The Dog of the North by Tim Stretton

Author:Tim Stretton [Stretton, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780230738478
Publisher: Bolinda Digital Pty Ltd

3

Beauceron returned heartened to his cell. Mongrissore had effectively demolished Sir Goccio’s credibility as a witness. He was sure, though, that Davanzato would not so easily give up.

Tintazzo had made no difficulty about furnishing Beauceron with meals of a good standard in return for a suitable consideration. Tonight the fare was half a roast fowl basted in its own juices, potatoes herb-roasted and a selection of winter vegetables. A crisp white wine complemented the dish to perfection, and Beauceron, who disdained mealtime chatter, decided that his incarceration was not without its benefits.

After dinner Tintazzo appeared with an unexpected visitor whose face was concealed under a black hood: Prince Laertio.

‘My lord,’ said Beauceron. ‘I am honoured, if surprised.’

Laertio seated himself on the couch with a grin and stretched out. ‘You are a foolish man, Beauceron. I had offered you a much better option than the one you chose.’

‘Hindsight would appear to have vindicated you, although I am not without hope in this case.’

Laertio raised his eyebrows. ‘I see little basis for optimism. Your man Mongrissore proved Sir Goccio a fool and knave today: there will not have been a man in the room who did not know that already.’

‘Davanzato intended his testimony to be the central strand of his case.’

Laertio reached for the wine flask. ‘And so it shall. Do you think either of the Lords of Equity is favourably disposed towards you?’

‘I had not considered the question.’

‘I am, of course, well acquainted with Lord Ulrado. Given what I told you about my father’s aversion to the invasion – which you chose to disbelieve – you cannot imagine he will wish to see you freed. And Gionardo will be keen to punish the slight against his King.’

‘The Lords of Equity do not make the final judgement.’

Laertio gave a crooked smile. ‘You have seen Fanrolio. Can you envisage him overturning the counsel of his Lords of Equity and his Under-Chamberlain?’

Beauceron took a gloomy pull at his goblet. ‘Mongrissore is a resourceful man.’

‘He is not a thaumaturge, which is what your situation requires.’

‘I assume your leisure is not so extensive as to permit you to waste an evening taunting me. Do you have a concrete reason for being here?’

‘We discussed certain eventualities at the Midwinter Ball,’ said Laertio. ‘The scenario I outlined remains attractive to me.’

‘Were I free,’ said Beauceron, ‘I might take a more favourable view myself.’

‘The Darkstone is not impregnable,’ said Laertio. ‘I might be inclined to exert myself if I knew there would be a return.’

Beauceron gave a sour smile. ‘Such talk is easy. You will forgive me if I do not base my hopes around such an eventuality.’

Laertio shrugged. ‘As long as I am convinced of your support for my cause, all will be well. In addition, the Lady Cosetta would be loath to see you come to harm.’

Beauceron raised his eyebrows. ‘Now you do surprise me.’

‘She is a lady of unusual vivacity and refinement. The way in which she has dealt with her circumstances impresses me, and in so far as I am able, I indulge her whims.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.