A Tale of Silence: a Dom Pedro Mystery by Toni Cor

Author:Toni Cor [Toni Cor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: -
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2016-09-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The sound of his door closing awakened him. It seemed some servants had provided a basin and a large pitcher of warm water. Also at hand were some clean towels and even scented soap. It had been too long since he had last enjoyed such luxuries. He washed off the grime of travel and put on a clean, dark robe. He buckled on his belt but did not bother to add his sword, only his long knife. He threw around his shoulders a fur lined cloak—the air was growing chilly—and emerged into the corridor where two of his guards waited. They followed him dutifully as he made his way down to the main level.

Most of the castle’s inhabitants would be eating in the great hall. Pedro however was shown to the room used for more intimate gatherings. In its center was a long table covered with a white linen cloth. At head and foot were chairs with backs and arm rests. Along the sides were chairs with backs alone. On the walls hung tapestries depicting the four seasons. High along one wall was a series of small windows, now shuttered against the night air and covered with curtains. Behind the head of the table, on the wall separating the room from the kitchen was a massive hearth with a small fire burning in it. Torches were fastened to holders in the walls. Candlesticks down the middle of the table gave additional light. Besides the family and their royal guest, there was present the chaplain Father Vincenzo and another guest introduced as Dom Martin de Sousa and all seated themselves.

Pedro, as Infante, took his place at the head of the table. Dom Nuño took the chair opposite. Doña Maria sat in the middle of one side, her son Diego between her and her husband, and Martin on her other side. Opposite Maria was Doroteia, her husband on one side and Father Vincenzo on the opposite.

Father Vincenzo said grace in a quavering voice. From the ensuing conversation Pedro learned that Martin was the late Paolo’s older brother. It became evident that the three de Souza brothers and the three Gaultas children had all been fostered at the dwelling of a distant relative, a prominent member of the Borges family. While his elder brother was arranging for Paolo’s burial, Martin was paying a brief visit to offer his family’s condolences on the death of Francesca. “A most tragic death for so fair a maiden,” Martin spoke sadly. “I remember how when we were all children she would toddle after us, trying desperately to catch up. Now I regret we did not treat her more kindly.”

Diego waved that aside. “She was only a little girl.”

Sancho seemed more sympathetic to his sister in retrospect. “She had better luck keeping up with us when we were mounted on our ponies. It was hard to escape her then.”

“She rode well,” Martin agreed. “A pretty child. All who knew her must mourn her death.” He turned his attention to Doroteia who sat opposite him.

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