Faith - Part 1 - The Family Auditore

by tavingtonsbeauty

Esperanza was born to Rodrigo Borgia, but was always treated as a second class citizen by her family. When she runs away she is chaotically thrown into a war she does not know or understand and she is the bridge between the two worlds. Even as her family looks for her another has taken her in and she lives at peace. For now. That will, however, change. Not slash.

7. Trouble on the Streets

The Family Auditore – Chapter 7 – Trouble on the Streets

Though she felt she was part of the family, the young Isabelle always felt as though she had much to prove to her in-laws. They treated her so well she was unsure how to repay the kindness.

She woke and found her husband had gone. It was normal. He woke with the son to do his father's bidding. Isabelle got up and dressed. She realized her breasts were larger and were hardly contained in her dress. She also was taller. She needed to go shopping.

She took a breath and went down to her father-in-law's study. She knocked softly on the door. He looked up from some documents he was reading. He often had called upon her to speak to him for her company. He smiled. "Ah, this is a lovely surprise. How are you, my dear?" He asked. He always treated her like a second daughter.

"I…I came to ask…could I have a few florins for a new dress?" She asked. She closed her eyes. "I know I should ask my husband, but he is away and…"

Giovanni sighed. Soon he hoped she realized she would not be struck for such requests. He rose to his feet and walked to her. She cringed, but remained upright to take the blow that would never come. He put his finger under her chin and made the small young woman look up at him. "My little dove grows like mustard." He said.

"I am sorry." She said.

He shook his head. "I tease you, my dear. You are only seventeen and you are healthy now. You are blooming into a beautiful woman. Of course you can have a new gown."

"Thank you." She said.

"Do you wish anything else?" He asked.

"I…I need a gift for little brother for his birthday." She said. Giovanni smiled. Petruccio and his new daughter-in-law had become close friends. She made his day brighter when she visited him in his room. She had even taken him to sit on the balcony to let him have fresh air. His youngest son was stronger than he ever had been before with his new sister-in-law and nursemaid. Though he had nurses attending him, Petruccio always wanted his "Angel" who made his life more of light and color.

He smiled as she opened her eyes to look up at him again. Those captivating violet eyes that made his heart melt to look at her. "I only ask one thing in return?"

She shivered. "Yes, father?"

He smiled. "A kiss, my colomba."

She looked at him and he turned his cheek to her. She looked relieved and he smiled as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"Ah, there." He smiled. He lifted a piece of paper. "This is a Carte Blanc. Go use it where you will, child." He smiled. "The Auditore name holds credit everywhere. I shall pay them back later."

She blinked. "But…I only need…"

He pressed a finger to her lips and kissed her cheek. "You shall have whatever you wish, sweetheart." He said. "Perhaps even a sweet for you from the confectionary."

She nodded and walked out of his office bewildered.

She pulled on a shawl and walked out of Palazzo Auditore. Ezio had been sitting reading when he watched her go. Unescorted was not a good idea so he decided to follow her. His father was for allowing her the independence she wanted, but he was not about to see harm come to her.

Ezio noted that his amore was also there and he went to Christina. He kept an eye in the direction of the young girl. However, Christina distracted him and he found himself losing track of the girl from time to time.

She went to three shops before finding a trinket she liked. She made sure it was carefully wrapped and she held the bag with care. She continued to the tailor. She tried on several dresses and found one she liked. However, the shop owner wanted to alter it and make several more for the Lady Auditore.

Isabelle walked out with a smile. She walked down the street. Ezio watched her from some distance away. She was unaware he was there. Isabelle continued oblivious that she had attracted other attention as well.

Vieri de' Pazzi was also in the market. He had been looking for fruit and possibly a new mistress when he spotted from across a stall those haunting violet eyes and the dark olive face of the woman he had seen in the alley a couple weeks prior. She was even lovely in the clothing she was wearing now.

She rounded a corner and a man, about Federico's age stepped around her. "Where are you headed, my dear?" He asked.

"Home." She said.

"And where is home?"

She tried to walk around him. "I really must go home."

"What is your hurry?" He asked taking hold of her arm.

"I…"

He pulled her into an alley and pressed her against the wall with his two thugs behind him. She looked about nervously. "Where is home, belle?"

"Palazzo Auditore." She gasped as his hand pressed to her side.

"Indeed." He said looking up at her. He pressed her against the wall and kissed her hard on the mouth. She cried out as the men behind him laughed. She bit his lip and struggled. He yelped tasting blood as he jumped backwards from her. He growled and slapped her hard across her face. "That you will pay for you little bitch!" He looked at her as he touched his bleeding mouth. "I was going to be gentile and woo you, but now I will force you to open your legs for me!"

She had dropped to her knees. The package she held fell to the ground and it shattered. She sobbed as she reached for it, but a savage kick to her ribs sent her to try to crawl away holding her side. She groaned and looked up with tears in her eyes, but she looked at him angrily.

Vieri de Pazzi was not used to females showing him such defiance. He growled. "Grab her." He hissed at his men.

The two thugs grabbed her arms and flipped her over. "Let me go!" She whimpered.

Vieri looked at her. "An Auditore with my bastard in her belly would make a good wife and justice for the wrongs they have done." He smiled reaching to pull up her skirts. He kissed her again. She screamed and it was like music to his ears. He leaned up and smiled. "Marriage by rape is no new concept, though it be new to you or not!"

She kicked her legs and Vieri looked up. "Hold her down!"

She was screaming and fighting. He reached up and laced his fingers in her hair and slammed her head down onto the cobbles. It stunned her enough to make her stop fighting as she tried to focus. She was reduced to sobs as her vision swam. She whimpered and tried to focus as she felt her skirts being lifted.

Vieri laughed and then gasped as a knife blade nicked his neck. "I suggest you let her go." A tempered voice said. "Isabelle?" He asked softly. "Did he hurt you?"

Isabelle blinked and whimpered.

Vieri looked up and saw Ezio Auditore, his nemesis, above him watching him coldly holding a knife. "Oh, you are here to save virtue of another debutant?"

"Leave or I will have you arrested or maybe I can just save time and unman you here." He looked down at Isabelle. "This is the second female I know you have tried to make free with against their will. Not good form for a married man." Ezio said his voice chiding, but his golden eyes were deadly. "Are you all right sweet sister?"

"This thing is Federico's whore, then, not yours?"

Ezio pressed the blade harder and nicked skin. "Do not insult her so." He hissed. "She is an Auditore by marriage, since not by blood, but I will protect her as kin."

Vieri swallowed. "Very well. We will leave." He hissed.

Ezio let him up and watched him as he straightened his clothing and growled at his thugs to follow. "This is not over. Your family will pay." He growled.

Ezio watched him go. He sheathed his weapon and gently lifted Isabelle up to a sitting position. She had been sobbing and when she had been let go she and curled in a ball. She had her eyes closed and fought him. Her small fists beat against his chest. "No! No!" She sobbed. "Leave me alone!" Ezio took the blows. The tiny fists did hit hard enough to gain his attention, but it was her adrenaline and need to fight driving it now that her hands were free. She had been fighting the whole time.

He pulled her into a hug trapping her arms and her body against his embrace. "Belle….sweetheart. It's me, Ezio, your brother." He whispered into her hair by her ear. "Hush now…." He said soothingly as she still struggled. He hardly blamed her. She was fighting out of instinct and did not know she was fighting as hard as she was. He had heard that raped women often could not stand to have men touch them, but he needed her to know he was there and was going to look after her. Though she had not been fully attacked he could imagine the fear she felt. He pulled her skirt down. He cooed to her until she finally stopped and sobbed letting her head drop to his chest. He caressed her back softly. "I'm here." He said gently. Her tears fell onto his chest where his shirt was opened. She was cool and he hoped his body would warm her a little.

She whimpered against him. He moved and shifted. He looked her over. She was not severely damaged.

Her face was going to bruise pretty badly, but she would survive. He tenderly touched her cheek. "We need to get you home, Cara."

"I…" She tried, but he hushed her.

He rose to his feet and pulled her up with him. On straightening she gasped and her hands went to her side with a cry that nearly sent her to the ground again, but Ezio held her gently. He looked her over gently. His golden eyes held concern.

He gently touched her. "What is it?" He asked urgently. He found her bleeding head wound. He looked at it and pressed a cloth to it. It was the only thing on her that was bleeding.

"My side…he…he kicked me…" She said. "It hurts…" she looked up at him. "Ezio…I am so sorry…I didn't mean to fight you…I…"

"Shhhh…" He eased. He gently touched her. He felt her ribs and as he moved down from her breast, she yelped. She had a bruised if not broken rib. He looked at her.

She then saw the gift. She cried out and dropped to her knees and lifted the glass. The broken glass cut her delicate digits as she looked at the broken glass bird. Ezio lifted the pieces away. She was sobbing again.

"What was that?"

"A gift for little brother." She whimpered.

"We can find him another tomorrow. You need to relax tonight. You are injured, Cara."

"But father…the cost…" She whimpered. "And it is ruined."

He looked at her. She was worried about his father being angry at her for that? He doubted it had been very much, just a small girl. The girl did not yet know she could spend the money she wished. After she had nearly been gang raped by thugs and the Pazzi at that? He tenderly pulled her into a hug and kissed her brow. "Come, let's get you home, my sweet sister."

He lifted her in his arms. She was small in his arms and he let her relax against him. "I am sorry I was not here to protect you." He said softly. "I will not allow you to be alone again I swear it." He kissed her brow. "Forgive me."

She looked up at him bewildered. "I…Ezio. I…forgive me for being such a troublesome sister-in-law."

He laughed and kissed her cheek softly. "I am lucky to have such a brave one." He looked at her. "Not many women would have fought him so. He hurt you more because you did not stop fighting."

He carried her back home. She allowed him to carry her. Her face was bruising and he knew her rib had to be painful as well. He cradled her to him. She was weeping as they neared the home. "Hush, piccina." He said softly. "No one will hurt you again, I swear it."

He walked in the door and surprised Annette, the new maid. She gasped causing Giovanni to look up from his desk. His middle son was carrying something with thick dark hair. Isabelle! He rose to his feet even as Ezio was headed for the stairs. "Madre!" He called.

Maria appeared and came to him. "Dio Christi." She gasped seeing the girl. "Bring her here." She said going to the sun room and he gently set her on the day bed.

Isabelle gasped in pain as he set her down her hands going to her side.

"Annette. Linen, ointment, and tea, please." Maria said.

The maid bowed.

"Ezio, my son, you must leave." Maria said. She looked up at him. "I am going to see to her wounds…under her dress." She looked at him. "You can speak to her after."

He nodded and made to leave, but Isabelle's hand shot out and gripped his hand in a death grip. She looked up at him, pleadingly. He tried to release her fingers and she only gripped harder. He looked at his mother. "I cannot."

"Yes, you can….I…." She looked down and he lifted his captured limb. She nodded. "So be it."

"Don't leave me, Ezio." She whispered. "Please…" She did not want her guardian angel to leave her. His presence brought her comfort even though he was male.

Having been so abandoned all her life he was not about to leave her. He pulled up the nearby chair and gently took her hand in his. "I know it hurts, Dulce. When it goes bad, grip my hand." He told her.

She nodded. Maria waited for Annette to return before they carefully stripped the girl down to her chemise. Ezio averted his eyes to look at the painting across from them as they girl was tended to. She had hissed and squeezed his hand once when they were cleaning the wound to the back of her head. There had been rocks in it from the cobbles. Maria then touched his shoulder after they had pulled up the blanket. "Stay with her, son. I must speak to your father."

He nodded and caressed the hair as she laid there. "Be easy, piccina." He said. He kissed her brow and watched her. He pressed a cool cloth to her face to ease her pain.

Maria went to her husband who had been waiting outside the door. "Isabelle needs a doctor."

"What happened?" Giovanni asked. He nodded to a servant. "Bring the doctor here."

"Of course, sir."

"She has a great bruise on her side and face. I have treated the cuts, but Federico will not take kindly to her being so abused." She paused. "All this would suggest…"

"Do you think Ezio…?"

"No. No!" Maria said. "He is the only one she trusts at this moment." Giovanni well knew that hurt women would never trust the man who had hurt them, at least not while the wounds were fresh. It meant Federico had found her and protected her saving her virtue.

Giovanni nodded and he greeted the doctor as he came in. "Doctor. Come. My daughter-in-law needs tending to."

"A pregnancy matter?"

"I am not sure." Giovanni said. The pair walked to the sun room. Ezio looked up and kissed his sister-in-law's hand.

"A doctor is here, belle."

The doctor examined her and then looked up at her. "Did you fall from your horse, child?"

"No." she said.

"No, Viceri kicked her, father. He tried to make free with her. His men were holding her down while he tried to…" He spat. "Isabelle is hurt. I just grazie a Dio, she was not more harmed! " Ezio said gripping her hand. "I was not going to let that happen to my sweet sister."

Giovanni nodded. His son might be a womanizer, but he defended the family and would to the death, just as Federico would. This little girl was so brave. The doctor looked at the head wound and cleaned it again. Dirty wounds from the street were notorious for becoming infected and the alcohol he used burned, but she shed no tears, just held Ezio's hand and looked up at him.

"She is weak in the blood. She must eat more." The doctor said as he pulled the sheet up about her. He nodded. "She has wounds from an attack, but they will recover well. The wrist bruises will fade and the cracked rib will heal as well. It will hurt for a time, however. I will make a medicine to help the bruises." He said looking to Giovanni. He lifted a small packet. "She is over-wrought. Give her this in wine to let her sleep."

Giovanni nodded and paid the doctor. "Thank you." He leaned closer. "She is not with child?" He asked.

The doctor shook his head. "No, not that I can see, but with a good diet and care, I am sure she will conceive."

Giovanni nodded. She was still recovering for the years of neglect and poor diet. "Her health is important to us." He truly hoped soon enough she would give them a child. The home needed children again. Giovanni wanted a grandson to watch become a man and a girl to spoil with ribbons and sweet things.

The doctor bowed and left.

Giovanni returned to the pair.

The girl looked up at him as Giovanni poured her wine. "Please do not tell Federico." She said looking at him. The poor child looked terrible with the bruise across her cheek and to her lips. Her dark eyes begged them.

"Why not sister?" Ezio asked.

"He will try to kill Viceri."

"Good riddance." Ezio hissed. "I would kill him myself for this if I could catch him."

"Son." Giovanni said lifting a hand. "She speaks wisely. We cannot have a family feud on the streets."

"What are you going to tell him?" Ezio asked.

"That I am clumsy and fell down the stairs."

Giovanni nodded. "All right." He looked at Ezio. "I will not have him killed in the name of vengeance."

Ezio nodded. "For her sake, I will remain silent. This time."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"However, my dear. The next time you go shopping, Ezio, Federico, or I will be with you." Giovanni said.

She nodded at him. "Yes, father."

Giovanni had her drink down the wine. He nodded to Ezio. "Will you stay with her?"

"Yes." Ezio said watching her becoming already drowsy. He held her hand until she slept. He then lifted a book from the table and opened it as he stretched his long legs out.

Federico arrived two hours later. He was stopped outside by the doctor who had his shop nearby. "Greetings. Can you take this ointment to the young lady Auditore?"

"Yes." He blinked. "What is it for?"

"The bruising on her side and face. The wolf's bane will help."

He nodded. "Thank you." Wondering what his wife had done he looked about.

He walked into the home and opened the door to his room looking for his bride. He had flowers for her. He blinked. Normally she was there reading, balling yarn, sewing him a shirt, but today she was not there.

He walked along the way until he spotted Ezio in the sun room. It was an unusual place for the younger Auditore brother. It was normally a place the women were. "Ezio have you seen…?" He stopped seeing his wife sound asleep on the daybed. Her face held a darkening bruise. She was so small and he sighed.

"It is not as bad as it looks." Ezio offered rising to his feet.

Federico gave him a look as he gently touched her cheek. His wife barely stirred. Puzzled he looked at Ezio. "What has happened?"

"The doctor gave her a sleeping draft for her nerves and the pain." He said. Ezio looked at her and then stepped back. "There will be no warmth in your bed this night, my brother." He smirked.

Federico hissed at his younger brother and touched her cheek. "She is bruised…"

"You will have to ask her. I think she fell down the stairs. I found her." Ezio said leaving the room. If he had his way he would form a lynching mob. Bad enough the bastard tried to rape Christina, but to harm Isabelle, a member of the family…

Federico joined the family for their meal, but then rose to his feet. Giovanni asked about her. Federico said she was sleeping, but she needed food. Everyone agreed.

He brought some warm soup with vegetables and a slice of thick fresh bread to his wife who woke hearing his footfalls. He lit a candle and came to her bedside looking down at her gently. The bruising looked worse, but he ignored it as he gently sat down in the chair and dripped the spoon into the broth. He blew on it and gave it to her as though she were a small infant.

"Federico, I can feed myself." She said after the first spoonful and she sat up against the pillows. She looked at her nineteen year old husband. She was seventeen, nearly eighteen and would be within a month. They had been married for such a short time, a marriage of convenience and protection, and she was still falling in love with him for his little things he did for her. She had noticed the flowers at her bedside that he had brought for her. She smiled a little. Always beautiful and always for her.

"I was not here to care for you, Tesoro." He said softly. "Let me care for you now…please…"

She realized he had been guilt-ridden over the whole thing and she nodded lying back to allow him to feed her. There was no use in fighting it and his tender care made her feel very much loved.

"What happened?"

"I was careless. I was not paying attention and fell down the stairs. Ezio found me. Thankfully I didn't snap my neck." She said looking down. He watched her. She was lying clearly, but why. She made a poor liar. He looked at her gown nearby. It was dirty and stained. What the hell had happened? He would not push her yet. She was weak and in need of care.

She reached and touched her side and hissed.

He put the bowl down. She had eaten the whole bowl of delicious broth and the bread he had brought as well. He lifted the small container of the strong smelling ointment. He gently pressed some to her cheek and then looked at her. "Do you have other hurts, my love?"

She nodded and shifted the bed sheet off her body. She looked at her husband as she pulled her chemise up past her hips to her midriff. Federico forced down the sudden need to touch, taste, and feel the skin he saw revealed. He could do so as his wife, but she was injured and it was hardly fair to make an advance with her recovering from her fall.

He gently painted the ointment on the bruise on her side. She lowered her chemise and laid back looking at her husband's gentle dark eyes. He bent his head down and kissed her before he reached down and lifted her up to him. He carried her to their own bed and laid her down.

He joined her and she settled against him as he began to read to her softly.

Soon her eyes were heavy and she was asleep again and he sighed.

He shook his head and then laid down.