Mionetta Rizzo's Bedroom

A letter arrived for Mionette Rizzo, adressed from the chambers of her ladyship, Gia Francesca Gasparri, all the way at the Bavarian court, to Mionetta in Italy.

Dearest Signora Mionetta Rizzo,

I am writing to you, dear child, from my guest chambers at the court in Bavaria. I have been here quite a time to visit my ward, Charlotte, and suddenly find myself much in love with this palace, though my ward and friend has left me to begin a life anew in England.
I write to you, dearest Netta, to bid you come visit the Bavarian court, as I have secured for you a performance for his majesty Richard Meyer, and his new bride, to sing at her coronation and to stay for holiday.
I hope you shall accept this invitation, as I have also invited gli acrobati to perform. This is a grand oppurtunity for you my child, and I pray you shall accept and come and keep me company. I am certain I can pay your way here, and that there shall be a form a pay that you may buy new costumes and gowns!
Sincerely,
Gia F. Gasparri

I received the letter in a matter of days and while I had just returned from vocal trainings.
I sat down, cleared and calmed my thoughts from the great excitement coursing through my mind. I wrote as best I could.

Your ladyship,

Though I should fear the journey from home, I should gladly like to meet you in Bavaria. I must admit, the idea of singing for any king proves itself a great prospect! I should easily pay you back, my ladyship, and I would not even have to receive any payment as long as I get to sing for a foreign court.
I am glad you have extended the invitation to the other artists, and I hope I shall make you very proud to call me a fellow citizen of Venice.
I shall go as quickly as I can.
Sincerely, and excitedly
Mionetta Rizzo.

Mionetta quietly walked into her room at the Bavarian court, quite astounded by the palace. She had never been to any court, being born of merely a cobbler and seamstress, a mere lower class family. Nothing she had ever seen or visited had compared to her ladyship Gia Gasparri's manor, and now, she was able to see what royal grandeur looked like.
She glided in slowly, brushing her fingers against the rich and lush fabrics of the room. She placed her bags upon the bed before lying upon it, giving a sigh at the feeling of the beautiful covers. She could not believe the beauty of the room, nor that soon she would be singing for their majesties and an entire foreign court.
She took a deep breath, and suddenly released a quiet scream of excitement...

Charlotte remembered Mionetta Rizzo from the letters she'd exchanged with Gia. She knocked at the door without a second thought, hoping to present herself to the woman Gia had spoken so highly of.

Mionetta frowned a little, standing to her feet as she placed down a goblet of wine.

"Who is it?" she came toward the door.

Charlotte heard the Italian accent and smiled. "It is Charlotte Rosenauer, my lady. I am Lady Gasparri's ward." She hoped to present herself in good fashion, hoping the disappointment Gia had expressed hadn't been leaked to this woman as well.

Mionetta frowned a moment, placing her hands at her head as she tried to recognize the name. The thought came to her and she gave an exasperated laugh, clasping her hand to her mouth to silence it.

Ohhh...this is her ladyships ward...
She gave a muffled laugh.

The one who got pregnant while on holiday in England, she continued to think to herself.

Mionetta shook her head, crossing herself as she looked up at the ceiling. She held her hands out, palms up, laughing and shaking her head at the ceiling.
I have learned my lesson, must you torture me so? I have confessed my sins and repented, she laughed silently. I'll not do it again.

She took a deep breath, smoothing down the front of her gown. She glided slowly to the door, and opened it, catching sight of her mentor's pregnant ward.
Netta gave a curtsey, biting her lip. "Mrs. Knivert?" she frowned, trying to remember her new name, "is that correct?"

The door was opened to reveal a very pretty young woman. around Charlotte's own age, with dark hair and a fair milky complexion. Charlotte smiled widely. Gia really knew how to choose women to bring up in the world. She thought this one would do well, based on looks alone.

"Yes, my lady, you are correct." She was still not used to her married name and had not used it very frequently but she childishly wondered what would happen to Charlotte Rosenauer when Charlotte Knivert came into existence. "I am so glad to finally meet you! Lady Gasparri has said wonderful things about you."

Mionetta held the door open for Charlotte to enter.

She gave a slight nod, placing a curl behind her ear. "Yes, her ladyship has told me quite a bit about you, as well," she nodded, "she often spoke of you to the other girls at school, and she always seemed so much happier when she spoke of gifts she planned on sending you while you were away."

Netta motioned to the chair in the room, "would you like to sit, Signora?"

She entered the chambers, noting the beautiful decor, the tapestries upon the walls and the bed with silken coverlets. She turned to Mionetta. "I am so pleased to hear she's spoken of me to you." She paused, trying not to think of what Gia must have said about the pregnancy. By the looks of Mionetta's earlier appraisal of her, Charlotte guessed Gia had already said much. "I feel so humbled.. I hope to return to the school someday, and see the young women for myself. I had some of the happiest moments of my life in Venice." She gratefully accepted a seat and smoothed out her cornflower-blue dress. "Please, tell me about yourself my lady. I must know of this woman with a voice of angels."

Mionetta tilted her head as she entered, looking from her dress to her full stomach, and to her eyes, that seemed almost like hers, their color close.

She gave a slight nod, "why would she not?" She gave a smile, shaking her head, "you are the infamous Charlotte, ward of the widowed and childless Countess of Venice...she did nothing but speak of you."

She nodded in agreement, "as have I...and I fear, I already miss it very much." She pulled up a chair across from Charlotte, taking a seat and straightening her back. "I am certain much of the sisters, and Abess, De Lucca, would like very much to see you."

Netta gave a slight smirk, "I fear, signora, my voice is not honed enough to compare to the angels." She looked off toward the murals upon the ceiling. "Well...I have six brothers and sisters, and elder brother and elder sister...my mother works very hard as a seamstress, and," she stopped, "...I, fear, I do not know where my father has gone." She gave a sigh, "her ladyship, Gia Gasparri pays much of my tuiton for the school, as she believes I have a talented voice, and I am much obliged to her charity and kindness, and she even helps some of my friends who are artists and musicians."

Mionetta stood to her feet and glided over to a copper pitcher, grabbing her own goblet. "Would you like something to drink, signora?...I could warm some ale for you while you tell me about yourself," she smiled, turning her head to face the young woman.

Charlotte felt Mionetta's eyes upon her and tried to move with such grace as a pregnant woman could but she still felt quite like an elephant in the king's menagerie.

"The countess has been so much like a mother to me, and has shown me so much. I am grateful to her," she said in response. "I did not know I spawned such a legend," she said with a small laugh, obviously pleased she'd made such an impression.

"I have seen many places, but nothing can truly compare to Venice, the jewel on water. I hope to return someday, and visit with the sister and the abbess, after I've had my child." She rested her hands on her belly.

"I am sure your singing voice is lovely, if Gia thinks it is so then she is not exaggerating." She smiled, listening to the story, and she envied Mionetta that she had a mother, and pitied that she had no knowledge of where her father was. "It seems you have not had an easy life. But you can always become someone new, the person you were meant to be. Now under Gia's guidance your life will change for the better. It's wonderful to see that she is investing in new talent. She has always had a fondness for the arts."

She politely refused a drink. "No, thank you my lady." She thought about her own life and how far away it seemed that she'd lived it. "My father is an actor, he founded his own troupe after he married my mother, she was very young when they wed. I am the baby of the family, the only girl too. Growing up we traveled everywhere across Europe performing in street fairs, parades and small productions of religious plays at Christmas and Easter. A few times we were even asked to perform at court. Though I was never allowed to actually perform I learned how to juggle, and helped my brothers and the other actors learn their lines. But I always wanted to sing, and was allowed so only once.. I thought my soul would fly right out of my body from such happiness. Then we performed in Venice one time, and that was where Gia found me and offered to educate me. She saw potential, I suppose. The rest is history." She smiled a little shyly not knowing how her story must seem to an outsider.

Mionetta gave a faint smile, "yes...Venice is it's own kingdom and Heaven in beauty."

She gave a nod, "it is lovely now...but I am hoping to tone it more, and hoping that I shall be singing soon for many courts and for foreign dignitaries and kings," she spoke. She smiled, "oh, I am intent on becoming someone new...I must, I have to, for there is nowhere else for me to be...I feel I must be destined to leave the little shack I was born in...I want so much more in life."

Mionetta gave a nod at the polite refusal, and so she filled her own goblet with hypocras. She hurried to the roaring fireplace of the room, taking the iron poker and holding it in the fire as she listened intently to Charlotte.
"Then it seems you have had a rather extraordinary life for your age," she gave a smile, pulling the poker out. She placed the hot tip into her goblet to warm the hypocras, and quickly replaced it back into its place before returning to her chair.

"It would seem her ladyship likes very much us actors and acrobats," she smiled, "she has asked the king to allow many of my friends, skilled in acrobatics and the same as your family." She raised the goblet to her lips to take a sip, little does he know they are gypsy children... she thought to herself for a moment.
"Yes, you have had an extraordinary life," she nodded again. "What is it like at the English court?" she wondered aloud.

Charlotte smiled to see someone her ambitious to use her talent to make a name for herself. "I am sure you will get all you want from life. People with drive usually do."

"I have never thought of my life as extraordinary.. I always thought other people lived lives like that, full of adventure and intrigue. But I suppose my life had been anything but ordinary." She smiled meekly. "I think it would be marvelous to have such performances at court! I don't believe Bavaria has been treated to such, and I think the court would be in such awe."

"Oh, the English court is amazing. There are so many titled people, privileged people, and they never cease to let you know it! The weather is often cold, or rainy. The men, I must say, are gorgeous. But I'm biased. The king enjoys his food and feasts where he stays us much of the night drinking and dancing. And he takes a fancy to 'our type,' performers to sing one of his own tunes or to give entertainment with bawdy jokes and the like. He is a very merry king and he holds a very jovial court. I believe you would adore England."

Mionetta gave a smirk, "I certainly hope so, my lady."
She gave a laugh, "I think I should have liked to have had your childhood," she shook her head.

She took a sip of hypocras, "I hope it shall all be a treat, however...I fear right now, it may not happen."

Mionetta laughed, "you make England sound quite whimsical and wonderful." She played with a few beads upon the sleeve of her dress. "I hope to one day perform at the English court," she spoke, "yet, perhaps with none of these bawdy jests," she laughed.

She looked at Charlotte's stomach. "What will you do when the child comes?" she sipped the drink, "have you and your husband a manor in the country, or will the child be raised at court?"

She gave a little laugh as she thought of another person living the childhood Charlotte herself did. "My childhood was interesting, but it was also very lonely. I had no friends as we moved constantly, and I was usually an afterthought when my brothers were considered. They were our means of income and so they were treated with more importance." She shrugged, leaving those feelings in the past where they belonged. She was loved now, and loved her friends dearly in return.

"What do you mean? I think it would be a delight to hear you while I'm at court. I do think it shall bring some joy to all," she said.

She laughed as she thought of the usual raucous entertainment that went on long after the ladies went to their chambers, and did not want Mionetta to lower herself when she had such natural and beautiful talent. "I think you would be a star at the English court! They are always looking for new and entertaining acts. I have a mind to take you with me if Gia allows," she said smiling.

"I think we will stay here at court, as I have no permanent lodgings away from here. My father has a small place in the country but he is rarely there as he prefers the city. Hopefully when the child is well enough to travel we shall go back to Whitehall." She honestly did not know how long this banishment would last.

Mionetta smirked, "so then you had a family such as mine," she nodded. "My mother never much paid attention to us girls, only that she sent us to the school for education, but only for a few years," she tilted her head, silently cracking her neck. "She mainly wants us there to be more accomplished for the first wealthy gentleman we come across," she sighed. "But my brothers are happy...even at a young age they were so very free."

She gave a sigh, "I...am not sure his majesty takes me seriously enough to allow me to perform at court." She raised the goblet to her lips for a moment, wondering if she should tell Charlotte what happened, but she let the thought fade away, knowing it was perhaps not appropriate. "...I fear, he only thinks me a pretty face."

She gave a smile, nodding, "I hope I should be, if I were to go." She laughed, "I think I should like to go with you!...yet, I would not want to be a burden," she shook her head, smiling, "perhaps in allowing me transport with you, I could be a nursemaid to your child, as I have had four younger brothers and sisters."

Netta smiled, "I think you would like raising your child in the country," she nodded, "you would be able to be closer to them and keep watchful eye of their raising."

"I am glad we have that in common. Not everyone else can relate to such families. But I think that makes us all the more interesting." She smiled. hoping Mionetta wasn't too embarrassed about her own story. "I fear that men have more freedoms than us women, and they are the ones who never have to pay for their mistakes."

"I do not know King Richard very well, but I don't see why he would not take you seriously. You obviously have a talent and with Lady Gasparri as your patron I don't think you can fail to impress." She bit her lip as she thought. "Have you yet had an opportunity to show your singing ability? Perhaps the king would appreciate such a demonstration."

She had a glint in her eyes as Mionetta spoke of returning to England with them. "I would love to bring you with us, I think you would enjoy it very much and I could use a nursemaid for my child. Also, I would see to it that you got the chance to perform.. but I leave that up to you. You would not be a burden, but I would not want to burden you when you are on your way to being well-known."

"I spent a few years in the country in the summertime when I was a child and I always cherish those memories. I want to raise my child to be happy, and not spoiled like most privileged children. I want him or her to appreciate the good and simple things in life."

She was greatly enjoying the little chat she had with Mionetta, and was so glad to have made a friend, especially one with whom she had so much in common. She leaned in a bit closer and spoke with a conspiratorial voice: "So.. is there anyone at court that you fancy?" she giggled a little.

She smiled, "it certainly does," she nodded in agreement. She tilted her head back and laughed, "they certainly have their freedoms...they wear the pants, so they must rule the world, I suppose," she laughed.

Mionetta put down the goblet upon the floor under her chair. "Yes...I sang for him a few days ago, but I think, as I said...he thinks me only a pretty face."

She nodded, placing her hands on her lap, "you are very kind, Mrs. Knivert, and no it would not be a burden at all." She raised an eyebrow, nodding, "as I am away from my studies, I feel I should balance my singing with a proper job or exercises."

Netta nodded, "when I was very little...I remember we had a big house in the country," she stared blankly in rememberance. She never understood how her family started out so wealthy, but then became ruined in dispair in Venice...
"It was such a long time ago, that I often do not understand," she spoke.

She bit her lip, giving a laugh, "I fear...no men at court look at me with courting eyes, and I have not met any other man than the king."

"Indeed, men wear the pants and they would like to think they rule the world, when in fact they do most of their thinking with the heads below their waists, so who is to wholly trust their judgment?" Charlotte joked.

"I cannot see how he could not have at least shown you off to his queen, or made you to perform as yet. Perhaps he has much on his mind, but he will change his mind I hope. I like to think the countess can say something to spur His Majesty to action."

She clapped her hands in delight at the thought of getting to bring Mionetta back with her to England. "Of course, we shall wait until the child is well enough to travel. You would be a great help to me if you can find leave to join us."

She tilted her head to the side, listening to Mionetta. "I beg your pardon.. what is it you don't understand?" She thought perhaps she had only been wondering out loud and hadn't meant to speak.

"Men are not the brightest of creatures, but they will soon come round to noticing you. Perhaps... perhaps that is why the king has not put you to perform? Maybe it is that he likes you.." She let that thought hang in the air.

Mionetta gave a nod in agreement, though she did not feel right laughing at the jest. "I fear you are far too correct," she sighed.

"He said I may perhaps perform at the coronation, yet I do not know...I simply do not know," she shrugged, shaking her head.

Netta nodded, giving a smile. "I am certain I shall still be here to travel back with you," she agreed.

She looked off in another direction, frowning trying to remember. "For some reason I don't remember my elder brother and sister when I was a child." She looked at Charlotte, "I only remember my mother and grandparents, and that I lived with my grandparents and papa in the country in a large manor in Tuscany, and my mother would visit every so often." She tried to remember, "I think my grandmother passed, and that was when my mother brought me to Venice...but it is all so foggy it seems like a dream," she shook her head, frowning in confusion.

Mionetta's eyes widened and she gave a sigh, "oh, I know he thinks I am beautiful...he did nothing but praise my beauty," she shook her head, "but I want it all to be my voice...I want to be famous for my voice, not appearance," she sighed, running her fingers through her hair.

Charlotte listened as Mionetta spoke of her memories. "It sounds as though your family was broken. Not that I am judging, I know all too well that what that feels like. But it seems strange you would not remember your brother and sister, nor the circumstances under which you left Tuscany for Venice.. How did you come to be under Lady Gasparri's tutelage?"

"I am certain you will find fame with your voice. But undoubtedly that will come with the price of men wanting you for your beauty. The two are not always mutually exclusive."

Mionetta turned to face Charlotte, "I almost think my grandparents were of noble blood at times...but that is difficult, I figured my father's side of the family were all gypsies, as mother said," she shrugged.

"Well, she knew my mother somehow...and my sister, from the school," she nodded. "And one day we were giving a Christmas revel, and I sang as my talent, and soon, she wanted to help me more, and wanted me to be taught by singers of Venice so that I may perfect my voice."

Netta gave a smirk, "I suppose I shall have to get used to this then, yes?" she laughed.

Charlotte was intrigued by this idea of a secret noble bloodline. "Is there a way you can find out to be sure? It seems a thing to follow up on, as you never quite know what sort of opportunities lay ahead if you do indeed have noble blood."

She smiled as she listened to Mionetta's first meeting of Gia. "I admit, her ladyship is quite imposing at first but she does everything to help people like us.. women who would not be given a chance otherwise. Have you trained with many singers in Venice? I only remember Signore Barsetti, who tried to rid me of my accent," she said with a laugh.

She studied Mionetta for a second more and nodded. "I think you will, yes. You are foreign, exotic.. Italian.. coupled with your voice I am sure you will melt the men's hearts. But it may be a good thing as long as you do not give in and become a mistress. Only own yourself. Your talent will get you far if you know how to please without giving in." She then glanced at her very pregnant belly. I'm not one to speak of restraining myself am I? She thought ruefully.