Page 92 of Thus with a Kiss I Die

Cal weighed my words and gave them respect. “You’re right. I don’t like to think of that . . . but yes. Her ruse of a séance succeeded too well and she almost died from it, and may yet if I don’t discover who attacked Nonna and killed my father, and if they’re the same person.”

I wasn’t startled to hear Elder say in my ear, “We are back where we started.”

Such a discouraging thought! “The answer is there, tantalizing us, waiting for us to see what’s right before our noses.”

Cal folded his hands on his desk and observed me with a cool gaze. “Are you talking to me or my father?”

I half smiled at him. “Yes.”

From the door, one of the footmen cleared his throat. “Prince Escalus, Lady Pulissena of the house of Acquasasso has arrived and requires attendance.”

CHAPTER50

As if my head was mounted on a spring, it snapped toward Cal. “Lady Pulissena? The unofficial leader of the Acquasasso revolt?”

“Here? Now? How?” Elder sounded equally gobsmacked.

Cal looked first guilty, then exasperated. “Her timing stinks like the canals of Venice at low tide. At the beginning of summer, she scripted a letter of a pleading nature, begging she be allowed to return to Verona to live out her days in the city she loves. I investigated her circumstances. She lives with her husband’s niece and is barely tolerated. Of course, she was ever a sharp-tongued woman, and among the gossips, it was believed that her husband obeyed as she directed the insurrection.” He waggled his head indicating he didn’t quite believe that. “A female as military strategist? It seems doubtful.”

“From the stories my parents tell about her, if she had been in charge, the Acquasassos would now rule Verona.”

“Formidable woman,” Elder agreed, “but hampered by her husband and stepson.”

Cal inclined his head. “That also I remember. In my youth, whenever we met, Lady Pulissena frightened me into princely behavior. And we met often, for at one time, she and Nonna Ursula were close, good friends.”

“Ah. That explains Nonna Ursula’s particular bitterness toward her.” I studied him; he looked almost sheepish. “You granted her petition to return.”

“I did. Her petition for her and a few members of her household. The other Acquasassos can remain in the fetid air of the swamp and there rot.”

That answered my question; I had wondered if Cal failed to remember the miseries of the last revolt. “It seems unlikely insurrection could be roused by the presence of one old woman.”

“More than that, I’ve long wanted to speak to Lady Pulissena about my father’s assassination. Who among them gave the directive?”

“That’s my boy!” Elder said with satisfaction.

Ah. It wasn’t merely kindness that moved Cal to compassion. “What if it was her?”

“Let me first make the inquiry.” He came around the desk and offered his hand. “Come with me to greet Lady Pulissena.”

“Let me greet her and bring her to you,” I urged him. “I give her honor, and by requiring her to join you, give you consequence.”

He thought, and nodded. “Be vigilant.”

“As you direct, my prince.” I was tired of being vigilant everywhere I went, but when the other choice was death, I could be reasonable.

Elder drifted along as I walked briskly to the outer doors of the palace and onto the great steps.

Skinny, bent, and warped in every joint, Lady Pulissena required two men in Acquasasso livery and a wooden step to get her out of the sedan chair, and more than once, she staggered and grunted in pain. She’d once been a woman of average height, but everything had shrunk from her stooped shoulders to her tiny feet.

“The years have not been kind to her.” Elder sounded shocked as her two men had to almost carry her up the steps to me.

I offered my hand—she barely came to my shoulder. “Lady Pulissena, I’m Lady Rosaline Montague. The podestà sent me to greet you.”

She peered up at me, black eyes wide and lashless; then in a voice like crushed gravel, she said, “You’re the girl my nieces are laughing about.”

She was too old and tiny to push down the stairs, so I said, “Yes, Lady Pulissena.”

“I told them you caught yourself a prince. That shut them up.” Pleased with herself, she smacked her wrinkled lips.