Peppino by Seth Coleman

Author:Seth Coleman [Coleman, Seth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction/Christian/Historical
Publisher: Elm Hill
Published: 2020-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

Notes

* Romans 3:23

** Romans 15:3

*** Revelations 3:12

Chapter 13

From the road leading into the town of Frascati, the Villa Aldobrandini was an imposing structure. Originally it was built for Pope Clement VII’s nephew* in 1550 and then expanded into a splendid residence around 1600. Dramatically situated on the side of a hill, it was positioned in such a way that it overlooked the whole valley leading to central Rome, the visual axis of which was aligned with the dome of Saint Peter. The villa itself was the centerpiece of a magnificent garden theatrically set into a wooded hill. Statues of Atlas, supporting the heavens on his shoulders, and Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon, playing his pipes, were highlighted throughout the expanse by cascading water, pools, and grottos.

The Aldobrandini family reached the height of its powers when Ippolito Aldobrandini became Pope Clement VII in 1592. The residence remained a papal getaway to this very day as the carriage of Pope Leo XIII, born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, the 256th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, pulled onto its broad terrace and then came to a stop in front of the massive oak doors.

Peppino stood observing at the third floor window as the gold-leafed carriage came to a stop and the horses clopped the ground with their hooves and made a final snort announcing their arrival. Watching it ascend the long path from the gates reminded him of the day the monsignor had come up the hill to his home. He almost expected to see him get out, instead of the pope, but as the coachman opened the door for His Eminence, Peppino’s mouth fell open in shock.

He saw the outstretched arm first, hanging in midair, waiting for assistance, and recognized the large purple ring instantly. He should have been prepared but instead he was taken completely off guard. His eyes were fixed on the baroness as she graciously exited the cab and turned and waited for His Eminence. Once he was beside her, they both turned and waited for a third person. It was a young woman, about his age, dressed formally and impeccably, with long chestnut hair draping her shoulders. He had never seen such a beautiful young woman. He watched as she gracefully moved toward the entrance below him. Her demeanor appeared refined and yet natural while her conversation seemed to flow comfortably with both of her chaperones. Her hair bobbed a bit, and he couldn’t help thinking that she was more feminine than the girls he’d known in Calabria.

Peppino was gazing at her as she disappeared through the doorway below, not noticing until that moment that the baroness had seen him at the window. Peppino thought he saw a slight smile, but it disappeared as she saw his expression when he returned her stare.

Peppino stayed in his room, trying to fathom the motives of such a trio, until one of the servants knocked on his door informing him that his presence was requested in the parlor.

“Please inform them I will be down momentarily,” he said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.