Lucianna Read online

  Luca did not return to that particular inn, and several days later Baram Kira handed him a packet. “This came for you late yesterday,” he said.

  Luca took it from the young man. “It will be a diagram of the Tower,” he said. “I am privy to a plot against the king.”

  Baram Kira was horrified. He wanted to ask Luca Pietro d’Angelo if he had suddenly gone mad. He said nothing, allowing his look to say what he would not.

  “I am no traitor to your king,” Luca quickly reassured him, seeing the expression on Baram Kira’s face. “I have been approached by them. I am pretending to involve myself in this plot. When I learn who is truly behind it, I will inform the earl so he may warn the king.”

  “Why would you even consider such a thing?” Baram finally asked, horrified. “If it is believed you are involved in any way, it will reflect badly upon your sister and her husband, Luca Pietro d’Angelo. There are those who would happily discredit Robert Minton for their own gain. It would bring suspicion and shame upon Florence.”

  “I did not approach these men. They came to me, offered me gold for my aid. They know little about me other than I am a foreigner and soldier. If their plot goes awry, they think to blame me.”

  “They think to involve your brother-in-law,” Baram said astutely. “You must have nothing more to do with these men, and report them to the king’s people at once!”

  “Not until I can learn who is behind these clumsy fools who would involve a stranger in their plots,” Luca said.

  Baram Kira went to the head of his house in London, the banker David Kira, who was astounded that Luca would involve himself with such men. “I thought the countess’s brother wiser than that,” he said.

  “What shall I do?” Baram said. “If he is found out, no matter his good intentions, the earl and his wife could be considered disloyal.”

  “Not necessarily, considering Robert Minton’s history with the king,” David responded. “Still, the earl should be told before this can go any further. I will send to him, Baram. I am glad that you came to me. Your future is at stake as well.”

  Several days later, the Earl of Lisle received a messenger from London. He read the missive that the man had brought, swore softly, and then said to Lucianna, “Was your brother always such a damned fool, amore mia?” Then he handed the letter from David Kira to her.

  Lucianna quickly read the parchment. She grew pale with concern for her twin. “I cannot believe Luca has been so foolish,” she finally said. “Why would he even consider such a thing? Why did he not simply send these men away?”

  “In his heart, he is still a soldier,” the earl noted astutely. “This has given him the opportunity to plan a campaign, a strategy. I suspect he misses that.”

  Lucianna sighed. “You are right,” she said, “but my brother can no longer allow himself to think like a soldier. He is a silk merchant now. He endangers you, Roberto, my family, our city itself.”

  “He cannot see that,” the earl explained to his wife. “He sees himself using his military background to bring these traitors to justice, and improving my reputation with the king.”

  “You are the king’s friend,” Lucianna said. “You need no help from my brother to gain favor.”

  “Nay, I do not,” he agreed. “But now I must go to London to put a stop to Luca’s foolishness.”

  “I am going with you,” she said.

  His instinct was to say no. He was more than able to manage his well-meaning brother-in-law. But he also understood that Luca’s behavior had distressed his wife. She would not be content unless she had her say in the matter. “We must ride quickly, and without the usual accoutrements a lady travels with, Lucianna,” he told her.

  “I have clothing in London,” she told him, “and I am perfectly capable of dressing myself. Balia will remain here. She will be most distressed when I tell her of Luca’s behavior.”

  “It is too late to leave today. We will go come morning. I have already sent Kira’s messenger ahead, telling him I am coming.”

  “Oh, Roberto, I am so ashamed of my brother’s behavior!”

  And Lucianna was—ashamed and angry. How could her brother be so witless? She was going to ask him when they next met.

  Balia was very upset to learn of the contents of David Kira’s letter to the earl. “How could he compromise you in such a fashion? Well, my lady, soon he will be sent back to Florence. For your safety, I should not wait for your father’s permission. I should send him as quickly as possible,” the tiring woman told her mistress.

  “I think you are probably right,” Lucianna agreed. “His mind is not yet engaged in the business of the silk trade. Heaven only knows what chaos his well-meaning behavior will cause next. Back in Florence, our father will see he becomes more engaged in business. He is more than capable of it, Balia. Yes! My brother must leave England as quickly as passage can be arranged for him.”

  The earl agreed with his wife. When told, the king would be irritated, but before knowledge of Luca Pietro d’Angelo’s foolishness became known to the court, he would agree with Robert that the young man must return home immediately. This would also allay Henry Tudor’s natural suspicions.

  They started for London the following morning. Arriving several days later, Robert saw his wife to the silk shop, waiting outside for her while she dealt with her brother. Entering the shop, she was relieved to find it empty but for her brother and Baram Kira. Her former assistant bowed respectfully, and Lucianna smiled. “Good morning, Brother. Baram, you may leave us, for I wish to speak with Master Luca privily.”

  He bowed again, saying, “Yes, my lady,” and disappeared into the back room of the shop to busy himself sorting the new examples of silk that had only yesterday arrived from Florence.

  “I did not expect to see you here again,” Luca said. “I realize you do not yet think me competent to manage without you, but I can, Sister.”

  “My lady, Luca Pietro d’Angelo. I am the Countess of Lisle, and you will address me respectfully and properly in a public place. This shop is a public place,” Lucianna said angrily. “How dare you endanger my husband with your foolishness? When you were approached by traitors, you should have reported the fools immediately, or at the very least written to Roberto for his advice. But no! You must involve yourself in a treasonous plot that could destroy the friendship my husband and the king share.”

  “I but sought to learn who was behind this plot,” Luca said, attempting to explain to his sister. “The fools who approached me were not capable of such guile, my lady.”

  “And did you learn the identity of that man, Luca?”

  “Not yet,” he admitted.

  “Not ever!” she almost shouted at him. “You will go home to Florence, Luca Pietro d’Angelo. We will arrange passage for you as quickly as we can. Your behavior will not tarnish our family, Florence, or the Mintons. But first, you will be taken to King Henry, and you will tell him exactly what you know, Luca Pietro d’Angelo. You will admit your foolishness. You will admit everything. You will beg his pardon. I can only hope that my husband’s long friendship with this king will not be damaged by what you have done.”

  “How did you learn of this?” Luca wanted to know. He glanced towards the rear of the shop. “Baram Kira told you, didn’t he? How eager the Jew is to have control of this shop,” he snarled.

  “Baram Kira?” Lucianna feigned surprise, and then said with complete honesty, “No, Baram Kira did not expose you to us, Luca Pietro d’Angelo. Do you think my husband is not without resources? That he has no friends looking after his interests? How we learned of your stupidity is not important. Roberto is waiting for you outside. He will accompany you to the king, where you will confess your well-meaning foolishness to him, and beg for his forgiveness.”

  “I have done nothing wrong,” Luca said stubbornly. “I have only attempted to unmask a plot against this kin
g. Had I been successful, your husband’s loyalty would have been even more appreciated.”

  “Henry Tudor is a suspicious man by nature, and by virtue of the life he has endured along the road to his kingship,” Lucianna told her brother. She could see that Luca was beginning to realize the seriousness of his actions. “There are very few, if any, in whom he confides. The only person in the world he trusts completely is his mother, Lady Margaret. His wife, whom my husband tells me the king has come to love, does not enjoy that level of his confidence.

  “The king’s confidence in Roberto is based on his complete honesty. His ability to not take sides in any matter where factions quarrel among themselves. My husband has always spoken the truth to the king, and there have been times when the truth was not what the king wanted to hear, but he listened because it was Roberto speaking to him, not someone attempting to gain his way or curry favor with the king. You will now have jeopardized that trust, Luca. Go now. Roberto awaits you outside. You will ride my horse. You will not return to this shop again.

  “If the king does not clap you in the Tower, you will depart England as quickly as we can arrange it. You will carry a letter to our father from me. I will not expose your stupidity to him, Brother, for we have always kept each other’s secrets. I will tell him since Baram Kira is more than capable of managing the shop, you decided to return home as quickly as possible to be of help to our father, and learn from him what I could not teach you,” Lucianna told him.

  He did not argue with her. As she had scolded him, Luca Pietro d’Angelo was suddenly made fully aware of his own ignorance of English politics. Well, he couldn’t say that Baram Kira hadn’t warned him. The Jew had probably gone directly to his banker cousin, and it had been David Kira who had written to his brother-in-law, exposing him for a fool. Raising his sister’s hand to his lips, he kissed it.

  “Signora la contessa,” he said, and then turning, departed the silk shop.

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Baram Kira came from the back room. “I have sorted the new silks by color, madame,” he said politely.

  She knew he had heard every word spoken between the siblings. But she wondered how well he understood the Italian language, for she had upbraided her twin in their native tongue as it was easier for her to say what she must to him, and Luca had responded in kind. She did not ask her assistant, however, for it really didn’t matter.

  “My brother will not be returning to this shop, Master Kira,” she said. “You will be responsible for it now. I cannot, given my rank, engage in my father’s trade any longer, but you are free to correspond with me should you need my advice or further guidance. Please accept my thanks and those of my husband for advising us of my brother’s well-meaning, but unwise, actions. I know it is you who spoke with David Kira, who wrote to notify us.”

  “I hope Master Luca will not be imprisoned,” Baram said. “That was not my intention, my lady.”

  “A brief stay in a dank cell might do him some good, although I doubt it. Nay, I imagine the king will agree with my husband that Luca meant no harm, but now there will always be a small worm of distrust for us in the king’s heart. I am sorry that my kinsman will be responsible for it,” Lucianna said regretfully. “I know that I can rely upon your discretion, Master Kira. We will not speak of this again.”

  Baram Kira bowed. “I will endeavor to do my best for you, my lady,” he promised her.

  “I will return now to my house,” Lucianna told him.

  “You will walk?” She had always had a litter or had ridden her horse.

  Lucianna laughed. “I am capable of walking home, Baram. Please tell his lordship when he returns. The day is fair, and the streets busy.”

  He bowed again. “I will thank you then, my lady, and bid you a good day,” the new shopkeeper said.

  “Good day, Master Kira,” she answered, and departed the silk shop. The day was pleasant and warm. Lucianna walked quickly, aware of everything and everyone about her. The garments she wore were not lavish, and she attracted no undue attention. Soon the busy streets were left behind for the quieter paths, but the now-empty way left her nervous. She was relieved to reach her house, where the door opened to her knock.

  “My lady!” Cleva, the young housekeeper, was surprised to see her. She quickly curtsied and stepped aside. “We did not know you were in London, my lady.”

  “The earl had a matter of urgent business, and I came with him. Of course I went to the shop first,” Lucianna explained, smiling. She had elevated Cleva’s status before leaving London to visit Wye Court.

  “May I ask how long you are staying?” Cleva said. “I must tell Alvina in the kitchens. Preparing meals for only Master Pietro d’Angelo does not require as much food, but with two hungry men in the house, Bessie will have to be sent immediately to market, my lady.”

  “I am not certain, a few days, no more,” Lucianna said. “I did not even bring Balia.” She smiled at Cleva. “I will retire to my room to rest now, for the earl would travel quickly.”

  “Of course, my lady.”

  Cleva hurried off to speak with Alvina, the cook, while Lucianna climbed the stairs to her old bedchamber. Fortunately, there had been no damage. Surely the king would forgive Luca. His actions, misguided as they were, had caused no real harm. The king would see the conspirators rounded up and imprisoned. And his jailors would have their own means of learning the identity of the man behind the plot. Her husband’s reputation with Henry Tudor could be salvaged.

  She wondered if he and Luca would be admitted to the king’s presence today, or if it would take several days to see him.

  As he rode through London, Robert Minton was beginning to consider the same thing. Men, even close friends, could not simply appear upon the royal doorstep for a visit. He thought that perhaps he would be wiser to seek Lady Margaret’s advice in this uncomfortable matter of his brother-in-law.

  “This is not the way to the king’s residence,” Luca said to him.

  And Robert Minton suddenly realized he had directed his horse’s steps towards Lady Margaret Beaufort’s home. “Nay, it isn’t. I must speak with the king’s mother first in this matter. She will advise me on how to approach the king and inform him of your actions, without getting you clapped in the Tower, although if stupidity were a crime, you would be charged,” the earl said irritably.

  “I only meant to help you,” Luca muttered sullenly, but he turned away from his brother-in-law, for the look Robert Minton gave him sent a chill through him. He suspected if his sister were not this man’s wife, there would be no mercy shown him by the Earl of Lisle.

  Upon reaching the home of the king’s mother, they were greeted cordially by the lady’s majordomo, who always traveled with his mistress and saw to her comforts. “My lord, sir, please come in. You were not expected.”

  “Is it possible that Lady Margaret can make time for us?” the earl inquired politely, his tone implying that if she could not, they would gladly return when she could.

  But the queen mother’s trusted servant knew two things: Robert Minton was a great favorite of his lady, and the earl would not be here unannounced without good cause. He bowed to her guests. “I will tell her you are here, my lord,” he said, and turning, hurried off.

  They waited, Luca growing more nervous by the moment. He dreaded the king’s mother learning of his foolishness. It was no secret that she was very protective of her son and had played an important part in seeing him made king. What would she think of what Luca had done, even if his intentions had been good?

  The majordomo returned. “Her ladyship will see you, my lord,” he said, directing his words to the earl.

  “Come!” Robert Minton ordered his brother-in-law.

  Lady Margaret was awaiting him in her privy chamber, surrounded by her ladies. “Robert!” she said, her usually stern face lighting with a smile. “What are you doing in London? And
Master Pietro d’Angelo, it is good to see you again.”

  Both men bowed politely to the king’s mother.

  Bending to kiss her cheek, the earl whispered in the lady’s ear, “If you would, dear madame, send your ladies away, for what we have come to say must not become open knowledge.”

  Luca stood quietly. Several of the queen mother’s ladies were young and pretty. Normally he would have flirted with them. Today he did not dare to do so.

  “Ladies,” the king’s mother said, “I would be alone with my guests. The day is fair. I would suggest a walk in my gardens. When I wish your presence, I will call you back.”

  The women and girls all rose from their places, curtsied to their mistress, and left the privy chamber. One directed a smile at the earl as they went. He nodded politely, although not with great interest.

  “That is Catherine Talcott,” Lady Margaret said, “the girl I considered for you before you met your Lucianna. Now, my lord, what is it you wish to tell me that requires such privacy?”

  “My brother-in-law has, without meaning to, involved himself in a plot, madame.”

  “A plot?” Instantly, Lady Margaret was fully alert.

  “He was approached by several men at a local inn he frequents,” the earl began. “They claim they seek to gain the release of Clarence’s son from the Tower.”

  Lady Margaret’s face darkened. “Will these people never cease in their attempts to destabilize the country?” she asked of no one in particular. Then she looked at Luca. “They sought your aid? Why?”

  “They knew I had been a soldier, my lady,” Luca said. Then he rushed on to say, “I meant no treason! I only sought to learn the identity of those behind such a nefarious scheme.”

  “And have you?” Lady Margaret queried him sharply.

  “Alas, no, madame, I have not, but it is not for lack of trying,” Luca told her. “When the earl learned of my involvement, he hurried to London with my sister to insist I go to the king and warn him.” Luca realized that for the first time since he was a boy, he was truly frightened. The king’s mother was a powerful woman, and this was her son of whom they spoke. He knew how his mother would react should anyone dare to threaten one of her children with bodily harm.