Ten for Dying (John the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

have all my ladies-in-waiting put to death every week or two so they can’t betray what they’ve seen,” Antonina chuckled.
    “Oh, I wouldn’t worry. People will see what’s best for them to see.” Anastasia was thinking of Belisarius. She admired the sway Antonina held over him. Nothing a woman could possess was more precious than a powerful man. “I was sorry you were not able to say goodbye to Theodora.”
    “It was difficult. I arrived in the city in time. Then she refused to let me visit. I cried bitterly.”
    Anastasia could not picture Antonina shedding bitter tears, except possibly from frustration. “She didn’t want you to see how she looked. Her illness made her ugly. No amount of cosmetics helped. She looked like a painted skull at the end, and she always was vain.”
    “Her vanity served her well. Unfortunately you can turn a man’s head but not Fate’s.”
    “What about your fate? I suppose you’re worried about Belisarius’ prospects? General Germanus is Justinian’s cousin, after all. Justinian is likely to favor his relative’s advancement now that Theodora can’t interfere.”
    “Germanus!” Antonina wrinkled her nose as if the room were filled with dead fish rather than lilies and roses. “What accomplishments does he have to brag about? Theodora championed my husband for good reason. Consider all the victories he handed to the emperor in Persia and Africa. He is in Italy now, ready to drive the Goths out, but even a brilliant general needs an army.”
    “Yes, he can hardly fight the Goths single-handed. It must be distressing.”
    “I rushed back from Italy thinking I might persuade Justinian not to be so parsimonious. My poor husband will be waiting for funds, camped out in Crotone, a town about as interesting as a rut in the Mese and not much larger. With nothing to do but build walls to protect himself. And everyone at court knows it. It’s humiliating. They laugh. He’s expecting support but what he’ll get is an order relieving him of his command, they say.”
    Anastasia patted her friend’s knee again. “Yes. It’s a terrible injustice. Word of Theodora’s death will have reached him by now and he’ll know what that portends. It won’t be a shock if he were replaced.”
    “We’ll see. He may receive some encouragement after all.”
    “Never mind. Italy must become tedious. All that fighting, nothing but ruins. You’d be able to spend more time together in the capital.”
    Antonina’s grim expression conveyed her opinion of the possibility.
    Anastasia clucked at her. “Is it possible you do not want to spend more time with your husband? Perhaps there’s something other than fallen ruins in Italy? Something younger and better-looking, whose column remains standing? You may have brought a souvenir of Italy back with you?”
    “You are referring to Belisarius’ aide?”
    “Karpos, isn’t it? A handsome young man.”
    “Sent to assist me in my negotiations. He is better versed in my husband’s military affairs than I am.”
    “I am sure he has been of great assistance.”
    Antonina smiled cooly. “At least he is young and handsome. Unlike some men of your acquaintance.”
    Anastasia felt her face redden. “Oh, Felix…well…”
    Antonina’s eyes glittered as coldly as stars in a winter sky. “You know Felix has aligned himself with Germanus?”
    “He’s mentioned hopes of fighting in Italy. He thinks Germanus might give him a command there.”
    “But has it not occurred to you that your grizzled lover could be working against my husband? He knows Belisarius won’t favor him because of that little misunderstanding years and years ago.”
    “When you seduced Felix in the Hall of Nineteen Couches, you mean?”
    “Men can be so unforgiving about mere trifles and life is so short. I do so enjoy talking with you, my dear. You should visit more often. You could keep me informed about Felix. Tell me if anything is said that Belisarius and I should know