The Unicorn Hunt Read Online Free PDF

his lady. You will ensure that his wife admits nothing. You will, if it pleases you, oppose him as much as you like in sport, or business, or chivalry, and you will prevail if you can. But you will not, you will not advertise your misconduct with a member of the van Borselen family. They are too powerful to offend.’
    ‘Old Henry? Wolfaert?’ said Simon. ‘You expect them to take ship and challenge me?’
    ‘I expect your trade – our trade – with Flanders to come to a halt. I remind you that Henry van Borselen, lord of Veere, is the grand-uncle of the unfortunate child who was present just now, and the uncle of Gelis van Borselen. I further remind you that Gelis van Borselen held royal office in Scotland: a Burgundian position of honour with the King’s older sister. And lastly, although I am sure you would rank this the least, I should point out that there is someone who, if he knew, would certainly abandon his truce and take ship forthwith to challenge you.’
    ‘Vander Poele?’ his son said. ‘You are trying to frighten me with the cuckold himself?’
    ‘On the contrary,’ said the vicomte. ‘I said you would perceive it as the least of your worries. But I have given you other reasons enough. You will not broadcast this unfortunate conquest.’
    ‘Or you will do what?’ said Simon de St Pol. ‘Run me through? Cease to settle my wine bills? What harm can you do to me now?’
    The old man regarded him. Despite the weight of the sword, he had not allowed it to lower. He said, ‘I could strike you again. And this time you might permit yourself to respond. Is that a threat, or merely a rash invitation? Only you know.’
    ‘It is a rash invitation,’ said Simon. Round the bruise, he had become very pale.
    ‘I think,’ said his father, ‘that you understand yourself very little. But still. Let me summon my auxiliary arguments …’
    Again, he had acted faster than Simon was prepared for. The sword whipped in his hand. The freed pomander sighed through the room and pushed the door-hanging clear of the door, striking something resistant but soft as it did so. A woman cried out.
    ‘Oh,’ said Jordan de Ribérac. His expression relaxed, by a fraction. He lowered the sword. He said, ‘I fear, my dear, I haveunderrated both you and my grandson. Are you hurt? It was not, believe me, my intention.’
    ‘Of course you meant it,’ said his widowed daughter, rubbing her arm as she entered. ‘I know you. You told Henry to bring that wench to my room, I know you did. You probably meant him to come back and listen. And if he heard what I heard, what is that wretched child going to believe of his mother and Gelis?’ She turned to her brother. ‘ Gelis! How could you?’
    She had been beautiful once. She was still brilliantly blonde, with not a chain, a cuff, a sleeve, a fold of her veil out of place. She had cradled her arm and was glaring at them.
    ‘Oh, come,’ the vicomte said. ‘It wasn’t a shot from a bombard. Sit down. Simon will get you some wine. And why the fuss? The woman Gelis was eager, I hear. And Henry is no sheltered innocent: I give you my word as of today. I have to suppose that you know what was under discussion?’
    He had returned to his chair. She sat on a chest-cushion while Simon, not unamused, found a pitcher. She snapped at him. ‘Gelis van Borselen eager? After what you tried to do to us all in Madeira? I don’t believe it. She loathed you.’
    ‘That was the fascination,’ her brother said. ‘Really, you have no imagination. We quite astonished each other. But now I’m not supposed to bait vander Poele with it. I might as well not have taken the trouble.’
    ‘For once,’ his father said, ‘I share your regret. Since it is too late for restraint, let me repeat myself. No one will learn from you what has happened. Lucia will forget what she has heard. As for vander Poele, his Bank is in Venice, and he and his bride are no doubt safely out of your way.’
    ‘No. He’s