The Lion's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

the reward, and you know he gave you plenty of money
for travel expenses and we've got lots of time.”
    “No,
Percival. Go to bed.”
    Percival
went to bed, but not until hours later, and Lord Edenmont, having
altogether forgotten the dark-eyed lady, sat up until dawn watching
the fire dwindle into smoldering embers.

    STARING
UNHAPPILY INTO the darkness, Percival told himself he was very lucky
Lord Edenmont was not as perceptive as Mama. She would have grown
suspicious when she saw how much he'd eaten. She knew he overate when
he was particularly agitated.
    He'd
gorged today because he knew he must tell Lord Edenmont a falsehood
about the black queen. He had to. Stolen weapons were on their way to
Albania, and no one but Uncle Jason could be entrusted with the
information, especially since Papa was involved. Unfortunately, one
couldn't write to Uncle Jason. He'd said that powerful men in Albania
had spies who regularly intercepted other peoples' letters.
    Which
meant he must be told in person. Which meant deceiving Lord Edenmont.
Which had made Percival feel just like a criminal.
    It
hardly counted that people said Lord Edenmont was wicked — even
that Uncle Jason thought so. His lordship had always been kind to Mama, and agreeable to
Percival himself. He wouldn't be agreeable ever again, Percival
thought regretfully, when he learned the truth. But that would happen
only if his lordship took the bait. Perhaps he wouldn't.
    The
room's blackness was just beginning to fade when Percival heard Lord
Edenmont enter the adjoining bedchamber. Closing his eyes, Percival
told himself one shouldn't feel
sorry about trying to do one's duty, especially when hundreds of
lives might be saved. Besides, one couldn't expect Lord Edenmont to
remain about forever. Sooner or later they'd
    reach
Venice, and his lordship would go away. On die other hand, if all
went well, Uncle Jason would soon be on his way to England with
Cousin Esme. That would more than make up for losing Lord Edenmont's
company. They'd be together. A family, just as Mama wanted.
    This
reflection quieted Percival's distress, radier
as his mama's voice might have
done. Moments later, while the rising sun darted gold sparks across
the Adriatic, he fell asleep.

    Tepelena,
Albania
    Ismal,
the beautiful prince with the golden hair and blue jewel eyes,
reclined upon his divan and gazed thoughtfully at the ornate chess
piece in his hand. “Jason is not leaving?” he asked
Risto.
    “Ali
has convinced him to stay and help quiet the unrest.”
    “That's
disappointing. He's already captured an important store of weapons.
We can't afford continued interference.”
    “You
want him dead, master?”
    “That
would be politically unwise. The Red Lion is too well-loved, even by
those who support our efforts to oust Ali. I can't risk being
suspected of his murder. Fortunately, I was prepared for this
annoying setback.” Ismal smiled at his devoted servant and spy.
“You did better than you knew in persuading the Englishman to
give you this bit of 'collateral.' “
    Risto
bowed his head. “I'd hoped to bring you the entire set. It
would have been a fine addition to your treasures. Besides, Sir
Gerald's prices are excessive,” he added disapprovingly.
    “I
want modern British weapons, and he's the only dependable source,”
Ismal answered with a shrug. “But what a fool he was to put
anything in writing, even in code. His hand is too distinctive.”
    “He
believed me a stupid barbarian, master. He did not trust me to
remember the details correctly.”
    “Most
convenient.” Ismal stroked the black queen's head. “I
kept the message, in case it might be of use. Now I think it will be
of great use.” Looking up at his servant, he went on, “I
want a party sent to abduct the Red Lion's daughter — immediately.
Jason will know he must accept the bride-price for her, and once
she's mine, he won't dare move against me.”
    “He
may go to Ali.”
    “I
doubt he'd risk her life in