Read Online Francesca by Bertrice Small - Free Book Online Page B

to pick berries. In the company of her serving woman, Terza, she would ride into the nearby village to make small purchases. She closeted herself with her women, and Father Silvio for hours on end. Sometimes Louisa was invited.
    “What do you do?” he inquired of Louisa.
    “Do? We do many things,” Louisa said to him. “If you are curious, why not ask Francesca? I’m sure she would tell you. After all, what mischief can she get into surrounded by two holy women and a priest?”
    “I would ask if I could corner her,” Rafaello said. “Why does she avoid me?”
    “Does she?” Louisa said innocently, eyes wide.
    “Be careful, you devious wench,” Rafaello warned her. “I could always tell my father I have chosen you for my bride.” He gave her his best glower.
    Louisa laughed. “I am no longer afraid of you,” she said. “Valiant says you are a fraud. He says you are a very kind man, and I have seen incidents of it these past weeks.”
    “Have you indeed?” Rafaello answered her. Then he said, “She intrigues me, Louisa. I want to get to know her better, but she will not allow it. Why? Surely she is not still bedazzled by that Venetian popinjay who refused her.”
    “Gracious, no! She laughs about her time in Venice and tells us the funniest stories. It is her pride, Rafaello. She is offended to have been summoned to Terreno Boscoso for the purpose of being considered as your bride.”
    “But women have no choice in the matter of their husbands,” he replied, surprised, although she had once told him much the same although in more colorful language.
    “Francesca’s older sister was wed at her parents’ hand to a monster. I do not know all of the story behind it, but I do know when he died, Bianca—that is her name—ran off with the man with whom she was deeply in love. She is happy now. Francesca wants to choose her own husband,” Louisa told him.
    “But how can she fall in love with me if she will not at least take time to know me?” he asked. “You are a sensible girl. Speak to her, but do not say I asked it of you.”
    Poor man, Louisa thought to herself. I believe he might be falling in love with the mystery that is Francesca. “I will help you,” she said.
    In the morning Louisa sent word that she was feeling poorly and would not ride. Aceline du Barry found herself riding with Valiant by her side. “Get out of my way,” she hissed at him. “I will ride by Rafaello’s side, as I do every morning.”
    “He has ordered me to keep you by my side,” Valiant lied boldly. “You allow him no time to get to know Francesca better.”
    “He knows all he needs know about her,” Aceline responded. “She is the daughter of a low tradesman. Whatever you do, he will pick me in the end because I am of noble blood as he is.”
    “Her father is head of the silk merchants’ guild in Florence, an important position in the second most important guild in that city. His wealth is great. Her mother is the daughter of one of the noblest houses in Venice, the Veniers. She is hardly low.”
    Aceline was actually surprised. She had not realized that Francesca’s family was so important or that she had noble blood in her veins. Her parents both had noble blood, but their wealth was sparse. It was important that she make this marriage to Rafaello Cesare. It would add to the prestige of the du Barry family, and they could find a suitable heiress for her brother to wed. She said nothing more to Valiant and rode by his side without complaint. Making a scene would not aid her cause.
    She already had a plan to entrap Rafaello, should he appear to be becoming interested in choosing anyone but her. Her maidservant, Oriel, had suggested it. It was a foolproof strategy that would leave him no other choice than to wed her. Aceline smiled.
    Ahead of her Rafaello and Francesca were bickering over something.
    “Why do you want to know?” Aceline heard Francesca say.
    “Why do you want to keep it secret?” Rafaello