The Mistress

Chapter 26. Keeper

26

1495, Montefalco Italy

I had not seen Valentino in a long time, not even when I had Gabrielle return the dress to Catherine. She went alone to return it, and I stayed at home. My stomach grew too big for my liking. The cloak I wore in public was getting hard to wear as it was too thick for this warm weather. The days were warm and hiding my round stomach was something I could no longer do.
Most days I did nothing but that wasn't out of the normal but it seemed as though they allowed me to do less and less which bothered me greatly. It was annoying having nothing to do all day. Gabrielle did her best with bringing me new books to read from the market but it could only keep me interested for so long. Gabrielle only let me go with her to the markets once a week because she feared that the long walks might be too much for me. Micheletto wouldn't let me ride a horse in fear that I would fall off. Though I'd rather go there than to stay here and do nothing. Gabrielle goes in the morning and Micheletto stays with me. When she comes back it is his turn to leave. He goes hunting, it took me a bit to figure it out because the first few times he came back with nothing. But now he alternates, sometimes he brings back fish, other days it's rabbit and foxes. I wished I could go with him, it seemed more interesting but I doubt he would let me. He doesn't let me do anything even though I do tell him I am useful. He doesn't think me stupid but he'd rather have me at home instead of out in the woods. Though I do think about fishing, it doesn't seem to hard or require too much skill.
I lay in bed looking down at my stomach. To me it had just looked like I ate too much and had a full belly but it was enough for have my two friends confined to this house. Gabrielle said I wasn't as big as I thought, that I was only 5 months. Maybe it was the denial at the fact a baby grew inside me. Daily I tried my best not to look down but it was hard to ignore. Still I try. Onyx jumped on the bed and curled at my side as my eyes slowly began to shut. My mind drifted to Cesare. Even if I found myself in this situation I missed him dearly. His face slowly moved its way into my head and I felt my whole body warm. The memory of the way he used to touch me, the feeling of his lips on mine everything we once were haunted me. It was unclear what would happen when we returned. In my head I figured I would just lie to Cesare, tell him some crazy ridiculous story of why I had to leave.
In the morning I found Micheletto sitting as the small wooden table I imagined was a grand dinning room. The black cat sat in front of him at the table staring as if he was waiting for Micheletto to feed him. Micheletto didn't bother moving the cat, he tolerated the feline at this point. "Morning." I said to him and he greeted me with a mouth full of bread. Him and the cat were having some sort of staring contest. Whistling to Onyx to follow me and he did so hoping for food. He gleefully ate the little bit of fish I gave him. It's why he stayed around, he got food from me no matter if it was just a little bit.
"Can I go with you today?" I sat myself down comfortably down in the seat across from Micheletto. He looked up at me through his red hair. "You're going fishing today." He sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. "You alternate days between fishing and hunting."
"Observant." He chuckled.
"I thought that you would be more likely to take me fishing rather than hunting. Less dangerous."
"That's true." He took a sip of what was left of his soup.
"Before you say no I just want to let you know I will keep asking until you say yes." He laughed again at me. I think he enjoyed me more than he ever let on.
"Fine." He shrugged. "Go get dressed." I squealed and almost jumped to hug him but I stopped myself for I knew better. Finally I would be out of this house, to get fresh air, to walk. My body felt constantly cramped from being stuck in this house for too long.
Quickly I dressed upstairs which didn't take much seeing as how my clothes are so simple now. My hair always was just loose curls, no intricate braids or accessories. It took me less than 5 minutes to ready and I was back downstairs. "I'll prepare water and some bit of food before we go."
"Will we wait for Gabbrielle to get back before we go?" I asked and he nodded. Just as he stood to begin packing our lunch I heard a knock at the door. Both our head spun to the door as we heard another knock. It was uncommon for anyone to come here. In fact no one had ever come so this knocking was strange.
"I'll get it." I said as I was already closer to the door.
Upon opening it I saw Valentino standing on the other side. He was with no one as he stood in my doorway. He was dressed for travel, wasn't sure if he was leaving or coming.
"May I come in?" He asked ever so politely.
"Of course." I stepped aside and watched as he passed me to come into the house. His green eyes went down to my belly that had grown larger since the last time we saw each other. These clothes don't hide it too well. They were simple, thin. They weren't like the thick satin and silk gowns I'm used to wearing.
"What can we help you with today?" Micheletto stepped in before I could say another word. It was interesting that he found where we were living. Not surprising as he had the means to do so but interesting because he actually took the time to find us.
"May I sit?" He seemed to almost ignore Micheletto as he asked me.
"Of course." I gestured and watched as he sat. I didn't need to see Micheletto to know that his sight was burning through me. He hated Valentino just as Cesare did. They were best friends and by default they hated each other's enemies.
Valentino sat forward, his elbows rested on his knees, his hand on his chin. "I've thought a lot these past several weeks." He started and my eyes fluttered to Micheletto, he looked as confused as I was. He was intrigued in what the lord had to say more than I was. Micheletto bushy red eye brows raised with his expression.
"About?" I got closer to him, his green eyes wondered up and met mine.
"You." His eyes drifted down to my stomach. "The baby." He continued. "You are too extraordinary to be living like this Lena."
"Excuse me?" My confusing grew. Valentino stood, he towered over me. He is taller than Cesare and I seemed to be the size of a mouse compared to him.
"Come live with me, let me care for you and the child." I stepped back from him closer to the front door. I was startled as was Micheletto, his face of shock matched my own. "A child needs a mother and a mother needs a home."
"You wish to be my keeper?" I clarified and he nodded. His brows knitting together as his face screamed concern.
"Indeed. You may stay in my estate as long as you would like and your every need will be catered to." He was a sweet as a peach, I could tell that every word that came from his mouth was genuine. He cared not only for me but for the baby I now carried. He seemed worried for me which is something I did not expect. From over Valentino's shoulder I saw Micheletto his mouth opened ready to speak.
"Do you mind if I think upon your offer?" I asked cutting Micheletto off before he could refuse. My brows knitted together as my look told Micheletto to keep quiet for now.
"Of course." Valentino was breathless. "My offer extends indefinitely." He took my hand and kissed it gently. "But do think on it, a woman such as yourself should be treated as a queen." My cheeks turned pink for a slight moment only to turn pale at the sight of Micheletto's stare.
"I will be in contact with you Valentino."
"Val." He corrected me.
"Val." I spoke with a smile.
"I will leave you to it then. Good day." He walked towards the door but stopped to turn around. "I hope to hear from you." He said over his shoulder. The last thing I saw before the door shut was the curl of his smile.
I turned so quickly back to Micheletto that I almost slipped. "No." He said before my mouth could even open.
"But-"
"No" He said again, this time more sternly. This would be the end of the conversation for now but he and I both knew that the subject would be brought up again.
Micheletto must have thought as Cesare did and thought Valentino was only after me because of lust. Which partly is true but the man Valentino was truly kind. Any other man would have tried much harder. For me this wasn't to crawl into his bed, I would like to be taken care of, to have this baby taken care of. If he was offering that then I would take it.