Page 83 of Thus with a Kiss I Die

“I thought if you weren’t in the palace, my father’s ghost couldn’t materialize.”

“True. Pasqueta was already spooked because of the séance and my sightings, so she saw amanin a cape and assumed it was the ghost.”

Imogene popped in. “Prince Escalus, Mamma wants to know if you’re staying for the meal.”

“I wouldn’t be so unkind as to task your mother with preparing food.”

“Usually, Rosie handles that, but I suppose she’s going to duck out now.” Imogene grinned at me. “In case you haven’t heard, nice black eye, Rosie.”

I made an ancient, discreet, rude gesture involving one finger.

Katherina joined Imogene. “I’ve taken over the kitchen. Honestly, Rosie has everyone so well trained, all I have to do is agree to the menus. She’s going to make you a good wife.”

I put the ice on my face again, closed my eyes, and tapped the rude gesture at my giggling sisters.

“She will, in all respects.” Cal held up the bread and cheese. “Nevertheless, this is sufficient for my meal. When I’m done with my discussion here, I’ll walk back to the palace and converse with my men, and I have faith that our new cook will graciously provide me with whatever sustenance I need tonight.” To Katherina, Imogene, and me, he said, “I’ll send word back about Nonna Ursula. I hope to find her awake and speaking.”

The girls sobered and I opened my eyes. “Thank you,” we said.

“Are you going now?” Imogene asked.

“Not quite yet. Your sister and I are discussing a puzzle.”

“Do you need help?” Imogene liked puzzles.

“An emotional puzzle,” I said.

“No!” Imogene skittered out as if chased by a swarm of hornets.

“We’ll leave you two alone.” Katherina drifted out after Imogene.

“For how long?” Cal mused. He had the game figured out now.

“We’d best hurry before Emilia arrives.” I put the ice on the bed again, then trailed my finger through the honey and licked it, tasting the sweet, golden, thick gift of summer, and giving it its due in pleasure. I contemplated our next suspect. “Duke Yago? Do you consider your uncle on the list of suspects?”

Cal took an unusually long time to reply.

When I glanced up, his gaze was intent on my finger and my mouth, his lids were half shut over his eyes, his lips were slightly open, and he breathed as though he had run too far and too fast.

CHAPTER46

Gentle reader, you and everyone in Verona is well informed about the pristine state of my virginity, and while I made the gesture in all innocence, and because there is something so tactile about honey on the tongue . . . I was perfectly able to comprehend what intimacy Cal had envisioned.

Placing my hands on my trencher, I kept them absolutely still and said again, “Your uncle, Duke Yago?”

Cal leaped up and walked toward the door onto my balcony and threw it open to the fresh air. “Uncle Yago! Yes. I do suspect him. But he seems so . . . limp.”

I had no answer to that unfortunate choice of words.

Silence reigned.

Many minutes later, Cal turned to face me, but couldn’t seem to quitelookat me. “Yet Yago’s my father’s brother! How is it possible that he should be so . . . ineffective? Is he really ill, or is it all an act to disguise his treachery?”

“Has anyone examined this supposed wound of his?”

“Not that I know.” He cautiously glanced toward me.

Still, I didn’t move. “I wonder if he could be coaxed to show it to Friar Laurence.”