Duchess of Milan by Michael Ennis

Author:Michael Ennis
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
Published: 2011-12-02T19:21:17+00:00

CHAPTER 32

Venice, 29 May 1493

“I must say I was surprised to receive your petition for this meeting.” His Serenity Doge Agostino Barbarigio motioned Beatrice to the chair opposite his. “Though of course I am delighted for another opportunity to visit. I had simply thought you’d had quite enough of old men and their woes. A lovely young woman like Your Highness might better spend her time enjoying the beauties of our city. And in so doing contribute her own beauty to that of Venice.”

Beatrice settled on the edge of her chair and accepted the Doge’s compliment with a gracious nod. His Serenity’s apartments were on the second floor of his palace, beneath the chambers of state on the third floor. He had situated his study--which was as sparingly adorned as the rest of the building--in an outer room, taking advantage of the brilliant morning light reflected off the crescent sweep of the Canale di San Marco and the lagoon beyond. The panorama included Venice’s destructive might as well as the placid expanse of sea and sky; a forest of masts marked the location of the Arsenale, the immense naval yard where fully fitted galleys were turned out as rapidly as mold-stamped terra-cotta Madonnas at a pottery factory.

After an awkward pause the Doge spoke again. “The gentlemen of the Signory were most impressed with the elegance of your address. They all remarked upon how well you spoke and how clearly you presented your husband’s position.”

Yes, Beatrice thought, they were all impressed at how quickly I revealed my hand. Again she did not respond. This time Venice would squirm.

The Doge smiled and motioned with his white, wizened fingers. “I understand your disappointment at the rather ambiguous response you received from the gentlemen of the Signory. But let us wait and see. His Holiness will no doubt have his own views on the matter of mutual defense.”

Beatrice sat back and gave the Doge a look that said: Don’t bother repeating that fiction.

After yet more silence from his guest, the Doge cocked his hoary head curiously. “Why have you come, my daughter?”

“Allow me to be frank. I believe that Your Serenity, being the wisest of men, is more favorably disposed to my husband’s concerns than are the gentlemen of the Signory.”

The Doge nodded ponderously. “Certainly I place great value in the friendship of your husband.” He smiled, showing his stained teeth. “You know, my daughter, it is often said that there are two qualities the Signory most values when electing their doge. The first is the wisdom of a venerable old age, and the second is an absence of personal ambition, a quality that so often blesses old age. I am certain that I at least satisfy my colleagues on the second quality. I do not try to persuade the Signory of anything to which they are not already inclined to be persuaded.”

“And they cannot be persuaded that Venice shares the danger presented by the French.”

The Doge smiled patiently. “My daughter, the French cannot cross the mountains without first having access to Il Moro’s treasury.

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