The Dark Heart of Florence by Tasha Alexander (ebook reader screen TXT) 📕

“You’re the one being distracting.”

He pulled away. “I’ll stop and leave it all to you.”

I came down to breakfast before Cécile and waited, rather impatiently, for her to emerge from her morning ablutions. When she did, I explained that Colin and Darius had finished their investigation and wanted us to do the same. She was no more inclined to abandon our work than I, and rejected outright the notion that the Germans had killed Marzo and Lena.

“Not to mention Signore di Taro,” she said. “I refuse to accept such absurd conclusions with no evidence.”

“I quite agree. But is it any more likely that the Crown ordered their deaths?”

“I shouldn’t think so.”

“Nor do I. The coat of arms is a clue we can’t ignore, and it’s one that points us back to the treasure. Someone connected to the murders is looking for it, of that I am convinced.” I pressed my lips together. “I have not been entirely honest about all of this with you, Cécile. I told Colin from the beginning that we were investigating. He supported that, but only so long as I kept him abreast of everything we discovered, which I’ve done. He didn’t want you to know and I agreed to his terms. I’m sorry I deceived you.”

She shrugged. “Kallista, I never for one moment doubted that you were telling him everything. He is far too handsome to resist.”

“Can you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. I have told you many times that we all have the need for secrets. I will never share all of mine and would expect nothing else from you. A little mystery is not a bad thing, but I do expect you to tell me whatever it is you managed to get out of him. I suspect he is little better at resisting your charms than you are at resisting his.”

There was sadly little to reveal, but I went through the case for her, detailing every discussion I’d had with Colin about it. Before we could decide how to proceed, the gentlemen entered the room, both in a jovial mood.

“Now that this sad business is behind us, it’s time we make the most of Florence,” Darius said. “Have you two been to the Accademia yet? We could go this afternoon. You can’t leave the city without seeing Michelangelo’s David.”

“Non, monsieur,” Cécile said. “I find myself unable to enjoy the delights of Florence when this sad business, as you call it, is resolved in a manner thoroughly unsatisfactory to me.”

“Cécile, I—”

She interrupted Colin. “I am not interested in any explanation that does not include the name of the vile murderer who has caused so much chaos and grief. As you cannot share that with us, I would prefer to spend the day here, reading. Monsieur Le Queux’s fictional spies are far more satisfying than the two of you real ones.”

“Cécile, we’re not spies,” Darius said.

“Style yourselves however you like,” she said. “I will eventually forgive you both your shortcomings, but not today. That’s how it is with us ladies. We may have to accept the limitations of what your work allows you to share with us, but that does not mean we can’t punish you, at least a little, for excluding us. Now, can you please find it in your hearts to leave us in peace? Go to the museum. Gaze upon David.” She looked at Colin, and I could see her resolve wavering. She wanted to compare him to the statue.

“Or don’t gaze upon David,” I said. “Why not travel farther afield? Take a drive in the countryside. Cécile may want to stay here and read, but I’d prefer a long walk through the city. A long walk during which I don’t have to worry that I’ll run into you.”

“We’re quite thoroughly in disgrace, Hargreaves,” Darius said. “It’s best we flee. I don’t fancy the countryside, however. Let’s climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome instead.”

“I’m game,” Colin said. He came around the table and gave me a quick kiss. “If you won’t let things lie, at least promise me you will be careful,” he whispered.

“You need not worry,” I murmured against his neck. “We’ve no plan to do anything today. I’m not even sure where we would start. Tomorrow, however…”

He kissed my cheek, reassured by my words, and looked up as Tessa entered, announcing that Signore Bastieri was at the door. I had not rejected my suspicions of her, regardless of what Colin had said about her not being guilty. She couldn’t have carried Marzo to the roof, and I doubted she had the skill with a knife to have killed Lena with a single blow, but she might very well have been working with someone else. Someone trained as an assassin, either by the Germans or the Crown. Someone who wanted the treasure, for I was still convinced there was a connection between the murders and whatever had been hidden in the house during the Renaissance.

I told the maid to let in Signore Bastieri, whom I introduced to the gentlemen. He looked a mess, his hair unkempt, his face drawn and pale. I doubted he’d eaten in days, so I encouraged him to fill his plate with food from the sideboard. He did so, but only half-heartedly, and explained why he’d come.

“I’ve found that coat of arms on six buildings,” he said.

“So many?” I asked. “Surely that’s unusual.”

“Not necessarily,” he said. “Wealthy families might own more than one house, or maybe their supporters displayed the arms to show their loyalty.”

“What arms are these?” Darius asked.

“The ones that were on the letter my daughter received the morning she was killed,” Signore Bastieri said. “I’m convinced they will lead us to her killer, and the treasure you seek, Lady Emily. With luck, we will have it in our hands today.”

I flashed a frantic look at my husband and nodded toward the door, hoping he would understand that I wanted him to leave rather