The Marriage Portrait

Back at the Fortezza in 1561, Lucrezia is surprised at the presence of her maid, Emilia. Lucrezia demands to know who else is at the Fortezza. She is uneasy to find that her husband’s consigliere, Leonello Baldassare, is there.

Emilia slipped out secretly, without asking permission. Emilia is at first incredulous when Lucrezia confesses that her husband wishes to kill her, stating that Lucrezia must be suffering from a fever. Still, she agrees to stay with Lucrezia as she desperately hatches a plan.

Lucrezia is exhausted after her wedding day. However, she is not permitted to rest because festivities are taking place. She regrets not being able to say goodbye to Sofia, who does not turn up with other members of the family.

Alfonso wants them to set off in the carriage for Ferrara straight away. He brings her some food, noticing that she did not eat much at the wedding feast. He tells her they are to cross the Apennine peaks and progress until the Po valley, where their journey will end. Sofia stops the carriage to say goodbye, imploring Lucrezia to live long and be happy.

She wakes up in the carriage alone, with Alfonso nowhere to be seen.