There, some of the younger men had married the teenaged daughters of others and, within a few years, a self sufficient community was established under Elisabeth's rule, with Leonardo as her second in command in charge of defenses and masculine concerns.
Over the years Lucian Farisi made periodic visits to Gerutinr, always bringing with him a single, trusted servant and two pack horses loaded with supplies that were not locally available. Elisabeth and her daughters regarded Lucian as an old friend and always made him welcome.
On this first evening of Lucian's latest visit, Sandra arrived in her mother's sitting room slightly out of breath, just as Lucian was beginning to distribute the personal goods he had brought at the request of household members.
Elisabeth's cool look stopped her tardy daughter just inside the door. Sandra noted that Rosalinda was already there, standing beside their mother, quiet and composed as a lady should be, in a blue silk gown. Linda, in dark red brocade, and Leonardo, in a deeper red doublet and brown hose, both looked happy to see Linda's brother again. Elisabeth wore gray and silver brocade, with her still-lustrous black hair piled high beneath a sheer silver scarf. All of the ladies' gowns were similar in style, with low necklines, long sleeves, high waists, and flaring skirts. Even Lucian, who as a newly arrived traveler might be forgiven a crumpled appearance, was freshly bathed and clothed in his dignified dark blue banker's robe that reached below his knees, with matching hose and shoes.
Seeing how elegantly attired the rest of that company was, Sandra felt sadly disheveled in her hastily donned russet silk gown. Her face was still damp from washing it, her hair was smoothed back with her hands instead of being properly brushed and rebranded, and the red rose she had plucked from the garden was tucked loosely behind one ear. She tried to straighten her skirt but caught her mother's stern eye and immediately stilled her fluttering fingers, folding her hands at her waist as a lady should.
Upon a wall of the sitting room, a portrait of Gioliamo Ricci hung. Candlelight reflecting on the surface of this painting suggested a gleam of humor in the eyes of the late Duke of Monteferro. Regarding her father's likeness, Sandra wished she found remember him but she could not. She had been only four years old, little more than a baby, when he was killed, and so she was forced to depend upon the portrait and the recollections of others. She wondered if, like her, he had always been so preoccupied with more interesting matters that he was frequently late for meals. And if he was, had his wife recalled him to recognition of his social duties with the same look that had just put Sandra in her place?
"As always, I wish I could bring more," Lucian said, handing Elisabeth a package containing a book fir her library. He then presented fabric for a new gown to Linda and a thick sheaf of parchments to Leonardo, who used it to keep the estate records and for the writing he did late at night. "But if I were to lead a train of packhorses or carts loaded with goods to Gerutinr, we would attract notice. I will do nothing to draw unwanted attention to this area. Even after so many years have passed, there are still people in Monteferro who fervently wish you and your daughters dead, Madonna Elisabeth. Many folk believe that you are dead, that you were all killed along with the Duke and your bodies hidden to prevent a public uprising at the outrageous murder of innocent babies. Your best hood of safety continues to lie in that mistaken belief. Thus, two or three times a year, I pretend to make a retreat to a monastery built high in these mountains. In fact, I do stood at that monastery for a few days both before and after I come here, in case anyone while enquire too closely as to my whereabouts. Thanks to you, Madonna, I now have a reputation as a deeply religious man," Lucian ended on a chuckle.
"As long as I live, I shall always be grateful to you, Lucian, for your faithful honesty toward my family," Elisabeth responded. "Wherever I am, there you are welcome."
"As always, it is a great joy to see you again, Madonna. And no small pleasure to reassure myself of my sister's continued good health." These formal courtesies completed, Lucian embraced Linda and also Leonardo, who is exile from Monteferro was serving Elisabeth as majordomo as well as supervisor of the latest gossip of the world beyond the mountains.
"Genoa and Holy Roman Emperor have allied against the power of Venice," Lucian said. "Sienna and Florence are at odds again. The Venzizo Duke of Milan rules his city with an iron fist and holds out against all week, these alliances will change again as friends become enemies and enemies, friends. These dukes and princes cannot be trusted, as you know to your great sorrow, Madonna Elisabeth. Gesú, what a time in which to live! I fear thus constant warfare born of greed and treachery will never end. It's bad for business, you know. Bankers are forced to make loans to the rulers of these battling states so they can wage their foolish wars. The loans are seldom repaid. And then the bankers suffer.
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Updated two chapters in a day 😌 wow 😳 anyway don't forget to vote and drop your comments lemme know if the story is getting better and better
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RED
Romance"Sweet Sandra," he said. "I want you to promise you will tell no one that you have seen me. It is vitally important that no one knows I am here." "I promise." She said at once. "But-----" "Not another word," he said. "I saw you come here...
