2 comments/ 12600 views/ 1 favorites Giuseppe and Maribella By: hotturkey The Story of Giuseppe and Maribella Youthful romance in renaissance era Italy. "Giuseppe! Giuseppe D'Ostra, pay attention!" Maestro Grassello, the fat professor of medicine, banged on the lectern with the hilt of his decorative dagger. Seeing the drowsy student rouse himself, he returned the blade to its sheath and tugged the sleeves of his doublet back into place, his scowl partially hidden by his full beard. "Sorry Maestro." Giuseppe blinked a couple of times to force himself fully awake, retrieved his quill from the floor where it had fallen and sat up straighter, flexing his wiry fencer's shoulders. He tried to focus on the subject. Many of the other students snickered at the young nobleman, enjoying his discomfort. All except one. Francisco was sitting next to Giuseppe at the long benches in the University hall and had been friends with the socially awkward nobleman since they both arrived at Macerata on the central eastern coast of Italy nearly a year ago. Giuseppe was glad to have at least one good friend and often loaned money to Francisco and otherwise helped the slightly younger student. This even though Giuseppe's father, the Count of Ostra, would disapprove of his youngest son befriending a common merchant's son. "Here," Francisco whispered, "these will help you stay awake." He reached under his doublet sleeve into one of the bag-like sleeves of his shirt and produced a small handful of mint leaves. "Ah, grazie - thanks Francisco." Giuseppe knew from his studies that mint leaves act as a natural stimulant. He should have thought to bring some, but his mind was on other things. He crushed some of the leaves, rubbed them across his mustache so he could inhale the scent and resumed taking notes on the lecture subject. "Now let us discuss the flow of humors in the body." Maestro Grassello went on with his talk about the latest improvements in fifteenth century medical knowledge. "Blood is the most accessible humor and so is the easiest to adjust. In the past, ill trained physicians prescribed bloodletting for every disease, completely ignoring excesses of any of the other humors. Today we have access to the wisdom of the ancient Greek physicians that allows us to subtly adjust the various humors. A phlegmatic individual, for instance, will need to be treated with an expectorant. This can be made from various herbal..." Giuseppe tried to concentrate on the words but he found his mind slipping back to the Maestro's pretty daughter Maribella. She was just about two years younger than Giuseppe and he had often seen her around town, at the market or fairs. But he was especially taken with her after seeing her betrothal ceremony. Some days ago in early spring, a bout of drinking and carousing had resulted in several sins that weighed on his conscience. He made his way to a nearby church for confession with a Priest that was friendly to the University students and very forgiving of their excesses and pranks. Giuseppe considered Father Pietro a friend as well as his confessor. On his way out of the Church of St. Fabiola after halfhearted prayer, he found a crowd gathered at the door with his friend, Father Pietro. They were announcing the banns of betrothal. Maribella looked beautiful in her new scarlet gown that accentuated the curve of her hips and held her generous breasts aloft, their upper slopes inadequately covered by the sheerness of her fine white chemise. Her sun-bleached curls were radiant under her embroidered cap and her skin glowed with the perfection of youth, this being only a few days past her eighteenth birthday. However there was sadness in her dark eyes and the corners of her rose-petal lips drooped in a frown. Giuseppe thought that her sadness was caused by the dour figure that held her by the arm, her fiancee, Sfotuno. There couldn't have been a greater difference between any couple unless an angel was standing next to death himself. The miserly old ship owner was skinny enough to be a skeleton and his dark doublet and hose made him appear even more severe. The ruffles of his shirt hung limply and were visibly in need of laundering. When he doffed his cap to the Priest, his completely bald scalp made the skeletal comparison complete. He looked in such a sorry state that Maribella had a good chance of becoming a widow during the excitement of her wedding night, if not soon after. Giuseppe resolved to bring comfort to the maiden himself, to ease her unhappiness at being yoked to such a corpselike suitor. He thought of several ways to bring a smile to that pretty face, most of them starting with a kiss of those soft lips. There was potential here for a lot of comforting, especially if her fiancee's manhood were as limp as his shirt ruffles. Maribella would soon find out about the state of Sfortuno's manhood, the wedding was to take place only a few weeks after this betrothal ceremony. Giuseppe snapped out of his daydream and back into the present when Francisco nudged him and stood up as the professor left. The lecture was over and it was time for other pursuits. Once the professor had exited, the students were free to gather their belongings and leave the room. "Let's go get some wine, I have quite a thirst today." Francisco suggested. "Not today, Francisco, I need to catch up on some reading and sleep." Giuseppe yawned. He wasn't about to tell even his closest friend that he could barely sleep last night for thinking of the professor's daughter. He walked along the cobblestone streets, half-daydreaming and not really paying attention to where he was going. It was a while before he came up with a plan to meet Maribella and turned his steps towards his room. It would take a bit of preparation for his plan to work and he wanted to change into better clothes. But as they say "the best laid plans of mice and men..." Giuseppe's plans changed when the object of his desire suddenly materialized within view at a merchant's stall across the crowded square. The young student could hardly believe his good fortune, she was only accompanied by one elderly servant to act as chaperone. She was in a knot of people trying to get the freshest pastries from the baker's counter and they were continually jostling each other as they vied for the best items. Giuseppe moved into the crowd and managed to place himself right behind the chaperone. With a quick move, he 'accidentally' stumbled against the older woman, causing her to bump into Maribella. He was hoping that he could get a chance to talk to the maiden, even if it started as an apology for tripping her servant. In another stroke of luck, the old woman's walking stick fell as she stumbled, falling under Maribella's feet. The old woman fought for balance and grabbed at Maribella, managing somehow to stay upright. However, Maribella was not so lucky. The walking stick rolled as she stepped on it, and the pressure from the other woman's hands caused her foot to go sideways. She flopped backwards with a cry, landing in a sitting position on the cobblestones splay legged and clutching her ankle. Fortunately, her full skirts cushioned the landing somewhat. Apologizing profusely, Giuseppe shooed away some of the crowd and tried to help Maribella to her feet. The chaperone started yelling at him, but he brushed her aside and caught hold of the young lady's hands, gently hoisting her to a standing position. The chaperone tried to shove the student away from her charge, but he ignored her, doffed his loaf-shaped student's cap to Maribella and bowed, introducing himself. During the bow he also managed to use one foot to 'accidentally' nudge the chaperone's fallen walking stick farther away from the old woman, causing her to limp off to retrieve it. Giuseppe now had his chance to talk to Maribella. "I'm sorry to have caused you such distress, is there anything that I can do to make up for it? My name, by the way, is Giuseppe D'Ostra. I'm a medical student at the University." "No need to apologize, I'm sure it was just accidental. Aren't you the son of the Count of Ostra?" She smiled at him, but her smile quickly faded when she tried to take a step. "Ow, my ankle." "You must have twisted it when you fell. Let me help." Giuseppe supported her by one hand on her elbow and put his other arm around her supple waist, leading her over to sit on the edge of the fountain in the middle of the square. Even through the thick folds of her gown and chemise, he could feel the gentle curves of her young body. This was better than he had hoped. He eased her down on the fountain's wide edge and kneeled at her feet. By this time, the chaperone was back and ready to whack Giuseppe over the head with her walking stick. Maribella stopped her with a look and a sharp word. Giuseppe ignored the older woman and continued with Maribella. "Let me take a look at that ankle. Purely professional," he reassured her, "I am a healer." He eased her carved leather shoe off of her dainty foot and proceeded to knead her ankle, while gently tugging on it. There wasn't any swelling and he couldn't feel anything out of place. He prattled on about healing techniques and medical learning while he changed his examination into a gentle massage of her foot and ankle through her stocking. This also gave him a chance to admire her well-formed calves that tapered down to her ankles. Maribella was not fat like her father, but she carried just enough extra weight to conform to the fashionable image of a woman of the renaissance. She stood about half a foot shorter than Giuseppe, 5-foot-2 or so, and had generous breasts cinched up behind the bodice of her gown. Giuseppe knew that her waist nipped in naturally and didn't depend on the artifice of a corset. He had confirmed that much when his arm was around her. He hoped that the curves of her hips were just as natural, not padded as some women's were. "...and now we recognize the benefits of massage for injuries of this type, the ancient Greek physicians knew this from their athletes." He was explaining as he continued his massage. "Is it true that the Greek men were nude for their Olympics?" She giggled. "Yes, that's true. I can show you the ancient statues in some of the noble's courtyards. You can often see them from the street. Let me take you around to some of them..." The chaperone interrupted, growling angrily at Giuseppe for such a forward suggestion and reminding the young lady that she was betrothed. Maribella gave Giuseppe a coy, sideways glance and briefly arched one eyebrow. Maybe he would have the chance to show her those statues someday. Giuseppe worked his massage along Maribella's shapely foot, caressing her sole and playing with her toes. Giuseppe was trying to arouse the young lady by his massage. He kept the pressure light and sensual, almost tickling her. He also drew on knowledge that he had learned long before he ever attended the University. There was a wise old woman in Ostra that some called a strega, a witch. Besides teaching him herbal lore, she had shown him the reflex points, the pressure points on the foot and ankle that corresponded to every other part of the body. Much like acupuncture, manipulating the correct spot could stimulate another part of the body to heal or to strengthen. He concentrated on the pressure points that corresponded to a woman's tender spots and sexual organs, hoping that the stimulation there would arouse her just enough to have pleasant thoughts about him. She showed no sign of wanting him to stop and chatted on about her betrothal and impending wedding. She went so far as to hoist her skirts a few more inches and even made contented noises every so often. Maybe she was becoming aroused, Giuseppe prayed, enjoying a brief glimpse of the side of her bare knee above her stocking as she adjusted her skirts. Her servant, however, put an end to Giuseppe's attentions. Grabbing Maribella by the sleeve, she announced that it was time to go and started dragging her off. Almost like in a Cinderella story, Giuseppe ran after them to return Maribella's shoe. He was rewarded with a peck on the cheek and a quick whisper before the young lady was dragged off again. "Will I see you again?" "I hope so." Giuseppe called, waving as the chaperone led her unwilling charge away. "Put a cool compress on that ankle, soak the compress in an infusion of comfrey." ====== Giuseppe was practically squirming with anticipation when he returned to his modest room. He changed out of his student's garb into better clothes. First he put on a clean shirt with fresh-pressed ruffles, tucking the shirttail into his tightest, brightly-striped hose, hoping to show off the strong muscles of his legs and backside. His manhood was stuffed into the tied codpiece and tightly cinched to show its outline to the best advantage. Next he shrugged into an emerald green embroidered doublet with tie-on sleeves and shoulders that had been artfully padded to give him a more muscular appearance than his well-toned fencer's body normally had. A small pot of fragrance was produced from its hiding place and Giuseppe dabbed the infusion on his hair and various parts of his body. This was his own formula for the essence of mixed wildflowers and jasmine. He combed any tangles out of his hair and narrow mustache and made sure the rest of his noble face was shaved smooth. A few more mint leaves and cloves insured the freshness of his breath. The final touches were his rapier and dagger for defense, topped with a long dark cloak in case concealment became necessary. By this time the sun had slipped below the horizon and the sky was growing darker. It only took a few moments for Giuseppe to position himself across the street from Maestro Grassello's townhouse. He waited patiently until he could get a sense of the positions of the occupants. When the Maestro appeared to be in an upstairs room, he stepped forward and knocked at the door, whispering a brief prayer that Maribella herself would answer and not the elderly servant. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when the young lady swung the door open. She was still wearing the same plain dress from earlier. It only took her a moment to recognize him. "Ah, Signore Giuseppe, have you come so soon to check on your patient?" Her smile lit up the dark street as she looked him over. "Signorina Maribella, what a pleasant surprise to see you." He tugged off his loaf-shaped cap and gave a little bow, leaning close enough so that some of the flower scent in his hair would drift her way. "I was intending to ask Maestro Grassello a question about today's lecture, but I would much rather talk to you. Is your ankle feeling better?" "Oh yes, thanks. You seem to have a healer's touch. But if you need to ask my father a question, I'll fetch him for you..." "There's no hurry, I didn't realize that you were the Maestro's daughter. I'm certain that he would have healed your ankle in an instant." "But it needed immediate attention." She tilted her head slightly, looking at him almost sideways. "And you have strong, yet gentle hands, healer's hands. I enjoyed the massage and it gave my ankle instant relief. You're wearing nicer clothes, is there some special occasion?" She let one of her hands drift forward as she spoke. Giuseppe took the hint quickly and took her hand in his own, tenderly bringing it to his lips. He allowed his lips to explore her knuckles, briefly flicking his tongue between her fingers, causing her to blush and titter. "The occasion is special now that I get to see you again." He kept hold of her hand, pressing it to his chest near his heart while they chatted a while longer. "Maribella, Who's at the door?" A deep voice boomed from the stairwell behind her. She snatched her hand away and nervously tucked it behind her back. "It's one of your students, Papa. He has a question about your lecture." Turning back to Giuseppe, she lowered her voice. "Will I see you in the marketplace tomorrow, same time?" Giuseppe had just enough time to nod before the professor clumped down the stairs. His doublet was undone and it looked like he had been drinking a bit. "Oh it's you." Grassello sneered. "Have you come to ask me to repeat my entire lecture?" "No, Maestro. I have a question about the flow of yellow bile in the system. If the bile duct empties into the bowels, then would a laxative be effective in treating a bilious patient? Would it have to be an oil soluble laxative, since yellow bile is somewhat oily in nature?" Grassello was surprised at the question, he didn't think that Giuseppe was paying any attention at all in the earlier lecture session. He had briefly touched on the matter of yellow bile, but hadn't mentioned any specific treatments. "Why, no actually, er, yellow bile can usually be counteracted by giving the patient moist, cooling foods like salads and melons. If stronger treatment is needed, administer an oil that can dissolve bile. A dose of extra virgin olive oil will do. Laxatives and strong herbal treatments are reserved for acute cases." He glowered at Giuseppe and his voice became harsh again. "Does that answer your question?" "Perfectly, Maestro. Thank you." "I'll be covering that topic more fully in tomorrow's lecture. Don't be late." He slammed the door in Giuseppe's face, cutting off any plans that the student may have had for further contact with Maribella. Giuseppe considered the day a success and hummed a happy tune all the way back to his room. For the first time in a week, he slept soundly and dreamed of the maiden who blushed and giggled at his touch. ====== Giuseppe arrived at the usual hour for the next day's series of lectures. The students filed from one hall to the next, hauling their books and notes with them in cloth bags. Giuseppe had lectures on law in the morning and medicine in the afternoon. His father ordered him to be studying law exclusively, but the study of medicine fascinated the young man and he arranged his studies to cover both subjects. He stayed awake through all the lectures and managed to pay enough attention to take coherent notes on each subject. Even the scowling Grassello couldn't find any fault with the young nobleman that day. That afternoon, he prepared himself with mint and clove again and headed directly to the market square to search for Maribella. She spotted him first and sent her servant off on some excuse of an errand. Coming up nearly behind Giuseppe, she startled him by her greeting. "Signore Giuseppe," she wrapped her arm around his and drew him to the side of the square, "it's good to see you again." "Signorina Maribella, I was hoping I'd find you." He grinned and guided her free hand to his lips. She gave her charming little giggle again as his tongue swept across the back of her hand, but kept guiding him deeper into the crowd. Presently they came to the wall of the square where there was a small alcove that was once used to house a statue, possibly a shrine of some sort. The statue was long gone and the depression in the wall, half-hidden by the vendor's stalls, gave them a small amount of concealment. They stepped behind the carts and shared a hug and a peck on the cheek in greeting. Giuseppe and Maribella chatted, not saying much of anything but enjoying each other's company. The close confines of the alcove gave him an excuse to keep his arms around her waist, not that he needed any excuse. She didn't complain, either. The time they shared was soon over. They spotted her servant returning and looking around for her charge. Maribella excused herself from Giuseppe and planted a quick kiss on his lips before skipping away from the alcove towards her servant. The next day they met at the alcove, exchanging a simple kiss and hug in greeting. Again they kept their arms around each other while they talked. Giuseppe made sure to punctuate their chat with several more kisses. When it was time for her to leave, he had gently coaxed Maribella to open her mouth slightly to allow the tip of his tongue to brush gently against the tip of hers. The day following, she opened her mouth to him when they kissed in greeting. She now took the initiative on occasion, leaning forward and tilting her head back, practically begging to be kissed. Before too long, he had let his hand slide down the back of her gown, coming to rest on her round bottom. Now he knew that she didn't rely on any artificial padding, that part of her shape was purely natural, too. By the time they saw her servant returning, his tongue had made a full tour of her mouth, and she was even so bold as to return the favor. Giuseppe and Maribella Their meetings at the alcove became a daily habit, each of them learning more about the other with each meeting. Giuseppe grew fonder of Maribella and bolder in his physical contact. She didn't resist his advances. Each day was a testing of the physical limits of their relationship, heightened by the lack of privacy and the timing of her servant's return. Even the time together without physical contact was a joy. They whispered their deepest hopes and dreams to each other while hiding in their alcove. Giuseppe would bring her poems he had written, reciting them to her in an excited whisper while holding her close. Maribella wisely refused to take the written poems home with her, lest her father find them. At one of the vendor stalls, they purchased a carved box as a place for him to store the poems and had their intertwined initials carved into the top. Giuseppe tried to gain a little more privacy. One day, despite the warmth of the weather, he arrived at the alcove in his long, dark cloak. She questioned him about it and in answer he took her in his arms, wrapping the cloak around them both to hide them from any casual observer while they kissed. She slid her hand down to his bottom as he moved his up to her breast, confirming that that part of her was entirely natural as well. Her thin chemise made it easy for him to feel the hardness of her nipples. The next day she wore a cloak, too. With the two cloaks enveloping them, it was almost as if they were in a private room. Their kisses became deeper, more urgent and their hands roamed over the surface of each other's clothing. He started with her bottom, cupping her cheeks and letting his hands explore the roundness there before moving around to the gentle curve of her soft belly and up to her full young breasts. Under the cover of the cloak, he slid a hand inside the neckline of her chemise, gently tickling the valley of her cleavage before teasing a hard nipple directly. Meantime she ran her hands across his strong chest and back, squeezing his tight bottom and finally bringing one hand to rest briefly on the hardness concealed by his codpiece. Again the briefness of their visit kept them from exploring further. They took a moment to fix the disheveled state of their clothing before one more kiss goodbye. The cloaks served them well for the next few days. Their exploring hands slowly became bolder under the concealing cloth. Maribella soon found out how to sneak her hand into the side gap of his codpiece and pull Giuseppe's shirt up slightly so she could brush her fingertips against his hardness directly. He once dipped his head below the edge of her cloak and took her nipple in his mouth, causing her to bite her lip to stifle her happy moan. He found a gap in her skirt, near where the drawstring held it together, that gave him access to the thin chemise covering her lower belly. By bunching the chemise in his hand, he was able to draw it up behind her skirt. This allowed him just enough room to brush his fingertips against the underwear concealing her nether lips. Awkward because of the handful of cloth and the peculiar angle of his arm, he was still able to feel the dampness of her juices and even get her to sigh contentedly. Then one day she seemed listless, not even bothering with a welcome kiss and letting her hands dangle motionless at her sides. Her eyes were near to tears and Giuseppe worried about her state. Then she delivered the bad news. "My betrothal time is up, I'm to be married in two days. Married to that old fart Sfortuno." She shuddered, her mouth arching down in a scowl. "He always smells of stale garlic. But I'll be spending the next two days preparing for the wedding and I won't be able to see you." Giuseppe tried to comfort her. He took her in his arms and held her close, her head leaning on his collarbone, his hands stroking her curls. "It's all right, bella mia - my beauty. We can still see each other after the wedding." "But we're to go away for two weeks. I don't think I can stand two weeks alone with that ... that... becchino morto - undertaker. Even if I get him to drink chamomile to make him drowsy." "The two weeks will pass quickly, make sure he drinks that chamomile. Better yet, use valerian root. It will make him sleepier than chamomile and he won't be so eager to touch you." "Valerian has a stronger flavor than chamomile, he might notice. Maybe if I put it in his wine..." Giuseppe spent the rest of their visit reassuring her that he would wait for her return, pining away for the lack of her company and eagerly anticipating their next meeting at the alcove. The only kiss that they shared was in parting. Maribella practically inhaled his tongue, her kiss was so ardent. But it was too soon over and she was gone, vanishing in the crowd to rejoin the elderly servant. Giuseppe headed back to his room, despondent. He hadn't realized how much he cared for Maribella. She had become more than just a conquest of seduction, he genuinely desired her company. He already found himself missing her smile, the scent of her hair and the sound of her voice. He drank an extra cup of wine that evening, ignoring his own herbal advice. But he lay awake most of the night despite feeling drowsy from the alcohol. The next two weeks would be hell. The worst part was not knowing if they could someday resume their daily trysts at the alcove, or if Sfortuno would keep Maribella under tight watch, or even worse, completely sequestered at his villa. Giuseppe stared at the ceiling in the dark, wondering. Finally sleep overtook him. He was late for the lectures the next day, Maestro Grassello was particularly hard on the young nobleman, pointing out any error he made and calling on him to repeat some obscure point or another of his lecture. Giuseppe was numb and didn't protest, answering in a wooden monotone, giving Grassello no satisfaction in tormenting him. At Giuseppe insistence, he and his friend Francisco sneaked into the church to see the wedding. Giuseppe couldn't stand the thought of Maribella going away without seeing her one more time, even if she was being given to another man. She was wearing her scarlet betrothal gown and a beribboned circlet of bright flowers in her hair around her little cap. Despite her bright festive attire, there was a dark hint of sadness on her pretty face deeper than at her betrothal. Again the cause was the dour Sfortuno, still in his black doublet and hose. His shirt still needed to be laundered, it was likely the same shirt as before. "You'd think that he could at least buy a new shirt for his own wedding. He certainly can afford it with his ships moving all that cargo. How did such a sour old skeleton get so beautiful a bride? He must have a pact with the devil." Francisco murmured to his friend. "For that matter, how did fat old Grassello sire such a lovely daughter?" "It's because Grassello owes him money. Lots of money, even more than I have." Giuseppe sighed. "He took the daughter as payment on the loan. But she's worth even more that that, so much more." "Giuseppe, are you sweet on her... on Grassello's daugher?" Francisco was so astounded he nearly let his voice get too loud. Fortunately he controlled himself in time with only a few nearby parishioners shushing him. "I've fallen for her, Francisco, completely. I can't live without the hope of her touch or the memory of her kiss." "So that's why you've been acting strangely the past few weeks. You haven't been to the inns to drink wine with the rest of us and not even practicing with your sword. Tell me what you've done." Giuseppe quietly explained to Francisco about their meetings in the alcove, how Maribella was growing bolder each day and how tormented she was by her wedding to Sfortuno. How impressed he was with Maribella's natural figure, but even more with her intelligence. She should be studying at the university, not given away as a token to some creditor, he insisted. Francisco had never seen his friend this impassioned about anything, especially not the common women that hung around the student inns. Both he and Giuseppe had used their poetry and wits to seduce a few, but neither student ever became serious about one, not even to the point of seducing one more than twice. There were always more out there to sample. While his friend pined away, Francisco's let his eye rove over the crowd in the church. In a side chapel dedicated to Saint Fabiola, just a few rows away from them was another somber figure that was out of place at a wedding. The shapely woman had left the onlookers and was kneeling at the shrine with her back to the ceremony. She had a dark veil of mourning thrown over her coffee-brown tresses, partially concealing her face. Francisco thought he recognized the woman as a recent widow, he had assisted Maestro Grassello in treating her elderly husband without success. The woman paused in her prayer and glanced over at the wedding in progress, allowing Francisco to glimpse her profile through the veil. It was her, the young widow Rosetta. Like Maribella, she had married a much older man, in fact she was only about three years older than Francisco. Idly he wondered if she needed some comforting in her bereavement, especially if she missed a warm and willing partner in bed. He was snapped out of his daydream by Giuseppe's hand on his sleeve, towing him out of the church to see Maribella and Sfortuno mount their horses and ride off with Sfortuno's trusted servant Bruno. A milk-white mare for Maribella and a completely black gelding with a black saddle and tack for Sfortuno. Bruno, the tough ex-sailor, walked along between them, leading their horses. Francisco noticed Rosetta exiting the church and disentangled himself from Giuseppe, leaving his friend standing on the church porch. "Signora Rosetta, allow me to express my condolences." Francisco pulled off his cap and gave a deep bow. "We tried to save your husband, but he was beyond our medical skill." "I remember you, you gave him some foul-smelling herbs." Her eyes were dry and there was a slight smile on her lips despite her widow's veil. "They eased his pain." "Let me buy you a cup of wine. I'm called Francisco..." He took her by the arm and led her away from the church, chatting as they went. It was a long time before Giuseppe noticed that his friend was gone. ====== The next few days in class, Francisco couldn't hide his grin and the several times he yawned. Giuseppe barely noticed his friend's lack of concentration. One day after class was over, he guided Giuseppe to a secluded corner where they could talk without easily being overheard. "Giuseppe, I've found an angel. You should see Rosetta, such a beauty wasted behind a widow's veil." Francisco excitedly described the charms of his new lady friend but Giuseppe couldn't bring himself to show any enthusiasm. Francisco went on. "No, I haven't bedded her yet, but she kisses well and she's smart and witty and... you're not listening." "Sorry Francisco, I can't concentrate. I keep thinking about Maribella and that... that..." "Giuseppe," Francisco inturrupted, "you just need to put your humors in motion again, some physical exercise will help." "But I don't want to see another woman, Maribella is the queen of my heart. I still go to our alcove every day, hoping that she's returned." "Not that kind of exercise." Francisco rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Let's go get some sword practice. Since you've been pining away, I've gotten rusty. You should practice too in case you have to face one of Sfortuno's sailors like that servant of his, Bruno." "Very well, you're right. Let's go." Giuseppe sighed. There was a wide alleyway between some of the university halls where the students would practice their fighting skills. There was even a supply of "buttons" or point guards to fit on the tips of their blades so they could practice with actual weapons without killing each other. Francisco and Giuseppe fitted these buttons to their rapiers and daggers before sparring with each other. They practiced several different styles of fighting: rapier alone; dagger alone; rapier and dagger together; and rapier and cloak. As other students wandered in to practice, they traded off partners and sometimes even fought as a team against another pair of students. Giuseppe felt his blood stir at the rush of battle, even a practice fight. As a nobleman, he had trained to hold a sword from the time he first learned to walk. The blade became a part of him and his use of it was as natural as walking. "Maddona! Have you been practicing without me? I don't think my point has touched you yet." Francisco was out of breath after several successive fights against Giuseppe. He leaned against the wall for support. Giuseppe laughed for the first time since Maribella's wedding. "No, Francisco, its just a little natural talent and years of training. Let me show you something, you've been leaving the same opening for me every time..." ====== "I feel terrible, send for the physician." Sfortuno hunched over the saddle of his horse, his body racked by a dry cough. "I've already sent Bruno ahead to fetch Papa and his assistant." Maribella bounced off of her mount with the agility of youth. "Here he is now." Maestro Grassello entered the gate of Sfortuno's courtyard, along with his assistant Francisco and Sfortuno's tough-looking servant Bruno. Bruno rushed over to his master, helped him down off the horse and into a large chair in the house. Francisco started the examination, reporting his findings to Grassello, giving the professor time to greet his daughter. "It looks like some contaminant in your food has caused the cough." Grassello pronounced. "Have you been eating oysters? No matter, a good laxative will purge that from your system. But first, a dose of hyssop to control the cough, take the laxative in about half an hour." "Husband, Bruno can stay here to take care of you, I want to go with my father so I can visit with him and also go to the church where we married." "There's a perfectly good church much closer, Bruno can take you later." Sfortuno croaked. "I prefer my original church," She pouted, "er, so I can pray for your recovery." She spun and was out the door before either her husband or Bruno could stop her. Maribella walked alongside her father, chatting while Francisco silently brought up the rear. When they turned onto the main thoroughfare leading to the church, Maribella and Francisco both spotted a familiar figure only a few steps ahead. Rosetta was walking just ahead of them, so intent on her own errand that at first she didn't notice her lover in the company of her friend and friend's father. "Rosetta." Maribella called out. "How good to see you. I'm back from my journey, walk with us." Rosetta spun around and smiled when she recognized the trio approaching her. "Maribella, you're back. How was your journey? And bon giourno to you Maestro." Rosetta nodded her head at Maribella's father, then a quick, sly smile for Francisco. "I'm on my way to St. Fabiola's." "And so are we." Maribella answered, taking the other young woman by the arm. They started chatting, sharing gossip and the occasional giggle and completely ignoring Grasello. He eased back a bit to walk beside Francisco, leaving his daughter and her friend to talk in relative privacy. "Why St. Fabiola's instead of a closer church?" Maribella asked, thinking she might already know the answer, having noticed the quick glance exchanged between her friend and her father's assistant. "She's the patron of marriages, especially unhappy ones. I've been visiting there since I married, first to pray that my husband would be gentler to me or else release me from my marriage, then to ease his pain when he was sick." Rosetta said in a low voice so that the men wouldn't hear. "What about now?" Maribella persisted. "Now I go there to give thanks for being out of my marriage... and for being happier." Rosetta slyly glanced back at Francisco. "Oh, are you giving thanks for Francisco?" Maribella guessed. "Finally I've found some happiness. Francisco and I were supposed to meet at the church this afternoon, I was surprised to see him here with you and your father." Rosetta quietly gave more details of her blossoming affair with Francisco, telling how he would sneak over her garden wall from an abandoned garden next door so the neighbors won't gossip. Maribella couldn't help glancing back at the young student with an ill-concealed smile. "What about you, Maribella? Why do you go over to St. Fabiola's?" It was Rosetta's turn to be curious. "Everyone knows that's the church where I married. I'll have to try praying at the shrine, maybe I can share in some of your luck. Sfortuno isn't the best of husbands, he smells of stale garlic all the time and he never lasts long enough. You know what I mean..." Rosetta tittered at her friend's insinuation. "You just need to find a younger man to tend to your needs." "I have found one, but we haven't had enough private time to do more than kiss. You might know him, he's Francisco's friend at the university." Maribella whispered a brief description of Giuseppe's attentions, how they would kiss while concealed by his cloak and how he wrote poetry for her. "Francisco never wrote poetry for me." Rosetta pouted. She fell silent for the rest of the trip, but that was only a few minutes since they were quite close to the church by this time. "Maestro, if you don't need me this afternoon, I'll stay with the ladies and see them safely home." Francisco offered. "Very well, the rest of the day should be quiet." He said good bye to his daughter before heading off in the direction of the wine shops. The trio entered the church and only spent a short time in prayer at the shrine of St. Fabiola. Rosetta kneeled quite close to Francisco, their arms touching while they prayed. The glances they exchanged made it clear that whatever they were praying for, it was hardly spiritual. Still, Maribella found a chance to whisper to Francisco that he should start composing poems for Rosetta. Once back outside, Francisco directed them towards the market square instead of the direction of their homes. "Maribella, I might have a surprise for you." He guided them towards the partially hidden alcove where Maribella would meet Giuseppe. To her delight, there was Giuseppe waiting in the alcove. She rushed over and threw her arms around him, practically knocking him down. Their kiss was so passionate that it was several minutes before they could untangle their tongues enough to speak. "Maribella, I didn't expect to see you so soon. Francisco told me that he'd been summoned to your house, I was hoping that you'd returned." Giuseppe's grin was so wide it threatened to split his face. "We came back early because Sfortuno can't drink chamomile without coughing. He thinks its some mysterious disease. Were you waiting here for me?" Maribella matched his grin. "I've been coming here every day, just to remember. Nobody else knew that except... except Francisco." Giuseppe looked at his friend, comprehension dawning. "You set this up didn't you?" Francisco released Rosetta from the deep kiss they were sharing. "Er, yes, I thought you'd be here. I wanted to surprise both of you." "You certainly did just that. Thank you Francisco." Giuseppe turned his attention back to Maribella for another deep kiss. "Uh, Giuseppe, the ladies have to get back before Sfortuno gets suspicious. It's time to go." Francisco urged. "I'll come along." Giuseppe offered, unwilling to let go of his lover. "No, that's not a good idea. Sfortuno will get suspicious." Maribella said. "I'll find some way to get word to you so we can meet again real soon." Giuseppe and Maribella "Good thinking, I'll wait for you. Thank the Saints for your safe return." Giuseppe kissed both her hands several times before releasing her, reluctant to see her go. They all made their way past the vendor's stands into the main area of the market square, with Giuseppe waiting until they arrived at the mouth of the street that would take them back to the ladies' homes before parting. He couldn't help but let his hand rest against Maribella's. Just as they were passing the fountain, a harsh voice stopped them. "You there, student! What are you doing with my Master's wife?" It was Bruno, Sfortuno's tough servant. His hand rested on the hilt of his dangerous-looking sword. "We were helping her to buy herbs to ease your master's illness." The quick thinking Francisco replied. "Harrumph. Master expected you home by now, he's already feeling much better. Come along." Bruno glowered at the students as if he'd like nothing better than to draw his sword and attack them. Both Giuseppe and Francisco kept their hands near their daggers. "You can accompany us back to Signora Rosetta's house, then to your Master. I'd like to examine Signore Sfortuno again to see how well my treatment worked." Francisco deliberately turned away from Bruno to speak to Giuseppe, showing his contempt for the bully. "Giuseppe, thanks for your advice on this matter, I'll see you tomorrow." Taking his cue from Francisco, Giuseppe said his good byes, gave a bow to the ladies and stalked slowly away across the market square. He wasn't sure how clever Bruno was with a sword, but the bully was strong and experienced. Giuseppe resolved to go better armed next time. The foursome headed back the way they came. They arrived at Rosetta's door first and Francisco paused long enough to kiss the lady's hand. Rosetta's house was only a few short blocks from Sfortuno's villa. Francisco made another examination of the miserly ship owner and pronounced him to be on the road to recovery. He quickly exited and dashed over to the abandoned garden next to Rosetta's. Agilely scaling the wall, he found her waiting for him in the garden. They greeted with a passionate kiss her lips parting in invitation. "Rosetta, dolcina mia - my sweet. I have something for you." "What is it?" Rosetta was curious, Francisco didn't seem to be carrying any packages. "Just this." Francisco started reciting a little poem, not telling her that he composed it during the walk between her house and Sfortuno's. She squealed in delight and grabbed him for another deep kiss when he finished with his short verse. He deftly undid the laces of her gown, letting the bodice fall open and caressing her small, firm breasts through her chemise. She moaned. "Let's go inside, dolcina mia, and I'll sing you some poetry without words." Francisco led her into the house. ====== The next day Maribella appeared at Rosetta's door with a large canvas bag full of curious items. "Maribella, what's all this?" "You said you wanted to make your hair lighter and with a sweeter scent so Francisco would pay more attention to it." Maribella hefted the bag. "I've got what you need right here." "I've always admired your hair, I wish mine were that color." The dark-haired woman invited her friend in. "I'll tell you a secret. My hair's just as dark as yours, but I lighten it. Here, let's go into the garden and I'll show you." Maribella went over to a garden bench and started taking items out of the bag. There were several lemons with a bowl and knife, waxed parchment packets of dried herbs, a mortar and pestle, a few towels, a couple of soft brushes, a jar of a resinous-looking material and a pair of wide-brim straw hats with the crowns cut out. Maribella set things out and explained the procedure to her friend. "Cut these lemons and squeeze the juice into the bowl while I crush this dried sap. This is sap of cocklebur and I use it along with marigold, rosemary, nettles and a few other herbs to make my hair lighter. Let's mix everything together." "What are the hats for?" "After I brush this mixture on your hair, put on the hat with your hair spread out on the brim. We'll sit in the sun for a while and that will make it even lighter." The two women gossiped as they fixed their hair and sat basking in the sun, chatting about their lovers, husbands and things in general. Maribella reached into the bag and brought out a copy of Boccaccio's book The Decameron. When they ran out of gossip, she would read one of the racy stories aloud and they would titter. After a while, the sun eased its way towards the western horizon and the shadows of the garden wall were close to ending the sun bleaching treatment. Maribella noticed some movement out of the corner of her eye. A loaf-shaped student hat appeared over the garden wall, followed by Francisco's head and shoulders. The young student scaled the wall, jumped down onto a mound of earth and headed for the house before noticing the two ladies sitting in the garden. "Rosetta, dolcina mia, I have another poem for you. This one's better than... Oh I didn't realize someone else was here. How are you Signora Maribella?" Maribella just nodded at Francisco in greeting, but Rosetta protested, insisting that she wasn't fit for company with her wet hair. "Nonsense dolcina mia. Let me help you dry off, then you can hear my poem." "She has to rinse the herbs out first." Maribella cautioned. "There's a bucket of water around here somewhere." "Here it is." Francisco gently urged Rosetta to her feet and over to the bucket. She was still protesting, but only halfheartedly. Francisco helped her gather her hair forward and slipped the sunshade off while she leaned on a trellis, bent far forward so the rinse water wouldn't soak her clothes. Francisco dipped the large ladle into the bucket and poured a trickle of water along Rosetta's long hair, combing the bits of herb out with his fingers and massaging her scalp. Rosetta sighed in contentment. "What is this in your hair? It smells nice." Francisco put his face near her hair, right by her ear and inhaled, then quickly ran his tongue along the back of her ear causing her to shiver in delight. He straightened up to finish the rinse, leaving her with her head turned towards him so that she found her face just inches from his straining codpiece. Rosetta reached over and rested her hand on Francisco's firm bottom. "Finish with that so we can go inside." Rosetta whispered. Francisco dipped one more ladle full of water and rinsed out the last of the lightening solution. He wrapped a towel around her hair before she stood and took his arm. Wordlessly, they went into the house, oblivious to Maribella still sitting in the garden, only a few feet away. Maribella sighed, shook her head and went to rinse out her own hair. After wrapping it in a towel, she stared for a moment at the open doorway to Rosetta's house. Curiosity getting the better of her, she slyly entered and looked for the couple. Hearing noises from upstairs, she quietly ascended the steps. Near the top of the staircase she paused, finding that she had an unhindered view through the open door into Rosetta's bedroom, brightly lit by the setting sun through the windows. Maribella flattened herself against the banister, staying in the shadows so that her friends wouldn't notice her watching. Rosetta had stripped off her outer dress, leaving her only in her thin chemise. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Francisco, who had pulled the sleeves off his doublet and untied it in the front. His hands teased her breasts through the thin fabric of the chemise as they kissed. Rosetta leaned back, reached down and undid the points or laces in front that held his tights to his doublet, leaving them only supported in the back. This gave her enough access to slip her hand into the waistband, behind his codpiece. Maribella watched, fascinated, as her friend pushed Francisco's doublet back off his shoulders, dropping it and his tights to the floor. Rosetta then hoisted Francisco's shirt about halfway, exposing his erect member for her to suck for a moment, taking the head completely into her mouth. Maribella was surprised and had to stifle a gasp. Except for a kiss on the mouth, she had never heard of anyone putting her mouth on a man this way. Certainly Rosetta never mentioned anything like that, even though they talked of some of the intimate details of their experiences with men. Perhaps, she thought, it was something new that only students did. Her amazement increased by leaps and bounds when Francisco eagerly stripped off Rosetta's chemise and dropped to his knees to bury his face in her dark muff. Rosetta squealed in pleasure, masking Maribella's unstifled gasp. She ducked behind the newel post and caught her breath for a moment, then leaned out a bit to continue spying on her friends. Francisco had discarded his shirt and lifted Rosetta onto the bed, but still had his face firmly lodged between her thighs. Rosetta was slowly stroking him with one hand and playing with her own nipple with the other. Francisco had hold of her other nipple and rolled it like an olive between his fingers. It didn't take long before Rosetta signaled her climax with a loud, ragged moan. Maribella moved up a couple of steps for a better view as Francisco mounted atop of Rosetta. Spying on her friends had made her so stimulated that she had reached under her own skirts and toyed with her clitoris through her underwear while they coupled. She had to bite her lip when she came, careful not to let her friends hear her. When Francisco gave a soft bellow and Rosetta voiced her second orgasm, Maribella sneaked down the stairs on shaky feet and tried to compose herself in the garden. Her friends emerged from the house a few minutes later to find her sitting quietly on one of the benches, reading from her copy of Decameron. She looked up to see the bright smiles on the couple's faces. She was torn, happy for her friends yet a bit envious. "Ah, you're back." Maribella deliberately gave an exaggerated sigh. "I wish I had a private place like this where I could meet with Giuseppe." Francisco took that as a cue. "Don't you have an extra room, dolcina mia, one that's not being used? I can bring Giuseppe here tomorrow." Rosetta's smile evaporated and she shook her head. "But what if Bruno sees him? He'll blame me. I don't trust that man, he looks like he'd be rough with anyone, even a woman. Especially a woman." "He'd come after Giuseppe and me first. We can protect you." "I just don't know..." Rosetta folded her arms, her mouth set. "Rosetta..." Maribella wrapped her arms around her friend. "Giuseppe is very careful and I'll be cautious, too. You've finally found happiness with your scholar, now help me to find mine. Please?" Rosetta lifted her head to find two pairs of pleading eyes looking at her. She drew a deep breath and let it out all at once. "All right, you can bring Giuseppe tomorrow. But be careful. A widow doesn't have much protection under the law." "Oh thank you, thank you." Maribella was practically bouncing with excitement. She kissed her friend and even gave Francisco a peck on the cheek. "I'll be back the same time tomorrow with more hair treatment." Francisco looked confused. "Hair treatment? Why do you have to do anything with your hair? It always looks beautiful." He didn't understand why Rosetta gave an annoyed snort and turned her back to him to help Maribella gather her things. ======== Rosetta and Maribella were waiting in the garden when Francisco and Giuseppe climbed over the wall. This time the ladies had dried their hair well before the students arrived. The young nobleman was instantly in Maribella's arms and sharing a deep, passionate kiss. Maribella was the first to break the kiss and lean back. "Let's go inside, Rosetta has a room waiting for us." She whispered. Giuseppe eagerly followed her up the stairs to a small room down the hall from the main bedroom. The student tossed his cap aside and took Maribella in his arms again. She started undoing the points of his doublet, reaching in to press her hands against his strong chest. He deftly undid her sleeves, then the bodice of her dress, allowing him to caress her full breasts and urge her nipples into hardness. Their passions soon overtook them and they hurriedly stripped the rest of the way, strewing their clothes about the room in their haste. Giuseppe stepped back, admiring the curvy body of his lover, revealed to him for the first time. He let his gaze travel up her shapely legs, soft belly and full young breasts before returning to rest on the dark thatch between her rounded thighs. Giuseppe thought that Maribella was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and told her in flowery terms. For a breathless moment they both stared at each other, then leapt onto the bed and once again locked their mouths together. Giuseppe reached down between Maribella's legs, slipping his fingers into her wet folds and seeking the opening to her inner depths. She grabbed his hardness and swiveled her hips against his hand causing his finger to slide in even deeper and pressing his thumb against her clitoris. A few moments of this intense stimulation had her moaning in orgasm. As her spasms eased, she pulled his member towards her wet muff, guiding him into place. Giuseppe moved slowly as he entered her, wanting to make their first time last as long as possible. But his desire soon had him moving quicker and quicker until he was lost in his own orgasm as Maribella moaned yet again. They stayed together as he grew soft inside her, neither wanting to separate. There was a knock at the door. "Maribella, it's time for you to go." Rosetta's voice urgently whispered through the wood of the portal. "Bruno is here to take you back home." "What? Oh, no!" Maribella squirmed out from under the startled Giuseppe and quickly gathered up her clothes. "You'll have to hide, don't let Bruno see you." He helped her into her chemise and gown, tying the laces for her and finding her discarded shoes. With one last glance around her to make sure her clothing was in proper array, he gave her a kiss and hid behind the door while she exited. There wasn't even time for a proper lingering goodbye. Giuseppe donned his clothes right after she left and waited to hear the front door close before exiting the bedroom. Francisco was just coming out of the other bedroom, still adjusting his clothes. Rosetta waited for them at the foot of the stairs. "That was close, what if Bruno saw you? You've got to be more careful next time." Rosetta cautioned. "You'll have to give us a sign if Bruno gets here before we do." Giuseppe thought a moment. "How about hanging a towel on the railing of the little bedroom when Bruno is here? We can see it over the wall. That way if the towel is there, we know not to climb over." ====== The lovers kept up their trysts for several weeks, trying to meet at the same time each day. Sometimes Bruno would accompany Maribella into Rosetta's house, other times he would show up to escort her home. Both Sfortuno and Bruno were suspicious of Maribella's continual trips to Rosetta's house, but they had no proof of any scandalous activity. Every chance they had to be alone, Maribella and Giuseppe explored their new intimacy, learning how to give each other pleasure and finding out what each liked the most. Their sexual adventures quickly progressed beyond their first hurried coupling to a more intense, yet slower lovemaking. Maribella asked Giuseppe about the oral contact she had seen between Francisco and Rosetta, saying it was something she had only heard about. Giuseppe had only heard about such things, but was willing to try it with Maribella. He soon found out how to use his tongue to make her squeal in pleasure. One day in the fall, Maribella quickly broke off their welcoming kiss and motioned for Giuseppe to sit down on the nearby bench. "Giuseppe, my darling, I have something to tell you." "What is it?" Giuseppe looked into her eyes. "You've seemed a little bit shaky lately and you look pale. Are you well, my love?" She took both his hands between hers. "I... I think I'm pregnant." ====== The church clock chimed the hour bringing the day's lecture to a close. Maesto Grassello gathered up his notes with an unusual grin on his face, but before he exited he had one more thing to say. "One more thing, I'm happy to announce that I'll soon be a grandfather. Class dismissed." The students stood while he sauntered out of the room. Two of them snickered at the impending birth. "It's about time someone bedded Grassello's little girl. Old Sfortuno certainly can't, I bet he hasn't any seed left." "I wouldn't mind bedding her myself, she looks rather plain but she ought to be good for a quick one." They continued making rude comments about Maribella, noting the size of her breasts and the way her bottom swayed when she walked. "Don't be talking about Signora Maribella like that, she's better than you realize." Giuseppe interrupted, he'd been walking right behind them and heard the entire exchange. His hand was on the hilt of his dagger. "What do you care, you prissy noble." The duo reached for their own blades. "Mind your own business." Just then Francisco stepped in and grabbed Giuseppe by the arm. "Leave him be, he's had a bit too much wine." He tried to drag his friend down the corridor away from the angry students. "Come on, let's go. Now!" Giuseppe resisted for a moment, then finally allowed his friend to guide him away. The students parted with the offending duo heading one way and Francisco pulling Giuseppe the other. "You've got to be more careful of what you say. Word could get back to Grassello, or worse yet, to Sforuno. Then what would happen? You won't be able to take her out of the city." Francisco warned his friend as they made their way down the corridor. Peering out from a nearby doorway where he had gone unnoticed, Maestro Grassello made sure that they were gone before he left the building and headed towards Sfortuno's villa. ====== "Something's wrong, Francisco. Every time I go to Rosetta's to see Maribella, either she's not there or Bruno is with her. What can I do?" Giuseppe stared glumly into his wine cup. "Have patience, Giuseppe. Maribella is probably resting a lot because of the baby." Francisco gently patted his noble friend on the back. "I don't give a fig for patience. I need to see my Maribella. It's been weeks." Francisco tried to change the subject. "Have you found any ship that will take the two of you overseas?" "No luck yet. All the captains seem to owe Sfortuno something or he has some sorcerer's power over them. No one will let me book passage." "I saw some recent arrivals coming in just this morning. Maybe you can get to them before Sfortuno." Francisco described the location where the newly arrived ships had docked. Giuseppe thanked his friend and headed for the docks, leaving some silver coins to pay for the wine. ====== "Ahoy, Captain." Giuseppe called from the dock. "Do you take passengers?" The ship's Captain took a moment to peer at the student before replying. "I do if you have the proper papers." He crossed the gangplank to the dock as he spoke. "Proper papers?" Giuseppe scratched his head in confusion. "What's that about? I haven't heard this before. The other captains I've talked to this morning haven't mentioned anything about papers." "There's been some smugglers trying to bring contraband into port. Now all passengers in or out have to have a pass from the City Guards to book passage. Do you have a pass?" The captain studied Giuseppe's face even closer. Giuseppe and Maribella The student tried to avoid the close scrutiny by taking a step backward along the dockside. Suddenly another figure farther along the docks caught his eye. It was Bruno, purposefully striding towards the newly-docked ships. Giuseppe decided it was time to leave. He stalked off away from Bruno without even saying goodbye to the Captain. He didn't see Bruno approach the same man. "Bon Giourno, Captain. Was there any student trying to book passage?" "Yes, there was, just now. I told him a sea story about needing a pass from the City Guards." The Captain grinned at his own mischief. Bruno laughed along with him. "I need a favor. I want two sailors that are good in a fight. Have you any men to spare? "Aye, that I do." The Captain realized that this was a chance to get rid of a couple of lazy crewmen. "I'll send them to you after we've finished unloading the cargo." ====== Giuseppe hoped that Maribella would take the opportunity to visit Rosetta while Bruno was occupied down at the docks. A quick glance over the garden wall confirmed his hopes. There was Maribella, wrapped in a cloak and sitting on a garden bench, chatting with her friend. Her pregnancy was starting to be visible and the nobleman took a moment to stare at her in awe before leaping over the wall. "Maribella, thank the saints that you're here so I can see you at last." Ignoring Rosetta, Giuseppe kneeled in front of Maribella and kissed both her hands, then leaned forward and kissed her belly through her gown. "Don't look at my tummy." She protested. "It's so big now I feel like I'm ugly, distorted." She tried to lean back away from her lover, but he pulled her back towards him. "You are beautiful, you've always been beautiful and you always will be." He gently pulled her to her feet and tried to lead her into the house. "We can't, won't that hurt our baby?" She protested. "Not until you're farther along, didn't the midwife tell you that it won't hurt the baby?" "Our baby." Maribella corrected him. "I'm certain that you did this to me. Sfortuno wasn't able to perform at the right time. I lied to him about how far along I was." "Oh Maribella, that's wonderful." Giuseppe's grin widened. "But I think Sfortuno might be suspicious anyway. I'm afraid for you, you might have to leave the city." "Don't worry bella mia, I've been trying to book passage by sea. For both of us." Maribella gasped at this news. "But Sfortuno has a lot of influence with the ship captains, you won't be able to find anyone to take us." "But you can't go by land in your condition. What else can I do?" "I don't know." Maribella was downcast. "Let's go inside, it's getting cold out here." The student led her into the house and helped her up the stairs. Back in their special room, he helped her undress and get under the warm blanket before stripping himself and joining her. Gently, he teased her passions awake with his ardent caresses of her breasts and bottom, and eager work with his tongue and lips on her mouth and nipples. It took her a few moments to relax enough to respond, finally reaching down to run her hand along his hardness. He dived under the covers and buried his face in her muff, making her squeal when he found her clitoris in the dark. She took his hardness in her mouth, easing the head past her teeth and running her tongue around its perimeter. However Giuseppe had other plans and withdrew from her mouth as soon as she moaned in orgasm. He positioned himself above her, entering her slowly, savoring each moment that they were connected. Because of her condition, he kept his thrusts gentle and steady, supporting his weight on his extended arms. It didn't take long until she was gasping another orgasm, soon followed by his own shuddering explosion inside her. As usual, they stayed connected until he softened, whispering sweet little endearments to each other. Giuseppe was reluctant to leave, but Maribella insisted that he go before Bruno appeared, fearing for his safety. ====== Some days later Giuseppe walked slowly through the crowded market square searching for a flower merchant with the right blooms to make another batch of his special scented water for Maribella to cheer her up. Now that winter was here, the right flowers were impossible to obtain fresh, and even difficult to find dried. Giuseppe was wondering what dried flowers he could substitute for his original formula, yet still have it smell as sweet. A harsh voice startled him out of his preoccupation. "You there, student!" Bruno's hand rested on the hilt of his sheathed sword. "I've seen you around my master's house. I'm warning you, stay away." "Scuzi, but I don't know who your master is." Giuseppe feigned confusion. "Don't act stupid. Signore Sfortuno doesn't play those games, especially with students. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away." "Ah, now I remember. Signore Sfortuno, he's the ship owner." Giuseppe gestured broadly with his left hand to try and distract the bully, but kept his right near his rapier. "Didn't he marry Maestro Grassello's daughter, what's her name?" "I've seen you with her, don't mock me." Bruno's sword hissed out of its scabbard. Giuseppe immediately whipped his blade out and the two faced each other. The crowd edged back into a circle, trying to stay out of harm's way and giving the combatants room. Bruno was the veteran of many shipboard fights and carried a naval sword, shorter and thicker than the student's graceful rapier. Giuseppe had trained with the sword since childhood. He had even fought several duels to first blood, but had never killed. Bruno's style was rougher and more brawling. Giuseppe was used to formal duels that depended more on finesse than grappling. They circled, each waiting for the other to reveal some weakness. Giuseppe attacked first. He changed lines, faked a thrust to Bruno's head then whipped his sword down to carve a shallow scratch along Bruno's forearm. The sailor hissed and retaliated with a thrust at Giuseppe's upper body that turned into a slashing cut at his arm. It narrowly missed its mark, leaving a small, ragged tear in the student's upper shirtsleeve. They circled again, jabbing and feinting without full commitment, testing each other's defense. Giuseppe found that it was more difficult to block his opponent's heavier weapon, but his longer rapier had the advantage in reach and speed. Giuseppe moved in again, faking thrusts at the sailor's body and legs, making him align his sword point off center. This left Giuseppe the opening he wanted, Bruno's neck was momentarily unguarded. Giuseppe aimed a quick lunge at the bully's throat, but a stout wooden cudgel knocked his blade off target. Another baton knocked Bruno's sword out of his grasp, clattering to the cobblestones. It was the City Guards, soldiers of the Duke who kept peace in the streets. Giuseppe didn't want to be detained in the lockup, especially along with Bruno. While Bruno struggled with them, inadvertently causing a distraction, Giuseppe slipped from the guard's hands and dashed into the crowd, leaping over the edge of the fountain. Giuseppe knew he would have to be careful when on his way to or from Rosetta's house. Back at his room, he dug into his storage chest, searching. From near the bottom of the chest, he extracted a small but powerful crossbow and a leather quiver containing eight wickedly sharp bolts. ====== There was no towel on the railing, but Giuseppe cautiously peered over the wall to check the situation anyway. Maribella was there, sitting on a garden bench despite the cool weather and wrapped in a thick blanket. She looked up, smiling at his presence but her smile turned to a look of concern when she saw him armed with his crossbow as well as his rapier under his dark cloak. "Giuseppe, what's wrong? Has Bruno threatened you?" He ignored the question. "Why are you out in the cold? Come inside and I'll keep you warm." "Giuseppe, you didn't fight with Bruno, did you?" Giuseppe looked at the ground, he couldn't bring himself to lie to Maribella. "Yes, my love. Bruno drew on me in the market. I almost had him when the City Guards stopped the fight. I got away, obviously." She quickly stood and grabbed him in a hug. "Don't fight in the streets. I don't want Bruno to hurt you or the City Guards to take you away. Please." Giuseppe stroked her hair. "It'll be fine, don't worry bella Maribella. Worry will disturb the baby." "But my tummy is getting even bigger, I look terrible." "You are more beautiful than ever." Giuseppe backed up his words with a deep kiss. He gently led her inside the house before she could protest and half carried her up the stairs to the little bedroom. "I'll be gentle for our baby's sake, but I have to have you again." He stopped her words with a kiss and deftly undid the laces of her gown. ====== The evening was almost completely dark when Giuseppe left Rosetta's and headed for his rooms. He kept the dark cloak close wrapped around him as he walked down the narrow streets, as much as for concealment as for warmth. He was near his rooms and thought he had avoided any danger when two men approached him. "Ah, it's Giusppe the student. I thought I'd find you around here." The mocking voice belonged to Bruno, approaching along with one of Sfortuno's sailors. The sailor already had his long dagger out of its scabbard and Bruno was drawing his naval sword. Giuseppe heard more footsteps on the cobblestones down the lane behind him. The young nobleman whipped aside the cloak and Bruno started to move in, probably to try and catch Giuseppe before he could draw his own blade. However, Giuseppe already had a weapon in hand. Aiming quickly he leveled the small, powerful crossbow at Bruno and released the deadly bolt with a soft twang and a hiss. Bruno stumbled and dropped his sword, clutching at the sailor's arm and causing him to drop his dagger. Blood spurted from the front of Bruno's leather doublet. Seeing the first two assailants tangled up, Giuseppe wheeled around to find a second sailor approaching with dagger held high. The student dodged quickly. The second sailor's knife whooshed narrowly past him, tearing a hole in his cloak. Without time to reload his crossbow, Giuseppe swung the solid oak stock backhand at the sailor as hard as he could, bashing him in the face and knocking out a couple of teeth. The man slumped stunned against a wall with his hands pressed against his forehead where the tip of the steel crossbow prod had torn open a long, bloody gash. Giuseppe dropped the bow and drew his own rapier, backing into a position where he could face both remaining assailants at the same time. They paused in their attack. The first sailor had picked up his knife, but kept looking down at Bruno lying on the stones. Blood bubbled up from the mortal lung wound in the ruffian's chest. The second assailant had recovered his balance, but was still hindered by the blood flowing from his forehead into his eyes. They had been hoping to easily overcome Giuseppe, thinking him a dandified student. Now they found themselves facing three feet of gleaming steel in the steady hand of an obvious expert and their leader was dying in the street. They hadn't bargained on this. With only a quick glance of agreement at each other, they ran off. Giuseppe let his breath out in one sigh of relief. He hadn't realized that had been holding it. Now that the immediate danger was past, he realized that he was in far greater danger. The two sailors would undoubtedly go straight to Sfortuno who would summon the City Guard to detain Giuseppe. The authorities had little regard for the testimony of students. With two witnesses and the powerful Sfortuno against him, it was likely that he would be executed in short order. He could only think of one plan of action. He retrieved his small crossbow and ran for the Church of St. Fabiola. If only he could convince Padre Pietro to hide him, there might be a chance to escape. ====== "Padre Pietro you know me well enough, I'm not looking to betray Giuseppe. I want to help him." Francisco pleaded with the Priest. "Take me to him." "How did you know he was here? I've told no one." The Priest was confused and might have even suspected Francisco of sorcery. "Because I've looked everywhere else for him, his rooms, the university and... other places. This is the only other place that he would hide." Francisco didn't mention Rosetta's garden or the body of Bruno being found early that morning along with one of Giuseppe's crossbow bolts. The Priest probably already knew about the fight. Pietro headed down the stairs to the crypts below the church and stopped at one iron grating, unlocking it with a key on his belt. Giuseppe was inside, crouching behind a large, ornate tomb. He leapt up when he recognized Francisco. "Thank the saints that you're here. You've got to get word to Maribella, let her know where I am. I've got to see her." "Giuseppe, the City Guards are in an uproar, they're looking for you at the University and keeping watch on your rooms." Francisco shook his head. "Sfortuno won't let Maribella leave his villa at all, even to go to Rosetta's." "What am I to do?" Giuseppe wrung his hands in anguish. "We've got to get you out of the city by land. Every sailor in town is looking for you. Bruno wasn't well liked, but Sfortuno is a powerful enemy." "There's a caravan leaving in two days for the northern trade fairs." Father Pietro added. "If you shave off your mustache and cut your hair in a tonsure you can leave with them disguised as a monk." "But how can I leave Maribella?" "Giuseppe, listen to me." Francisco grabbed his friend by the shoulders, forcing him upright to face him. "Sfortuno is very old, he can't last forever. All you have to do is wait him out. I'll get word to you." "Can you at least get a message to Maribella, tell her why I'm leaving? I don't want her to think that I'm abandoning her." "Rosetta might be able to speak to her, but I don't think that a written message would be wise." "Just have Rosetta explain to her." Giuseppe slumped down again. "Can you get something from my room? It's a carved box." Giuseppe explained to Francisco about the poems in the box and why it was so important to him. "I'll bring the box, but you'll need some money, too. A few bribes in the right places can ease your journey." Francisco advised. "Anything you need to bring, go and fetch quickly. The caravan won't wait for anyone." Father Pietro cautioned. Giuseppe nodded and told his friend where to find his moneybag and the box of poems. He told Francisco that he could keep everything else. Ever a loyal friend, Francisco ran the errands immediately, sneaking into Giuseppe's rooms and bringing the money and poems back to the church. The caravan left on time as usual and none of the City Guards noticed an extra monk with the travelers. Even one clutching a carved box to his chest, quietly weeping. ====== Author's note: The ages of the main characters in this story are given as 20 years and 18 years because of editorial necessity. In the Renaissance period, these lovers would probably have been much younger, probably between 15 and 17 years of age. It is said that Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet were supposed to be even younger than that. The study of the Renaissance period is fascinating, these were lusty folk that lived closer to the cycles of nature than we do today. They often wrote about their sexual adventures, mostly in veiled terms, but sometimes explicitly. Readers of this story are urged to find actual stories from that time. Boccaccio's "The Decameron" is a wonderful example of a collection of stories from that period, many of them rather explicit. Thank you for reading this far, I hope you enjoyed this little tale.