The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen Page B

forget, I belong to him.
Heholds me."
    For some reason her answer only seemed to make Giulia more angry. She muttered an
obscenity and slammed the door.
    Sanchia flinched, then thrust her feet into slippers and finished fastening her gown. She
cast a wistful glance at the apple quarters and cup of wine on the silver tray on the table.
A real apple. She'd had a taste of one a few years before, but this one certainly looked
riper and more juicy. Perhaps she could have just one bite....
    She sighed and started for the door. Lion was too much the unknown quantity for her to
risk angering him. She could put no store in Giulia's assurance that he would not be
irritated if she kept him waiting longer since the woman obviously wished her ill.
    Sanchia hesitated at the top of the stairs when she heard voices. Caprino was standing in
the hall below talking to Lion. Her hand tightened on the marble bannister. However, her
astonishment and wariness were quickly submerged in fierce satisfaction. She had no
reason to be afraid of Caprino. He could not touch her; he could not hurt Elizabet.
Serenely she now started down the stairs.
    Caprino glanced up as she reached the third step from the bottom. "Ah, Sanchia, how
charming you look." His gaze traveled appraisingly over her. "I had no idea you'd clean
up so well or I might have hesitated about making you a present to the magnifico."He
held up a leather purse and smiled smugly. "I fear I'll just have to be satisfied with young
Elizabet. I believe I'll pay a visit to Giovanni after I bid you good journey."
    Sanchia smiled back at him. "I'm sure Giovanni will be happy to see you. I've always
thought you had many qualities in common. However, Elizabet is no longer with
Giovanni."
    Caprino stiffened, his gaze narrowing on her face. "And where is she?"
    "With Messer Benedetto and his good wife. As I was forced to leave Elizabet, I thought it
wise to have her future settled." Her smile deepened with mockery. "I'm sure you can
sympathize with such a decision. I remember you were quite eager to have her settled
yourself. She's to marry Alessandro within the month."
    "Marriage! But she can't--" Caprino whirled to Lion. "I've been cheated. The money you
paid for Sanchia is not enough."
    "It was enough two minutes ago." Lion's tone was icy. "The arrangement stands,
Caprino."
    "But that was when I thought--" Caprino broke off as he met Lion's gaze. He was silent,
struggling to subdue his anger. Finally he turned back to Sanchia. "You think you've
bested me."
    "I didn't try to best you. I intended only to protect Elizabet."
    "From me," he snarled.
    "From everything and everyone." She gazed at him directly. "But yes, from you most of
all."
    "You need not worry. Your Elizabet is no longer important to me." Caprino's voice was
so soft the underlying malevolence was only barely discernible. "But you and your future
are going to be of great interest to me, Sanchia. I don't like to be cheated of something I
want."
    A chilly finger of fear touched her spine. He couldn't hurt her or Elizabet, she reassured
herself, but still she felt his menace. "You won't know my future. I'm leaving Florence."
    "I can wait. I'm good at waiting."
    "Leave, Caprino." Lion gestured toward the door. "Our business is finished."
    "Good day, Magnifico."His voice sounded of nothing but politeness now. "I wish you joy
in your purchase. May Sanchia bring you what you seek." He opened the door and
slanted them a faint smile over his shoulder. "But you'd best hasten in your use of her.
Young girls such as she are fragile blossoms that sometimes wither and perish
overnight." He gave them no chance to answer as he closed the door behind him.
    The tension eased from Sanchia's rigid muscles and she forced herself to release her grip
on the banister. "I'm sorry I overslept, my lord. I'm ready to leave."
    Lion's glance shifted from the door to her face. "You do realize he just threatened your
life?"
    She nodded jerkily as she descended the last