Later, Lucrezia makes a love match with Alfonso of Aragon, Prince of Naples, but Cesare disapproves of his father’s indulgence, to Lucrezia’s regret. Soon, however, 'political convenience' will lead to the annulment of Lucrezia’s unconsummated marriage to Sforza. Teenage Lucrezia is mature beyond her years, but she’s only a pawn in her father’s game of thrones. Gortner’s novel is one of character: Borgia pater, of course, but also Lucrezia, intelligent and poised, and her 'keen and capable' brother Cesare, named Cardinal of Valencia fresh from seminary. Rodrigo’s patronage, political power, and wealth made Lucrezia a valuable consort because family alliances between the Sforzas, Gonzagas, d’Estes, and Medicis controlled Italy’s city-states. Borgia’s 13-year-old daughter, Lucrezia, his farfallina-'little butterfly'-will marry Giovanni Sforza, the cardinal's cousin, in more political payoff. Borgia, who would become Pope Alexander VI, gains his papacy with the support of the troublesome Milanese, particularly Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whom he names vice-chancellor. In an era when priestly vows of chastity were honored in the breach, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia had four children by a mistress. As the 16th century dawns, Columbus has brought word of new lands to Queen Isabella, Savonarola leads a reign of terror in Florence, and Rodrigo Borgia is bargaining his daughter, Lucrezia, to claim the Throne of Peter in Rome.

Marlene by cw gortner