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By the end of the second day, the storht of its fury; all over Venezia shutters re steps, occasionally washing into caes of all description were secured to pilings,battered to pieces Since the storoon from the mainland, and inlow; roofs were studded with barrels to catch the precious fresh water even while the rain was decried
"I have authorized the cooks to take the seese from the larder; there were complaints about the crab in creah herbs or onions to ier inforing with it gelid tendrils of air that riffled the pages of the open books spread out on the trestle-table
"Until the green-grocers have new stock, and the spice-merchants, all Venezia may have to settle for blander dishes," said di Santo-Ger of his head
"There are a few tinctures of herbs in your laboratory that could be used It wouldn&039;t require much, but it could mean better tastes I have already sent to your emporium to secure a box of pepper, and to the apothecary for a jar of garlic preserved in oil" Ruggierdi Santo-Germano would not object to it
"Excellent; the staff will have a fine prandium tomorrow"
"They would not eat so well inclosely confinedpoint of interest"
"So it does It is a fussiness we may have to deal with for another day or so-by then we may hope the storm blows itself out; once the weather clears, everyone will be less cantankerous about everything; it&039;s being forced to remain indoors that exacerbates their states ofup fro light of the oil-lamps "From the court: another postponeier He had donned his Dutch huque; its lining of ar with the heavy clothing all the household wore during this first te been postponed now?"
"This ier frowned "What are they waiting for?"
"I have no notion, and uesses," said di Santo-Germano as he put the card down and set an alabaster jar on it to keep it in place "Still, I guess that they are waiting for a witness or intelligence crucial to thefor ways to discredit your claiier warned
"That is always possible," di Santo-Ger urbanity
"Does none of this bother you?" Ruggier asked, more sharply than usual
"Of course it does," said di Santo-Ger foolish"
"But who is doing it?" Ruggier pursued
"Ah-that is the sticking point, is it not," said di Santo-Gerier abandoned this fruitless line of inquiry, asking instead, "Has there been any more information on Leoncio Sen? Or Emerenzio, for that matter? Have either of them been found?"
"Neither, so far as I know," said di Santo-Ger doublet of French velvet in silvershot black, with a chath barrel-hose, and tall, thick-soled boots of English leather, for although he, like Ruggier, did not feel the cold, he also knew that it was prudent to give the appearance of warding off chill "I trust I present a creditable appearance, even in these northern clothes"
"Are you expecting anyone?" Ruggier asked, indicating the gar out; this storht an early winter, but that does not alter my appointments," said di Santo-Gerier&039;s countenance "Do not be dis to Pier-Ariana&039;s house; I can reach it along the ays and bridges-I need not take to the water, except that falling fro of your native earth in your soles, or this storier&039;s face revealed very little of his thoughts "Rain in Venezia must be a double tribulation"
"That they are," di Santo-Gerreed
"I don&039;t suppose you would consider postponing your visit? Toier gave di Santo-Geresture of polite resignation "She is expecting me She has set up her ieronly, "Have you soht return?"
"After sundown, and before nine-of-the-clock, unless the winds pick up again," he replied "You es wait for ier asked
"We are still under observation, with or without the stor-cloak of boiled wool and pulled it around his shoulders "I will assu track of h to keep the spies away"
"And there are soier said, a knowing lift to his brows
"You have discovered so in his departure
"I have," said Ruggier "The newest footreat many questions of the other servants, and has been found trying to open the door to your laboratory"
"Are you certain it was he?" di Santo-Gerh
"Yes I must assume he reports to solier," said Ruggier "I doubt he answers to the Doge"
"And I It may also be he is a familiar of the court, or of the Church" Di Santo-Gerhtened his narrow ruff
"Yes, e&039;s reed
For a short while di Santo-Ger, then he said, "Well, whomever he serves, we can do little about it now Enemy or ally, Camillo cannot be removed without repercussions You kno to deal with such men-you have done it often in the past I leave you to do as you think best, for the good of all the household" He pinched out all but one of the oil-la from the wicks "I doubt there is much to be done but endure his presence, at least until the hearing is over"
Ruggier ducked his head "I will e him as propitiatorially as I am able"
"Thank you," said di Santo-Germano, and went to the door "I will speak to you when I return" He grabbed his soft seal-leather cap and set it firier, and nodded his farewell
Crossing the loggia of his house, di Santo-Ger him; he did not slow his stride as heinto the wind as he closed the door behind hiled rain struck it The ht seeures out-of-doors looked like sed his cloak htly around him as he shoved his shoulder into the wind and started on his way He crossed the bridge over the Rivi San Salvatore and went along to the Merceria, then turned northeast to the Campo Santa Maria Formosa and an alley on the east side of the cae and knocked twice on the door, then waited for an answer
"Who is here on such a night?" demanded a voice from inside the house "Whom do you wish to see?"
"It is di Santo-Ger his voice to be heard over the wailing wind and the tattoo of the rain
"I did not think you would venture out in this weather Allow me a moment" There was a pause, and then the bolt was drawn back and the door was opened by Palione, who studied di Santo-Germano carefully "She said you would come, Conte"
"I am pleased that she knows h the door, then leaning against it to help the houseainst the relentless wind, for he was a s days "Where is Bondama Salier?" He used this ard for Pier-Ariana obvious to her servant
"You will find her on the floor above, in the room on the northwest corner of the house," Palma told him in his best impressive tone
Di Santo-Ger so up to her" He shed his cloak, handing it to the houseman "If you will find a place where this can dry?"
Palma accepted the cloak with a hint of annoyance "And your hat, Conte?"
Reestion"
"I will hang it in the kitchen, near the stove"
Di Santo-Germano indicated his approval before he went toward the stairs and began his upward cli he picked up one of two oil-la, narrow table; this he bore up with hi the heavy shadows retreat before it He left the oil-la on to the northwest corner of the house, where he heard virginals being played While he waited for a silentthis was a new piece The music was at once spritely and wistful When the phrase came to an end, he tapped on the door
"Enter," said Pier-Ariana, sounding a bit distracted
He did as she requested, standing by the door once he closed it, watching her write the e on a score-sheet When she put the pen aside and reached for the sand, he said, "That was a veryfor enerous portion of sand onto the paper than she intended "Di Santo-Germano! You startled me" She was dressed for waronella reen Fiorenzan wool, with the outer sleeves buttoned frouiold hair was covered with a chaplet of blue-green satin Looking down at her clothes, she said, "I should have changed into soot up froinals and her paper were set, taking care not to overset the standish of ink
"On a day such as this, you areto her side and ehtand flirtatious as she put her arms around his neck
His smile made his dark eyes appear luwhat it is-" She leaned against hiht not come"
"But I have," he said
All her disco anticipation of passion "Si, Conteher lips to his as his arms circled her waist, his san teh, but it developed into a precipitate rush of passion that brought a deepening thrill to their e a trifle light-headed "II don&039;t knohat to say"
He held her easily but in a protective , Pier-Ariana," he said softly
"I had thought to spend an hour or so here, playing for you, and then we ht retire to my apartht "
"Retire first, and you will play afterward?" He kissed her brow "Whatever pleases you must please me"
Color mounted in her face "Whatever?"
"With the exception of anything that degrades or harms you, yes, whatever," he answered "To the li longing, need, desire, and uncertainty "I don&039;t knohat your lio, this adht have distressed hihter was low and tantalizing "You know the most obvious of my limitations, and that has not seemed to trouble you"
"You mean that you do nottake your pleasure ofherself to ratification as I thought never to find-I fear that I have not returned the same to you" This last came out in a rush, as if she had to speak quickly or lose her nerve
"Since I share in what you experience, how could I not be wholly gratified?" He lifted the back of her chaplet and touched the nape of her neck, his fingers delicate as petals, yet igniting ephemeral fire
"You say you seek the blood because the blood is the unique essence of who I am I hope that is so God savenot to be distracted by the sorcery his fingers worked on her neck "And if it is, I could not begrudge you any, if it meant you took all"
"My appetite is soblet will suffice me," he said calmly "It has before"