Good Duty

I am currently staying in the Tuscany hill town of Massarosa. My host has a beautiful, modest home in an upscale neighborhood with views of the ocean to the west. Just down the block is a rather large Tuscan villa, complete with manicured gardens (see photos). Local legend has it that Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon, was held prisoner in this villa by Austrian troops. They had defeated her brother and exiled him to the island of Elba. Pauline chose to live in this villa because on a clear day you can see Elba and she wanted to be near her brother. My host told me Pauline was so wealthy she would summon the local priest to the villa and had him serve Sunday Mass while she took a lavish bath. My host also said lovely Pauline slept with all of the Austrian soldiers who guarded her.