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Gina had never been blessed with an aunt or an older female friend. She saw in Lady Adalhaid's
eyes that she possessed such a friend now.
They returned to the great hall together to find the nobles still gossiping. There were some new
arrivals, among them Dominick's half brother.
"Good day to you, Count Bernard," Lady Adalhaid said coldly when the young man approached
them.
"Here's an odd pairing," said Bernard, looking from Lady Adalhaid to Gina. "Whoever would expect
the two of you to become bosom companions? Have you heard the latest news?"
He was so smug, so self-satisfied that Gina
regarded him warily, certain the news he spoke of was something to do with Dominick, and it
probably wasn't good. He was hoping to make her beg for it, too; she could tell by the way he was
smiling. She longed to snarl an insult at him, but where Dominick was concerned she had no
pride.
"What news?" she asked, almost expecting him to respond as the bullies of her childhood used to
do, by inquiring why she wanted to know and what she'd give in return. She wished she had nerve
enough to slap his face and wipe the smirk off it.
"Yes, what news?" demanded Lady Adalhaid, speaking so crisply that Bernard looked at her in
surprise. "What do you know that is so dreadfully important?"
"Pepin Hunchback has arrived in Regensburg," Bernard announced.
"Really?" Lady Adalhaid regarded him as if he were a worm on which she was about to step.
"What of it?"
"He has been arrested."
"Indeed?" drawled Lady Adalhaid with remarkable coolness.
Gina's heart was in her throat. She made a snap decision to let Lady Adalhaid handle Count
Bernard. Lady Adalhaid could manage a man like Bernard with greater skill than Gina, frightened
as she was for Dominick's sake, could hope to muster. That way, Gina wouldn't have to try to
drag information about Dominick out of his brother. Because this was about Dominick. Bernard
was too confident, too sure of his inside knowledge, for his big news to be about anyone but
Dominick.
Lady Adalhaid let Bernard stand there waiting
for some further response from her until he could bear it no longer. Gina wouldn't have been as
patient. She was ready to grab the big oaf and shake what he knew out of him well before Bernard
finally gave in and began to talk.
"The Hunchback is confined to his room here at the palace," Bernard said. "It's special
consideration because he's the king's son. The other conspirators won't be treated as well. But
then, they won't have to wait long before they are brought to trial. Plans are already being made."
"I understand the others have fled," Lady Adalhaid said, sounding as if she were terribly bored by
the whole business.
"Most of them have gone. A few were rounded up here at Regensburg." Bernard smiled at Gina.
"Dominick was easy to find. He was with Pepin when Pepin was arrested. The two are being held
together. They will die together, too."
Gina could tell there was no point in arguing with him. Bernard didn't want to hear that Dominick
wasn't part of the conspiracy. She was curious, however, about his reaction to what he assumed
would be his brother's fate.
"If Dominick is charged and convicted," Gina said, forcing the hateful words off her tongue, "won't
that reflect badly on you?"
"Why should it? Fastrada will see to it that I remain in Charles's good graces. Besides, Dominick
is nothing to me."
"He's your brother!"
"He is a bastard!" Bernard shouted. In a quieter tone he said, "Our father loved him better than
me."
"I don't believe this. How can a grown man be so
childish? Bernard, you inherited everything from your father."
"By law, not by love," Bernard said. "Now, by law, Dominick will die. And I am glad of it."
He stalked away, leaving Gina with her mouth open in astonishment.
"Jealousy can twist and pervert a man's heart," said Lady Adalhaid. "Fastrada is an expert at
playing on the weaknesses of men. You have just witnessed an example of her work."
She didn't mention Charles. She didn't have to. Gina understood what Lady Adalhaid did not say.
And her fears for Dominick grew more desperate.
"My lady!" Ella hurried across the hall, interrupting Gina's disturbing thoughts. "I have learned
where Dominick is. He insisted on remaining with Pepin. The guards said that in that case, they'd
have to arrest him, too."
"Then what Dominick's brother told us was only half true," Gina responded. "Were you able to find
Harulf?"
"Yes, and he has orders from Dominick. You and I are to leave the palace and return to
Dominick's house. Harulf will escort us there and see to it that we are kept safe. Dominick also
sent a message through Harulf to tell you not to worry."
"How can I not worry?" Gina muttered. "Ella, just let me tell Lady Adalhaid that we are leaving."
When she turned, she noticed a weeping maidservant speaking to Lady Adalhaid.
"What's wrong?" Gina exclaimed, seeing the noblewoman white and shaking. "What has
happened? Not bad news from Hiltrude?"
"As far as I know, Hiltrude is well," Lady Adalhaid said. "I pray that you and Alcuin were correct in
believing that Charles will see to her safety. No, the immediate problem is that I have been turned
out of my room."
"What?"
"As one of Fastrada's most senior ladies-in-waiting, I have for some years occupied a small room
in the queens apartments so I can be quickly available to her if she requires my presence. This is
Imma, my maidservant, who is commanded by the queen to inform me that I have been
dismissed as one of her ladies and must quit the palace at once." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]