Chapter 4 – The Family Auditore – A Loveless Marriage
Isabelle was sitting with Maria at tea when Federico came home from his work at his father's bank. The women had a small table between them where their tea rested. They were working on embroidery. Maria had been surprised at the girl's skills.
She had managed to pull the girl from reading Durante degli Alighieri's works that Giovanni had in his collection. The girl had been with them two days, but had been shy as to meeting her intended. She seemed to find an odd comfort in books and her choice of Dante and his "Divine Comedy" made even Giovanni arch an eyebrow.
Giovanni Tornabuoni had had him working accounts all day and he was tired. He was also cold. This winter was colder than average and he shivered.
It was warm within the Palazzo. The weather outside was dreadful and cold and the moisture in the air shot through cloaks and coats causing even the more hardened soul to shiver as the wind kissed them.
He walked into the room after grabbing an apple from the dining room table. He had the apple in his mouth as he removed his cloak to hang it up by the warm fire the women were near. He rubbed his hands before turning back to his mother.
He froze and removed the apple from his mouth upon seeing the delicate woman there. The thick hair was pulled back with a circlet on her brow. Her skin reminded him of the Arabs or Romani he had heard of, like mocha, but her eyes. Her eyes as they lifted to look at him made him nearly forget himself.
Maria smiled as her son, a man of only seventeen years looked at his mother's guest. "Federico. This is Isabelle De' Medici."
"Lorenzo's daughter?" He blinked. He thought sure he would have seen her by now and perhaps even have sampled her delights as he had many of the young debutants of Firenze.
"No his orphaned cousin." She said. "She just arrived from Roma a few months ago and she is his ward having no other family left."
He looked at her a moment. Her head was down finishing a stitch, but that hair. He itched to lose his fingers in it. She set her embroidery aside.
The girl rose to her feet. "A pleasure to meet you." She said lifting her hand.
He took it and kissed the knuckles looking at her, his dark eyes swirling. Federico's face was more round than Giovanni's but he was handsome with his own mop of short dark hair. He smiled at her. "Enchanted."
Those lips, how he wanted to kiss them until the swelled from the bruising pressure. He smiled. Oh if she was not in his bed by the end of the week he was losing his touch. He let her hand fall and she watched him.
"Perhaps you could show Isabelle the solarium. She is to here for some time." Maria suggested.
Federico nodded and offered his arm. She took it and smiled at Maria. Federico grabbed another apple and walked with the girl to the open room where his mother kept her exotic birds. It was like a conservatory as well. Several instruments were there in cases.
Federico watched as she looked at a parrot and then turned back to him. "What do you do, Federico?"
"I work at the bank my father works for." He said. "Apple?" He asked lifting the undamaged one.
She smiled and reached for it, but he clicked his tongue and drew his knife and cut into the flesh and lifted a section. He offered it to her and she smiled. "Thank you!" She said taking it. She relished the fruit. With the Borgias fruit was for the other family and she was never allowed to have it. The one time she took a slice, her hand held the mark from the stick for weeks.
"You are not from here." He said.
"No, Roma." She said. She caught herself remembering the paperwork. "I spent time there. I was born not far from here in Pisa." She said. "I am of Toscana as you are."
"Your accent is definitely Roma." He said and then he laughed taking a bite of his own apple.
"I lived there much of my life with my family. They were killed rather suddenly." She said. It was so easy to practice the lie rather than the horrible truth that her family hated her and only kept her alive for God knows what reason.
"So why are you here staying with my family." He offered her another piece of apple and she took it with a smile before lowering her eyes again.
She shook her head a little and took a breath. "I am to be married." She said.
"To whom? A Sforza?" There was disappointment in his voice. Always they were able to have their pick of the beautiful girls of the upper class families. Of course many of them he seduced and bedded before they went to their new husbands, but still they were unattainable otherwise.
"No." She turned away. "To you."
He paused in chewing. "What?"
She sighed. "Apparently my cousin and your father have been friends a very long time and wished to unite our families. Makes sense. I am sixteen. I would make a far better bride than his three year old." She said smiling a little.
He watched her move. He was not really sure what to think, but to have her as a wife, to possess such a beauty would make him happy. He, however, was not sure he was ready to settle down with a female yet. He liked his wine and women. Though his father had started training him to follow in his footsteps on all fronts he still was young and did not like the idea of having a wife being forced upon him. Not that it was uncommon, but he had wished to at least be twenty before he had to be responsible.
She came to him and gently looked at his handsome face. He had the hint of stubble on his upper lip and he was deep in his own thoughts. She touched his face gently and he focused on her. "Hey. It will not be terrible." She said.
"Indeed." He said.
He leaned forward, cupping her chin and kissing her mouth softly.
"Ah there you are. You two seem to be getting along. Good." Giovanni said coming into the room.
"I am not pleased, but I could have a worse bride." Federico said.
The girl sighed and looked at Giovanni.
"We will see you married in the fortnight."
"When were you planning on telling me that you arranged my marriage, father?" Federico asked.
"I was planning to at dinner, but clearly your bride had other plans." Giovanni smiled at the girl who was looking at the floor. "Come now she comes from a good family."
"I will leave you to talk. I have embroidery." She said bowing and taking her leave.
Federico watched her go, his eyes on her hips.
"You could do far worse." Giovanni said. "At least her beauty matches her name and dowry." He well knew his son had been on a crusade to bed much of the young girls of the city. He had succeeded in many causes. Though it reminded him of his youth, he needed to put an end to it before one of the girls fell pregnant and there was a quiet wedding to avoid scandal. Isabelle was virgin. He knew this because she had endured the tests that Lorenzo had her go through as a requirement to her new position. Lorenzo was quite serious and offered her a better dowry that even Giovanni had expected him to do. They were protecting the girl, but Lorenzo seemed to be on the path to convince everyone who she was.
"I would have loved to meet and seduce her father, but I am not sure I am ready to be a husband."
"You never are, my son." Giovanni said tolerantly.
ZzZ
Federico decided to play a practical joke on the bank he worked for. Partly out of spite for his father and partly in good fun, he hid a sack of gold on the roof.
It took them several hours to find it and they found him at his desk a smirk on his face. As an Auditore he was not given a harsh punishment, just quietly removed from the payroll, paid what they owed him and sent home.
They sent a letter to his father.
Giovanni was away on business, but returned to his house in chaos. Maria was sobbing over her son being irresponsible, Federico and Ezio laughing together, and the young De' Medici girl watching it all from the balcony above.
Giovanni watched the girl a moment before he dragged his sons into his office. He reprimanded them soundly.
Federico who looked properly chastised looked at his father. "It was only a joke, father."
"Only a joke?" Giovanni rose to his full height. "You, my son, are about to be a husband and will, with God's grace be soon a father. How do you expect to provide for your family when you have been dismissed from the bank where you were learning your trade?"
"Perhaps this will show you I am not responsible enough to marry."
"Perhaps." Giovanni conceded. "However, you will marry the De' Medici girl and you will love her as best you can."
Federico hissed and turned to leave.
Ezio followed him, but he noticed the young girl had come down from her perch above and stood back, looking at the floor nearby. He shook his head and moved to follow his brother. Federico would go to the roof to sit a while until his temper had cooled. Ezio would join him. It was a warm day and the sun was out.
Giovanni moved to follow his sons, but saw the girl there, with tears in her eyes.
"He hates me, Papa." She whispered as he came closer.
"No, he doesn't. He is just angry." He said taking her in his arms. He held her gently. "Hush, La mia colomba." He said gently.
"He doesn't want to marry me. Every time he sees me, he scowls."
"He will grow up soon enough." He kissed her cheek and cupped her face as he searched her eyes. "And he will treat you well or I will know why."
ZzZ
It was her wedding day and there were no words of love.
The Auditore clan swarmed about. Maria saw to her dress, a beautiful gown of blue and made sure it laid right about her lithe body. Claudia giggled as the maid of honor. Petruccio was to be the ring bearer. Ezio was the best man. The parents were to be witnesses along with Lorenzo De' Medici.
The priest spoke in Latin and the pair answered when they were supposed to.
At the end of the ceremony, Federico then pressed his lips to hers in a gentle chaste kiss. There was no love there, but it completed the ceremony.
The meal was large. The bride and groom were polite to each other. Giovanni noticed they hardly looked at each other.
ZzZ
Federico led the way to his bedroom when he saw his wife was yawning.
He locked the door and she walked to the middle of the room. This room was definitely for a male. She looked back at her husband as he joined her kicking off his shoes.
"Well. Here we are." He said. He opened the neck of the constricting clothing.
"I am sorry, for what little it is worth." She said.
He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. "I bet."
"You act like such a child." She said walking by him to the bed.
He growled and moved behind her working on the laces of her dress. She gasped. "What are you doing?"
"I can at least enjoy your body even if I do not like the situation." He looked at her, his face holding lust and something else. "Have you ever been with a man?"
"No." She said hesitantly. His eyes turned wolfish.
"Good than I will be able to enjoy your fully."
"I am not a whore." She looked at him her eyes violent in the low light from the candles in the room. "And I certainly will not be yours."
"Ah, but don't you know all married women are. They exchange their favors for security." He looked at her up and down.
"You are a bastard." She turned. "Why must you be cruel?"
He sighed. He was being stubborn and was not taking into account her feelings on the matter. She had been shoved into this as well and was likely more like chattel than he was. But he was young and proud and did not like to think of others, and yet he needed to start thinking of her. She was his wife now, his responsibility, and his to love and bed. Gently he let the dress drop to her waist. She turned toward him, her hands covering her ample breasts, but not before he saw her back.
"Good God." He gasped. "Who did that?"
"Does it matter?" she asked backing away from him.
He felt anger. No one should be whipped let alone a girl like her. He gently cupped her chin and pressed a soft kiss to her. "I am sorry." He said softly. "I have been angry about not having a choice, not angry with you."
"I was not given a choice either."
"I know." He said. He lifted a hand and gently touched her back. "For what it is worth I am sorry someone hurt you that way. I will never beat you." He cupped her chin. "If I make a move to, you have my permission to use that dagger you have."
She nodded. He was being sincere. Something she had not seen from him since she had told him they were going to marry. It had mostly been contempt.
He then leaned up and kissed her. His mouth was warm and experienced. The room was cold and her skin was chilled. He gently kissed, nipped, and licked downwards. He moved her arms away and took a nipple in his mouth.
She gasped. "Federico?" She whimpered.
He gently laid her on his bed and pulled off her petticoats, shoes, and lastly the stockings that he untied and rolled down her legs. She was naked down, exposed, and she was panting looking up at him. He sat back and undressed himself.
"At least we can enjoy this part of our marriage." He said. "Though I am sorry. It will hurt you the first time."
She nodded. She would rather have him take it than Cesare. What her half-brother would take by force, Federico would take in some semblance of love. He joined her and gently kissed down her body. She realized his intention and she gasped and tried to move away from him.
"Come here." He said.
"What are you doing? That is shameful. Sinful. My step- mother told me only whores put their mouths….there." She winced. Of course her mother had also been speaking to her half-sister and in the next breath told the girl that Esperanza would learn well when she became one.
He shook his head. "You have never tired it have you?"
"No! It is a sin."
"Perhaps, but it is pleasant. I need to have you relaxed enough to take me, my dear."
She shut her eyes and allowed it as he spread her thighs and she cringed as she felt his breath on her lower curls. He gently parted her flesh and licked tenderly seeking his aim. She gasped and tried to move away, her eyes shut tight.
He chuckled, an odd sensation against her flesh, but he continued to lick and suck on her intimately. She was starting to feel warm all over and began to panic at the feeling. "Yes, love. Let it happen." He licked a finger and gently pressed it into her body. He felt the resistance of her maidenhead – which he would take soon enough – and he caressed her gently his hand resting in her thigh as he continued.
She blinked. He knew she was fighting by how she twitched and tried to move away from his ministrations. Finally she gasped and arched against him. Her body clutched his finger involuntarily. He smiled as he continued until she literally quivering.
He slid up her body. Though only seventeen he had had many lovers and a few had been courtesans whom had taught him technics to benefit his own pleasure as well as the woman. When a woman was pleased the love making went better all the way around.
He kissed her neck near her ear and she gasped. "I…" She whispered.
He lifted his head to look at her. "I am sorry."
"Sorry? Sorry for what?"
In answer he shifted his hips over hers and spread her thighs. He balanced on one hand while he positioned himself. He was not used to virgins, but he had taken two girl's maidenheads before. It was painful for the woman until her body relaxed. It was why he started as he had. Isabelle tasted sweeter than most, perhaps because she bathed more being of a higher class.
He pressed himself forward. He looked at her, searching her face, and then kissed her, deeply, startling her. Her eyes were open, but she settled into the kiss and they closed again. His were half open as he thrust forward, fast, knowing to go slowly would prolong her agony and he froze, no small act of control, within her tight virgin walls.
Her cry was muffled by his mouth and tears came to her eyes.
"I know…" He whispered. "Believe me. I would have been worse had I gone slower mia cara."
She nodded and reached a hand to touch her face were her tears were. He had lifted himself a bit and looked down at her breasts. Though smaller, pressed back into her body as she lay there, they were ample and pert and his. He bent his head and pulled a nipple between his lips.
She sighed as her body relaxed. He continued to suckle her nipple gently. He felt her hands lift and touch his hair. He smiled a little. He felt her body relaxing as well. She had tried to close her legs, but his hips prevented it. He shifted moving slightly and he felt her gasp. It was not pain though.
He lifted his head and her lips peaked in the cool air of the room. He kissed her again and the planted his elbows to either side of her breasts. She was a head shorter than he was, but at that moment it mattered little as he moved within her. He pulled out enough that the bulbous head of his penis nearly came out before he thrust back into her deeply. She gasped as he walls stretched, but this time the feeling was not unpleasant.
After a moment her body moved in an instinctual way and Federico smiled at her. He kissed her throat and began to move faster. After a time he buried his face in the hollow between her neck and shoulder to muffle his cry of pleasure.
He collapsed on her and she grunted a bit, but it was comforting and she relaxed holding him. Her hands caressed the strong muscles of his back as his breathing calmed. He lifted his head to look at her. He lifted himself from her and sighed as he felt himself leave the warmth of her body. He pulled the blankets about them. He gently pulled her to him and kissed her brow.
"Thank you." He whispered into her hair.
"For what?" She asked.
He did not answer right away, but when he did, he sounded nearly asleep. "For being beautiful and sweet." He said. He yawned and she felt his arms relax a little.
She smiled and then snuggled into his frame. Though he still had the body of a youth it was filling out. Soon she would have a man. She was content for now. She had given her virginity to a man whose father offered to protect her.
She was Isabelle Auditore da Firenze.
She was home.