01 - The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen

Author:Iris Johansen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Man-Woman Relationships, Italy, Florence (Italy), Lost Articles, Antiquities, Women Slaves, Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense Fiction, Historical, Statues, General, Theft of Relics
ISBN: 9780553288551
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1991-02-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve.

I do not wish to look at one more piece of goods," Sanchia said firmly as she turned away from the shop of a leather craftsman.

Lorenzo halted as he saw the determination on Sanchia's face. "Oh, very well. We've bought many lengths of fine fabric, the dressmaker has your measurements now, and she can work 'round the clock without you. Still, I do not understand you in this. You are not behaving with the enthusiasm I thought you'd show, considering your former deprivation."

"I must be careful not to take too much," she said soberly. "It would be foolish to become accustomed to riches that can never be mine."

"How depressingly sensible. They could be yours if you'd be amenable."

She shook her head, beginning to walk across the square toward her house. "I won't stay here longer than I have to do so."

"Why not? Mandara is a very pleasant place to live. Ask anyone. Lion has built many things of beauty, while he levies few taxes, and his laws are strict but fair. Lady Caterina makes sure the poor are fed and the sick are cared for." He smiled. "Why should you want to go back to Florence when Mandara can give you so much?"

"I may not go back to Florence. I don't know where I'll go, but I won't stay here." She met his gaze. "And you know why, Lorenzo."

"None of us is really free, Sanchia."

"I'd like to see if I could prove you wrong. I don't know anything but servitude and I'll have to learn the way of freedom. When I first awoke on the ship I thought everything was so clear and that I was strong enough to shift the world." She shook her head ruefully. "But now I realize it's as if I have just been born and have to learn everything from the beginning."

"I would wait until Lion freed me before venturing into these realms of knowledge."

"You know he won't do so. I must free myself... when the opportunity arises." She paused. "Why did Lion go to Florence?"

"Can't you guess?"

"Caprino?"

Lorenzo nodded. "He can't get his hands on Damari at present, so he's settling for Caprino."

She shivered. "Caprino is a dangerous man."

"But so is Lion," Lorenzo said calmly. "And Caprino will pose no problem for him. Don't worry; if I'd thought otherwise I would have gone with him."

Sanchia quickly averted her eyes. "Why should I worry?"

"You might ask yourself that question. The answer could--" He stopped and then smiled. "I believe you have visitors, Sanchia."

Sanchia's gaze followed Lorenzo's to the two horses tied at the iron garden gate. "Lady Caterina?"

"I'm sure you can expect a call from her shortly, but that's not her horse. If I'm not mistaken, your visitors are Marco and Bianca."

Sanchia winced. Sweet Mary, she didn't want to see Lion's wife again. The very thought of Bianca brought a surge of unreasoning guilt mixed with an emotion even more incomprehensible and infinitely more base in nature. "What is she doing here?"

"Her charitable duty, no doubt.

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