Chapter 66
Author's Note: Yay tis another chapter. Once again thank you to my reviewers. Enjoy!
"I'm off to the church," Mortola said to Orlanda the next morning. She spoke in a loud self-important voice so that all the maids in the kitchen heard her too, "Capricorn is receiving the two prisoners there. While I'm gone, I want the hallways dusted."
Her eyes scanned the room for victims. Dafne's shoulders slumped as they settled on her.
"Have Dafne do it," Mortola turned back to Orlanda, "Dafne and someone else," she waved her arm impatiently, "I don't care who."
Orlanda bobbed her head respectfully,
"Yes Mortola. Leave it to me."
Mortola nodded curtly at her subordinate before hobbling swiftly from the room.
Orlanda leaned lazily against the doorframe as her mistress' footsteps subsided.
"Any volunteers to help Dafne?"
There was a moment of silence and stillness. Then Marietta's hand shot up. Giosetta's hand followed suit. Dafne smiled. Dusting wouldn't be so bad with those two for company.
But Orlanda pointed at another maid instead.
"How about you Resa?" she drawled, "I think it's time Capricorn's Favourite pulled her weight, don't you?"
Resa shrugged. She was looking slightly bewildered to be singled out. Dafne was just as confused.
What was Orlanda thinking, pairing them together when she knew very well that Mortola wanted to keep them separated?
Orlanda didn't look too bothered that she was breaking one of mistress' rules. She smacked her hands together.
"Then it's settled. Go get dusting you two."
"That was weird," Dafne remarked once she and Resa were out in the hallway, "She knows Mortola is against us being left alone together."
Resa shrugged. She dug out a piece of paper and scribbled a message.
O is lazy about M's rules when she's not around. Good thing for us.
Dafne smiled, lifting her eyes from the paper to see Resa smiling back at her.
"I agree," she said, "It's good to be able to talk face to face."
The only way they had been able to communicate lately had been through written messages. Resa would give a note to Claudia and the girl would pass it on Dafne and vice versa. This kept both women up-to-date with each other but it wasn't the same as one on one contact.
Resa held out her hand for the paper.
There is something I have to do while we're out here. I haven't told you yet but I saw DF last night. He's back in the village.
Dafne read the note several times over in surprise. Dustfinger was back?
"Why?" she asked Resa.
Why would Dustfinger return? It was sure to be the end for him if he was caught.
Resa quickly scribbled the answer.
He's come back for the last copy of Inkheart. I need to find out where it's being hidden.
"You're going to search for it?" Dafne said, "Resa, I don't think that's a good idea. What if Mortola catches you snooping around?"
That's why I have to search now while she's out of the house. C too.
"What about Orlanda? What if she comes to check up on us?"
Resa rolled her eyes.
She won't. She's too lazy. Don't worry. I'll be fine.
"You don't know that," Dafne said anxiously, "Please Resa. You can't afford to get into any more trouble. If Dustfinger wants the book, he should search for it himself. He shouldn't drag you into helping him."
Dafne couldn't help saying the last part with certain bitterness. She still resented Dustfinger for blackmailing her. And for what? He had just ended up returning to village. It felt like she had betrayed Basta for nothing.
Now Dustfinger was selfishly putting Resa's life in danger. Not that Resa saw it that way.
He's not dragging me, she replied, I want to do it. He's helped me in the past.
Resa gave Dafne a determined smile. Such a smile might have reassured Dafne in the past but it didn't now.
"Please Resa," she pleaded, "Don't go looking for that book."
Resa's smile wilted away. She looked at Dafne apologetically.
Sorry, she mouthed and started off in the direction of the staircase.
Dafne watched her, groaning in frustration. Then she chased after her.
She caught up to her on the staircase. Resa surprised her by turning around and holding up a palm to stop. She pointed to Dafne and shook her head. Dafne understood. She was telling her not to follow. Resa confirmed this by pointing to the feather duster in Dafne's hand and miming dusting.
It was Dafne's turn to shake her head.
"I can't let you do this on your own. I'll help you look."
Resa cupped her hand to Dafne's face affectionately.
Then she mouthed no.
"Two people searching is better than one," Dafne said as Resa turned to carry on up the stairs.
Resa didn't stop but shook her head as she went.
But Dafne kept on following her regardless. She followed her all the way to Capricorn's room.
"At least let me wait outside and keep watch. I'll knock if I hear someone coming."
Resa bit her lip indecisively. Then she nodded.
Knock but don't wait for me, she wrote hastily, make yourself scarce. I don't want you getting caught along with me.
Resa slipped into the room, shutting the door behind her.
Dafne let out a deep breath, praying the book was actually in Capricorn's room.
She had no idea how much time had passed when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She leapt to rap on the door as discreetly as she could. Against Resa's wishes, she found herself lingering, willing her to come out so they could flee together.
"A room upstairs Meggie," she heard a man's voice exclaim, his tone cheerful but a little strained, "I wonder if we'll have a view."
"You'll find out soon enough," she recognised that voice. It was Basta, "So shut up and keep moving old man."
Dafne moved over to the top of the stairs and peered down. The party halted their ascent at her appearance.
"Oh," an elderly man with black hair stared at her with great interest, "Who's this? Are you one of mine too?"
Dafne knew he must be Fenoglio. Beside him was a pretty but sad-looking girl. Silvertongue's daughter. She didn't resemble her father. She had fair hair and blue eyes. She did look strangely familiar even though Dafne had never seen her before.
"No," Basta said from behind the two prisoners, "You didn't create her. She's born and bred of this world. Now keep moving. The sooner I get you in your room, I sooner I can be free of you."
He gave Fenoglio a hard push.
"Wait here," Basta told Dafne as he herded the prisoners past her, "I'll be back in a moment."
Dafne watched them go. Then she heard the sound of a door opening nearby. Capricorn's door. She hurried over to Resa.
"It was only Basta and the prisoners," she told her.
Resa nodded, tapping her ear to say she had been listening.
"Did you find the book?" Dafne whispered hopefully.
Resa frowned and shook her head.
Dafne's shoulders slumped.
"It's probably in the treasure vaults."
Resa shrugged, pulling out her piece of paper.
It might be in M's room.
"Resa don't even think about it," Dafne said, worriedly taking in Resa's determined expression, "For God's sake, it's Mortola's room!"
It's worth a shot, Resa scribbled to Dafne's dismay, you stay here. I'll go alone.
"Resa please," Dafne grabbed hold of her arm to stop her leaving, "You tried and you didn't find it. Can't you just leave it at that?"
Resa shook her head stubbornly as she prised Dafne's hand away.
"Resa," Dafne hissed her friend's name as she strode towards the stairs, "Resa!"
"Dafne!"
Dafne cringed. She turned to see Basta walking towards her. She heard Resa's footfalls on the stairs and knew she couldn't chase after her while Basta was around. She had no hope of changing Resa's mind in any case. She could only hope she didn't get caught.
Dafne put on a smile for Basta's arrival.
"You're back," she said lamely.
"I said I would be," Basta replied.
He stroked her face. It struck Dafne how grave his face looked as he did this.
"What's wrong?" she asked, "You look like something's bothering you."
Basta withdrew his hand with a bitter laugh.
"Something bothering me? Oh it's nothing really. Just the fact that Capricorn is going to give you away if I ever screw up again!"
Dafne looked sadly into Basta's tense face.
"I know this isn't news to you," he went on, "Capricorn said he told you already."
"Yes he did."
"While I was away."
"Yes."
Basta seized hold of her hands,
"Why didn't you tell me yesterday then?" he said angrily, "Damn it little mouse, it's not the kind of thing you keep a person in the dark about!"
"I didn't know how to tell you," Dafne said, "It was just too awful."
Basta's face softened,
"Well of course it's awful," he said, dropping her hands, "The thought of someone else..."
He looked worried and sickened at the idea. But then his face hardened in resolve.
"But it's not going to happen," he said fiercely, "I won't let it. You're not going to be given to anyone except me."
He cupped a hand to her face.
"I won't make any more mistakes little mouse. Not a single one. I promise. I'll recapture Silvertongue and do whatever else it takes to make Capricorn give you back to me."
"Wouldn't it just be easier to leave the village the first chance we get?" Dafne said, "Then there's no way Capricorn can give me to someone else."
Basta frowned.
"He can if we're caught and dragged back to the village," he shook his head, "In any case, it's too risky to leave right now little mouse. There are more men on look out now, watching for Silvertongue. We'd be spotted right away if we tried to leave."
"Can we go after Silvertongue is captured then?" Dafne asked.
Basta sighed,
"Perhaps," he stroked her cheek, "But for now we'll bide our time. Yes?"
Dafne nodded dejectedly.
Her eyes strayed from Basta's face to the empty staircase.
"Can we take Resa with us when we go?"
Basta looked startled at her request.
"Resa?" his lip curled scornfully, "Why?"
"Because she's my friend and I promised her we'd escape together."
Basta stared at her exasperatedly,
"Why make her a promise like that? It'll be hard enough leaving without her tagging along."
"I know," Dafne said, "But I can't leave without her. Please Basta."
She kissed him on the cheek.
Basta sighed,
"We'll see," he said, not without a trace of annoyance in his voice, "That's all I'll say about the matter for now."
Dafne was happy enough with this answer. "We'll see" was better than straight out refusal.
"Anyway let's not waste time talking about Resa and whatever else," Basta went on to say, "We're alone so we might as well enjoy it."
"What do you have in mind?" Dafne asked with a smile.
"I think you have a fair idea," Basta purred back with a smile on his own.
He pushed her against the wall and sealed his mouth over hers.
A little while later the sound of footsteps caused them to break apart.
A good thing they were not oblivious to the sound as it turned out to be Capricorn coming up the staircase.
He stared at them with his usual mask of indifference.
"Well if isn't the parted lovers. Not so parted at the moment. What are you two doing outside my room?"
Basta glanced at Dafne nervously,
"Um..."
Dafne held up her feather duster meekly,
"Dusting. Well I was dusting. Basta was just telling me that I'd missed a spot. Weren't you Basta?"
"Oh yes," Basta gave a slightly strained laugh, "Yes I was," he jerked his thumb at Dafne, shaking his head, "Bloody hopeless, this one cleaning."
Dafne scowled, resisting the urge to whack him with the feather duster.
"I would say that's a matter of opinion," Capricorn said, "Dafne cleaned my room yesterday and I found no fault with her work," he looked down at his nails, "Speaking of which, Mortola tells me you paid Dafne a little visit during that time Basta. Is that true?"
Basta didn't answer. He seemed to have frozen up.
Dafne inwardly cursed Mortola. That deceitful old hag. What had she told Capricorn exactly?
"Yes. It is true," Basta stammered, finding his tongue, "But we were only talking."
"Talking?" Capricorn looked up from his nails, his eyes flashing, "Is that all, nothing else?"
"No, nothing else," Basta said vehemently, "Right Dafne?"
"Er, not quite," Dafne said, thinking fast, "You helped me make Capricorn's bed remember."
She turned to Capricorn with the breeziest smile she could muster.
"When I say help, I mean he pushed me aside to do it himself. Basta's rather pernickety about chores. He thinks he's more capable than me at doing, well, all of them."
She paused to give Capricorn an opportunity to comment but he said nothing.
"But I was grateful for his help," she went on, "so afterwards I gave him a kiss on the cheek. Mortola chose that moment to walk in and very sternly told us off for being inappropriate. I suppose that's the story she told you?"
"She did say she witnessed kissing," Capricorn said.
"All very innocent I assure you," Dafne said brightly.
"You assure me?" Capricorn said. His lip curled slightly.
"Yes," Dafne bobbed her head, "I should know. I was there," she saw an opportunity to change the subject, "Is that new suit?"
It was pale yellow. Dafne had only ever seen Capricorn in red suits.
"Yes," Capricorn said, "I felt I needed a change from red. Do you approve?"
The pallid yellow emphasised his paleness in rather unflattering way. But now was no time for truthfulness.
"Oh yes," Dafne gushed dishonestly, "It's very nice."
Capricorn sneered at her, looking faintly amused.
"I see Basta's been teaching you the art of sycophancy."
He opened the door of his bedroom.
"Get back to work, the both of you," he said, shutting the door behind him.
Dafne and Basta smiled at each other in relief.
"I suppose I better let you get some actual dusting done," he said, "Hopefully you can manage without my supervision."
"Oh I think so," Dafne said sweetly, bonking him on the head with the feather duster.
Basta ran his hands through his hair moodily,
"Great now I have to go home and wash the dust out of my hair."
Dafne rolled her eyes,
"Oh poor you," she said in a mock sympathetic voice.
She went to hit him with the duster again but he darted out of the way.
"Stop it!" he said sternly as she giggled.
"It's just a little bit of dust."
"Dust is dirt. I don't like being dirty," Basta said, "Anyway I have to go. Stop brandishing that thing at me so I can kiss you goodbye."
Dafne obediently put the duster behind her back.
"That's better," Basta said, moving to kiss her lips.
As he pulled away, Dafne started bringing the duster around to hit him one last time while he was in range.
But the sound of commotion on the stairs drew their attention.
Mortola came into view, dragging Resa triumphantly along by her hair.
"Move aside," she barked at the two of them, "This little traitor has just won herself an audience with Capricorn!"
To be continued...