Secrets & Mysteries of the Sephardim
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“Come closer, Isabel,” said the duchess, smiling.
Isabel approached the duchess with small, graceful steps as if in a dance and greeted her with an elegant curtsy.
“As you have already been informed, we would like to offer you a position to serve as a dance instructor at the Royal School of the Arts,” the duchess said. But that’s not all. I also would like you to hold private lessons in the palace’s dance hall. Senhorita, think over my proposal carefully and give me an answer as soon as possible. I believe you will have to discuss this offer with your family. Is that correct?”
“Your Highness,” Isabel replied, “I can give you a positive answer right now. My parents knew about the competition and my desire to participate in it. They also agreed they would support such an offer if I were invited to serve in the palace. Our family has always been devoted to our rulers. Therefore, serving the royal family in the palace is an honor.”
Isabella smiled and nodded approvingly. “Thank you, senhorita, for your devotion to our throne and homeland. I know about the merits of your family and, in particular, your father, the famous hero of Portugal. I once met him at one of the royal balls. He had been invited after his glorious campaigns and victories over the Moors. 27
27
A Moor, in English usage, is a Moroccan or, formerly, a member of the Muslim population of al-Andalus, now Spain and Portugal. Of mixed Arab, Spanish, and Amazigh (Berber) origins, the Moors created the Islamic Andalusian civilization. Subsequently, settled as refugees in the Maghreb (in North Africa) between the 11th and 17th centuries.
“I must tell you a secret,” she continued. “He won the hearts of many senhoritas at that ball. Unlike other gentlemen, he looked like a real man, an unsurpassed gentleman, and a valiant hero. And he had a dignified attitude toward all the nobles with whom he communicated. It was so long ago, but it was an unforgettable event.”
The duchess finished recalling this moment with a deep sigh. “I am very pleased it’s the daughter of such an extraordinary person as your father who will be within the walls of our palace,” she said.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for the good memories of my father and your trust in me,” Isabel said with a curtsy.
Having completed all her planned audiences by noon, Isabella decided to visit Pedro to share her impressions with him. At the door to her husband’s office, she instructed the guard to notify His Highness of her arrival.
She entered the office, saying, “Dear, if you only saw how charming Isabel Zarco is. I can’t get over it. She inspires with her external beauty, sensitivity, freshness, courtesy, and ability to communicate. She is an angel sent from heaven. I am sure she will not only teach your nephew, Fernando, how to dance skillfully but will turn his head with her charm and attractiveness.
“But I am also concerned,” Isabella continued. “What if the prince becomes overly fond of her? Will there be undesirable consequences? What do you think?”
“I’m now more concerned about my nephew, Afonso,” Pedro answered anxiously, pointing to the parchment lying on the table in front of him. It was tied with a cord trimmed with gold threads.
“What is it?” Isabella asked.
“It’s a message from Castile 28 from the former queen, Eleanor of Aragon, to her son, Afonso. We have intercepted several messages like these. She continually tries to turn her sons against me. She has not learned anything from her actions that almost ruined the country.
28
The Kingdom of Castile (/kae'stil/; Spanish: Reino de Castilla) was a large and powerful state on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region. It began in the 9th century as the County of Castile (Condado de Castilla), an eastern frontier lordship of the Kingdom of Le'on. Throughout this period, the Castilian kings made extensive conquests in southern Iberia at the expense of the Islamic principalities. With their southern acquisitions, the Kingdoms of Castile and of Le'on came to be known collectively as the Crown of Castile, a term that also came to encompass overseas expansion.
“Instead of being grateful that I solved all the problems, calmed the public down, achieved peace, organized her departure to Castile, and allowed her to bring up my nephews there, she continues to sow discontent,” he said.
“She is acting behind my back,” he continued. “She can’t wait until Afonso inherits the throne so she can complete her plans through him. How can I explain to Afonso the dangerous plans of his mother? When I try to discuss it with him, he reacts negatively. I am very afraid that, through Afonso, Eleanor will be able to harm both – our family and the country.”
“I understand, my beloved,” Isabella said sympathetically, “but let me tell you one thing. What a man cannot do, a woman can do. I think I know what we can do to prevent Eleanor from harming us.” Isabella immediately noticed the fear in the duke’s eyes. “Oh, no, dear,” she continued with a grin. “I will not advise you to do what others usually suggest in this situation. I hope you do not think that a person of nobility such as I could even consider assassinating anyone.”
“I would not even dare to think anything like that,” the duke declared in his defense.
“I propose, my dear, that Afonso marry our daughter. Infanta Isabella could be a worthy match for the future king of Portugal. Don’t you agree?”
The duke thought about it for a minute. “That’s quite tempting, my dear, but very risky,” he said. “In my opinion, the prince and infanta are indifferent to each other. This would be very difficult to do.
“I am also worried that by doing that, we can acquire another enemy,” Pedro said. “Afonso, Duke of Braganza, 29 is the illegitimate son of my grandfather, King John the Good. His granddaughter is already betrothed to Prince Afonso.
29
Don Afonso I of Braganza (Aug. 10, 1377 – Dec. 15, 1461) was Braganza’s first duke and the eighth count of Barcelos. He founded the House of Braganza, Portugal’s most influential and wealthy dynasty. His descendants became high-ranking nobles, imperial officials, and, finally, kings of Portugal and emperors of Brazil.
“But the thing that worries me the most,” he continued, “is what happens to our daughter if Eleanor does manage to set her son against his spouse. And no one knows how all this will end.”
He concluded: “We should consider your suggestion carefully and make a final decision as soon as possible. However, we should not rush it. We should look at the situation, consider all the advantages, and decide what tactics and strategies are better, so we are prepared if Eleanor attempts anything.”
He continued, “Your suggestion, my dear, is probably the most logical and the only way to solve both governmental and our family problems.”
“In that case, my dear Pedro,” Isabella said, “let me know what you decide as soon as possible. And don’t worry about the consequences. After all, when a player is shortsighted and mad, he will inevitably lose. Eleanor is such a figure.
“And you don’t have to worry about Isabelle either,” the duchess continued. “We will be diligent and attentive. She will always receive timely instructions from us. We won’t lose. Since the coronation of Afonso is very close, we have very little time left.