The masked dandy swung me around in his arms as I tried to leave the floor. I slapped him playfully with my fan and saw Giaconda swooping past him. She linked her arm in mine.
‘Ah, Signor Maraponi, Signorina Dorata is not leaving! She is merely taking what we ladies sometimes have to – a small break.’ She tweaked his cheek and pushed her finger against his pout as Lord Waterford approached and took the Signor aside. Giaconda nodded to the ambassador before drawing me away.
‘Once we get through the doors, I will distract the guards. You have only a short time to get to where you have to be, Tarlo. Do not fail us; you know what will happen if you do.’ She chattered in my ear as she pulled me across the floor.
‘I’ll not fail,’ I said, smiling as another sweating nobile, a courtesan in his arms, sailed past us, the drinks they clutched in their hands spilling unnoticed down their clothes.
Giaconda led me through the maze of dancers and observers. Filled with food and vino, some could barely stand, let alone take note of Giaconda and me. A few were gathered around a courtesan who was demonstrating an exotic dance involving veils. A high-pitched scream made me jump, but it was only another courtesan being dragged onto the lap of one of the Council of Ten. Through the crowd of noisy, leering faces, I saw Signor Maleovelli. Arrayed in his new Council regalia, he raised his glass to me, his eyes glowing with anticipation, his mouth locked in a feigned smile.
We swept past the windows and I glanced outside. It was pitch black and the rain was falling hard and the wind was so strong the glass shook. It was as if the elements themselves protested what I was about to do.
The servants swooped to open the doors, admitting us to the landing outside. We stopped briefly and found our breath. The doors swung shut and the laughter and music diminished, already placed in a distant past. Ahead of me rose the golden staircase – the only access from this part of the palazzo to the Doge’s rooms.
I lifted my skirts and began to ascend, Giaconda close behind me. No-one questioned courtesans moving throughout the palazzo at this time of year. Baroque had also told me that, whenever I was trying to get to somewhere I shouldn’t, let alone be someone I was not, I had to appear confident. Even if I was trembling inside, I could not show it. He was right. I was far less likely to be challenged.
I was well past fear. I felt a heavy sense of resignation, of obligation. I longed for tonight to be over. I wanted to see Pillar. I would not do another thing for the Maleovellis until they released him. Of that I was sure.
We reached the next level and paused at the top of the stairs. Giaconda quickly clutched her ear. She unclipped her earring and allowed it to disappear into her décolletage. She smiled without looking at me and pressed on. A wide corridor opened before us, punctuated by grand doors, each of which led to a suite of rooms. I had been here many times already, the guest of Prince Cosimo and, once, the Doge. But that was when he was entertaining the Hybernyian ambassador. Giaconda glanced at me.
‘I will accompany you to the Prince’s rooms. From there, you’re on your own.’
The rustle of Giaconda’s gown against the floor was spoiled by the slap of our zoccoli against the terrazzo. As we drew level with each set of guards, they stood to attention, staring straight ahead. Some were faces I knew and I felt their eyes follow me, the knowingness in their looks, the envy underlining their gaze. I was hoping their acquaintance with my presence would last long enough for me to do what Giaconda was now making sure was done.
At the end of the passage was my goal – the Doge’s suite. It loomed closer with every step. No sentinels stood outside his rooms. It was considered a breach of privacy, a threat to state secrets. It was inconceivable that an attacker should get through the ranks of guards already posted; just as it was beyond comprehension that a woman would hurt the ruler of Serenissima. That was my greatest asset and protection. No-one would even consider that a mere courtesan would dare do such a