The Assassin and His Sister by William Stafford

Author:William Stafford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, fantasy, murder, assassin, humour, Italy, Italian Renaissance, Verdi, Rigoletto, Sparafucile, Maddalena, Mantua, Burgundy, farce, comedy, sword, dagger, intrigue, curse
ISBN: 9781783330409
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2013
Published: 2013-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

The encounter with the hunchback has robbed me of my appetite, despite the noisy acrobatics of my empty stomach. I wonder if I can persuade myself to nibble on a pastry.

But then I see him.

Gianni described him in detail. His above average height. The ermine trim to his cape and cuffs. The large-brimmed hat, curled upwards on one side. The earring that flashes. The meticulously trimmed moustache and beard - I can’t see these for, as Gianni predicted, Giacomo is holding a scented kerchief to his nose.

He is striding purposefully towards the bank but does not seem overly rushed. All the easier for me to intercept!

I skirt around to the side of the steps and nip nimbly up to the entrance. I will appear to be coming out as he ascends. My hand finds the hilt of my dagger - there will be no room for the sword. I will plunge it into his heart and that will be it.

At the foot of the steps, he pauses. He tucks his hanky into a pocket. He cuts a fine silhouette - his taste in clothing is impeccable. I envy him the satin of his hose and the fit of them on his long, shapely legs. His cape, suspended from one shoulder, hangs exactly to the hem of his doublet. And the hat, audacious to be sure, is like a halo as he looks up at the main entrance to his workplace - and directly at me. I realise I have been caught staring. There will be no time to ask him who his outfitter is. I have to do it now.

He begins to climb the steps. He is wearing flat shoes - he doesn’t need heels to augment his stature- with exquisite buckles that gleam as he steps.

I stir myself. I need to accost him lower down in order to be certain of escape. I don’t want to get trapped in the doorway among the customers where it’s too easy to be apprehended.

I head towards him. He is looking directly at me. His eyebrows rise. He seems to know I am there for him. He stops to meet me, looking me up and down. His lips twitch in a smile. He likes what he sees!

And suddenly I see why he is in disgrace with his family. I see why he has to live in a disreputable part of town. He is aglow with it. And confident and at ease in a manner I have never been. I can hear his father, the mighty Luca de’ Panini blustering “There’ll be none of that under my roof!”

“Hello,” he smiles and I see his teeth are perfect, straight and white, and all present and correct - a rarity indeed.

“Giacomo de’ Panini?” I ask. I have to make sure he’s the one. My hand is sweating on the handle of my dagger. There is sweat on my face and I hope he doesn’t see it. I don’t want him to cotton on. I don’t want

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