An: Forgive me. I've read your reviews, and I appreciate them all so much. I know that I sort of rushed into their relationship, and that was not planned intentionally, but sometimes you just have to go with the muse. It all flowed together, so I though, 'Oh well.' I tried to justify that in this chapter, and sort of hit on the topic a little bit with Lucrezia and Ezio. Hopefully now you'll be able to put my mistakes out of your head. :/

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Enjoy!


"Jacapo," Alfonso bellowed, as he stepped away from the young man trying to scramble to keep up with the Duke's large steps. "Do you know where Lucrezia is?"

"She left to go riding in the country side hours ago sir," Jacapo answered, remaining in his steely posture. "She refused accompaniment from the guards, and quickly left for the stables an hour or two after noon. Past that I am not sure. She has not returned yet."

"She's becoming one to sneak away," Alfonso growled as he shot a glance to the small, mouse-like man beside him. "Arturo...you're my rat, what have you heard from my wife?"

"She doesn't speak to me much my lord," Arturo muttered; his hunched back bringing his long, snake like fingers to hang from his hands uselessly. Black eyes darted around wildly, and in a quick wave of paranoia, Arturo looked over his shoulder, before shuffling closer to Alfonso. "Though, when I was coming in from the gardens, I did see her riding away on her horse. She was with someone, but I don't know who."

"What did he look like?" Alfonso asked; his arms tightening across his chest as pictures of his wife being unfaithful clouded his mind, and replaced his adrenaline with liquid anger.

"He was a tall man," Arturo recalled in a gravelly voice; one of his eyes falling to the side in a manner that suggested it wasn't attached to his brain. "Dark...long hair. Pulled back at his neck with some sort of ribbon. I couldn't tell the color, as you know I am colorblind. He seemed fairly well dressed for any sort of stable hand, and he was riding one of your lord's stallions. Dark as well, black I assume. I could hear them laughing before she took off and he chased after her, but other than that, I could not hear the words they exchanged."

"Sounds like Vincenzo," Alfonso growled. He huffed and stepped to one of the windows lining the hallway, and as he opened them to the night air, he could hear the gentle laughter and soft pounding of horse hooves nearing the far end of the common. "Jacapo, I'm going to ask that you inform me on my wife's whereabouts if ever she leaves her room."

"Will do sir."

"And what about me?" Arturo asked, visibly shaking with excitement. "What would you like me to do my lord? You know I am good at sneaking. I can find out anything for you! You know I can my lord, you know I can!"

"Silence yourself Arturo," Alfonso spat; stepping from the window and instinctually placing his hand on the handle of his sword. "You will come with me. I feel that a confrontation with my wife is needed. From there, I will tell you what to do."

"Yes my lord," the mouse man nodded, limping after him on his misshapen and distorted legs, while Jacapo remained standing still; a deep sense of worry for the duchessa weighing down his heart.

~*~*AC*~*~

Her laugh was light as his hands found their way to her hips, and she easily slid from her saddle, into his arms. He held her for mere moments, before a gentle kiss to her forehead parted their embrace, and he tended to undressing and bedding the horses for the night. He worked quickly; the need to hold her fueling his actions, and bringing his heart to pulse quickly within his chest. He gave water to the horses, brushed away the sweat that had accumulated under their blankets, and discarded them of any leather that hindered the horse from moving. With open gates into the pastures, the horses could roam before the night was over, while he could focus his attentions on the gorgeous woman resting innocently against one of the stable doors.

A small grin touched his lips, and as he neared her, his hand reached out and gently caressed along her jaw. A soft giggle left from her throat and as if the need to hold him struck her as well, she reached out to settle her hands against his waist. "I have a question for you," he whispered; letting his fingers slide down the column of her throat softly. "Are you positive we aren't moving too fast? Are we rushing?"

"Ezio," she chuckled; letting her fingers slide across the fabric of her shirt. "I've spent most of my life in agony and misery due to the misfortunes that have ultimately ruined the precious time given to me. I'm happy around you, and I'm sure as hell not going to waste that. I'm not going to live forever...I might not even live till tomorrow, but...when I'm with you, living finally has it's purpose."

"Are you so certain of that?"

"Absolutely positive," she agreed; laughing as his hands ran into the heavy locks of her blond hair, and cradled her face as their lips met in a frenzy of tender passion that set off fireworks behind their eyes. How a simple caress of their lips left them feeling so breathless, they could not explain, but they knew that even though it felt so right to them, it was wrong to the others who looked in. The sound of footsteps nearing shot them from their reverie, and in a manner of eliminating the evidence of their 'affair', Ezio grabbed one of the horse's brushes, and jumped the gate as to play up that he had been grooming the beasts the entire time.

"Lucrezia," Alfonso greeted as he stepped into the stable; his eyes narrowed as he scanned the scene before him. "What is it with you and running off these days? It seems that I can never find you within the palazzo."

"I'm sorry Alfonso," she sighed, her heart beginning to pulse within her ears. "It's just...I find I need time to relax...to step away from everything in an attempt to better myself. I recognize that I have problems brought on by my past, but they are improving...I am improving, and being able to step away and evaluate myself has been helping greatly. I apologize if it is proving an inconvenience for you."

"Of course not my darling," he smiled, sliding his arm around her waist, and hooking his finger under her chin so he could bring her temple to his lips. "I am proud of you, for finding help within yourself, and I'm glad you are feeling better. How was your ride this afternoon?"

"Refreshing," she smirked, stepping away from him and walking elegantly towards the stall Ezio pulled himself from. "Vincenzo accompanied me. He helped me with some of my problems...listened to my rants, heard my thoughts. He is a very kind man. Very honest as well. I'm glad you hired him."

"As am I," Alfonso nodded, his whole interaction with his wife and subordinate an intricate web of lies. "I thank you, for being so kind to my wife."

"It is my pleasure," Ezio nodded, dropping to the ground and placing the grooming brush back in it's proper place. "Everyone needs someone to talk to time and again. I'll lend an ear to anyone who needs it."

"You're a good man Vincenzo de Medici," the Duke smiled, walking to the tall man and clapping him on the shoulder. "But I think it's time we all retire for the night. I wanted to tell you though, I'm having a party in a little over a week. It's a little gathering I have every year with the people of Ferrara so they feel welcomed under my authority. All staff are welcome, obviously. I hope you'll be able to join me. Many of my friends are interested to hear of your stories."

"I'm never one to miss a party," Ezio smiled, nodding to the Duke before casting a quick glance to Lucrezia. "I will be happy to attend."

"Good! Make sure you come ready to talk. My buddies are ruthless when it comes to reliving adventures. They will talk until your ear falls off."

"Noted."

"Come Lucrezia," Alfonso beckoned, stepping away from his horse trainer and walking towards the opened doors of the stable. "It is time we rest now."

"Have a good night Vincenzo," Lucrezia smiled, nodding to him before she turned and followed her husband out of the stables, and onto the pathways of the common. Nearing the main doors of the palazzo, Alfonso reached out and grabbed Lucrezia's hand, stilling her graceful step towards her bedroom.

"You look tired," he whispered, reaching up to preform a faux tender caress. "You should get some sleep. I have work I must do before the night is done, but I will see you in the morning for breakfast."

"Sure," she nodded, stepping from his touch and shivering at the disgust she felt flowing inside of her. "I will see you then."

The Duke nodded, and smiled softly as she disappeared through the large carved doors. Once out of sight, Alfonso set into action, and he waked through the maze of shrubbery until he found Arturo sitting on the grass, trying to stab at a bug scurrying through the emerald blades below him. "Get up you fool," the warrior hissed; his command sending the small man instantly to his feet.

"Yes my lord. What is it you require of me?"

"I want you to follow Lucrezia," the Duke ordered. "Only when she leaves the palazzo. I want you to remember everything you see, and everything you hear, and no matter what, you keep your facts straight. Now's not the time for you to fuck up. Understand?"

"Yes, my lord," Arturo promised. "I swear, my lord. I will not fail you."

"Good," he growled, pacing the circle around the small fountain crafted in this part of the gardens. "I have a feeling that something is going on behind my back, and I hope to God it's what I think it is."

"What do you think it is, my lord?"

"Lucrezia having an affair with the new horse trainer," he spat, sighing and running his hands into his hair. "Keep up with me Arturo. These words aren't meant to be spoken into the open air, and I can't risk repeating them for your small brain."

"I apologize, my lord. But tell me, why is it that you WANT your wife to have an affair?"

"Because, you idiot, I need a reason for me to poison her at the banquet," Alfonso stated. "I've told you this all before. I cannot get rid of the bitch unless one of us dies, and seeing as how I have further plans in life...she is the one who must be sacrificed. My heart belongs to Maria, and I intend to marry her before the summer is over. She will rule beside me, and my land will be scrubbed of the name that is Borgia. That is what the people want...and I'm always one to give to the people."

"At that you are, my lord," Arturo nodded; trying to wrap his mind around the information his master had told him. "So...you need to catch Lucrezia in a lie...so you can have her killed, and be free to do what you want?"

"Yes...thank you for recapping what I just told you Arturo," he sighed; massaging the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "Though, it is probably better off that you don't know the extensive details. What I just told you, is never to be spoken of again. Understand? Utter a word to anyone else and I will have you gutted, burned, and drained of every drop of your blood...so I can repaint my study."

"I would not want that, my lord. I promise. I'll be quiet."

"Good...now go on. Find something to preoccupy yourself. Lucrezia should be heading to bed, but be up early in the morning. I'll have Jacapo send for you if Lucrezia leaves her room."

"Yes, my lord," Arturo grumbled, limping off into the shadows, while Alfonso remained standing within his gardens. He was sure that something was going on between Lucrezia and this new Medici, but doubt still reigned high within his heart. He needed justification for what he planned in the coming week. He needed God to know that his actions had holy reason behind him.

He needed to know if he would be forgiven.