The Angel of Soriano: A Renaissance Romance Page 11

  She resisted the urge to pull away and wipe it clean on her doublet.

  “My little mouse. You’ve returned to me. I knew you would.” He bent over and kissed each cheek.

  His sinister figure froze her tongue and numbed her mind. He had magic of the blackest kind.

  He is the devil incarnate.

  Holding her back by the shoulders, he reviewed her bruises and touched her short hair, “Who did this to you?”

  “Pierpaolo,” she bravely held his unblinking gaze. Perhaps she could shift some of Borgia’s wrath in a more deserving direction.

  “Why?” He leaned in, breath warming her face.

  She needed to clench her fists to keep from shaking as her heartbeat pounded in her ears. “I refused to confess to being a witch.”

  His eyes narrowed and a muscle in his right cheek twitched. “He said you were staying at Saint Mary’s convent.”

  She snorted. “He lied. If Signore Carvajal hadn’t helped me escape, I would be nothing but ashes by now.”

  “Dideco rescued you?” The cardinal didn’t look convinced.

  Strange how once one began to lie, they just rolled off the tongue. “Si. For you. He knew you were looking for me.”

  His face gave no indication of his thoughts. He just stared at her, thinking, for the longest time.

  Her next words came out like a squeak, and internally, she cringed. “I demand you stop pursuing me.”

  Laughter without mirth rolled out of his large frame. “Don’t be ridiculous. Undress.”

  She gulped. What of reason? All of the speeches she had prepared?

  He loosened his belt and handed it to the waiting dark man. “And hurry. I have much to attend to today.” His robe went next. Then he stood in front of her in his underclothes and began to unpin his hose.

  She lowered her gaze and whispered, “Please stop. I don’t wish to be your mistress.”

  With a heavy sigh, he turned on his heel, and said to his man, “Have her prepared for me. I’ve no time for games.”

  Swallowing hard, she decided to use the path of her last resort. “Stop. If you pursue this, I’ll tell all I know of your most private affairs.”

  His eye twitched, his right hand clenched, and he moved in closer. “You know nothing.”

  She’d hit her mark and said a small thanks to God before adding offhandedly, “I know the ones that concern His Holiness.”

  He relaxed.

  Damn. Not that.

  The last time she was in the Vatican, she’d studied the history of Roman Fever in his chambers. Borgia had a collection of many different books, but mostly he concentrated in medicine.

  Suddenly she just knew what to say and blurted out, “When I last stayed in Rome and read your medical library, I surmised some of your… interests.”

  This time the dark center of one eye widened slightly and a line near his mouth deepened. She was close to some truth or some evil deed. Men like him were always plotting and distrustful to the point of sickness.

  He slid behind her, wrapped an elbow around her throat and hissed, “Who else knows?”

  Kicking, she struggled to inhale. “Stop. If I die, you will, as well.”

  He loosened his grip enough for her to speak. “I’ve hidden copies with friends of the Nardini. It will be printed by the hundreds in the new presses and sent to your enemies, starting with the Orsini family.”

  From experience, she knew that she wasn’t the best of liars but never before had so much relied on it. She kept her face impassive and her voice firm. “All will know.”

  “No one would believe you, a mere woman.” Tethered rage seethed in his beet red face.

  As the battle turned in her favor, the thumping in her chest slowed to normal. “That’s the wonderful thing about the printing mechanism. It’s purely anonymous.”

  He let go and paced, boots clicking on the expensive green marble.

  Suddenly he turned and pointed to the door. “Go. But know this. I’ll have your skin peeled from your body, slowly and painfully, if I ever hear of this again.”

  She nodded. Whatever secrets he held, they must be truly wicked.

  Knees shaking, she nodded to the slave who led her out the front door. She needed to get out of Rome quickly, before the powerful Borgia changed his mind and had her killed.

  Chapter 19

  Bernardo paced back and forth inside the small church. Where was Aurelia? Had Borgia’s men caught up with her or had some other evil transpired? The front door creaked, his hopes soared and then fell when Fulvio’s stricken face appeared in the dark arch under the balcony.

  “What news?” Bernardo held his breath, not entirely sure he wanted to hear what his friend had to say.

  “She’s with him. I’m so sorry.” He shook his head slowly back and forth, pity in his eyes.

  Over the altar, Christ hung on the cross with a gaze depicting forgiveness and mercy. Bernardo cursed religion and all its platitudes. His beautiful angel was in the hands of the devil. How could he have let this happen?

  “We’ll need more mercenaries to rescue her.” He started out the door.

  His friend’s hand shot to his shoulder, holding him in place. “You don’t understand. She went freely to him.”

  Bernardo shrugged him away, a vision of her under Borgia’s wide body driving him mad with jealousy. “Impossible.”

  Ready to do battle, Fulvio stepped in front of him and said, “Forget her, Bernardo. She’s chosen her path. With her quick wit and intelligence, he may even keep her for a while. They say he’s slated to be the next pope. This might actually be her only chance of happiness.”

  A foul taste lingered in the back of Bernardo’s throat as he swallowed back the bile of his churning stomach. “Tell me all. Everything you heard.”

  Fulvio lowered his hands and paced. “There’s not that much to it. A young woman, dressed as a man, showed up at Rodrigo Borgia’s door. There’s no doubt it was her for she had bruises and cropped blond hair. Then after undressing the cardinal, Borgia’s man said he left them alone in the room meant for pleasure.”

  “Why would she do this?” His heart sunk, he squatted onto his heels and buried his hands in his face.

  “Think, my friend. She’s got no family. No dowry. No future. She was either to become your mistress or his. I tell you if it were me, I’d take the latter.” He glared as if what’d come to pass was all Bernardo’s fault. Perhaps it was.

  “Was she just using my affections to get close to Borgia? To make him jealous?” The thought made him ill.

  Fulvio shrugged.

  He slammed his fist into the wall and stood. “Fine. Let’s go. My cousin, Bishop Lopez awaits. We’ll explain, then we leave for Soriano at once.”

  When the door to the church creaked open, he hissed, drew his sword and stepped into the shadows. He motioned that Fulvio should do the same, then cursed under his breath when he saw who entered.

  My God. She had the audacity to return? Perhaps she brought Borgia’s guards to stab him in his already shattered heart.

  Aurelia tiptoed in and whispered, “Bernardo? Are you in here?”

  He should hide and let her return to her whoring. Then he banged the back of his head on the wall. The only reason he was angry was that he wanted her for himself. How did that make it right? Suddenly, he wanted to hurl. He was as bad as Borgia. Fulvio was correct. She’d found a better station in life. Best to let her have it.

  He stepped forward and decided right there, to let her go.

  Jumping back, her face lit up like the sun when she spied him. She still had feelings for him? How was that possible?

  When she dashed into his arms, he did one of the noblest things he’d ever done in his life. He refused to hug her, refused to touch her. Instead he stood stiff until she dropped her arms.

  “What is it?” Pale blue eyes gazed up at him with hurt.

  Ignoring her, he cracked open the door. Nothing stirred in the piazza. “Is Borgia out there?” />
  She rushed behind him, clasped her arms around his waist, and stared out into the darkness. “I pray he is not. Is he?”

  “Why are you here?” He knew his cold and indifferent tone was pitched perfectly when her mouth dropped open in an ‘O.’

  “Is this not where you said to meet?” Her lower lip quivered.

  Could he make her hate him? He grabbed her more roughly than intended. “Did he leave you wanting? Is that it? Do you wish for me to finish what he started?”

  “I’ve no idea of what you speak but your tone and manner are insulting, signore.” She pushed out of his grip and searched his face.

  “Go back to him, Aurelia.” He hid his pain, offering nothing but disdain.

  Tears pooled in her eyes. “Go back? But I just escaped.”

  She ran to Fulvio who had just stepped out of the shadows by a statue of the Virgin Mary with child. “What’s wrong with him? With you? Have you changed your mind about helping me? Is that it?”

  Fulvio took her hands and touched his woman. “We know you returned to Borgia willingly. Knocked on his door.”

  “That’s all true. But why…” Her gaze flicked back and forth between the two of them.

  A moan that had to be his, emitted from inside and Bernardo turned away. His eyes stung and he swallowed hard.

  No doubt seeing how distraught he was, Fulvio took the lead in the interrogation. “And how did you manage to escape from one of the most powerful men in the kingdom?”

  Aurelia was not even embarrassed when she said smugly, “I walked right out the front door.”

  Bernardo’s blood boiled. “Did he at least pay you with a broach or trinket?”

  Her slap was hard and fast and his cheek smarted from the impact. “How dare you?”

  She raced to the lever beside St. Stephen and pulled hard.

  Standing closer, Fulvio caught her from behind and locked his arms around her kicking, screaming, biting torso.

  Bernardo strolled over, anger brimming over. No woman had ever dared strike him before and his best friend had hold of his woman.

  “Whore.” He hated himself the moment he said it.

  “Bastard.” Her spittle hit him dead center and he wiped it off with the back of his hand.

  Men shouting outside in the piazza made them all freeze.

  “Quickly.” Bernardo pushed them all into the secret room and closed the door.

  Lodged beside him, her heart raced like a small trapped animal. Her skin was wet and her lavender smell mixed with fear. And, if he did not calm her soon, she’d faint from the short and useless breaths she took. This was not a woman who’d willingly given her body.

  He squeezed her hand and looked out the small hole into the church. Men with swords and torches walked up and down the interior, glancing into each small chapel.

  She trembled beside him. It was so hard to remember she was just a woman. Most times she was fiercer than any man in his battalion. In truth, it was he who’d failed her. His holy angel was now defiled by Borgia. God had given him a precious gift and he’d been unworthy. He vowed right then to marry her, no matter the cost.

  When the church cleared of what he assumed were Borgia’s men, he nudged Fulvio and pointed overhead.

  Without a sound, his friend sped up the ladder. Bernardo lifted Aurelia up onto the first rung. She leaned back into him, and his lust swelled when she stopped.

  “Climb, Mia Angelo.”

  For a moment he thought he might need to carry her, but when he nudged her with his knee, one leg moved up and then another. Slowly, they made their way to the roof. He stayed right behind her, keeping her from falling.

  On top, he could see where men still searched the area. “We’ll wait until dark, then go to my cousin’s.”

  They sat quietly on the roof and his mind raced. Had Borgia been kind as he’d taken her? Had he treated her poorly? He ached to ask but dared not. Only once inside Lopez’s high walled estate, did he allow himself to breathe and try to talk to her. He touched her arm and she shook it off. She’d not spoken a word since calling him a bastard in the church.

  His temper flared. Had he not risked everything to keep her safe? “Damnation woman. If you don’t speak, how do I know what’s wrong with you?”

  Her eyes narrowed, she said nothing and yet he guessed her thoughts.

  “What else was I to think? I’m supposed to believe he didn’t take what you offered freely?”

  Her hands flayed in the air and ended with a rude gesture. “Madonna! I did not have sex with Borgia.”

  He gasped. Could it be true? “You did not?”

  “No I did not! But I can see by your expression that you don’t believe me. Leave me.” She crossed her arms and stared into the fire in the hearth.

  His cousin approached them from across the room, all pious and godly. “Bernardo. Give the woman some space. Would you like to say your confession, my dear?”

  The tops of her cheeks flared red and her neck throbbed as she no doubt clenched her teeth. “You too? Are all Carvajals infirmed of mind? What should I do? Spread my legs so you can inspect?”

  She made the rudest of gestures with palm up. “Find me a nunnery. I’m done with all men. Forever.”

  Bernardo took her hand, his heart suddenly full of remorse. He’d no idea how she did it, but he believed she somehow had gotten free. Would she ever forgive him? “Aurelia. I apologize. Listen. We’ll marry. Tonight.”

  His cousin raised his eyebrows. “Surely your father…”

  She stared at him, mouth agape.

  He pounded a fist into his hand and insisted. “It can’t be any other way. What tonight proves is that she needs my protection. If I’d been man enough in Soriano, it would not have come to this. I have four brothers away in school, all capable of stepping up to marry Lucella when I’m disinherited.”

  His normally calm and quiet cousin shouted, “And then what? Beg on the street? Have her support you with whoring?”

  Bernardo caught her hand before Aurelia slapped Lopez to the floor.

  His cousin, however, continued, inches from her face. “Tell me. How did you do it? Get Borgia to release you?”

  “If I tell you, you will not ask again. In fact neither one of you will ever speak to me again. A man like Borgia has many secrets. I just pretended I knew one.”

  “Holy Christ.” Bernardo felt his leg’s go out and he lowered onto a bench.

  His cousin crossed himself and said, “Come. Both of you. Before it’s too late. Into my chapel. I’ll marry you. Then you must leave Rome at once.”

  She muttered something about his genitals getting caught in a wheel.

  Bernardo gripped her arm. “Lopez, will you give us a moment?”

  “I’ll wait in the chapel.” Long robes blew past them and disappeared into a small room, off to the side of his main room.

  Falling onto one knee, Bernardo put her hand to his lips. “Marry me.”

  Instead of the heartfelt gratitude he’d expected, she tilted her head and frowned. “Why ever would I do that?”

  He shot to his feet, now truly vexed. “Because you need me. That’s why.”

  “That’s not a very good reason. Is it?” The stubborn woman refused to meet his gaze.

  Instead she counted off reasons why she’d not marry him on her fingers. “One, you’re engaged. Two? What of your mother and father? You’ll be disinherited. Three. What of Borgia? He’ll kill you. Four. Your family will lose Lucella’s dowry. Five, you didn’t believe me when I said I didn’t have sex with Borgia. And most importantly? You do not love me.”

  Her brows went up and she stared at him quite innocently. As if she’d not just dealt a fatal blow to his esteem and his heart.

  “How do you know how I feel?” His voice sounded petulant, even to him. In all honesty, he wasn’t sure if he loved her. He didn’t even believe in all that nonsense but he was certain that he needed her at his side.

  She ignored his look. “There’s only one
logical solution. You must hide me away in a nunnery.”

  “Mother of God!” He shouted so loud that Lopez ran back into the room. “She refuses to marry me. Talk to her.”

  “Hush, Bernardo. Come now, Aurelia, he’s of fine stock. A noble. A first born son.”

  “Exactly. That’s why I’ve refused. True, I’m the grand-niece of the famous Cardinal Nardini but I’ve no dowry other than an old parchment with a red wax seal. Think. The Carvajal family cannot make enemies of the Papal States. Certainly not with Borgia.”

  Lopez nodded at Bernardo and shrugged. “What she says is true.”

  “If I find a way to break off my engagement with Lucella, will you consider it?”

  “Where will we go without family to support us?”

  He sat down and put his head into his hands. Of course she was right. But how else would he keep her safe? Holy hell. She’d threatened the most powerful man in Rome.

  “I don’t care if I must bind you and clunk your stubborn head until you’re unconscious. We’re getting married and then leaving immediately. We’ll talk more in Soriano.”

  Chapter 20

  What had changed? Why had the formerly reasonable man turned into a raving lunatic? She couldn’t marry him. She wouldn’t. It’d ruin his life forever and frankly, hers as well.

  “Listen, dearest. I can call you that, no?” She cupped his rough cheeks with her palms.

  With eyes blazing, he nodded, but she was quite certain he wasn’t fully in his right mind.

  “Surely you can see how foolhardy this is?” She stared, hoping to see that some reason had registered into his thick skull.

  “Of course.” He tossed her over his shoulder and strode into the chapel. “Proceed, if you will, Lopez.”

  Outraged, she kicked and pounded fists into his back. “Put me down.”

  Fulvio rushed into the chapel, fist clenched. “Bernardo, stop. I can’t allow you to do this.”

  “If you stop me, then best you find another benefactor. I’ve made up my mind. Either become my witness or be gone.”

  Obviously, this crazed behavior was new to Fulvio, as well. At the archway to the room, he stood frozen and paled with brows furrowed.