Death of a Duchess (30 page)

‘It seems the Lady Violante has taken charge of him. I dare say when she marries,’ and Sigismondo glanced at the blonde head near the Duke Ippolyto’s shoulder, ‘that she will take him with her. He’d be happier away from here — as happy as he’s able to be.’

Benno cogitated, which gave him an expression of complacent idiocy. ‘You can do what you like now the Duke is so grateful to you, can’t you?’

‘No. The gratitude of princes is limiting. You must be there to display it. Princes need it to be seen that deeds done for their advantage are rewarded.’

Benno was silent, sucking the joint of the drumstick. The music broke out very plangently as a new course was brought in, and he had to wait to be heard. Then he said, ‘I suppose you’re saying that this is my last feast for a while.’

Sigismondo smiled and drank his wine. ‘What makes you think I’m going to take you with me?’

Benno pointed the drumstick. ‘Two reasons. One, I can look witless, so people say things in front of me they wouldn’t say in front of anyone else. Two—’

‘Even if they know I employ you?’

‘Two, if they know you employ me, they think you must have a soft heart.’ Benno belched. ‘And that gets them dead.’

Sigismondo offered him another drumstick. ‘Eat while you may. We leave tomorrow.’