The Cromwell Enigma by Derek Wilson

Author:Derek Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SPCK
Published: 2020-07-13T11:22:32+00:00

11

Southampton

The speaker was Luigi Calloni, whom I had met at ­Francesco’s villa. He and his companion seated themselves and introductions were made. Calloni explained that the other man, Emilio Baroncini, was his assistant in the Frescobaldi bank.

Calloni smiled across the table at Antonio. ‘So this is the young man who gave the prior of St Mary’s a bloody nose. I wish I had been there to see it.’

Antonio shook his head. ‘It was a foolish gesture and it has made much trouble for many people. I see that now.’

‘Do not apologize,’ Baroncini said. ‘It has given all ­Florence something to laugh about – a welcome potion in these dismal times.’

‘Yes,’ Calloni agreed. ‘We have all enjoyed Prior ­Girolamo’s embarrassment. Now tell me, has all gone smoothly? No unforeseen problems?’

‘It has all been like a military campaign,’ I said. ‘I must confess I have seldom been more frightened in my life. I felt sure the alarm would be raised; that the whole convent would be on our heels and the watch alerted. I still do not understand why we were not stayed at the city gate.’

Calloni and his assistant exchanged glances and laughed.

At that moment a serving girl came to our table and ­Calloni ordered a flagon of ale. Then he explained. ‘My friends, you must forgive our mirth. The truth is you were never in any danger at all.’

My companions and I all protested.

‘You were not there, Signore,’ Antonio said. ‘You do not know. If we had not moved silently and swiftly—’

‘’Twould have made no difference.’ Calloni leaned forward across the table and spoke in an undertone. ‘’Twas all a game, a performance, a dumbshow.’ He glanced around the puzzled faces of his hearers. ‘Look, my friends, what you must never forget is that politics is everything. Now, who rules Florence?’

‘Cosimo de’ Medici,’ someone muttered.

‘Yes, but who would like to rule? Who claims to wield real power bestowed by Almighty God?’

‘You mean the Pope,’ I suggested.

‘Indeed, but who in very truth is more powerful than even Cosimo or Pope Paul, because at any time he can back his authority with military might? Well, I will stop playing the schoolmaster. We all know I am talking about Charles of Habsburg, ruler of Spain and the Empire. The Romans have not forgotten the invasion of their city by imperial troops a dozen years ago.’

Antonio could not contain himself. ‘What has all this to do with our escape from the convent?’

‘Everything.’ Calloni sat back and spread his arms wide. ‘Whenever there is an issue in Florence that affects ­power and authority, all these conflicting interests come into play. Fra Girolamo wants to demonstrate his spiritual influence by arresting our friends here for supposed heresy. ­Normally, such a move would have papal blessing, but the zealous prior has plunged into deeper water than he realizes. Cosimo is still in the first flush of love for his new bride – his Spanish bride. The portrait of the beautiful Eleanora has just been painted by none other than Signor Bronzino.

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