others in court, he had come from Spain to spend time in Rome after hearing of its beauty. He was honest and deeply devoted to the church, and Alexander trusted him completely.
When Alexander placed the first message to Lucrezia into Perotto’s hand, he did so knowing that if Perotto could not bring it to her it was because he had been slaughtered in the hills on his way. That much trust he had in this young man.
When Lucrezia first met Perotto in the garden of the convent, she tried to refuse the message he brought from the Pope. “I do not wish to engage in any disagreements with the Holy Father,” she told Perotto. “And the way to do that is never to begin.”
Perotto, his long blond hair tied back, his light eyes sparkling, just nodded cheerfully. “I understand, Duchess. I only impose on your goodwill for I believe this message concerns an issue of importance.”
Lucrezia looked at him, shook her head, and turned to walk away. She sat on one of the stone benches on the far side of the garden and considered what to do.
But instead of turning to go, or leaving the message where she could reach it, Perotto disappeared for a few moments and then returned with a guitar. He asked Lucrezia’s permission to sit on the grass and play his music.
She frowned; but he had a sweet and pleasant face, and life in the convent bored her, so finally she consented. “Play if you will,” she told him.
Lucrezia was surprised to find that when Perotto sang, his voice was as pleasing as his song. It had been so long since she had been in male company that she found herself smiling.
When he had finished, her spirits lifted, and she asked for the message. Perotto, smiling, gave it to her.
The message was quite formal. Her father told her that negotiations for her annulment were still under way, and that some progress had been made. That Giovanni was considering the benefices and compensation that had been offered. Alexander told her that if she had any concerns, she should pen them, for the messenger would return the following day with further news.
She went inside her apartments in the convent, sat at her desk, and wrote a short formal response to the Pope. In it she told him she hoped he was well, and she thanked him for his efforts on her behalf. But she signed it only “Lucrezia Borgia,” and so when he received it and read it, he knew she was still angry with him.
The following day, Alexander awoke determined to put the matter of Lucrezia’s divorce behind him. The business of the papacy was going reasonably well, and once he completed his morning prayers he was free to devote the rest of the day to settling family business.
Cesare also awoke in a pleasant mood, and so when he came to join his father, he said, “It may be time to consider another festival, for those in the city are restless,