Infinite Devotion Read Online Free Page B

Alexander VI
    I’m in tears by the end of the letter and feel numb to the news of Juan being fished from the river. I feel guilty I’ve stayed here so long and not seen him for months. Feel guilty that I’ve been so selfish and run away from my family.
    “Pantasilea!” I call.
    She comes running in.
    “A terrible thing has happened to the Duke of Gandia. I must have my things packed and leave at once for the Vatican.”
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    I go into my father’s suite and see him sitting in a chair, staring out the open door to his balcony. Cesare gets up upon my arrival and gives me a kiss.
    “Good to see you, sister. It has been too long.”
    Taking his jeer in stride, I go to hug Father, who sobs in my embrace.
    “Juan was such a brilliant boy. Always full of such vitality. He was the spark in a room. I had such plans for him.”
    Cesare seems uncomfortable at his remembrance and tries to change the subject. He clears his throat. “I know this is the work of the Orsini family. It’s in retaliation for imprisoning Virginio Orsini. He died only a few months ago during his imprisonment. I’ve heard they blame the pope.”
    I study Cesare. He seems to be telling the truth, but that can be hard to tell with Cesare, since he’s learned deception from my father. The whole way home, I’d a terrible feeling that Juan’s death is Cesare’s attempt to control Juan’s behavior, have Sancia to himself, and claim the dukedom that he feels was always his. I truly hope it is the Orsini. To think Cesare’s capable of something like this is unnerving.
    My father raises a hand weakly. “You’re probably right, Cesare. Only the Orsini could retaliate like this. As soon as I bury Juan, I’ll show them what a mistake they made.”
    It’s true; Juan looks as handsome in death as he had in life. Father makes sure he’s wearing his pearl-and-gold brocade jacket with the Duke of Gandia gold-and-ruby chain. I kiss his cold and hardened cheek for the last time, and as I’m walking away from him, I feel lightheaded and fall. I awake minutes later inside one of the Vatican rooms, and the papal doctor is attending to me. I feel hot and queasy still. When the doctor finishes examining me, he comes over as he wipes his hands.
    “You are with child, my dear.”
    I can’t speak.
    “You seem to be two months along.”
    I turn to my lady in waiting. “Please bring my father at once.”
    The doctor turns to leave, but I say, “No, good doctor, you must stay. My father will need to speak to you.”
    My father comes in looking worried at my fall. He sits on the bed next to me and pats my head. “You’re stressed over Juan’s passing. It has been too much for you to bear.”
    “Father, the doctor has found that I’m two months pregnant.”
    My father’s lips tense together, and then he raises his head up to stare at the ceiling, then back down at me.
    “Perotto’s?”
    He has done the math.
    “Yes.”
    He looks up again at the ceiling, and I hold my breath.
    “I should’ve known better than to send the handsome Spaniard,” he says out loud to himself.
    He turns back to me. “This means you must go to Giovanni at once, before you show, and bring him back here. Do everything you can to get him to sign. Time is now of the essence.”
    “I’ll bring him back as soon as I’m well, Father.”
    “Then you’ll go back to San Sisto until the baby’s born. Doctor?” Father calls.
    The doctor comes near.
    “I’ve always paid you well, haven’t I?”
    The doctor nods, wondering what my father is going to say next.
    “You’ve now witnessed delicate information, information that must never go beyond these walls. I have many friends, friends that will do my bidding when I so much as whisper. If you’re a friend of mine, you’ll do far better than if you are not.”
    The doctor goes pale. “Yes, Your Holiness, I am a friend.”
    Father turns back to me. “Come, dear, let’s get you ready for