Chapter Ten
Anne sat on one of the concrete benches in the papal gardens. Just yesterday the Holy Father had Anne taken from the Bonadeo household, saying that she was to live in the papal palace from now on. At first the Baron had resisted, saying that Henry himself had given Anne as his ward.
"I'm afraid the king had given up his rights once he divorced Anne," Juan had said imperiously. "The Holy Father will be more than willing to take her under his wing. You need not concern yourself over her welfare any longer, Baron Bonadeo."
And that had been the end of it. Anne and Ursula said their tearful farewells – while the papal palace was only a few blocks from the Bonadeo estate, it seemed like a world away – and Anne had left with Juan Borgia.
Now she was spending her afternoon in the garden, sewing. She had no idea what the Borgia women did whenever they were bored, and so Anne had decided to stick to her usual activities.
"Lady Anne."
Cesare walked up to her, a lock of his curly hair covering his left eye. He studied her entire appearance, liking what he saw.
"Your Eminence." Anne stood and curtsied.
"Is this how you spend most of your time, my lady?" Cesare circled Anne, who barely concealed a knowing smile. "Sewing?"
"Yes, Your Eminence. But if I may be frank, it was never my favorite activity."
Cesare raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? And what would your favorite activity be?"
"Dancing."
"That is my sister's favorite as well," Cesare admitted. He looked off to one side, as if remembering a fond memory. "What is your favorite dance, then?"
"Anything that has a strong, passionate beat," Anne answered. She felt a flush creep into her cheeks, and she wondered if she shouldn't have said the word "passionate." Cesare must have picked up on her embarrassment, for he chuckled lightly.
"A passionate dancer. I would like to see you dance, Lady Anne." Cesare offered her his hand and she took it, noting that his palm was slightly rough. How she liked the feel of his hands on her skin.
Cesare led her into a large room, which featured several paintings of previous popes and cardinals. Anne looked at Cesare curiously, wondering why he had brought her here. Her question was answered a few seconds later.
Cesare placed his right hand on Anne's waist, while he took her left hand in his.
"Now, Lady Anne, would you give me the honor of a dance?" Cesare asked her.
"I would be honored, Your Eminence."
Cesare smiled slowly. "Please, Anne. I told you to call me Cesare."
"As you wish…Cesare."
The two fell silent at this point, becoming too wrapped up in the moment to notice that they were being watched. As Cesare and Anne swept their way across the room, Juan glowered from the hallway. He had spotted his brother lead Anne inside and had stopped to see what Cesare had planned.
Juan watched as his brother stopped and bent down to kiss Anne. She did not protest; rather, she returned Cesare's kiss with such... longing. Jealousy ripped at Juan's body, and he felt like charging into the room and tearing his brother away from Anne.
She is mine, Juan thought, his chest heaving. You will see, Cesare. Anne will be my wife, she will bear my children, and she will gasp my name as I make love to her. I will enjoy making you privy to all our secrets, brother. Oh I will enjoy that immensely.
