Read Online Infinite Devotion by L.E. Waters - Free Book Online

me every moment; I can’t sleep unless Sancia is there. She’s the only one I can truly trust. I’ll send her with Alfonso to Naples and leave with Rodrigo as soon as Father will grant me permission. I hate the thought of leaving him.
    Sancia quickly returns and breathless from running up the tower stairs, she says, “King Frederico replied he’ll send his men at once.” Smiling in triumph, she sits beside Alfonso on his bed.
    “My two angels.” He takes her hand.
    The next day, we hear the trumpets and peer out to see the beautiful sight of the small envoy with the colors and flags of Naples.
    “They’ve made it!” I cry. “Sancia come look.”
    Sancia runs over. “It’s a miracle! God is on our side!”
    I tell his groomsmen, “Please, pack up the duke’s things. He’ll be leaving shortly.”
    “Do you need to get your things as well, sister?” Alfonso asks.
    “I have been ready for a week!” She smiles.
    “Sancia, help me dress him.”
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa! It’s been a month and as much as I’d enjoy you dressing me, I think I’ll draw the line at my sister. Turn away, Sancia.”
    “Fine.” She turns. “It hasn’t dawned on you that I’ve changed your bed sheets for a month, but I’ll let you salvage whatever dignity you have left.”
    We all laugh.
    “Easy, Lucrezia, easy!” He squeals as I try to get him into his pants too fast.
    Once he’s dressed, Sancia’s hitting the bottom of his boots, trying to get them on. “Did they stab your foot too? It has swollen double the size!” She chuckles as she pinches both sides of his foot and tries in one motion to squish it into the stiff leather.
    “Ouch! I think Cesare would be kinder to me!”
    Sancia drops the boot and grabs her sides in laughter. We’ve been stressed for so long, it’s such a relief to feel everything will be okay. The door opens, and in walks a handsome white-haired man with at least twelve strong men behind him.
    Sancia runs to him. “Uncle!”
    She hugs him, and he gives her two kisses. “Lucrezia.” He bows. “Alfonso.” Another bow.
    “Uncle, thank you for coming for me.”
    “We had better hurry. At our entrance we saw three times our men rush to the opposite side of St. Peter’s in arms.”
    He motions four men to go and lift Alfonso to carry him down. As they’re picking him up, Don Michelotto bursts through with two dozen men at the ready. “I’m under the orders of Cesare to keep the prisoner in the tower.”
    “Prisoner?” I yell.
    “Yes, he’s held until healed for the attempted murder of the Duke of Gandia.”
    Sancia recoils. “The Duke of Gandia is already dead, murdered, and drowned by your master.”
    “Seize them and bring them to the gaol. They’ve plotted to free the prisoner without the pope’s permission.”
    “Why are you doing this, Michelotto?” I cry.
    “I’m at the will of others, Duchess.” He bows his head and leaves, motioning his men to follow.
    The soldiers lower Alfonso back down and let Michelotto’s men tie their hands and walk them out of the tower.
    I run out of the room without thinking and hear Sancia close behind. I dash down the winding steps and head toward the pope’s apartments. When I throw the door open, Sancia has caught up, and Father sits straight up in his chair at our frantic interruption.
    “Father! Father!” I can barely talk; I can’t catch my breath.
    “What is it, child? Calm down!”
    “They’ve imprisoned my uncle and the men from Alfonso’s envoy!” Sancia gets out.
    “What envoy?”
    “The envoy my king has sent to move Alfonso.”
    “Who’s with Alfonso now?”
    I see Sancia’s face lose all color, and I’m sure it mirrors mine. Without words, we both rush back up to the tower.
    “Stupid women!” I cry as we clamor up the stairs.
    “How could we fall into his trap!” Sancia cries.
    Seeing the door, we know our worst fears have come true. Don Michelotto’s huge guards are blocking the door. Sancia and I throw