Chapter 12: Causatum (II)

Lorenzo had finally reached back home, at long last. It had been a trip of just over half a month. He had dealt with much, and he has had little success.

Federico ran up to meet him, being left alone. His warm brown eyes poured into him, grabbing his coat. “I missed you. I had so many questions.”

Lorenzo patted his hair, as he looked comfortable.

“Was it very boring?”

“Mama brought me out to her garden and let the governess read to me. Papa’s gone, so we have no more horse-riding training. I missed those.” He pouted.

“You like the feeling of the breeze across your hair?” Lorenzo asked.

Federico nodded, smiling. “It feels great, but I really like spending time with you more. I think horse-riding was most fun when I was with,”

Lorenzo’s heart softened further. Federico was not interested in anything other than hobbies. But for him, he would support Federico in whatever he wanted.

“Though it was the most fun when it was cousin Libere showing me how to do it. He knew how to calm my horse best.” He smiled, recounting it.

“Federico.” The governess Vanna came outside again.

Before Beatrice followed them outside, in her day gown and her black hair loose. Federico went to his mother’s skirts.

“He doesn’t need to stay inside if he doesn’t want to.” Beatrice stayed her hand, giving her youngest son a warm smile. “Come on.”

They had followed their mother into the parlour, with Federico still with them. With no guest to entertain, he could be there. Though Lorenzo didn’t think that children were irrational, just restless. But he believed they should be allowed to roam free.

Then she turned to meet her elder children.

“How did it go?” Beatrice asked, first looking at Cecelia before turning to Lorenzo.

The maid came inside, serving none other than tea for them.

They were standing in her garden, a grand oriental garden, filled with them. Botany was a hobby. She started after Ludovico’s death.

“What happened to Papa?” Cecelia asked, not finding him despite the time already passed.

“He’ll be back in a couple of days. There’s business drawing him to Ganeo.” Beatrice smiled.

“He said goodbye to me then. I hoped to see him soon.”

Beatrice looked at him. “We’re going to have to talk about when is a good time to interrupt Federico. But for now, it’s fine, it’s just us.”

She ruffled his hair.

“So, I can ask any question so long as it’s just in front of Mama, brother and sister?” Federico asked, confirming.

“Yes.” Beatrice’s soft smile focused just on him.

Federico nodded before keeping silent, sitting beside her.

Cecelia grabbed the drink. “I have gotten the interest of two suitors. They’re the ones who will come here to press their suit.”

“Good, it’ll have to wait for when Cosimo returns, but I’ll help to make the arrangements.” Beatrice sipped from her cup. “And I’ll also take the chance to have you show hospitality to them.”

It was a lady’s duty, being the hostess of the house to handle it. They planned the parties, the banquets, and all the things. They took part in society although they held no power,

Cecelia nodded, accepting it. “If there isn’t anything else, I’ll be upstairs.”

Beatrice nodded. “Have a good rest. It’ll be exhausting.”

Cecelia strolled out of the room, leaving only just them. Federico was still listening in.

“You should go. We have much to discuss.” Federico pouted before he agreed.

The governess had brought her with them.

“Can you read to me later?”

Lorenzo smiled for her.

Beatrice turned to face him.

Lorenzo started. “I talked to the Candidas, did you know that?”

“They mentioned it in the most recent letters.” Beatrice turned to see him. “Francesco also told me everything.”

“Did he tell you about what he planned for me?” Lorenzo asked, wondering what his mother thought.

“I wasn’t surprised.” She stirred her cup. “It’s expected of a man, but he told me you wanted a lover.”

“You read that?”

“There are no secrets between us. Besides, marriage is the end of childhood for all women,” she said. “But what exactly happened? I want to hear it from you.”

Lorenzo smiled, nodding. “Because Francesco sees things in his own way?”

“He sees everything as seduction. Even when it’s not there,” Beatrice said.

“Yes, I was well aware of it. I think he still believes I like her, but I find her to just be a good friend and a companion.” He blushed.

“I’m not sure friendship is the only thing here.”

Lorenzo hit, his mother’s eyes focused on him..

“So, you met Benedetto. What happened?” Beatrice continued from there. “You were close friends, but I have heard nothing. And no mention of him bringing up a suit.”

“We talked, an earnest talk. I was not trying to sell myself as an ideal man for his sister or anything.” Instead, he was just purely honest. “After that, he didn’t want me to pursue his sister.”

Beatrice sighed, before turning her amber eyes to her. “That makes sense. You’re no one. It explains why he didn’t. On one hand, that was a good match.”

There was a resignation, towards how this may or may not work out.

“It’s not over yet,” he told her. “She had a cousin, the Baroness de Florgamo, if she ever wanted to have me pursue my suit with her. I’ll leave it up to her.”

“Even with the wish.”

“If she wants to,” he said, sipping.

Beatrice nodded. “Very well. I’ll let you handle it.”

“You will not set me up.” He raised his eyebrow.

“In courtship, no, start. That is why Francesco wanted you to know as much as he did. Or wanted you to become aware.”

“I thought he wanted someone to join him?” He didn’t quite know.

Gennaro opened the door. “Letter for you.”

Before he accepted it, and Lorenzo looked with interest before hiding it.

“What is it?”

“It’s private.” He didn’t quite know how to answer.

“If you say so, but if you need any advice, I’m here.” Beatrice stood up before closing the door.

She had other matters to attend to, but he was glad that she trusted him.

“I got the permission from Signorina and the maid to visit you, since I got the letter and talked to them first.” Gennaro informed him.

Lorenzo smiled. “Thank you. That saved me a lot of time. So, how is everything going?”

“I’m learning well. I’ve been writing mostly your letters. And I know that you’re happy with it.”

“I think it’s a good chance to practice your writing, and I can spend time on essays.” He trusted him and knew him.

Gennaro was happier working for him after. They had reached Cecelia’s rooms.

Inside, she opened the door, giving a smile.

“Has it come?” Cecelia’s eyes looked into his eyes, standing. “I was pacing once Gennaro was walking around.”

Lorenzo took out the letter, passing it into her hands.

“What does it say?” Cecelia asked.

He shook his head. “I didn’t read it, it’s for you.”

Cecelia bit her lip, glancing down. She was trembling and afraid. But she used the letter opener before she looked at it.

Lorenzo didn’t want to know it before her. It was her skill, not his. He waited. This was a moment of silence.

She looked up; her face brightening into a smile and then embracing him. “I got it.”

Lorenzo’s face curled into a smile, returning it to her. “Congratulations, I’m glad.”

She looked up with an almost bashful smile. “Thank you for encouraging me.”

“If you didn’t have talent, then they would never have accepted you at all.” Lorenzo put a hand on his shoulder, assuring her.

“They would want to pay me, but I need somoene to take it.”

“Just send your maid out unless you can’t trust her.” Lorenzo suggested he could trust Gennaro enough.

Cecelia nodded. “You’re right.”

“She is your agent. If you can’t trust her, then it’s time to find someone that you could.”

“I can,” she said. “Just between us. It’ll give her a reason to go to Paserta and visit her family. She always does it. I might as well give her something. They paid me a lot more, I can give an extra. And put the rest to savings.”

Her maid was almost likely to follow her to new employment. Not only that, she would become a lady’s maid.

“But I don’t think I’ll ever want to not be married. Having a husband, it’s a fallback should anything go wrong.” She told him.

“Then, don’t. I just wanted to give you a choice. I wanted to tell you that you didn’t need to feel forced into marriage,” he said. “As long as you’re content, I’m happy to support you.”

Cecelia put a hand right on her chin. “Have you figured out a way to stall or to stop them?”

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“I found a way. Remember that talk I had with Signor Candida? I kind of removed his family instant stamp of approval despite our ties.” Lorenzo told her. “But it wasn’t a plan of mine. I want what’s the best for me. Besides, how are your suitors?”

“They’re fine. It’s quite hard to make any judgment right now. I need to see them here, and talk to them in a more intimate setting.” Cecelia looked at him. “Signor Sozzini and Signor Fregoso are the ones who stand out the most. And I would want to know them better first. Isn’t that the same for you with Signorina Candida?”

Lorenzo guessed it was much closer to an interrogation than an actual knowing. Though Lorenzo wouldn’t mind, mostly trying to see if they were fine with Cecelia as she is. As well as would they change suit their needs?

“If she wants to, I hope to see more of the Baroness de Florgamo,” Lorenzo said.

Cecelia gave him a raised eyebrow and a laughing smile.

“She was the one who told me that Signorina Candida wanted to see me, and how I could comment. She makes for excellent company.” He couldn’t look at her with a smile on his face. “But I would need to know her better first.”

---

Lorenzo stared at the arm of his mother.

“Is he getting near?”

“Very,” he said, turning to her.

He looked forward to welcome him home from his trips, but then he took a detour from that and went to Paserta to go to court. There was a summons at court recently.

So, they had to delay it.

Cosimo went to his wife, Beatrice, kissing her hand.

Then he turned and said. “We’ll talk later once I’m done with your mother.”

Lorenzo nodded.

Cecelia and Federico were spending the day together, as Federico was reading some story or fairy tale and asking Cecelia if she had questions.

“Are you just going to wait?” Gennaro asked.

“Let’s go. I have a few things to do before I meet my father.” He went up and seen them. “My father will send his valet when he’s done.”

He went inside the study to stare over the papers all the while he waited. He respected his father enough to wait patiently.

“You can start with that letter that I need to send to the steward.”

Lorenzo looked at the numbers alone, taking them slowly and making sure they tallied up. It matched, but this was necessary for them.

Gennaro smiled before going down and writing in the paper. They continued in the quiet as he continued to work his way through the numbers and Gennaro writing.

Until the door opened, his father’s valet.

“Gennaro, why are you sitting?” The valet asked.

“He’s doing some work for me.” Lorenzo told him. “My father must be ready to see me.”

Gennaro put down the quill, careful to avoid spilling it.

“Yes, he is.” Though the valet still gave a sideways glance to Gennaro. Not completely buying it.

Gennaro lead Lorenzo up the stairs and into the floor, until he reached his father’s rooms.

And then he opened the door, letting Lorenzo in.

Gennaro nodded, giving a shrug. He knew that the valet, as his sort of superior, would ask what was happening.

His father sat at the table to meet him, still dressed in his traveling clothes except his coat. He looked up.

“I got a letter from Francesco, and he explained everything that took place during that night where you attended a soiree.” He looked up. “And that he tried to get you knowledgeable in love?”

“Are you angry?”

“It’s a rite of passage. My father did it for my brother and I, and I just wasn’t able. Francesco offered, and I thought he’ll be much better to introduce you to it.”

Lorenzo tried to hide it, but he didn’t like it at all.. “I just couldn’t imagine paying someone to sleep.”

He was still flustered.

Cosimo raised his eyebrow before his lips curled into a smile. “If it were me, I’ll take the lady of the evening.”

Lorenzo averted his eyes, knowing the truth of their society.

“So, let me guess there is only friendship with her and absolutely nothing else?” He asked.

“Yes, I enjoy talking to her, and I enjoy her company.” Lorenzo couldn’t meet her eyes.

Cosimo raised his eyebrow, not quite understanding it either. “As for her husband nevermind. I know the Baron de Florgamo, and he seems to have come to an understanding with his wife.” He sighed.

“This gets to you, after all?” Lorenzo picked up on how uncomfortable his father was.

He didn’t quite know, but if it were him, he would understand divorce. If it was mutual for they both already agreed on the choice that they were perhaps better if they had the chance to contract another marriage for happiness and romance.

“It’s a blatant disrespect for marriage vows, but since there is no way to release them from their vows, it’s better than having two people live in absolute misery with each other,” his father said. “But since there isn’t more, I won’t do anything about it. And you’re old enough to make your own decisions.”

“I had a question. Why did you leave it to Francesco?”

“He volunteered, and I just wasn’t ready. He offered, and with his reputation, I saw no reason to.” His father shrugged. “You ran circles around him when you pulled that move.”

“It wasn’t intentional, Padre.” He looked. “She had something in her I enjoyed speaking with her, and we got along from that.”

Cosimo nodded, giving a sideways glance.

“It’s more than I expected, certainly. But do you know why?” Cosimo asked.

“The first time can be awkward, but I’m convinced that I can figure it out on my own when the time comes.”

He knew some basic details about what had happened to his father.

“It’s also because your assurance would help them relax. It would save a very awkward night.” He looked. “I was thankful because I was so nervous when I married your mother, and she was completely unaware too, as expected.”

Lorenzo looked at his father before sighing. “I’m still not changing my mind over that.”

Cosimo nodded. “Very well, I will not force you; as you need to feel it. Although when you’re in the company of a lovely woman, it’s easy to get in the mood.”

Lorenzo thanked him.

“I’m trying to think how to help you with marriage?” He asked. “I think you want sincerity, despite all. That is what you value, not innocence, but someone who doesn’t lie to you. You’re drawn to Lavinia because of that?”

Lorenzo nodded. “I can’t deny it.”

“It takes a while, but nothing is ever just typical of you.” He sighed. “I’ll give you a year to sort this out. After that, I have someone in mind.”

This was a deal that he had. He wanted to give him a deadline.

“Fine, I’ll take it.” He looked. He could stall for time with his father after the year passed.

“Also, I had seen the letters from suitors about Cecelia. He has three of them. They’re coming soon.” He looked at his father.

“They’re all pretty fine, at least. All from good families, although I’m wondering why is a terrane noble coming all this way?” Cosimo asked.

“Who is it?” Lorenzo raised his eyebrow.

“Signor Sozzini, he’s from the Grand Duchy of Terragia. A noble there, I remembered going there, so I know.” He looked. “But the other two are typical. It’s Ganean nobility and one from Paserta. She’s quite varied, all of them being completely different people.”

“You’re right, they were different.” Lorenzo recounted from his memory of his impression.

“It was mostly Antonia who pointed it out. But I’m glad that you were at least trying to mingle, and you had it going with Signorina Candida.”

He wondered whether his father would blame him. But he knew what his son was like and knew it, too.

Though he didn’t know whether his chances were completely blown. Lorenzo mostly nodded and looked away. He knew what had happened that night.

“So, what brought you to Paserta?”

“It was to do with the court. They summoned to do a session together. So, I was there to meet with the Duke and his court for a few matters,” he said. “I hoped to catch you, but you left the day before my arrival.”

Lorenzo gave a sheepish smile.

“How was court?”

“As normal, the Duke is always questioning how much change is necessary. The Duchess is often overspending even though we’re a tiny duchy that cannot support the lifestyle she used to have as a Pannonian Archduchess, and still doesn’t get the message even though she’s been here for over a decade.” He mentioned.

Lorenzo caught onto it. “You’re telling me the truth.”

“They’re both relatively healthy and at least a decade younger than me. You’re going to be seeing them.”

“I never knew that was why she was the called The Lady?” He asked.

“She’s much more dominant than he is, more willing to whisper in his ears. Her finest moment was when she got rid of the Rancien prime minister who ruled it as a personal fief,” he said. I was glad for that, and I thought she would be worth something then.”

And it morphed into disappointment as time went by.

“And then, she didn’t?” He asked.

“At least we’re considered as better than a Rancien puppet. It’s her spending even if she by now has no more ability left to spend as she did all those years ago. And her behavior, that even as she’s mellowed out with age, I find it very hard to change my judgment of her. The only good thing, is that she’s a devoted mother.”

“I remember, he accepts others’ counsel easily doesn’t he?” He asked.

Cosimo looked at him. “Yes, he’s always picked a policy from us, or the most dominant and passionate minister who seemed like he knew what he was doing. Sometimes, I think he was there because the title of Duke was thrusted upon him and he just wants business to be done and over with so that he could then go to his leisure pursuits.”

Lorenzo looked at him, he knew that this was all a sign that perhaps the ways. “But do you think he should be the Duke?”

“He was anointed. His father was the previous duke. To prevent chaos, and to ensure order, he has to inherit. Counsel can easily make up for his deficiencies.”

“And yet, there is nothing more people loathe than a regency council under a child king or an incapable one. All it does is make everything harder and less smooth.”

It opened up routes to endless infighting.

“That could be remedied with a powerful minister, or someone that the sovereign deeply trusts.” Cosimo could see that Lorenzo picked something. “He is a man with good solid judgement and can listen to capable advice. Hence, he’s still a good ruler, as he knows his limits.”

Lorenzo didn’t buy it, not at all. He never did and never will. But he didn’t quite know what to do with this information.

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