Read Infinite Devotion for Free Online

harboring the Jews. It’s not my right to persecute them. They will serve Rome well as a great source of revenue.”
    The cardinal pauses. “I’m no longer hungry, Your Holiness.”
    He bows his head and leaves the table.
    Father shrugs and turns to Cesare. “These ideological imbeciles try to pretend the Vatican is not a business.”
    Noticing me, he smiles. “Oh, hello! It’s good to see you up so early. Cesare’s been cheering you up, I see.”
    I give a pretend smile.
    “Well, my spirits are up this morning also. I’ve received a promising response from Alfonso II, the former King of Naples. He’s curious as to what our dowry would be should he give his illegitimate son, Alfonso of Aragon, in marriage to Lucrezia.”
    I grow weary of their talks about potential suitors, but this perks Cesare’s interest.
    “Nephew of the present King of Naples?”
    “Correct, one step closer to marrying Carlotta, Princess of Naples.”
    “We should raise an attractive dowry to entice him,” Cesare says, as his eyes roll back in calculation.
    Father asks, “Do you think we can raise one hundred thousand ducats?”
    “That’s what he’s asking?”
    “I’ll be auctioning off the next cardinal position in a few weeks. That can generate quite a fortune.”
    “We can always have Don Michelotto discreetly free up another cardinal position for bidding.”
    My father’s eyes twinkle with pride at Cesare’s ambition. “I know just the one.” He chuckles to himself while looking where the last cardinal just sat. “I’ll send a messenger to Alfonso II at once with the generous offer.”
    He pats Cesare on the back with a heavy hand.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    A week later, news circulates that the cardinal who had excused himself from breakfast had suddenly gone into fits and died within minutes while dining in the Vatican. The rumor is it was poison.
    Father notifies me that Alfonso II has accepted their offer, and they’re negotiating the marriage arrangement. The only thing I’m looking forward to is that Sancia is Alfonso’s sister and will be sharing court with me.
    I feel foolish walking down the aisle again, pretending to be a virgin. It’s the exact same ceremony except I have a different dress, gold to pale blue. I wear a fine skirt of silken camel hair with jeweled sleeves. A belt of pearls and rubies adorns my waist, matching a heavy necklace of tiny pearls and embroidered cap with a band of enameled gold on top of my long braid of golden hair.
    Also, sadly, Juan’s not here to make me laugh in his childish way. I see my father standing sternly at the end of the aisle, but Alfonso catches my eye and holds it. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I must have smiled involuntarily at the sight of him. He’s young, tall, and muscularly lean. He has the most dazzling green eyes I’ve ever seen and shining brown hair with copper highlights. His cheekbones are high and he has a small goatee. My heavy heart suddenly lightens.
    When our eyes meet, he glances down, slightly smiling but trying to control a serious face. Once I reach him, we’re told to kneel, and I try to glance up at him whenever I get occasion to. My heart is racing. He picks up my left hand and pauses as he sees the mole I’ve had since birth. He bends down and softly kisses it, causing goose bumps to flash across my body.
    Can I be so lucky?
    Alfonso’s dressed regally in black brocade lined with crimson velvet with a black velvet cap. Before the wedding, I’ve had my father’s goldsmith create a brooch with something fitting for a wedding. My ladies delivered it to him to wear on his cap before the wedding, and I wasn’t even interested enough to look at it. I study it now and see two joined circles flashing proudly over his dark brow.
    After our vows, I hold on to Alfonso’s strong arm as he brings me to the reception. Father claps for everyone’s attention and makes a toast.
    “May my daughter be cherished