The Family - Mario Puzo [68]
Giovanni was appalled. “In front of both families? I will not. I will not agree to any such thing!”
The Pope now approached Ludovico. “Well, then, the matter is settled. Giovanni has refused the opportunity to prove himself, and so we must conclude, as any court would, that Lucrezia’s statement is true. Of course, we will treat Giovanni generously, for he did what he could as a husband, and we are not here to lay blame.”
Giovanni tried to speak, but his uncle stopped him, pulling him aside. “Our entire family will disown you if you do not agree. You will lose your title and your land. At this moment, though you are no longer a husband, you are still a duke. And that is no small thing.”
Later that day, Cesare sat at his desk in his own chambers and reread the message his sister had sent the day before. His handsome face reflected the sadness he felt, for to be separated from Lucrezia left him with a deep ache and longing. But there was something more he was concerned about. His hand trembled slightly as he read the message again and again.
One line seemed to stand out on the page: “I am not at liberty, at this time, to discuss the matter which is of utmost importance to us.”
It was the formality of her letter, her insistence on not giving him any information, that drew his attention. It was all she didn’t say. And he knew his sister well enough to understand she had a secret that, once told, could place them all in grave danger.
12
VANOZZA CATTANEI’S GUESTS sat at the gaily colored banquet tables and watched the blazing sun descend over the red stone ruins of the Roman Forum. She had invited several friends, as well as her children, to her country estate for a gathering in celebration of Cesare’s departure for Naples the following week as the papal delegate.
Vanozza’s Vineyard, as her children affectionately called it, sat on the nearly deserted Esquiline Hill opposite the stately fifth-century Church of San Pietro.
Juan, Jofre, and Cesare sat together for once, laughing and enjoying themselves. Then Cesare noticed his mother, across the courtyard, talking quite intimately with a young Swiss guard. He smiled to himself, for she was still quite beautiful. Though she was tall she was delicately built, with clear olive skin and rich auburn hair that as yet showed no silver. She looked splendid in a long black silk dress adorned with a single strand of South Sea pearls, a special gift from Alexander.
Cesare adored his mother, was proud of her beauty, intelligence, and obvious skill in business. For she was as successful with her inns as any man in the city of Rome. He looked again at the young guard, and in his heart he wished his mother well, for if she could still enjoy an active love, that is what he wished for her.
On this night, Vanozza brought in two senior chefs from her inns in the city to prepare a large variety of delectable dishes. They sautéed savory goose liver with sliced apples and raisins, simmered freshly caught lobster in a delicate tomato, basil, and cream sauce, and pan-fried tender veal scallops with rich truffles taken from the earth and fresh green olives plucked ripe from the local trees.
Some of the younger cardinals, including Gio Medici, shouted with enthusiasm as each new platter was served. Cardinal Ascanio Sforza remained sedate, but managed to help himself to more than one serving of each new dish, as did Alexander’s cousin, the cardinal of Monreal.
Large porcelain carafes of wine, made from the plump burgundy grapes of Vanozza’s own vineyards, were served during the meal, and Juan drank each goblet that was poured for him, hardly waiting for the first to be emptied before he lifted the next to his lips. During the meal, a very thin young man wearing a black mask sat down alongside him and whispered something in his ear.
Cesare had seen the masked man at the Vatican several times during the last month in the company of his brother, but when he had inquired about