Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [418]
She did not seem, when he was ushered into the parlour, to be mourning her stepfather. Prioress Euphemia, seated beside her, displayed the air of aggressive self-possession that had barely changed since their encounter at Eccles. Following the attack on North Berwick, he had seen her in passing, at funerals, as he had seen Bonne. He had avoided them both.
Which had been unfair, he realised. He greeted them and was seated, without benefit of refreshment. The Prioress said, ‘There is no need to look quite so abashed. Nor am I about to recommend that you should replace the late unfortunate gentleman as the demoiselle’s tutor.’
‘I am sorry. Then, yourself?’ said Nicholas rather wildly. Bonne was studying her lap.
‘She may stay with me, if she so wishes. It will not be for long. She may also enjoy the spiritual guidance of Father Moriz. I wished to speak to you about her support in the meantime, and about the terms of her dowry. Assuming, of course, that you approve of the match.’
‘The match?’ Nicholas said.
‘She has not had an opportunity to tell you. But the lady of Cuthilgurdy appeared to think it quite suitable, and I am sure that Sister Monika will approve. The Charteris household was certainly unproductive of offers. You know the young man, of course. The son of Constantine Malloch.’
‘John Malloch,’ said Nicholas rather blankly. The child singer in his play eleven years ago. The brother of Muriella. The half-brother of Muriella, rumour went; born remarkably soon after his mother’s marriage but, naturally, accepted as his own son by Conn. It happened sometimes. He spoke to Bonne. ‘Are you happy?’
The hard, bright eyes surveyed him. ‘Of course. Would I have accepted him otherwise?’
The Prioress continued. ‘The family is, of course, modest in means, and not well placed, so close to the Border. But the maternal uncle was a merchant, and there are connections abroad. Bonne may find herself pursuing an interesting marriage in other countries.’ She refrained from adding the obvious. Bonne had no money. This was the best she could hope for.
Nicholas said, ‘If she wants it, then of course I agree. Might I discuss it with her?’
‘Of course,’ said the Prioress, and rose. She left the door open.
Nicholas reseated himself, and Bonne looked up. Nicholas said, ‘This isn’t too hasty a decision?’
Her smile was tolerant. ‘A recoil from the death of my stepfather? No.’
‘You have never thought of finding a husband in Germany?’
‘Why?’ she said. ‘The Graf, I fear, was not my father. I doubt very much that my mother was Adelina de Fleury. I think Father Moriz came close to proving that she was not. And if she was not, then who am I?’
‘I don’t know, Bonne,’ he said.
‘And if you did, you wouldn’t tell me. You don’t want me as your daughter, M. de Fleury?’ the girl said. ‘That was one possibility, wasn’t it? That I was born to your first wife at Damparis?’
‘I am sorry,’ Nicholas said. ‘I have tried to find out; so have others. It seems to have been a mischievous suggestion, no more. There is nothing to support it.’
‘Tasse knew the truth,’ the girl said. ‘She was at Damparis. Later, Julius had her killed.’
Her voice, mildly informative, had not changed. He remained, outwardly, equally calm. He said, ‘So I believe. How did you know?’
‘I overhear things,’ she said. ‘I pick locks, if I have to. We unprotected maidens cannot afford to be unduly decorous.’
‘And so,’ he said, ‘you made some discoveries.’ He had expected anger, resistance, certainly challenge. Instead, it was danger he sensed.
She said, ‘Certainly, I knew more than you did. I knew Julius and my so-called mother were using each other. I didn’t know you had guessed. Why didn’t you kill him?’
‘I did,’ Nicholas said.
Again, the contempt. She switched back. ‘Tasse. I had some sympathy