The Palace by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Read Free Book Online

only hope that I can bring the glass from Venezia
without mishap. If it were less fragile, I think I might install mirrors in the
loggia, as well."
    Laurenzo's civic pride was ruffled. "Venezia? Why not order your mirrors
here?" He was as well aware as Ragoczy that the Venezian mirrors—indeed all
Venezian glass—were superior to anything produced in Fiorenza. He smiled
reluctantly and relented. "Polished metal would do as well, or almost as well.
Silver would be particularly appropriate. And Fiorenza produces much finer
metalwork than Venezia."
    Inwardly relieved, Ragoczy laughed. "Polished metal, then, and made in
Fiorenza." He motioned them on with a gesture, and a few steps brought them to a
wide loggia. "I think you will like this, Magnifico. The windows are
particularly large, and set back from the street."
    "You might find them too large in winter," Laurenzo warned, but without
condemnation.
    "Ah, but then I will have shutters over them, with louvers to let in some
light. I have thought it out, you see." Ragoczy stood back and with a host's
gesture left Laurenzo on his own.
    Laurenzo did not speak as he paced out the room, but there was an
appreciative expression in his large brown eyes. "Even though it is Genovese,
mio caro stragnero, it is beautiful. I particularly like this grand double
staircase. It is quite unlike anything in Fiorenza. What will you use there, at
the landing, to set it off?" He did not pause, but answered his own question. "A
painting! Perhaps two of them, or possibly three smaller works. Or a statue, a
small one in bronze or marble." He turned expectantly to the palazzo's owner.
    "Well, no." Ragoczy mounted the stairs beside Laurenzo. "I have plans for
elaborate wood paneling carved in very deep relief. It is more in the custom of
my people to do so." He did not add that the paneling would better conceal the
door to the three hidden rooms beyond the landing.
    "Wood paneling carved in deep relief. Yes. A very pretty idea. It is too
restrained for me, but I suppose you miss your homeland, and want it near you.
It is good that your house reflects your country. I mean that this, too, is your
home." He turned on the landing and continued up the left flight to the second
floor. "The proportions are always pleasing to the eyes. From here, looking into
the loggia, how pleasant the aspect is. You have quite…" He broke off on a
sudden gasp as his normally sallow-tan complexion went chalky white.
    Ragoczy caught Laurenzo around the waist and held him, feeling the tension
grow worse as Laurenzo fought against his weakness and increasing pain.
    "No… No…" There was a sheen of sweat on Laurenzo's face now, and his
long-fingered hands shook, locked like claws in the black silk damask of
Ragoczy's Spanish pourpoint.
    "Magnifico…" Ragoczy's beautiful foreign voice was low, with none of the
alarm he felt allowed to color his words. "What should I do?"
    "Christ and San Giovan'!" Laurenzo hissed through clenched teeth. His rather
prominent eyes were squeezed shut and he would have sunk to his knees had not
Ragoczy taken the weight of the taller man onto his shoulder. Carefully, gently,
he lowered Laurenzo onto the shallow marble treads of the staircase. There was
distress in his face as his small hands worked loose the collar of Laurenzo's
riding mantle so that he could unbutton the doublet and untie the chemise
underneath. When he tried to pull Laurenzo's fingers away they tightened
convulsively.
    "Francesco… No… Stay." With a visible effort Laurenzo opened his eyes and
forced the worst of his anguish from his face. "There. I am… better. Stay,
Francesco."
    Ragoczy nodded. "Very well, if you wish it. But I would much rather get help.
I have servants, and Poliziano…"
    "
No
!" He drew several deep breaths, then went on. "As soon shout it
through the city." Again he had to stop. When he could speak, he said with
terrible intensity, "Tell no one. Swear by your