The intellectual prowess of Artemisia overwhelmed and excited the young poet, whose engrossment with the workings of her mind was such, that any enquiry as to her domestic arrangements was overlooked.
It is true to say however, that during their parting hours he did wonder about her private life. But whenever the two met, these curiosities were often superseded by matters more engaging and fascinating. For, her beauty was matched by an incisive and far reaching mind. That would often wax lyrically on a multifarious range of topics, rendering the absorbed young man helpless to enquire over more mundane matters.
As in the case of all developed intellects, an inquisitive nature was handed to Artemisia from an early age, setting in motion a life time appetite for knowledge. Amongst her many virtues, was that of a linguist, which meant that she was able to communicate with David in his native language.
And so it seemed that life had only just started when this pair met. Therefore it was of no great surprise to learn, notwithstanding the immeasurable anguish generated, that she was in fact already married.
The Contessa de Luce resided with her substantially older husband, the Count Giacomo de Luce in the opulent confines of Palazzo del Oro. The couple met in Venice, Artemisia’s birth place, five years prior to her encounter with David. It was at one of the lavish balls, hosted by the Doge, that the sixty year old count met his wife, Artemisia, who cut a fine and graceful figure as she danced sinuously around the grand Venetian ballroom.
Instantly struck by her beauty and carriage, the count assumed her to be from a grand family, which was very much not the case, for this exemplary figure of refinement was in reality, a courtesan.
A fact well obscured by a personality that combined gentility and restraint, the later trait being quite unfounded in a typical coquettish concubine. Therefore it was not due to naiveté that had led the Count de Luce to believe otherwise. It was this innate aura of elegance Artemisia exuded, that belied any hint of the licentiousness, invariably connected to this most ancient of professions.
It was through a distant aunt, that she had been introduced to this work early in her years. Therefore as an adolescent, Artemisia met with her destiny in a house famed for its training of young women.
The House is an adult fairy tale rich in mystery and intrigue.
Here is a tale of a woman so absorbed with historical novels that her own reality ceases to offer any hope of romance and beauty.
Until one day this dreamy idealist finds herself in a mysterious forest. How she arrived there is unknown. Soon she encounters a dilapidated house, within whose ancient walls magical rooms that transport to parallel worlds lie in wait. There she is transmigrated to 18th century England, where our heroine interacts with an odd mix of characters whose dysfunctional lives become immediately apparent.
Her first tribulation involves a nefarious lord, an archetype of the monstrous characters one encounters in fairy tales. The ramification from this confrontation sets the tone for the narrative.
A magic portal finally enables escape from the austere Georgian dwelling. She is then spirited back to the enigmatic house, and a journey to Regency London follows, where a large cast of eccentric identities present themselves.
Late one night, following a long stay in Florence, a young, heart-broken poet arrives. His introduction to the beautiful time traveller offers promise of restoration and love. But there are several more obstacles ahead before her destiny in this curious adventure is made apparent.
In the end an unexpected twist is revealed. But like all good fairy tales, this surprising conclusion is pleasing, even though the means of getting there are dark, and at times sinister.
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Genre - Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Rating - PG-16
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