by C. De Melo
She immediately straightened her shoulders. “You’re right, Papa,” she said, glancing around the room and coolly meeting the eyes of those who stared in her direction. “I know what to do. I’ll be fine.”
Don Antonio embraced Sabina and walked away, leaving her alone in the center of the room. With her head held high and several eyes following her, she walked to where Tommaso stood and placed a hand upon his arm.
He gazed down at her and smiled. “Come, dearest, there is someone I want you to meet,” he said, leading her through the throng of guests. “Giuliano de’ Medici has arrived from Milan only a moment ago and is here to offer his congratulations.”
Sabina was led to a group of well-dressed men. The most exquisitely dressed was an attractive young man in his mid-twenties with brown, shoulder-length hair and a serene face. He smiled at Tommaso before embracing him with great affection.
“Giuliano, I’m so happy you could come,” Tommaso said.
“I wanted to arrive earlier, but we were delayed,” Giuliano explained. Noticing the stunning woman at his friend’s side, he added, “Is this bella donna your new bride?”
“Giuliano, may I present to you my wife, Sabina, daughter of Don Antonio Rossi.”
The dark eyes that studied Sabina were alert and intelligent. Giuliano stepped forward and gallantly kissed her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Signora. You are living proof of Tommaso’s impeccable taste.”
She smiled. “You are too kind, Signore Giuliano.”
Giuliano turned to Tommaso. “I congratulate you on finding such a lovely treasure.”
“Thank you, my friend. Where is Lorenzo?”
“Unfortunately, my brother was forced to remain in Milan and instructed me to convey his best wishes to you both. He regrets not being able to attend your wedding today.”
“I know the business he tends to is urgent; there is no need for him to feel any regrets. I shall see him soon enough.”
“You must present your wife at the palazzo when Lorenzo returns,” Giuliano said, winking at Sabina. “He will be charmed.”
“It will be an honor. Now, please, I want you and your men to eat, drink, and enjoy the festivities,” Tommaso said before quickly summoning his servants and instructing them to pay special attention to the Medici entourage.
Giuliano mingled easily with the guests since he knew everyone.
Sabina was duly impressed that her husband was on such friendly terms with the wealthiest and most politically influential family in Tuscany. “How long have you known the Medici brothers?”
“I was a good friend of their father, so I’ve known them since birth. Before that, my father and their grandfather did business together.”
“Oh? What kind of business?”
“Why, banking, of course.”
“I see. Do you regularly attend court at their palazzo?”
Tommaso stepped closer to Sabina and lowered his voice. “You must never refer to the Palazzo Medici as a royal court, my dear. It’s offensive.”
“Forgive me.”
He waved away her apology. “You must always keep in mind that Florence is a republic, not a monarchy.”
Her brow creased in confusion. “Oh.”
“You will be presented to Lorenzo, who, although not being a prince, assumes the role of one.” He paused. “Do you understand?”
“So I should treat him like a prince but never call him that to his face.”
Tommaso nodded in approval. “Correct.”
“And the Palazzo Medici is not an official royal court but it operates as such, although everyone pretends it doesn’t because Florence is a republic.”
“I think you’ll learn how this city operates very quickly.”
The wedding festivities lasted until nightfall. Don Antonio wished many blessings upon the marital union and kissed his daughter’s cheek before retiring to his guest chamber. Cecilia also approached her sister and brother-in-law before retiring. She hugged her sister coolly, muttering a blessing on their marriage before heading off to bed.
Later that night, after the guests had gone home, Sabina sat at the dressing table in her bedchamber. Teresa had already helped her mistress out of the wedding gown and was now brushing her hair in the light of three flickering candles.
“You are very lucky, Signora Sabina.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Signore Tommaso is a good man who gives with an open hand to those whom he loves. He is always helping people and never asks the cost, which is why God has blessed him with so much wealth.”
“How do you know this?”
“My father was cousin to his first wife.”
“Tell me about her.”
“We’re not allowed to speak of her because…Well, she fled with another man.”
Sabina hid her surprise. “I see…”
“Signore Tommaso helped us very much after my mother died.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Teresa. My mother is dead, too.”
“May her soul be blessed in Heaven,” Teresa said before crossing herself and kissing the tiny gold crucifix that hung from a chain around her neck.
“How well do you know my husband?”
“Well enough to assure you that he loathes impropriety and does not tolerate disrespect,” she replied candidly.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“He seems very fond of you, Signora Sabina. One of my cousins served as the lady’s maid to his second wife, Signora Mariella.” Teresa lowered her voice and added, “She and Signore Tommaso were never in accord. She died in childbirth. The baby died, too.”
“What happened to your cousin after her mistress died?”
“She was sent to another Florentine lady across the city.”
How clever of her husband to get rid of the girl. It certainly prevented any gossip about the late Signora Mariella. “Anything else I should know?”
Teresa froze, her cheeks bright red in the reflection of the looking glass.
Tommaso stood in the doorway. “Leave us.”
Teresa bowed her head. “Yes, Signore Tommaso.” She laid down the brush, curtsied to her master and mistress, and started to walk out of the room when Mendi began to caw loudly from within his cage.
Tommaso frowned. “Take that damned bird with you. I know you love that wretched crow, Sabina, but there is room for only one male in your bedchamber tonight.”
Teresa retraced her steps and picked up the cage. Mendi, unhappy at being moved, threatened to peck at the girl’s hand, but Sabina’s sharp reprimand kept him from doing so. Holding the cage as far away from her as she could, the maid hastily vacated the room.
“What do you think of Teresa?” Tommaso asked with feigned nonchalance.
“I like her,” Sabina replied cautiously, wondering how much of the conversation he had heard before entering her room.
“Good. I want you to be happy.” He stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t expect you to love me.” She stiffened at the unexpected statement and tried to turn around in order to face him, but his grip on her shoulders tightened. “I’m well aware your beauty and youth, Sabina. After seeing what your former lover looks like, I know you’ll probably never love me.”
“Tommaso, I—”
“Don’t interrupt me again,” he warned. “Unlike other men, I do not care that my bride is not a virgin. I’m no longer a young man prone to frivolous jealousies, nor do I wish to engage in any hot-tempered duels for the sake of your virtue. Time is precious to me.”
He moved her hair aside to expose her nape and bent to kiss the soft skin. “Now that you’re my wife, I expect your loyalty and respect. I want you to provide me with a son and not make a cuckold of me. In return, you will be afforded freedoms that are usually denied most women. You can read as many books as you wish, learn any subject you desire—with my approval, of course. I may even share political views with you, but only if you adhere to my conditions. If you refuse to
abide by my rules and decide to take on a lover, or dishonor me in any way through improper conduct, you will be cast out of this house in shame. Your reputation will be ruined forever.” His hands fell to his sides. “Do we have an agreement, Sabina?”
“Yes, Tommaso.”
Without further words, he led her to the bed. Sabina was surprised by the unexpected finesse of his lovemaking. Marco had been lustful and clumsy in comparison with Tommaso’s expertise. When they finished, she stared at the exposed timbers on the ceiling. The act itself had been pleasant enough, which was somewhat of a relief.
“You must be tired,” he said, kissing her cheek before getting out of bed. “I will retire to my chamber now. Goodnight, Sabina.”
“Goodnight, Tommaso, and thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything.”
He cast a wry smile over his shoulder and left the room.
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