‘Gentlemen. Good afternoon. So good of you to call again. Suor Faustina will be with you in just one moment; I asked her to prepare some accounts for the visit of the Patriarch, and she is just on the point of completing them. Meanwhile, some biscotti and sweet wine, perhaps?’
Tintoretto and I declined her hospitality but confirmed that we were in no hurry and would be happy to wait while the soura finished her accounts.
I knew she was coming by the rapid clack of her footsteps along the corridor, accompanied by the lighter but faster patter of Felicità’s slippers. They entered the parlour together, looking confident. The abbess beamed, made her excuses and left.
‘Signor Tintoretto! Richard!‘ Faustina turned to her young partner and introduced us.
‘Felicità, this is the famous painter Jacopo Robusti, known to the world as Tintoretto, and Richard Stocker you already know. These gentlemen are our salvation. Or at least, I hope they are. We shall no doubt soon find out.’
It was typical of the woman I was getting to know. There was no dancing around; she got straight to the point and established the purpose of the meeting in seconds. She also made it abundantly clear that she expected us to deliver on our promises.
Faustina’s handshake was like her introduction: firm and confident. Felicità’s, in contrast, was cool, soft and uncertain. She looked at us like a schoolgirl (which, in many respects, she was), then retreated to sit quietly in the background. Her huge brown eyes moved from one to the other when we spoke, but for the main part remained fixed on Faustina.
‘Jacopo. Perhaps you would start.’
He looked at me, surprised. ‘No, Richard. I think this is your proposal; I only play a part in it. Please.’
I saw Faustina’s quick eyes flick from one of us to the other. Was there dissention in our plan already? she seemed to ask.
‘Suor Faustina,’ I began. ‘Some time ago we met and you told me your story. I agreed to take action to remove you from this place and—’
‘To remove us from this place,’ Faustina interrupted.
‘Indeed, to remove the two of you from this place and to assist you in finding an alternative life here in the city.’
‘An alternative life together, here in the city.’ Faustina was having no uncertainty.
‘Yes, exactly.’
I looked round the room and everyone was nodding. So far, so good, Faustina smiled encouragingly. She was having her own way and enjoying it.
‘I have come to a legal agreement with the abbess, under which certain monies will be paid when you are released, and that such a release will take place on or before the first of October. In the meantime, I have made a smaller payment on account to extend your allowance until the end of September.’
Faustina smiled and nodded encouragingly to Felicità. I continued.
‘My major concern is that your family will continue to use their power to prevent your release from this place and your subsequent employment—’
Her hand was up, and I stopped talking. She shook her head slightly, as if frustrated by the need to go over old ground for the benefit of the ignorant.
‘It is not a problem. I have spoken to my father and grandfather. They were both unhappy to see me enter here in the first place. My father told me I have always been his favourite and it broke his heart to see me so placed. That is why he made my allowance so generous: he wanted to atone for what he knew, deep down, was a sin. It grieves him that he is himself brought so low he can no longer afford to free me himself. However, he is eternally grateful to you, Richard, and has told me that if ever his good name can be of assistance to you, you only have to ask. It was very upsetting to see such a proud man have to admit that, for the present, his good name is all he can offer. One day he will rise again. I am sure of it.’
This was good news indeed. Spurred on by the removal of a major obstacle, I wanted to move to the next part of the arrangement. I decided to rely on Thomas’s assurance that the place at Padua University would be forthcoming.
‘It is my intention to ask Yasmeen Ahmed to become my wife, and to live with me in Padua. If she accepts, then she will no longer be able to act as manager of the Bottega Tintoretto. The purpose of today’s discussion is to determine whether this opportunity would meet your needs, Faustina, and whether you would be suitable for Tintoretto in that position.’
Faustina’s face hardened, and I realized, with a chill down my back, that she thought the last question had already been settled. Tintoretto saw it, too, and came to our rescue.
‘On the last point, Richard, Suor Faustina and I have already come to an agreement; I have made her an offer.’ Faustina relaxed, but Jacopo continued. ‘A conditional offer. The offer is, of course, dependent upon Yasmeen deciding to leave me.’
He looked at Faustina. ‘I only need one business manager.’
Faustina sat upright in her chair and I waited for the counterproposal. It appeared that she had not been as careful to address Felicità’s position with Tintoretto as she had been with me. Yet I found it hard to believe that she had not considered the issue, and surely Jacopo would have been made aware of the problem by Veronica? There was a little game being played here and one I appeared not to be party to. Faustina’s eyes flashed at me as she replied, her tone carefully measured.
‘Signor Tintoretto has indeed made me an offer which I am considering. However, I must consider Felicità’s position also.’ She looked at Tintoretto for his response.
Jacopo’s expression was bland and now I knew that he and Veronica had, indeed, been plotting away in the background. He ignored Faustina and looked directly at Felicità, who wilted at his gaze until he reassured her with a fatherly smile. ‘A few months ago my wife gave birth to a lovely daughter. Her name is Marietta. The child is strong and she will live. We would like to have more children, many children, including sons I could teach to paint, but Fausbina will need help – with the house and the child. Would you be happy to do that, Felicità?’
Felicità looked at Faustina for guidance.
Tintoretto saw the uncertainty. ‘You would be working together in the same house. My family lives upstairs, above the studio.’ Faustina gave a small nod and Felicità reddened, a glow of pleasure competing with a flush of embarrassment.
‘Yes please, sir. Nothing would please me more. I love children.’
Tintoretto turned back to Faustina. ‘Is it agreed?’
Faustina stood and walked behind Felicità, putting a protective arm round her shoulder.
‘It is agreed.’
For a moment I felt as if my life – and, more importantly, Yasmeen’s – was being decided by others. I cleared my throat to speak, but Jacopo got there first.
‘Then we have an agreement. It is, however, conditional upon Yasmeen deciding to marry this man here and living with him in Padua.’ He winked at Felicità, put his hand over his mouth and pretended to stifle a laugh, in an expression which clearly suggested she would be mad to choose me.
This time, even Felicità laughed.
CHAPTER 78
September the 3rd 1556 – Fondamenta dei Mori
‘Richard!‘ Yasmeen stood in the doorway of our house and called me. ‘My father wishes to speak to you.’
Ayham welcomed me formally and bade us sit on one of the rich carpets.
‘You have been very busy – it is clear you have a businesslike brain and the courage and persistence to overcome problems. I have discussed your proposal of the double marriage with our mullah. He has given me a ruling.’
I tried to swallow, but my throat hurt. Ayham continued; it was clear he had thought about what he was going to say before I arrived.
‘For centuries Muslim communities have survived in Al Andalus, in Salerno and in Venice, by working in partnership with people of other faiths. Whilst we remain loyal to our own faith, business situations allow us legal partnership with those of other faiths.’
My heart began to lift.
‘Marriage is
more difficult. The Koran forbids a man to marry a woman who is not from “the people of the book”. Therefore, by implication, although it does not say so specifically, it must allow marriage to women, including Jews and Christians, whose religions recognize what you call the Old Testament. However there are contrary opinions and it is by no means certain that what is written for a man applies in reverse for a woman. Our mullah has taken soundings and has decreed that it would be in order for me to accept such a proposal to my daughter from a man who was a Christian if that man was also my business partner.’
For a moment, my world wavered around me. Was he telling me he had made an arranged marriage for Yasmeen with a business contact, a Christian? I was prepared for anger, but held myself back, as he was still speaking.
‘I am, therefore, offering you a business proposal of my own: that you and Yasmeen join in legal partnership with me and help me expand this business, and agree to carry it on after my death, for, as you know, I have no sons. Together I believe we could expand our trade, to include not only spices, but also pigments for artists and herbs and medicines for physicians. By so doing, we can offset the effect of the Lisbon trade.’
I looked at him blankly. ‘Are you saying that if I accept this offer of partnership, both you and the mullah will agree to my marrying Yasmeen in the manner proposed: two ceremonies, Muslim and Protestant?’
He nodded. ‘I am saying precisely that.’
I wanted to rush forward, to embrace him and his daughter together, but I had learned to contain my natural impetuosity.
‘It is a wonderful and generous offer, Ayham, but before I accept it, I must be fair to you. I have, as you know, a desire – an intention, even – to study medicine in Padua. And although the portents are good, they have not yet offered me a place.’
Ayham smiled. It was the calm smile of a man who has considered all the angles and already satisfied himself beyond doubt.
‘There is no difficulty. Think about it. My lovely daughter has a detailed knowledge of the world of painters, and the materials they have to buy to make their colours. I have knowledge of spices, many of which are also dyes. You are to study medicine and how to cure people with medicinal herbs. These, too, are similar and often obtained from the same places and through the same merchants. I believe my plan has merit. It has a balance to it – a structure. It would match the elegance of the plan which you have concocted, of marrying my daughter and saving the nun at the same time – yes, she has explained it all to me, and I have spoken to my friend and neighbour Tintoretto, who agrees.’
It was strange. For so long I had been beset by constraints, difficulties, hurdles, pressures. Yasmeen was watching my every move. Time to make a decision.
‘Ayham.You have my agreement. I will become your business partner, and make my financial contribution to the expansion of our business. I will also pursue my medical studies if the university invites me to do so, and I will marry your daughter, cherish her, respect her and her religion, and love her with all my heart. My hand on it.’
We exchanged a long and emotional handshake, which contained many unwritten agreements.
Yasmeen kissed her father, then me. Then she burst into happy tears and ran from the room.
CHAPTER 79
September the 4th 1556 – Fondamenta dei Mori
‘Ayham has congratulated me on the elegant symmetry of my solution. If only I was truly the architect of that solution.’
Veronica smiled. ‘It is . . . clean and tidy, yes. You did very well. One way and another, you had put yourself in treacherous waters, but you navigated them very well.’
‘I navigated! You mean I rowed and you navigated. It was only when I came here to see Tintoretto to try to persuade him to let Faustina replace Yasmeen I discovered that you had already introduced them and effectively made the agreement.’
She put a motherly hand on my cheek. ‘Richard, please forgive me; I simply had to do it. You were making such hard work of everything that I decided you needed a helping hand. It’s nothing – what any friend would have done. Besides, you did most of it – the proposals for expanding Ayham’s business, for example. I just threw in a few ideas and chatted to a few contacts. I have the advantage of knowing more people in Venice than you do. Besides, it was fun.’
‘Fun‘ was not the word I would have used. It was alright for her to talk as if everything was in place. It was by no means finished yet.
I leaned over to Veronica and whispered conspiratorially. ‘I still have one more piece to put in place, the interview at the university. If the earl isn’t fit enough to travel tomorrow, I shall go anyway. Too many people’s futures are dependent on it. As far as I am concerned, he is no longer part of my life and the sooner I see the back of him the better.’
She nodded. ‘You have spent enough of your life in service, one way or another. Now you have responsibilities of your own. It is time to break away, to move on and live your own life.’
As usual, Veronica was right. Tomorrow I would go to Padua, one way or another.
CHAPTER 80
September the 5th 1556 – Fondamenta della Sensa
It was worse than before. More rain and wind from the east, and very high tides. The Piazza san Marco was knee-deep in water and our little house, too, had felt the effect of the floods. It had been raining for a solid week, and the flagstones of the ground floor were still soaked after the last three tides had washed right through. There was mud and seaweed everywhere – no one had had the inclination to sweep it away when another high tide was likely to bring it straight back.
To make matters worse, the wind had displaced a number of tiles and the roof above us was leaking. The stone staircase was slippery with the endless trickle of water mixed with the mud from our boots. The whole house stank of mud, weed and fish, and the earl’s health had not improved. I told Thomas of my decision.
‘Yes. You go, Richard. The invalid is perfectly able to travel. He is just wallowing in his unhappiness.’
I had finished my breakfast and was down on the ground floor, packing to leave, when the earl suddenly decided he was feeling better and no longer needed to be bedridden. Thomas called down to me and asked me to help him bring the earl downstairs. I was just about to climb to the next floor when I heard a commotion.
‘I do not need help, Thomas! I shall descend to face the world like a gentleman.’ The words had hardly been uttered when I heard his foot slide on the greasy surface and the earl fell the full length of the stone staircase, crashing down step-after-step and gasping in pain as he came.
The body which we examined at the foot of the stairs was not a pretty sight. His hip appeared to be damaged and Thomas was convinced he had broken at least two ribs. We tried to make him comfortable on the wet floor, but he began to cough and, to our horror, spat blood.
Suddenly, all was changed. Courtenay was pleading to be taken immediately to the hospital in Padua and Thomas reluctantly agreed. ‘His condition is too serious for me to attend to him here. He needs full medical attention, in a hospital. Padua is some distance to travel, but it is the best there is and, on balance, I believe, worth the journey, but we will have to be careful.’
There was no question of taking him by horseback or coach; we would have to make a stretcher and take him all the way by barge. It was still going to be a rough journey. The barge was ordered and came to the front of the house, but as soon as he saw it, Courtenay refused.
‘I will go by coach, like a gentleman. I entered the city this way and, by God’s eyes, I shall leave it the same way.’
We argued and cajoled, but he was insistent, and finally Thomas and I had to agree. Thomas set off in a coach with the earl, our barge having been sent round the island to provide safe passage across the lagoon from Canale Colambola to Mestre.
I agreed to inform Yasmeen and Tintoretto what was happening, and to ask them to send messages to Faustina and to the Oratorio, where Thomas was expected. I would take the ferry across to the mainl
and and catch them up, either on the road or in Padua itself.
Suddenly I was back in service; it was going to be a busy day.
CHAPTER 81
September the 6th 1556 – Padua
Dearest Yasmeen,
We have arrived safely in Padua, the earl exhausted and very ill. His breathing is difficult and he continues to cough blood. His very life is at risk, but at least he is in safe hands now. We have placed him in the hospital attached to the university, and all the best doctors are observing him.
Thomas and I survived our respective journeys and are staying together at the Albergo Il Bo. It is my intention to present myself for interview at the university as soon as is seemly, but for the moment the earl’s illness is taking precedence.
I have asked the coachman to bring this short note as he returns to Venice. Do not fret, my sweet, we shall prevail. It can only get better from here.
My thoughts are with you, and your father. Please give my respects to Tintoretto and to Veronica.
Your loving Richard
CHAPTER 82
September the 16th 1556 – University of Padua
We had experienced ten uncomfortable days. Ten days in which Peter Vannes, the English Ambassador, had insisted on taking control. Thomas had tried to use his friendship with the doctors in Padua to stay close to our patient, but the authorities in Venice had let it be known that Vannes had their full support, and he used that authority to the full.
The Ambassador had interviewed the earl shortly after his arrival, intent, we were sure, on trying to blame Thomas and me for his condition and to claim negligence against us. Why, Vannes had asked, had the earl insisted on coming to Padua when he was so ill?
Daughters of the Doge (Richard Stocker) Page 36
