Page 96 of Thus with a Kiss I Die
“Would you walk?” He gestured along the path.
I truly did need to puzzle this out before someone else was hurt. On the other hand, I couldn’t be rude to this pleasant young man. “That would be a pleasure.”
As I joined him, he clasped his hands behind his back and strolled. “You’re recovered from your attack by the flagellants?”
“I am quite well, thank you.”
“I hear your family is to be congratulated on the blessed arrival of two living sons.”
“My parents rejoice in their health.” I glanced toward Friar Camillo. He wished to walk with me to exchange pleasantries?
He seemed to be paying me only desultory heed. His attention seemed fixed on the room where Cal spoke to the men, and I wondered why. Even with Friar Laurence’s assurances, it was obvious Friar Camillo lingered where he wasn’t needed and took interest in doings that were none of his business. If I was right and he wished to secure a place for himself in the palace, should he not bend himself to please me, the future princess?
He noted my study and turned to me. The sun fell full on his young face. Idly I thought how unfairly God distributed his gifts. This youth, destined and dedicated to the Church, had strong bones, good teeth, bright skin and eyes. He was in every way handsome and noble, surely the son of some great lord. When he spoke, his voice was educated, full, and rich. “With the recent events, I’m glad to see you so wary and ready with your blade. Does the prince suspect who attacked Princess Ursula?”
“He suspects everyone.” Right now, so did I. Cal said he trusted my instincts; right now, they clanged like a bell, and I lagged behind Friar Camillo. The monk inquired of matters that shouldn’t concern him.
“Does he consult with you?” Friar Camillo asked. “For I hear he values his future bride for her intelligence, as well as her valor.”
I don’t discuss the prince, my marital future, or my attributes with an intrusive monk.Which I didn’t say, because although Cal and his men remained within reach of my shouts, Friar Camillo was, as I’d observed, young, strong, and no doubt swift. If death was his intention, he could kill me in an instant.
Friar Camillo continued to speak. “Your fame of last spring in defeating an evil foe in defense of your family and yourself has caused much discussion in Verona and beyond.”
I backed up, never taking my gaze from him. “I should go back to Princess Ursula. She frets when I’m gone too long, and, of course, I must encourage our men to remain on the ready until her attacker is caught.”
He faced me, feet planted, and his wide, pious eyes had changed, had become narrow and shrewd. “You remain much on your guard. I do encourage you in that attitude. Life is brief and precious. Treasure it while it’s yours. Now I go to pray.” He bowed, turned, and strode toward the shrine to the Virgin Mary.
I recognized a warning and a dismissal, and I fled like a threatened rabbit into the palace.
CHAPTER52
In my panic, I entered the wrong open door and found myself at the far end of the great walk. Which didn’t matter, I assured myself. Sun shone into the rooms; footmen paced and maids cleaned; Cal had the guard with him; Friar Camillo remained in the garden . . .
I caught my breath.
I needed to get back to the safety of Nonna Ursula’s room.
There I’d add Friar Camillo’s odd behavior into the jumble of facts in my brain and make some kind of sense of this.
I set out briskly, and as I walked past the door that led to the tower where first I encountered Elder, I heard my name wafting down from the tower. “Lady Rosaline . . .”
“I’m thinking,” I snapped.
He called again, more urgently. “Lady Rosaline . . .”
“Give me a moment. I need to concentrate. There’ssomethingI’m missing.”
“Lady Rosaline . . .”
Elder could hear me, I knew he could, but he ever acted the autocrat. No, he couldn’t force me to go up to the tower, his ghostly powers didn’t extend that far, but he’d proved he could annoy me enough to give me the appearance of madness. I couldn’t find his killer if I was confined to a nunnery, and, let’s face it, if I was confined, I was a target waiting to be pierced by treachery’s swift arrow. Plus, the good sisters would be at risk, and I didn’t want that stain on my soul.
Also, perhaps . . . perhaps Elder held within him a knowledge to illume this mystery. I suspected he did, although he didn’t know it. I simply had to ask the right questions.
I started the climb up the everlasting stairs. It was warm in here. My sleep every night had been disturbed by horrific dreams of knives, ghosts, devil’s masks, and broken bodies. I was disgruntled at being so summarily summoned. Consequently, as I climbed, I panted, and as I climbed higher, I panted harder.
I know what you’re thinking. I’m a woman of twenty years in the prime of health. I should be able to climb four flights of stairs without puffing.
Please, gentle reader, let me describe my clothing on this particular day. My fashionable wide skirts were created by petticoats, petticoats, petticoats, and a heavy drape of velvet that draped from beneath my nicetetteall the way to the floor. Under my heavy velvet bodice, I wore several layers of linen, and the bodice itself was shaped by inserting whalebone into the garment. My silk sleeves, laced on at the shoulder with sturdy gold thread, were covered in pearls and a more delicate gold thread. My headdress, a cap andtrinzale,the net I wore over my long, thick braid, was knit and braided with beads.
