Benito studied the two knights below, squinting a bit. 'It's funny, though. I wouldna thought knights--not that young, anyway--could've afforded the women in this place.'
Marco shook his head. His brother's knowledge of vice worried him. He supposed that, having lived in town for all these years, the boy would have more knowledge of things like that than he did.
Chapter 26 ==========
'Oh, my--' Kat stood in the doorway wide-eyed at the sight of Francesca's new suite of rooms. Francesca smiled wryly.
'Don't be too impressed, my dear,' she said. 'Remember how this is all paid for. My five current patrons are all over fifty, two are fat, one is bald and has a nose the size of a melon, and the last, poor man, needs--' She considered for a moment how to phrase what she wanted to say delicately. '--a great deal of encouragement to achieve his desires.'
Kat blushed a charming color of pink.
Francesca's smile widened. 'However, things may be on the verge of improvement. In one respect, at least. Do you recall that very large knight who was one of your rescuers at the church?' Seeing Kat's nod, Francesca cheerfully related the incident where she had provided Manfred and Erik with a means of escape from an ambush-- sparing no details at all.
Kat blushed a charming color of scarlet.
Francesca laughed. 'Don't be so innocent! That young knight certainly isn't--the large, young one, I mean. In fact, he and his blond friend visited just yesterday evening. To tender their thanks, they said. Which I have no doubt is all the blond one intended, but not large young Manfred.' Her smile was now almost seraphic. 'So I do believe I shall be acquiring a new patron, and very soon. He'll tire me out more, of course, but it'll still be a nice change of pace.'
Kat's blush was beginning to fade; all the faster, as her face was creased by a frown of puzzlement. 'I wouldn't have thought that a young knight could afford you in the first place, even if--' She stumbled over the next words, trying to avoid offense.
'--even if his morals were scandalous for someone supposedly devoted to holy orders?' finished Francesca, grinning. 'Such an innocent! Kat, one of my existing patrons is quite high-ranked in the Church--and no temporary confrere knight, either.'
The grin faded, and Francesca looked away. 'As for the other . . . I'd just as soon not talk about it. Better for you also if I don't, girl, trust me. Just remember that confrere knights, whatever their current state, are often young men from the elite of the Empire. So a large purse is not really that surprising. Large enough, at least'--waving her hand about--'for these purposes.'
She shook her head. 'But enough of that! I am really so glad that you accepted my invitation,' Francesca continued merrily. 'My afternoon is entirely free today, as it happens. I made certain of it.' She gestured at the sofa, chaise, and chairs, inviting Kat to take her choice among them.
Kat gingerly took a seat on the sofa, which betrayed her with its softness as it was intended to do, drawing her into a cushioned embrace. Kat resisted for a moment, then, wearing a sheepish smile, allowed the sofa to have its way with her.
Francesca reclined on the chaise, which bore more than a passing resemblance to an ancient Roman dining- couch. Not only was it an attractive pose, it was supremely comfortable. 'Help yourself to the fruit next to you, by the way,' she offered. 'If you don't, it will only spoil--one of my admirers sends it every day, far more than I can eat. Evidently his last inamorata had the appetite of an elephant.' As Kat reached for a grape, she continued. 'I've already taken some measures to protect you if . . . your personal situation becomes worse. I spoke to the Madame about having a house gondola. Although she doesn't believe we need one yet--' Francesca emphasized the yet '-- she agrees that we could use a very discreet courier for various errands, which could include patrons who for one reason or another would rather not make use of public boats or their own. And she also agrees that I will soon need a private gondolier of my own, in any event. It wouldn't pay a great deal, but . . .'
Kat let out a sigh. 'It would enable me to survive, whatever else.' She tried to look on the bright side. 'If nothing else, it'd be safer than what I'm doing now. No one's going to pester Case Vecchie in a gondola, or a courtesan going to visit one discreetly.'
'That was my thought also, although'--another grin--'I saw no reason to mention your current activities to the Madame. You'd probably want to wear a mask, of course, since I imagine you'd want to keep your identity secret. From other Case Vecchie most of all, since yours is one of the four oldest houses.'
She paused for a moment, allowing Kat to absorb the fact that Francesca had learned she was Montescue. But Kat was neither surprised nor worried. She'd realized very soon after meeting Francesca that the courtesan was far too intelligent for Kat to be able to keep her family identity a secret from the woman for very long. And, perhaps oddly given Francesca's self-admitted (say better, self-proclaimed) mercenary nature, Kat was not worried about betrayal. For reasons she could not pinpoint, but didn't doubt at all, she knew Francesca could be trusted completely. In this matter, at least, if no other.
So, she simply returned Francesca's gaze with a level one of her own. And then, slowly, smiled.
