The Stargazer by Michele Jaffe Read Free Book Online Page B

to blame.” The door slammed shut behind her.
    Ian stared into the space left empty by Bianca’s departure. Yet again he did not doubt she spoke the truth, though he could not rid himself of the nagging feeling that she was hiding something. Ian rehearsed Bianca’s arguments to himself. She certainly did seem to have an explanation for her presence at Isabella’s. And even if he could devise a motive for her having killed the courtesan, she could scarcely have any reason to try to pin it on him, a stranger to her. He knew he had many enemies, but he took solace in the fact that he could at least identify all of them by name.
    He realized he had not contemplated the possibility of her innocence, or her refusal to bow out of the betrothal. Not that it made much difference. He would have had to marry at some point and Bianca was as good a candidate as anyone. Her family was almost as old as his, even if her father had been a bit batty, and she appeared healthy enough for breeding. As long as they did not have to spend too much time together, it would work out fine, a typical patrician marriage.
    There had been a time when he had looked forward to marriage, to having a family. He had pictured a relationship unlike his parents’ cold partnership, a relationship of mutual trust and understanding, shared interests, even love. It wasn’t that he now thought such relationships were impossible for everyone—Francesco and Roberto certainly lived that way—but they were impossible for him. He was unworthy of love, Mora had shown him that. Nor could he blame her. He alone had made himself hateful in her eyes. She had been right, he would disappoint anyone he got close to. Marriage to a woman who promised to hate him from the outset was what he deserved. Years of fighting, a house filled with anger, illegitimate heirs, those had been Mora’s prophecy for him. She would be pleased to know how accurately it was going to be fulfilled.
    Ian pushed those thoughts out of his mind as he had so many times before. He had business to attend to, he had neglected the other Arboretti for too long. And this room needed to be cleaned up, the body—or what was left of it—removed and respectfully buried. Grazie a Dio there was always work to do.
    Bianca walked quickly away from the laboratory, color rising in her face as she went. Snatches of their exchange flashed through her mind, making her alternately angry and embarrassed. She was so caught up in the recollection that she walked right into Crispin’s arms.
    “Are you always this forward on the second meeting?” he asked as she looked at him with surprise.
    “My lord, oh, oh my, I am sorry. I was not looking where I was going and…It’s just that your brother…I am so sorry.” Bianca blushed furiously and stepped away from him.
    “ Niente , my brother has this discomposing effect on everyone. He enjoys it, I’m afraid. You can run into my arms for comfort anytime you like. In a sisterly way, of course,” he tacked on, noticing her alarm. “But there is no time for chatting now. I have been sent to tell you that your aunt and cousins have arrived to pay you a courtesy call.”
    “Would have been more courteous of them to leave me alone,” Bianca muttered, and then, seeing that Crispin had heard her, she hastened to add, “I only meant that I am so tired today, of course. How charming.”
    Crispin, who had once spent twenty minutes with her aunt at a card table, eyed her skeptically. “Charming, si certo . Are you ready to see them or do you need some time to change?”
    Bianca looked over the plain yellow dress she always wore to work in, saw that there were no egregious stains, and shook her head. “No, they are accustomed to seeing me in a whole array of shocking ensembles. They would probably be disappointed if I began to act more seemly once I was betrothed. But there is no reason for you to put yourself out. If you send me in the right direction, I am sure I can find the