Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [108]
Primaflora allowed her face to become sober. She put down her cup. ‘You are saying that Niccolò is capable of violence to gain his own ends? And that the violence may be used against me?’
The Flemish woman looked down. She was attractive enough, with a slim neck and bold features and an excellent complexion, abandoned to Nature. With some attention to that, and her brows, she could have found lovers anywhere. She said, ‘I have already warned Queen Carlotta that he is dangerous. Men discount him because of his upbringing. But even in Bruges, he was clever enough to get the better of anyone he took a dislike to. It doesn’t spring from ambition. It is his idea of … of sport.’
Primaflora sipped her wine thoughtfully. She said, ‘He has sworn loyalty, accepted a knighthood. Why should he do that, unless he means to stay with her? And if he does, I am surely in no danger. ’
Katelina van Borselen said, ‘Of course he swore loyalty! He has to get his men off the island, and he can hardly do that by declaring for the Venetians and Zacco. Give him a ship, and he’ll sail straight for Salines and Queen Carlotta’s brother. And you will be with him, and no longer needed.’
Primaflora smiled. ‘You underrate me,’ she said. ‘What if I might reform him? Why, anyway, should he make for King Zacco? Perhaps the Queen’s party could offer him more.’
The girl’s face had changed from red to pale. She said, ‘I am sure you would be persuasive. Perhaps you think you have his friendship. But Nicholas has no close friends, men or women; only people he uses. He tolerated Marian de Charetty, but his manhood will demand a master this time, not Queen Carlotta or another wife he must please. And I know – I have spoken to those who sailed from Kolossi with you, and I will soon have proof – that he is still working for the Venetians, and that his feud with my husband is as violent as ever. He will join whatever party supports the Venetians and opposes my family. He will join Zacco. I have told the Queen. You must tell her as well. It is true.’
Primaflora said, ‘If that is his plan, he won’t stop because I refuse to marry him. And meanwhile, perhaps I can find out his intentions.’
The Flemish woman said, ‘You don’t know him. You will never learn his real aims. And if you put off your marriage, at least you won’t end up in Nicosia, in the hands of a Mameluke emir.’
She was breathing quickly. Primaflora said, ‘You hate him a great deal. You must be very fond of your husband, to come so far to outface his enemy.’
There was the briefest pause. Then the girl said, ‘Simon has risked his life many times, fighting Nicholas. Perhaps I can achieve without a sword what he has tried to do with one. With your help and the Queen’s, we might defeat him.’
Primaflora watched her. She said, ‘If Niccolò tries to go to King Zacco, the Queen will kill him and all his men. This is what you would like?’
‘He would deserve it,’ said Katelina.
‘Then,’ said Primaflora, ‘why not let matters take their course? Let me go to the Queen and repeat all your warnings. Bring me, when you have it, all the proof you can find of his duplicity. If he is what you say, the Queen will not have him, or the Order. They will allow me to postpone the marriage. And you may be sure they will make quite certain he does not go to Zacco.’
There was a long silence. Then the Flemish woman said, ‘Very well. I will bring you proof. And when I have brought it, marry him. You will be a very rich widow.’
Primaflora said, ‘You don’t think that is dangerous advice? He might seduce me from my purpose.’
Katelina stood. ‘He has probably done that already,’ she said. ‘But whatever proof I get, I shall