The Painted War Read Online Free PDF Page B

bless the true Duchess,’ said Pietro, with a wry smile, and turned to walk towards the approaching sound with a sweep of his cloak. Saralinda placed a single kiss on the top of Bianca’s head and hurried off in the opposite direction along the canalside. She didn’t look back.
    Bianca steeled herself, brushed down her servant’s costume, and strode out into the pools of lamplight towards the bridge over the canal.
    She glanced back across the canal as she got to the other side, and saw the column of gleaming silver soldiers marching down the street, right past where she’d been standing with Saralinda and Pietro. The sharp points of the soldiers’ spears glinted, and Bianca felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she imagined those soldiers rushing through the streets of La Luminosa.
    She had to get back and tell Duchess Catriona and Captain Raphaeli what she’d seen. But her heart sank as she realised she had no more proof than she had before.
    Will they ever believe me?

Chapter Four
    Bianca found the Duchess in her chambers. She was in the middle of an art lesson with Lucia and Cosimo. Marco was there, too, standing on one leg practising juggling oranges. He stuffed them in his pockets when Bianca entered. Guards stood to attention around the room, and Bianca was glad there were at least some precautions in place. She rushed over to where Catriona sat in front of an easel, holding a stick of chalk. ‘Duchess,’ Bianca said. ‘I have just come back from Oscurita. I have seen more evidence that Edita is about to invade!’
    â€˜Been off playing princess again, Bianca?’ said Lucia. ‘Is that why you’re so late for work? Because it’s too beneath you now?’
    Bianca couldn’t hide her annoyance. ‘I do not think it’s beneath me! I love my work!’
    â€˜Mistress Lucia,’ said Duchess Catriona. Her voice was sweet and calm, but Bianca could hear ‘remember who’s the Duchess here’ echoing under every syllable. ‘I know Bianca would never give up her studies, any more than I would.’
    Lucia shot Bianca a mean look, but didn’t say any more. ‘As you say, Your Highness.’
    â€˜Bianca, I want to hear more. What did you see?’
    Bianca told her everything. Her escape with her mother. The raided alarm that caused panic all over Oscurita. The rows and rows of soldiers readying themselves for attack. She finished her story and silence followed: she looked round at all the disbelieving faces in the room – even the guards were casting strange glances down at her. All except Marco, whose face seemed frozen in an expression of horror. He must be feeling guilty for not coming with her to Oscurita.
    â€˜I believe you, Bianca.’ Catriona was stern. ‘But you will be glad to know that Captain Raphaeli has conducted a review of our armed forces. He ordered his lieutenants to ensure that if the city
was
under threat, we would be able to defend ourselves. There is not a lot more I can do.’
    Bianca was eased a little. She knew that Captain Raphaeli was on her side.
    â€˜In fact,’ said Catriona, giving her a consoling look, ‘I’ve been observing training drills all morning.’
    â€˜Thank goodness,’ Bianca said. She ignored the exaggerated eye-roll that Lucia gave.
    The door to the room opened and Secretary Franco came in, followed by Captain Raphaeli. The sight of the tall, golden-helmed Captain of the Guards calmed Bianca’s nerves a little. Franco bowed low to Duchess Catriona. ‘Your Highness, I have some business I must discuss with you.’
    â€˜Can you discuss while I draw?’ Catriona said.
    â€˜Of course,’ said Secretary Franco slowly, in a voice that sounded more like ‘oh lord, must we?’
to Bianca. He folded his hands behind his back and leaned over slightly. ‘Your Highness, I believe I have found someone who will help us with the