'But . . . Francesca,' he pouted.
'Thursday. Build up your strength.' Her next kiss was firm, and dismissive.
* * *
On their way back, observing Manfred's clumping steps from the corner of his eye, Erik found himself fighting down a smile. For once--ha!--even the happy-go-lucky imperial prince seemed to have met a woman who confounded him.
Perhaps sensing his companion's humor, Manfred shrugged thick shoulders. 'What can I do?' he demanded, in a tone which was half-amused and half-exasperated. 'Next to Francesca, all the other women in this town are just . . . boring.'
His still-young face seemed, for just a moment, even younger than it was. 'It's not fair! I'm being ruined for a normal life of whoremongering.' Blackly: 'You watch! Before you know it, she'll be reading to me in bed.'
Erik held his tongue. But he finally decided Francesca was right. Maybe some young girl out there--some eventual princess--would thank her for the training she was giving Manfred. He was far too used to getting his own way; with women as much as anything else. Being stymied and befuddled was undoubtedly good for the royal young lout.
As a guardian and a warrior-mentor, Erik still regretted the incident that had led Manfred into consorting with Francesca. Because of the debt between them, he hadn't been able to deal with it as decisively as he usually would have. But . . .
Yes, there was truth in what she'd said. He simply couldn't watch the young hellion twenty-four hours a day. Manfred was as safe with Francesca as in the Imperial embassy . . . from which Manfred had found at least three unofficial exits. If he could leave, then anyone could enter too. Erik had pointed this out to the abbot, to be told that the rite of enclosure precluded it. All Erik could say was that the rite appeared--as testified by Manfred's presence in the Casa Louise--to be ineffectual.
And, he supposed, just as he was seeing to some aspects of the education of the future Duke of Brittany and possible heir to the Holy Roman Emperor's throne, Francesca was also. Erik blushed a little. These were certainly areas he was ignorant of. And besides that, she was knowledgeable about other things which Erik knew little about--such as the political intrigue that seemed to be the heart of the Venetian Republic. The Italians seemed to relish it. It left him puzzled and with a feeling of distaste. But this was what Manfred would have to deal with when Erik went back to Iceland and thence to Vinland.
Chapter 39 ==========
Benito hadn't missed the subtle little signals Aldanto was passing to those shadow-lurkers canalside. Benito knew those shadows, knew them for Giaccomo's. Knew how much they cost. Was totaling up that cost in his head, and coming to a sum that scared the socks off of him.
All that--for Marco?
Oh, hell.
He began doing some very hard thinking about the time they hit the Grand Canal. He'd made up his mind by the time they reached the house in Castello.
Aldanto helped to get Marco as far as the kitchen, then let Maria take over; he headed for the sitting room, and stood looking out of the window in the dim sunlight, arms crossed over his chest, handsome face brooding and worried. Benito made himself a silent shadow following him.
'M'lord--' he said quietly, as soon as they were alone.
Aldanto started--barely visibly; controlling an automatic reaction of defense. Benito's quick eyes caught it all, and his evaluation of Caesare rose considerably.
Damn--he's good. If he can pull his reaction after all this--he's damned good. Better'n anybody I've ever seen.
'What?' the man said shortly, obviously not in a mood for more nonsense.
'M'lord,' he said soberly, as Caesare regarded him over one shoulder. 'I--I'm sorry about the--' he gestured, flushing, '--where I hit you.'
'You're sorry?' The ex-Montagnard was actually speechless.
'M'lord--listen a minute, please? I didn't know what to think. Thought maybe you might have--well--Marco might be worth a bit, to the right people.'
'Thought I might have turned my coat again, is that it?' Aldanto looked very odd; a little amused, and maybe a little understanding.
