It's time for Thursday Tasters -- a creative meme for writers who want to show short excerpts of their work. Today I'm offering a the prologue from my award-winning Victorian polyamorous bi romance written with an unusual touch of reader-interactive art history ~ Loving Leonardo
(Book one in the Loving Leonardo series)
(Book one in the Loving Leonardo series)
Prologue
Carlo Posateri shrugged his cloak back on his shoulders,
the thin wool gone heavy from absorbing
the September fog. He peered into the night then checked his pocket watch under
the misty gaslight. Few people would be out in an evening fog like this and
there was a word to describe many who were — Ladro. It was a perfect night to make deals with a thief.
The acquisition ritual played in
his mind. To start: a warm bath and a brandy, followed by an excursion into the
most brilliant and salacious mind ever produced by the Renaissance. He envisioned the sinful
eroticism the book was certain to contain; the impression settled heavy in his
loins. Salivating in anticipation, he swallowed. He wasn’t a sinner. His
disdain for the sodomite artists didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy their unique and
compelling art. But he wasn’t one of them. He simply appreciated their
artistic technique.
Born and raised in Rome, he’d
planned to return after his Silvia died. But her older brother Pietro
encouraged him to stay because without other family, they were all each of them
had in the world. Though he liked Pietro well enough, familial ties weren’t
incentive to remain. Rather, being his wealthy brother-in-law’s sole heir was. Beyond
that, he had other reasons to stay in Venice. Outside Florence, old Venice drew
deviants like a candle flame attracted moths. Then and now, the world had no
place for such debauchery. The most depraved artworks could be found in the
ports and once purchased, he’d destroyed many of them for the filth they were.
A few pieces he’d keep to study.
His collection grew in the seat
of Renaissance decadence; how fitting. Carlo often imagined living during that
artistic age. Had he lived exactly four hundred years ago, he would have helped
Girolamo Savonarola build the pyre for the Bonfire of the Vanities. Carlo
licked his lips, seeing it in his mind’s eye: the pair of them feeding the
flames with art and artist alike. A small lantern light maneuvered along the Grand
Canal. Looking around him once more, he moved closer to the water.
Curiously, tonight’s meeting had
been arranged by a different man. He’d received a note from one E. Fortuna
describing several antique books in his employer’s possession, including one of
homoerotic art reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s work. Quoting a price,
Fortuna added he’d also contacted other potential buyers, no doubt to spur him
to act quickly. But in the span of a day, a second note arrived. This one from
Signore Falconetti, saying the book changed hands and was still for sale. What
happened to E. Fortuna?
Carlo didn’t like dealing with
Falconetti, though he had twice before. Both times he felt fortunate to leave
with his life. The prospect of owning such a work, however, was too tempting to
ignore. He looked around again to be sure this meeting was private, as
Falconetti demanded. Falconetti had a reputation, and it wasn’t a good one. Men
like this often found themselves employed by multiple clients, who would
occasionally be at cross purposes with one another.
The small gondola bumped in the
darkness and Carlo heard rather than saw the removal of the remo pulled from
the forcola. The oar wouldn’t be in his
way, for he had no intention of stepping into the man’s boat.
***
Without a doubt,
Carlo Posateri knew the Heavenly Father watched over him. He ran his trembling fingers over the
precious book’s leather and brass bindings. Beyond a doubt this was the
pinnacle of his private collection. As soon as he had laid eyes upon Falconetti’s
amazing offering, Carlo was driven to pay any price. Unfortunately the price had quadrupled, from E. Fortuna’s initial quote.
He’d somehow managed to
convince Falconetti to take what money he had with him by swearing he was good
for the rest, and more. The dangerous man told him his life depended on that
being true.
Doing the church’s work had made him as poor as a beggar
in St. Peter’s Square — he simply didn’t have
more money to give the man. As it was, his last maid would only be working
until the end of the month. Carlo poured
himself a brandy, his shaking hands sloshing the amber liquid onto his sleeve.
It took both hands to hold the snifter still long enough to allow a fortifying
sip. He must persuade his brother-in-law to lend him more money. He
glowered into his glass. Experience told him this would prove difficult. Pietro
frowned on Carlo’s sacred mission even though he knew the last Pope himself
approved.
And now there’d be no time to ask him. Pietro was
inopportunely traveling to London England for an appointment with an American
diplomat regarding selling his raw fibers to the American textile markets.
Awash in a mixture of elation and hopelessness, Carlo raked a hand over his
sparse head of hair.
With no other option, he took up a pen and scribbled a
quick note to his brother-in-law to say he wanted to go with him. Pietro had
made the offer weeks ago; he’d no doubt be pleased. Carlo rang for the maid
then wrote another note to Falconetti promising the money by mid-October at the
latest. He hoped the delay wouldn’t matter, but just in case, this note would be delivered after he and Pietro sailed.
~*~
Calmer from his bath and double-shot brandy, Carlo
Posateri fully appreciated his purchase. He couldn’t have imagined better; the
sinful sketches in the book were enhanced by shockingly seductive prose. In
full appreciation of the art, he found his release in the first four pages.
Deciding he wouldn’t turn another page until his return, he sought a latch
behind several leather-bound volumes on his shelf. The false front sprung open
to reveal a secret recess with a stack of paintings and several old books.
Compelling erotic vignettes lingering in his mind, Carlo placed da Vinci’s book
with the rest.
Sample all of my love stories for free,
including both books in this series
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971
including both books in this series
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971
۞>>>>۞<<<<۞>>>>۞<<<<۞>>>>۞<<<<۞
You'll LOVE Reading Rose!
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Tis prologue is incredibly well written and very well done. The comparison of history was finely crafted. I love your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pablo. :)
DeleteExcellently written. A great taster/ I'd love to read yje whole book. Perfect visuals. I really want to go for a ride in a gondola ;)
ReplyDeleteexcuse the typos lol
ReplyDelete:) writers never see them.
DeleteReading this awesome taster is like watching a movie, only so much better. Well done Rose. Please keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you so much, Don.
DeleteMmm, I love reading your beautiful work! Your imagery is so rich and enveloping!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you enjoyed that snippet.
Delete