The Family by Mario Puzo & Carol Gino

Author:Mario Puzo & Carol Gino [Puzo, Mario & Gino, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780066213989
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2001-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

Cesare great suffering. But to live without her, to risk losing her, was too great a cost, and so he never had.

“I’ll consider what you have suggested about our son,” Alexander told Vanozza. “And I will speak to Cesare about his choice of vocation. If he will ever speak to me.”

Vanozza’s voice was filled with compassion. “Our son Juan is dead, Rigo. Without him life will never be the same. But our Cesare is alive, and you need him to lead your armies. If not him, who will? Jofre? No, Rigo. It must be Cesare, for he is a warrior. But in order to claim his life you must use your love to free him. Let someone else be Pope. We have had happy lives.”

As Alexander stood and bent to kiss Vanozza’s cheek, he caught the scent of her perfume. And when he turned to leave, it was not without regret.

Vanozza stood at the doorway, and smiled as she waved. “Look at his hands, Rigo. Be at peace.”

On the day Cesare returned to Rome from Florence, he immediately came to confer with his father and Duarte Brandao. They retired to an inner chamber hung with tapestries and decorated with the intricately carved chests that held the raiments of his office. There were no formalities here. Alexander embraced his son, but there was a warmth in that embrace which made Cesare wary.

Duarte spoke first. “Have you found the prophet as dangerous to us as has been rumored?” he asked.

Cesare sat on a cushioned chair opposite Duarte and his father.

“He is an impassioned speaker, and the citizens gather in great crowds, as though at a carnival, to hear him preach.”

Alexander looked interested. “And he speaks about?”

“Reform,” Cesare said. “And the indulgences of the Borgia family. He accuses us of all manner of evil deeds, and frightens the people into believing that to follow the Holy Church in Rome and to honor the papacy will doom them to eternal damnation.”

Alexander stood and began to pace. “It is unfortunate that a mind so bright as his has been invaded by such demons. I’ve often enjoyed his writings. And I’ve heard it said he admires the world of nature—that often on clear nights he will awaken everyone in the monastery to call them into the courtyard to gaze at the stars.”

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