Scales of Gold by Dorothy Dunnett Read Free Book Online Page A

then.’
    Julius said, ‘I hear a whisper that he’s taken an island.’ He didn’t say how he knew.
    ‘It doesn’t mean he’s going to stay,’ Gregorio said. ‘He has a factor and two fiefs in Cyprus. He’s free to go anywhere.’ He paused. He said, ‘Would it be breaking a confidence to tell me what was in the letter from de Ribérac’s son?’
    ‘Breaking a confidence!’ Julius said. ‘He wanted me to read it aloud as he wrote it, and make copies for Catherine and Tilde. That letter was written in sulphur.’ He fell silent a moment, remembering.
    Gregorio said, ‘It was his wife who died. The worst thing that could possibly happen. Nicholas and this violent man, at war with each other for years. And now this.’
    Julius said, ‘If Nicholas told me he had nothing to do with the death of Simon de St Pol’s wife, I think I should believe him. So why doesn’t he? The wretched man is convinced it was part of some great murderous scheme to leave him a widower, and that his only child will be the next victim. The grandfather thinks so as well. They’ve even sent the boy off to some hiding place.’
    ‘They don’t usually agree, Simon and Jordan de Ribérac,’ said Gregorio absently.
    ‘This time, they do,’ Julius said. ‘By God, they do. Although it was apparently all the old man could manage to prevent Simon from coming straight here to turn our wealthy young friend into pigfood. Instead, they’ve sent him this letter.’
    ‘Which says what?’ Gregorio said.
    ‘Wouldn’t you prefer to read it?’ said Nicholas, appearing briskly. He tossed the paper, open, towards Gregorio, who caught it just before it reached the canal.
    Nicholas said, ‘It’s not very newsy. It gives me two options. I can remain here and die a bankrupt poltroon, killer of women and gentlefolk. Or, if I wish to call myself a man, I am invited to pursue my lord Simon in his various homes and places of business and be prepared to meet my match in both areas. It doesn’t sound very enticing.’
    He had paraphrased the letter which was, as he said, very short. He had omitted the third accusation made against him. Julius saw Gregorio, reading, halt at the relevant passage. Nicholas, he realised, was watching him. Loppe, who had also arrived, plainly dressed, had walked to the wharf. Julius said, in some discomfort, ‘You see, death isn’t enough. He wants to ruin you. He says you set out to subvert his company.’
    ‘Well, of course,’ Nicholas said. ‘He sent his entire family to dismantle mine. Isn’t that the whole object of being in business?’ Gregorio folded the letter and Nicholas took it back, displaying a smile and both dimples.
    ‘So what are you going to do?’ Julius said.
    ‘Go to Murano,’ Nicholas said. ‘I haven’t got a ship that can go anywhere else. Julius, get the girl, will you? I haven’t time to wait about till it’s dark.’
    They embarked as soon as Tilde came, studiously composed. Reared in Bruges, she was accustomed to water. She stepped down beside Julius into the Bank’s big lagoon boat, while Nicholas and Loppe took their seats. Gregorio, jumping down, spoke to the oarsmen, who wore the Bank’s livery. Beside them were two men-at-arms bearing the Lion of St Mark on their breastplates.
    It occurred to Julius that it might have been wiser to take Tilde straight back to the Martelli-Medici palazzo. On the other hand, he liked being active. It had been dull in some ways, in Bruges. It had been dull, to be candid, without Nicholas. He liked pitting his wits against Nicholas. He felt pleased, among all these Italian manipulators, to have a good Flemish card up his sleeve.

Chapter 3
    C OOL AND PLACID , home to waterfowl and the drifting vessels of fishermen, the lagoon of Venice filled the shallow, sandy miles between the city and the head of the gulf on which it lay. Of all the green islands on its milky surface, only one was nearer to Venice than the five slips of land that made up Murano.