The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren

Author:Lisa T. Bergren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

SHE knew he was there, of course, thought herself prepared for such a meeting. His presence no longer made her heart leap with grief; it merely left her feeling melancholy. Seeing him, across from her, in a dance . . . a hundred memories from their childhood and their young adulthood and their handfasting cascaded through her mind, capturing her with sudden, surprising home-sickness and longing. Daria dropped her arms abruptly and made brief apologies as she departed in a rush. Marco came right after her, out into the hallway.

“Daria, we must speak to you in private.”

Lightning flashed, making the revelers scream and laugh. Servants passed them with trays full of wine goblets. Gianni was there, then, beside her. Vincenzo came to them then too.

“Speak now, if you must.”

Marco glanced from Daria to her knight. “It must be in private. I assure you, our business is most urgent.”

She glanced at Gianni and then led them both toward the far hall. They turned a corner and entered an empty room, lit only by a corner candle. Another flash of lightning lit up the room, followed by a crack of thunder.

“Speak freely,” she said to Marco and Vincenzo. “Gianni must hear anything you have to tell me.”

The men glanced at the knight again and then Marco began pacing before them. “Daria, I am afraid we bear bad news.”

“Out with it.”

“We must speak of your seat on the guild council. But there is something more dire you must know. Daria, your home has suffered a fire.”

Daria was not that surprised by his first statement. But the second threatened to send her to her knees. Her home? Burned? Her eyes went to Vincenzo, saw the truth of Marco’s words within them. Gianni edged closer, as if willing his strength into her without touching her.

“The Sciorias? Our knight? The children? Did all escape unharmed?”

Lightning flashed again and thunder shook the palazzo walls. In the flash of light, Daria had seen the grim look upon both Marco’s and Vincenzo’s faces.

“Nay, nay,” she moaned. “All of them? All of the Sciorias? What of Ambrogio?”

Gianni’s strong arm went around her lower back and held her firmly at the hip.

“None remain,” Marco said steadily. “Oh, Daria—” He reached for her, but Gianni stopped his hand.

Marco ignored the knight, staring at her. The tears now flowed as she thought of Beata, Agata, Aldo, Nico, Roberto . . . She fought to focus on his words, hoping this was but another nightmare. “Nay. ’Tisn’t possible. Nay . . .”

“Listen, Daria. I would protect you if I could. But there is no way for me to do so. My wife is not even aware that I traveled here to see you—she thinks I am here on business; I must return immediately. Please. Only Vincenzo can help you. Jacobi has laid claim to your land again. If he is successful in holding it, there will be no way to rebuild. He is threatening suit against your estate for damage done during the fire, as are your other neighbors.

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