Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [156]
‘They seem generous, lord,’ Nicholas said. ‘And the ladies?’
The clear eyes did not alter. ‘The lady Primaflora is behind you,’ James de Lusignan said. ‘We have spoken to her. We have sent word also to the sick woman, Katelina van Borselen, who lies at St Lazarus. We have decreed that the lady Primaflora be returned to join her mistress our sister at Rhodes. The demoiselle from Flanders will stay.’
Zacco, the unreadable, the chameleon. Nicholas stood, every muscle relaxed, every sense as alert as if hunting a boar. Behind him, moving slowly, as in regal procession, Primaflora came to stand at his side: he smelled her scent and saw her face, paler than ever, with a line between her brows. She said in a low voice, ‘You have deceived me. You let me agonise over your fate, and you knew Zacco would stand your friend, for you had warned him. I cannot forgive you.’
‘The lady berates you,’ said the King. He looked amused. ‘Indeed, she deserved your confidence if, as she says, she had given up all to leave our sister and join her fate to yours. Fortunately, our sister does not know of her true defection, and will welcome her back.’
‘My lord, the lady Primaflora has my confidence,’ Nicholas said. ‘I believed that my dispatch to the King had been lost. The behaviour of the emir confirmed it. I saw no point in raising false hopes. We have had a voyage of despair, in which the lady has suffered greatly. I hope to obtain her forgiveness. If I have been less than well treated, I could imagine no better recompense than to have the lady stay with me, as she intended.’
The intelligent eyes almost smiled. ‘What is this we hear? You beg that both of your gentle conquests may stay? We think that would be greed.’
Nicholas said, ‘The lady here has long been my companion, but the other belongs to the west, to her husband. Perhaps the lord King would think it a kindness to send Katelina van Borselen home, along with her nephew.’
‘Perhaps. Eventually,’ James de Lusignan said. ‘We see a time may come when we may refuse you little. In this instance, however, we have decided to dismiss the lady Primaflora, and she will sail immediately for Rhodes. As for the boy and the lady, we have it in mind to hold them for ransom. Until it comes, the matron Katelina van Borselen will remain in Cyprus, well protected and honoured, you may be sure. As for the boy, he shall be our page. Or yours, if you wish it. He is charming.’
‘I am no one’s page,’ said Diniz Vasquez.
The King looked at him. He lifted a finger and the boy was pushed forward and stood. Zacco tilted his head. At length, ‘No,’ he said. ‘You are no one’s page. You are a prisoner. That being so, you bear yourself as a gentleman should, and expect and receive, I trust, courtesy in return. Do not be afraid. I do not shame those in my charge.’ He turned his head. ‘And now, I think we should see the Grand Commander.’
The boy, flushed, was pulled back. Primaflora, making to speak, suddenly made a small gesture and gave way to the attendant who, gently but firmly, took her arm to remove her. Nicholas took a step after and felt, light and warm, the King’s touch on one of his shoulders. It hardened. ‘You will wait,’ Zacco said. A moment later a grey-haired man, robed and hatted in black, was being ushered in, with a shadow behind him.
The King turned, dropping his arm. Nicholas remained where he was, in the full view of the newcomer whose eyes narrowed in angry suspicion. Primaflora had gone. The King said, ‘My lord Commander of Cyprus. You thought to bring an army to the lady our sister. Instead, as you see, a brave and able man has tricked’ you into fetching us the soldiers we need. You have nothing with which to reproach yourself. Your vessel and all of your company are to be taken unharmed where they wish. We brought you here to say more. It is not our intention to make war on the Order, or on the brethren of the Order who live and