With whispers both sly and strident, Barbara hears the
warnings of poison and death at every turn - from every
flower offered, every drink, and even from the jewels woven
into her royal hair and clothes. But there was no turning
back now. No, she was not going to return to her quiet
life in the Austrian imperial court of her brother,
Maximilan, or to the convent at Hall where three of her
sisters were already preparing to be immured. No, this was
her big escape from these fates and she was going to marry
the Duke of Ferrara.
More intelligent and older than most royal brides, Barbara
was thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy the life and
court of Ferrara, despite the fact that she knew the Duke
was only marrying her for the royal connections and
prestige she brought. Well, so be it! She knew she wasn't
a beauty like the Duke's first wife, Lucrezia de Medici,
who died very young and mysteriously four years before;
yet, she was willing to make this marriage work. As she
made her way about court, the whispers only increased and
some even hinted that it was the Duke himself that had
caused the death of the first Duchess and she would be next.
Alfonso d'Este, the Duke of Ferrara, had his own reasons
for wanting to make this marriage work and he was
determined to do so by keeping the past buried. Taking the
wrong advice from Barbara's brother on how to handle his
new bride, Alfonso only made her determination stronger to
find out the truth. If the truth is uncovered, would her
seeking and questions only bring tragic consequences?
Using Robert Browning's poem, "My Last Duchess" as a
spiritual muse, Elizabeth Loupas brings forth in stunning
detail the fascinating development of the relationship
between the autocratic Duke and his second Duchess as well
as bringing their Renaissance court into full blossom with
all its luscious food, festivities, vivid paintings and
richest attire. The plotting is spellbinding with its
undertones of danger from both political and romantic
intrigue. The invocation of the first Duchess as an
immobila also adds another dimension to the complexity of
motivations, ambitions and fears at play in this small, but
powerful feudal city-state. An awesome read to enjoy and
relish! A royal treat not to be missed!
A rich, compelling historical novel-and a mystery of royal
intrigue. In a city-state known for magnificence, where love
affairs and conspiracies play out amidst brilliant painters,
poets and musicians, the powerful and ambitious Alfonso
d'Este, duke of Ferrara, takes a new bride. Half of Europe
is certain he murdered his first wife, Lucrezia, the
luminous child of the Medici. But no one dares accuse him,
and no one has proof-least of all his second duchess, the
far less beautiful but delightfully clever Barbara of
Austria. At first determined to ignore the rumors about her
new husband, Barbara embraces the pleasures of the Ferrarese
court. Yet wherever she turns she hears whispers of the
first duchess's wayward life and mysterious death. Barbara
asks questions-a dangerous mistake for a duchess of Ferrara.
Suddenly, to save her own life, Barbara has no choice but to
risk the duke's terrifying displeasure and discover the
truth of Lucrezia's death-or she will share her fate.
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