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"Thank you" I hesitated, then said the word that was not only on ue but in my heart

"Brother"

37

The sea and sky were leaden and the wind fierce when the de Clermont plane touched down at the Venice airport

"Fine Venetian weather, I see" Gallowglass buffered me from the blasts as we descended the airplane stairs behind Baldwin and Fernando

"At least it’s not raining," Baldwin said, scanning the tars I’d been warned about, the fact that the house round floor was the least ofsense of as truly i toward the waiting car

"It won’t make it five o’clock any sooner," Baldwin observed as he followedtime It’s tr--"

"Tradition I know" I cli car

The car took us only as far as an airport dock, where Gallowglass helped me into a slea helm and tinted s on the cabin Soon ere at another dock, this one floating in front of a fifteenth-century palazzo on the curve of the Grand Canal

Ca’ Chiaro for someone like Mattheho had played a pivotal role in Venetian business and political life for centuries Its three floors, Gothic façade, and sparkling s screamed wealth and status Had I been here for any other reason than to save Mattheould have reveled in its beauty, but today the place felt as gloomy as the weather outside A stout, dark-haired lasses with thick lenses, and a long-suffering expression was there to greet us

"Benvegnùa, madame," he said with a bow "It is an honor to welcoain, Ser Baldovino"

"You’re a terrible liar, Santoro We need coffee And solass" Baldwin handed the uided me toward the palazzo’s open door It was tucked inside a small portico that was, as predicted, a few inches underwater despite the sandbags that had been arranged in piles by the door Inside, a floor of terra-cotta and white tiles stretched into the distance, with another door at the far end The dark wood paneling was illunify the light I peeled off the hood on my heavy raincoat, unwound s

"D’accordo, Ser Baldovino " Santoro sounded about as sincere as Ysabeau "And for you, Madalass of Barolo, perhaps?"I shook my head

"It’s Ser Matteo now," Baldwin said from the end of the corridor Santoro’s jaw dropped "Don’t tellMatthew to rebel for centuries"

Baldwin stomped up the stairs

I fu at the moment, but the air was thick with moisture Venice, I had discovered, was ether with bricks and mortar While I did so, I stole a look at the rich furniture in the hall Fernando saandering attention"

"Venetians understand two languages, Diaan: wealth and power The de Clermonts speak both--fluently," he said "Besides, the city would have collapsed into the sea long ago if not for Matthew and Baldwin, and the Venetians know it Neither of them have reason to hide here" Fernando took my coat and handed it to Santoro "Come, Diana, let me show you upstairs"

The bedrooolds, and the fire in the tiled fireplace was lit, but the flaht colors could not warm me Five minutes after the door closed behind Fernando, I found my way back downstairs

I sank onto a padded bench in one of the lantern-like bay s that jutted over the Grand Canal A fire crackled in one of the house’s cavernous fireplaces A familiar motto--WHAT NOURISHES

ME DESTROYS ME -- was carved into the wooden mantel It reminded me of Matthew, of our time in London, of past deeds that even now threatened lass murmured with concern once he’d discovered ation will hear your case"

But I refused tothe leaded s, each one capturing a fractured glimpse of the city outside, and listened to the bellsof the hours

"It’s time" Baldwin put his hand onthe brightly embroidered Elizabethan jacket I’d worn ho with a thick black turtleneck and wool trousers I was dressed for Chels were over

"You have the key?" Baldwin asked

I slid it out of ned to hold an Elizabethan housewife’s ation chao, then," Baldwin said