The Unicorn Hunt - Dorothy Dunnett [353]
Nicholas rubbed his face slowly, as if pressing thoughts from his skin, either to summon them or to repel them. No words came. His right fingers were scarred. Without waiting, Tobie got up and opened chests until he found what he wanted, and spilled the scrolls on the floor, working his way down to the bottom. He said, ‘You don’t have one for Florence.’
Nicholas rose also, slowly. You could see his mind assembling facts. He said, ‘You think she is in Florence?’
‘She?’ said Tobie. He fought against all his instincts, which told him to be merciful. He was the spokesman for Gregorio now, as he had once been the spokesman for the company. He watched Nicholas bring his mind to bear again.
Nicholas said, ‘I have been waiting for Gelis to come. She has to come, to hear what we tell the Senate tomorrow.’ He paused for breath. ‘You are saying I can find the child myself?’
Tobie said, ‘Have you not even noticed Gregorio? I am saying that Margot has gone in the hopes of bringing him to Venice. The box you were given at St Catherine’s was made in Florence, of our African gold. Squarcialupi recognised it at once. Zacco told him to tell me. Gelis stayed last year in Florence. She made some arrangements. Added to what Margot knows, it seems highly probable – she thinks certain – that the child and his nurse have been placed there. If so, Margot has the best chance of finding him. She knows what he looks like.’
‘So he exists,’ Nicholas said.
Tobie sat where he was, his hands locked together. He said, ‘Did they not even give you that hope?’
‘Oh, they have always given me hope,’ Nicholas said. Then he said, ‘But Gelis made her promise never to tell. Why should Margot help me now?’
‘Because I told Gregorio what they forced you to endure at Famagusta,’ Tobie said. ‘To my mind, and Margot’s, and his, it cancelled all promises. Margot was eager to try, and Gregorio let her. It isn’t only for you. It is because the child himself has turned into a pawn. When he comes, you shall not only see him, we will hold him for you.’
He waited. They have always given me hope. He would not tell Nicholas, now, the nature of Margot’s particular skills, or how she came by them.
‘He may not be in Florence,’ Nicholas said.
Tobie said, ‘Margot left fifteen days ago. Five days to reach Florence, and ten for the search and a gentle return. We meet the Senate tomorrow. Gelis has to be here to hear the result. I have spent the last eight months cursing the person who showed you that you were a diviner, but it is the only thing that is going to help us all now. Track the child. And track Gelis.’
‘She persuades others to carry her ring,’ Nicholas said. ‘It confuses things.’ It sounded plaintive, because his voice was operating on thoughts he had forgotten about already.
‘But you will know when she comes into Venice. You must,’ said Tobie. ‘And if you have no sense of the child, you can trace Margot. Gregorio will bring you possessions, and maps. I’m here to supply whatever else you may need. With the proviso that none of this is any use if you are not going to survive it.’
Nicholas had blocked his lips with the back of his hand. He took his hand away. ‘Oh, I shall survive it,’ he said. ‘Other people may not.’ Then he said, ‘I had better see Gregorio, and thank him. I am sorry. I should have noticed.’
Chapter 48
SUNDAY ENDED. As usual, the evening mist fingered its way into the Piazza San Marco, forming a nebulous tide like the water which now and then surged over the steps of the Piazzetta, and sent everyone splashing and rollicking home.
Jan Adorne, following a trailing cloak between the wrought iron gates of a palazzo, found himself in a paved garden where sweet, mocking laughter led him between fountain and orange trees, and into the arms of a girl made of marble. He recoiled, and heard through the mist a sprinkle of notes from a lute. Following, he found himself entering a tunnel made of grapevines and trellis.
There was a cloaked form