Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [104]
Of course, Nicholas should be in the hands of the Order and not at the Palace at all. She had made a mistake on the jetty that morning. She had invoked the help of Louis de Magnac, who was a devotee of Cyprus more than he was a Knight of the Order. As a result, he had taken Nicholas straight to the Queen instead of locking him up with his company. The Order had believed Katelina when she warned them to distrust Nicholas and the destination of his army. The Queen, too, had appeared to agree. But the Queen needed Nicholas more than the Hospitallers did. She was vain; Nicholas was plausible; she would deceive herself. Katelina was afraid that the warning she had brought was not enough. To be sure to bring Nicholas down, she needed evidence.
She and Tristão were in her small office discussing some futile matter of business when the news she wanted arrived from the Palace. Bearing it, her man was so breathless his voice was unsteady as he reported. ‘Her grace the Queen received the Fleming, demoiselle. The man has not been denounced. He and his officers go wholly free, and have been given the house of the Grand Commander de Magnac. The man has sworn to serve Queen Carlotta. And the Queen has made him a Knight of the Order.’
‘A Knight of the Order?’ said Katelina.
He amplified quickly. ‘Of the Order of the Sword. An honour given to foreigners, implying good service and zeal against heathens. The title is empty, demoiselle.’
Katelina sat down. She said, ‘Is it known where he is to serve?’
‘In Kyrenia, my lady,’ the man said. ‘Within the month, so they say, he will set sail with his army, to make Cyprus safe from the Turks and clear out the imposter Zacco.’
He waited, and after a moment she dismissed him. Tristão Vasquez said, ‘You mistrust Senhor Niccolò’s motives. But perhaps you are mistaken? The young man spoke no ill word of Simon. He claimed the vendetta was finished.’
He was a kindly man, beneath the formality. If she had been less wracked with anger, Katelina would have felt sorry for him. She said, ‘You give him a gentleman’s title. This is a labourer who has threatened my family. Whether he gives up or not, the score between us has to be settled. Simon is in Portugal, and cannot do it. But I am here, and I can.’
The Portuguese hesitated. Then he said, ‘It would not be fitting to tell me in what way this man has offended?’
‘You found him agreeable company?’ said Katelina. ‘Most people do. He finds it easy to make himself liked. He is devious. Those who cross him are ruined, or killed. If he can, he will harm you and Diniz. I can say no more than that.’
The other had sobered. He said, ‘I can hardly believe it, but of course, I must. I shall warn Diniz. He is already much attached to the lady. It is a trouble to me. Ah, here he is.’
He sounded surprised. His son, though unruly, at least observed the rules of good conduct in company. But now he burst into the room as if it were a stadium. He said, ‘Father!’ and stopped.
‘Come in, Diniz,’ said Katelina politely.
The boy flushed and gripped the door. Then he said, ‘I saw your messenger. The one who went to the Palace, senhora.’
‘Yes?’ said Katelina.
The boy looked at his father. ‘He was telling his friends about how the Queen had made a great lord of this nobody Niccolò. And how a lady of the Queen’s suite had been told to take him in marriage.’ He turned. ‘Father! The man Niccolò is a scoundrel! My aunt here says he is a scoundrel; and he is to marry her!’
‘He is to marry the lady Primaflora?’ said Tristão gently.
The boy nodded. The father turned to Katelina. She said quickly, ‘It should be prevented. She is a – a –’
‘I know what she is,’ said Tristão. He didn’t look at his son.
Katelina flushed. She said, ‘Vander Poele would be lucky to win her. I was thinking of the lady’s welfare. Whatever she wants, or deserves, it