The Borgherini Enigma - Theartofpainting.be

The Borgherini Enigma Page: 14 / 179get away from them. Those men must have been pretty nervous to lose you in such a stupidway. Are you sure they were after your purse?’‘Of course,’ Pierfrancesco cried, ‘what else would those thieves be after?’‘Are you sure you have no enemies? Are you sure your father has no enemies? Could it bethat somebody meant harm to you and not to your purse?’‘The Borgherini are honest bankers,’ Pierfrancesco cried, drawing knowing looks from theother Francescoes. ‘We are members of the Arte del Cambio, the Bankers’ Guild, as so manyother honourable people! We take the normal percentages on loans. I don’t recall my fatherwarning me of enemies!’Granacci waved the upcoming argument away. ‘It is time for you two to stop thinking aboutthat brawl,’ he said. ‘My friends, more urgent and important matters are at hand. Our wine isup. I know of a tavern on the Mercato Vecchio where the wine is young but decent and thegirls not decent at all but equally young. The cheese there is succulent, the bread fresh and theservant-women generous. Why don’t we finish the evening there? The wine will be on me, ifthe Borgherini pay for a meagre meal, as is proper for the newcomers to our circle!’Pierfrancesco was in an elated mood by then and would have happily agreed to wander to theconfines of the Styx, which probably was his father’s opinion of the Mercato Vecchio’s inns.Bachiacca gave a plaudit to the idea. Yet, he objected to one thing. ‘Oh no,’ he shouted, ‘I amnot wandering in Florence at night with a brightly lit lantern like Pierfrancesco! Everyhoodlum in the city crawls to the Mercato at night and a youngster in such gaudy jacket andtrousers, as Pierfrancesco wears now, will be undressed and cut to pieces in no time!’The objection did not sober up Pierfrancesco, but he did recognise Bachiacca had a point.Granacci thought so too. He addressed Bachiacca. ‘If we are to feast in the Mercato,Pierfrancesco has to change clothes! You surely have some less conspicuous ones for him, myfriend?’Bachiacca drew Pierfrancesco to the second floor and a few moments later Pierfrancescocame down the same stairs with open arms, showing off to Granacci. He wore a crumpledbrown jacket over his own shirt, and grey breeches. He had a cloak of no definite but dark hueon his arms.‘That is better,’ Granacci commented. ‘You might be a painter’s assistant or a servant or aCiompi. You will blend with us in the tavern. Let’s get on our way!’ The three friends leftBachiacca’s studio.**********The tavern was built of bevelled stones on the outside and of warm wooden panels on theinside. It was large, and had several interconnected rooms. People sat at long tables, on banksand stools. According to Granacci, some of the best wines of Florence were offered here. Thetavern was filled with a boisterous lot. One half welcomed Granacci and the other half knewBachiacca. Many hands had to be shaken. Pierfrancesco was introduced only by his firstname, as a fine citizen of the glorious quarter of Santa Maria Novella, of the Vipera Ward.After he had paid drinks to all, as befitted a newcomer, Pierfrancesco was a friend of all. Hismoney dwindled. Francesco, Francesco and Pierfrancesco found places after a while on banksat the end of a long table filled with shouting, eating, singing, drinking and bragging hosts.Granacci and Pierfrancesco sat on one side, facing the doors; Bachiacca pushed half-drunkmen together for a place at the other side. The three were being served immediately withwine, ordered by Granacci while they entered, and with a large plate of cheese and bread.Granacci barely sat when a pretty servant-girl dropped on his lap and caressed his chin withCopyright © René Dewil Version 2 Number of words: 108230 July 2009