CHAPTER 59

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EDWARD
1 JULY 1415

Leaving Lord James and Lady Elizabeth, I gathered the strength to sit at Myra's table. I wanted to know what stories Cosimo was telling her that made her laugh and attract every man's attention in the court.

"Then we shall see who is better," Myra announced, glancing at me.

"I assure you, madonna, I am the best Florence can have," Donatello said proudly.

"Indeed," Myra conceded, "but I'd like to see how Messer Medici draws."

"There is no artist in the world who can capture your beauty on a canvas, Bellissima," said Cosimo, kissing her hand. Myra blushed at his words, completely ignoring my presence.

"If you don't mind, Messer," said Myra, "I'd like to steal your artist for a few days."

"For what?" asked Cosimo.

"Some of my children have a very good artistic eye," she commented.

"Your children?" Donatello squeaked.

"My classroom children, Maestro," Myra replied. "I'd like you to give them an art lesson."

"That would be my honour to serve you, madonna," replied Donatello.

"Lady Farrow," I announced at the table, "dance with me."

Offering my hand, I left her no space to argue. She looked around at the men at the table and excused herself.

I pulled her hand and brought her to the centre of the hall.

"You're drawing attention, Edward," she mumbled.

"Am I?"

Looking around, she said, "Everyone is looking at us. You are betrothed to Lady Elizabeth."

"And what were you doing at the table, laughing with a man you hardly know?" Our hands were placed on each others' as I guided her, weaving her through the intricate patterns of steps in a circular motion.

"Jealous?" she narrowed her gaze at me.

"I forbid you to seduce these men," I seethed, trying my best to control my temper. "You are making everyone believe that the rumour in that pamphlet is true."

"Seduce?" She jerked her arm away. "Is that what you think of me?" she raised her voice, now drawing more attention to us. It seemed like the ale still had its effect on her mind. "Do you think of me as some harlot?"

I glanced around the court. Everyone was looking at us with shock. The music suddenly stopped, the court falling into a hushed silence.

"Be reasonable, Myra," I mumbled.

"Yes, why not, Your Highness!" she raised her voice higher. "Let everyone in the court hear what you have to say."

"We can settle this in private," I whispered, pulling her arm.

"No," she yelled, "you settle this right here, right now."

The courtiers gasped in shock. No one had spoken to me like that in court, not even the King, himself.

She took out a sheet from the waistband of her skirt. "This," she announced, showing the pamphlet around the court. "Do all of you think I am sleeping with this man and his father?"

The court was aghast by her loud mouth.

"Myra." I pulled her hand again, but she jerked away.

"Nobody shuts me up," she howled. "And nobody disciplines me."

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