The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

want so that I can give it to you. So that I
can find a way... " She stopped and drew a shaky breath. "Are you angry with me for
stealing from you? Did you buy me so that you could torture me at your leisure?"
    His lips tightened. "It doesn't amuse me to torture children."
    "I'm not a child. I've reached my sixteenth year."
    A sudden glint of humor appeared in his eyes. "In that case, perhaps I'll change my mind.
I'll have to see if I can't rummage up a few instruments in the dungeon with which to
torment you when we arrive at Mandara."
    "We're leaving Florence?" She frowned. "That may present a problem."
    "My profound apologies. You must be sure to inform me if my plans further
inconvenience you." His sarcastic expression was quickly replaced by a grim look of
warning. "We're leaving Florence tomorrow, and I'd advise you not to defy me as you did
your former master."
    "You're not like Giovanni." Her answer was as abstracted as her gaze. "But I have to
know what you want from me."
    "It's very simple. I want a slave who'll obey my every demand without question. Why
else would I have bought you?"
    "I won't kill for you."
    He lifted a brow. "If that's your only reservation, I believe I can accept it."
    She braced herself and then said in a little rush, "I'll make a bargain with you."
    "Everyone in Florence appears to want to bargain with me," he said dryly. "I can see why
it's known as a city of merchants. But I feel bound to draw attention to the fact that I've
no need to bargain with you. I've just paid fifty ducats for the doubtful privilege of
owning you."
    "And you wouldn't want to lose your money, would you?" She moistened her lips with
her tongue. "If you'll let me have seventy-five ducats, I'll promise I won't run away from
you and I'll serve you in any way you choose with complete loyalty. No matter what you
ask of me."
    Lion went still. "A threat? Do you know the punishment for a runaway slave?"
    "Yes." Her voice was uneven. "But I'd still have to do it. I couldn't leave Elizabet and the
others here unprotected. They belong to me."
    He gazed at her a long moment and she could feel the perspiration bead on the back of
her neck.
Dio
, she was taking a chance. She had known from the moment she had seen
him in the piazza he was a dangerous man.
    "What do you want to do with the money?" he asked.
    "Ten ducats for Bartolomeo so he can apprentice for Messer Arcolo in his print shop.
Arcolo is fair, and he has no sons to carry on the business. He'll give Bartolomeo a
chance to be more than an apprentice once he realizes what a hard worker he is. Fifty
ducats for Elizabet. Alessandro Benedetto, the baker's son, would take her to wife, but his
father won't permit it unless she has at least a token dowry."
    "She has a fondness for the boy?"
    Sanchia shrugged. "Elizabet has a very gentle nature. She likes Alessandro well enough
and would grow to love him in time. At least, she'd be safe from Giovanni and Caprino."
    Lion's gaze became intent. "Caprino?"
    "Caprino wants to use her in one of his brothels. I won't let that happen, but Caprino will
have her if I'm not here to prevent it."
    "I see." Lion's lips tightened. "A very cunning man, Caprino."
    "You know him?"
    "I'm beginning to know him better as time goes on."
    "He mustn't get Elizabet. She wouldn't live more than a year in a brothel. She's too--"
She stopped and then went on. "Fifteen ducats for Piero. Elizabet would take care of him,
but I couldn't expect Alessandro's family to accept him without compensation."
    "A dowry for Piero, too?" Lion murmured. "I'm beginning to feel like a matchmaker."
    "It is not much money for a rich man," she said urgently. "And it would mean they'd all
be safe and cared for."
    "And give you no reason to run back here."
    She nodded earnestly. "I told you I keep my promises. I'll be whatever you want me to
be, if you'll only help them."
    His gaze searched her face. "Complete obedience without question?"
    She nodded.
    "Absolute loyalty to me for as