States of Grace Read Online Free PDF Page B

obligations to you, you need not fear.” His handsome face was wooden.
    “You need not mention that. You were a foolish youth, dragged in over your head by men who prey on such impetuous young men as you were. I trust you have learned to moderate your methods, and your objectives, for if you do not, you will face a most miserable future.” He shifted the subject back to the one at hand. “Find Padre Duradante, but don’t be obvious about it. Fall in with him, and see what he will let slip in the excitement of the moment. Then try to promote Venezian interests with him. Do not be heavy-handed, for he is alert to such machinations, but do not forget your mission, either.”
    “I will do what I can, Zio,” said Leoncio.
    “Yes, you will,” said Christofo. “You will not bungle this, you will not over-play your hand, you will not bargain your way out of any predicament you may find yourself in.” He reached out and put his hand on Leoncio’s wrist. “You are my brother’s only son, and for that I will extend myself on your behalf to the limit of my power, and for our blood I will guard your life. But if you compromise me in any way, you will, at the very least, find yourself on a ship bound for the New World, I promise you. Your father concurs, so you need not go to him for protection or advocacy, as he will have neither to provide to you.”
    Leoncio sat very still. “Do the Savii know what you are doing? Have you told them what you do clandestinely?”
    “Of course,” said Christofo, taken aback. “Do you think I would abuse their confidence and my office in such a way as to act without their knowledge and permission?”
    Brought up short by the harsh question, Leoncio shook his head. “No, Zio, I never thought such a thing. But I had to know, don’t you see?”
    “I see what your opinion is of me and what I do,” said Christofo sharply.
    But Leoncio was ready for this reaction and met it with a bland half-smile. “You may not want me to ask such things, but if I am to do your bidding, I have to understand upon what terms I do it.” He sat stiffly and refused to look his uncle in the eye; he fought the urge to justify his excesses, although he knew it would be useless. To his deep annoyance, he felt as if he were twelve and not twice that age. “You were the one who taught me to be cautious in such matters, so that I would not become a pawn.”
    “Do you think you are one now?” Christofo demanded.
    “I am afraid I might be,” said Leoncio.
    For several heartbeats Christofo Sen said nothing, then he made a palms-up gesture of capitulation. “You’re right to question me.” He got up and went to the window. “I hope for all our sakes that you do not fail in this, Nipote mio, for the Savii and the Minor Consiglio will not entrust you with another diplomatic commission if you cannot show your dependability to their satisfaction, and I will not continue to support a wastrel.”
    As exhilarating as it was to have the notice of such august personages as the Savii and the vastly consequential Minor Consiglio, a trickle of fear deprived Leoncio of any satisfaction. “I’ll do what they expect,” he promised.
    “Yes. I trust you will,” said Christofo, his gaze on the distant walls of the Arsenal.
    “I am grateful to you for all you are doing for me,” Leoncio added in a conscience-stricken voice.
    “Ah, well; you’re young yet. In a year or so, if you acquit yourself well, your past indiscretions will be forgotten and your reputation will be wholly restored.” There was more hope than certainty in his words, but he maintained a determined optimism as he swung around to regard his nephew. “You’re a smart fellow, Leoncio, and you can go far in this work, if only you can keep from succumbing to your weaknesses.”
    Leoncio nodded. “I understand you, Zio,” he said, already planning how he would fulfill his assignment and finally be rid of the blemish that had marred his family’s prestige