The Stars Compel

Tommaso Arista is the son of two of the most prestigious families of chefs to the household of Cosimo Ruggerio, noble astrologer to the Pope, and a powerful political figure in Florence and Rome. His mother is a Befanini -- the hereditary cooks of the de' Medici family, bound to the Dukes of Florence by centuries of both service and blood, family in all but the name.Catherine de' Medici is the only legitimate heir to the de' Medici fortune and titles. She is the Duchessina, but the title, and the incredible wealth, will go to the man who marries her. When her uncle and guardian, Pope Clement, recalls her to Rome to use her and her dowry as a precious pawn in his political maneuverings with the crowns of Europe, Catherine chooses Tommaso as her personal chef and head of her household -- he will go with her to serve and protect her, and to be her friend in a dangerous place.Catherine has plans for her future, plans that do not include being sold as part of the Pope's treaty with France.