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.”“Of course,” Lodovico concurred, and added helpfully, “If it were important enough, the Lanzi companies could be withdrawn from Nuova Genova.”“Lanzi companies? There are less than fifty Lanzi in the Nuovo Mondo.” Damiano gave his harsh laugh.“I know, to hear Ercole speak of it, we’ve taken half his army there, but truly, there are very few.What do we need them for?”“Well, Nuova Genova…” Lodovico began, trying to put his objection into words.Nuova Genova was large enough, prosperous enough to need protection.“San Benedetto! Nuova Genova! Six brick houses and a warehouse with a pier on a sandpit at the edge of a swamp!”Lodovico did not dare to give Damiano back his admonition against mockery, but he could not disguise his expression.“Have you been listening to Ercole’s extravagant fancies?” Damiano asked, more kindly now that he saw Lodovico’s shock.He came away from the map.“I…no…but I…” How could it be that Nuova Genova was as Damiano said? It was part of Damiano’s current difficulties, he decided.It might very well be wise to modify his enthusiasm for the city unless it became necessary to recall to the Console’s minds that the limits of Italia Federata were far-flung indeed.Nuova Genova had a cathedral and palazzos, piazzas and high walls.He knew it as certainly as if he had seen them with his own eyes.The pages of his new work were stacked on the table and he put a protective hand over them.He wanted to explain to Damiano that he understood when there was a discreet knock at the open door and Andrea Benci, perfectly groomed in burgundy velvet, came into the room.Damiano tightened his mouth to the approximation of a smile.“Yes? What is it?”“You must pardon me,” he said politely, though Lodovico felt each word was a calculated insult.“There is a messenger from England, and I thought perhaps you would wish to see him at once.” Benci had ignored Lodovico, but now he turned to the poet.“Unless this conversation is more important than il Primàrio’s obligations to la Federazione.”Damiano intervened before Lodovico could respond.“That will do! Undoubtedly the messenger comes with the tidings of Mistress Boleyn’s safe delivery of a daughter.Though what we are to do in answer to this news, I do not know.” He nodded at Benci’s annoyed surprise.“You see, there are things one can learn from poets.” As he reached the door, he called out, “Tomorrow, there is a leave-taking reception for Sir Thomas’ family.Quite small.After Mass.”“I’ll be there, if you like.” Lodovico was still smarting under Damiano’s cavalier attitude about Nuova Genova.“Of course I want you there,” Damiano said sharply, then gave his attention to Andrea Benci.Lodovico sat alone in his chamber, his papers untouched at his elbow.He had told Damiano that it was foolish not to clap his secretary in chains as soon as his treason was discovered, but Damiano had said that would be unwise.There were other men in the conspiracy, men who were linked with Cosimo, Cardinale Medici, and perhaps all the way to Clemente VII.With such men, it was best to be cautious, Damiano explained as he and Lodovico strolled past the vendors in the Mercato Vecchio.That had been several days ago, and at the time, Lodovico was dubious.Now, he was frightened.It was Damiano’s intention, he knew, to send a private letter to his uncle the Pope about the matter, and then to act against Andrea Benci.That would mean Andrea Benci would have another six days to work his malicious plans.Lodovico rose suddenly, new determination in him.He would stay near Damiano, as near as he was able.That way, il Primàrio would have some genuine protection.He had suggested that the Lanzi should be alerted to the coming arrest, but Damiano had refused.“I might as well post an announcement in every tavern in Firenze as tell the Lanzi my intentions.” Though Lodovico understood this, he could not remain inactive.True, he was not much of a fighter, but he was better than no one.He weighted the papers on his writing table and left his chamber, trying to recall where he had put the hunting dagger his father had given him when he was a boy.There were four carriages drawn up in front of the Palazzo Pitti.They were large, covered vehicles with enormous rear wheels and bodies high off the road.Each was drawn by a team of four horses, from the Medici stables.“You’re not to worry about changing horses,” Damiano was saying to Margaret Roper as the traveling party emerged from the palazzo [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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