Communion Blood by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Read Free Book Online Page B

girls.”
    “No, they are not,” the Cardinal agreed. He paused as if what he was about to say had just occurred to him. “And yet, if Hubert Wal- mund is as far gone as they say, it might be fitting to make provision for his illness in the contract. Oh, I know it is agreed she can five on her own when she has provided him with two sons, and the settlements will specify an annual pension for her. What troubles me,” he said, choosing his words, “is that the pox sometimes brings ... well, madness can be the only word for it. If that should happen, my sister must have assurance of protection from her husband. It should not have to fall to her to provide for him in his ... decline.”
    The waiter appeared in the door, standing respectfully just inside the dining room. As the Cardinal paused, he coughed discreetly. “Eminenza?”
    “Yes?” Cardinal Calaveria y Vacamonte inquired politely.
    “She says she will not come.” He repeated the message he had been told to give, and the shame of the fie made his fie more convincing.
    “Will she not?” the Cardinal mused. “Well, perhaps she will change her mind. Leave the setting, in case she does.”
    The waiter blinked, for good manners required that the place setting be removed; if Leocadia escaped from her locked room, a place would be laid for her then. Still, he was unwilling to challenge this breach in manners. He bowed and prepared to bring in the tureen of oxtail soup.
    Rothofen was aware of this lapse as well as the waiters. “You expect her to relent?”
    “Eventually,” said the Cardinal with studied indifference.
    “Then so be it,” said Rothofen, and drank in salute. “Capricious, is she?”
    “She is young, the youngest in the family, and the only girl to survive—my mother indulged her because of that.” He realized he may have gone too far, and added, “Not that she is irresponsible, like those flighty women one sees everywhere. Not she. She has mettle, and wants careful handling.”
    “Like a high-bred mare?” Rothofen suggested, and sniggered.
    “High-bred and very valuable; of impeccable breeding, in fact,” said the Cardinal haughtily. “I will not permit the Archbishop to have a free hand with her where his brother is concerned. She must be protected from his ailment.”
    “That is clear,” said Rothofen, stopping to sniff the aroma of the soup as the tureen was put before the Cardinal. “Most savory,” he approved.
    The Cardinal nodded to his servants, leaning back in his chair as much as the high, straight back would let him. “I know certain concessions have already been made, but I am certain it is wiser to make provision in the marriage contracts before the question arises.”
    “If it arises,” Rothofen dared to correct his host. He stared at the vacant place setting across the table, and bit his lower lip. “There are those the pox abandons. It is not unknown. The Archbishop’s brother has been in the care of a Greek physician, and it is said he is improving.”
    “That must please all his friends; I will pray for the success of his physician,” said Cardinal Calaveria y Vacamonte. “Yet I am certain it would be appropriate to include allowances for that... unhappy turn.”
    Now Rothofen frowned, for such a concession would mean the Archbishop would have to pay more money than he wanted to. “I will mention it, and I will inform you of the Archbishop’s decision as soon as he has reached one,” he said, watching for the Cardinal to pick up his spoon.
    “I would be most thankful if you would,” said Cardinal Calaveria y Vacamonte, his silverware untouched. “And a few other minor matters, as well, if you can see your way to? For I think we are agreed that this union is an ineluctable necessity.” He finally picked up his spoon and took his first taste of soup. He paid no apparent attention to the fervor with which Rothofen fell to.
    Only when he had finished his plate of soup did Rothofen say, “Yes, Eminenza, we