Post by Elena Sandoval on Aug 2, 2016 17:09:35 GMT -5
After a discussion with her sister and fellow Duchess, Elena declared that October 26 would be the day Joanna transitioned into the Deliambre household to prepare for her marriage to Cesare two months hence. The move was as much to aid Joanna in the skills she would need as putative Baroness of Anzio beside Cesare, but also to separate her from Caterina before emotions came to blows. The tension, as Elena referred to the strife between the sisters, needed to end. Caterina needed the distance so that her nose was not constantly rubbed in the lost marriage, and Joanna needed a respite from the fear and dread of facing off in a confrontation with Caterina.
Granted, the latter part was a trifle too late; the two had squared off in the hall outside of the sisters' bedrooms when Caterina overindulged on wine and encountered Joanna returning. The shouting and the subsequent shatter of the wine bottle, followed by a slamming door and a tempest of weeping drew the attention of both Duke and Duchess, making it clear to them that it was time to intercede for the good of all.
Arriving outside of the Deliambre home, Elena allowed the footman to assist her in descending from the carriage, the cart conveying the trunks holding Joanna's belongings and her newly acquired lady's maid rattling towards the rear. A nod thanked the man as she stepped aside to wait for Joanna to join her, offering her sister in law a reassuring smile as she took the young woman's arm in hers.
"All will be well," she sought to soothe the gentle girl, seeing the fear in Joanna's doe-like eyes. "I think you will come to find a true friend in Catalina, and I'm not just saying that as her sister. She is looking forward to getting to know you."
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Joanna Montefiore, Catalina Sandoval