ships mean fewer men. Fewer men means they’re unlikely to pose a threat to the people of Judea. Imagine if you and Castellani weighed anchor at Jerusalem with your entire fleet? Picture what would happen when the men disembark? It wouldn’t matter that they weren’t armed; the authorities would think war had been declared all over again. No. Two ships, eighty men. A captain and a couple of merchants you can trust. An interpreter. That is all that’s needed.’
‘And produce.’
‘Naturalmente. If there should be losses, you can sustain those. Write them off. Any bigger and the entire enterprise is unaffordable from the outset.’
Signor Moronisini rubbed his chin. ‘I like what I’m hearing, Maleovelli. I like it very much.’ Moronisini looked at the younger man, a quizzical expression on his face. The young man gave the faintest of nods.
‘You have a ship, I believe?’ said Signor Moronisini.
‘Sì. A ship that has not seen the oceans for a while but is sturdy and, with some repairs, would be able to make the voyage. More importantly, I have the perfect merchant to accompany you.’
‘Who might that be?’
‘Why, my nephew of course!’ Signor Maleovelli slapped Jacopo on the shoulder.
‘I would be honoured, Zio, Nobile Moronisini.’ Jacopo’s slug-like tongue wet his lips. I averted my eyes. ‘I can speak the language of Hellas and Phalagonian and I have a rudimentary knowledge of Judean.’
‘How is that?’
‘Ah, my nephew loves to bury his nose in books. His affliction, you know. What he lacks in physicality, he more than makes up for with his mind.’
The younger man leant over and whispered something in Signor Moronisini’s ear. The old man nodded thoughtfully.
‘Scusi, Signor Maleovelli, Signorina, Jacopo. My son was rude just now, but with good purpose. While I know this dinner was a chance to catch up on old times, reflect on what we once shared and what we may share again –’ Moronisini’s gaze lingered in Giaconda’s direction. I heard her fan snap open and knew that was the signal for being coy. ‘I’d not expected to dine so richly in other ways. I would like to talk to you further about your ideas. About your ship. About your nephew.’
‘Forgive me, Moronisini, if I appear dim.’ Signor Maleovelli leant over the table. ‘It must be the candles – their scent is exquisite, is it not?’ He waved towards the credenza.
My mouth dropped open. I could not believe his daring.
‘They are delightful,’ agreed Signor Moronisini, twisting his bulk in the seat to look behind him. ‘The sweetest fragrance I have smelled in a long, long time, apart from one.’ Giaconda’s fan fluttered again, accompanied by soft laughter. I wanted to laugh as well.
‘Are you suggesting that together we take the plunge, sail west and see what riches we find? Are you proposing a colleganza?’
‘Sì, sì,’ said Moronisini, unable to take his eyes from Giaconda. ‘Vero. I am.’
‘Wait. Moronisini, I am flattered that you would seek to enter into one with my family and more than anything it’s what I would desire for us. But I would insist that this colleganza include not just this trip, but future ones to the Contested Territories. After all, if we’re brave enough to strike out together once, we should do so again. Would that not make the perfect partnership?’
Moronisini leant back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. His son was the same. Their faces were flushed, their skin glowing.
‘Sì. The perfect partnership. Give me the paperwork. Let’s sign.’
‘Jacopo?’ Signor Maleovelli snapped his fingers. Shaking himself, Jacopo became very business-like. He pulled out his chair and, reaching into his jacket, pulled out a roll of papers and a quill. If the Moronisinis thought this peculiar, they did not say.
At that point, I withdrew. I’d seen enough.
I sat on the floor, my back against the dining room wall, listening to the laughter and the tone of the voices. I waited until they were toasting their new arrangement before rising to my feet and tiptoeing out of the salon.
I passed from light into darkness and had almost reached the other end of the room when a shadow pulled away from the wall and grabbed me. A hand clamped over my mouth.
I struggled as I was dragged out of the portego and into the corridor. Whoever it was, they were small but strong. Pushed into a chair under one of the sconces in the hallway, I looked at my assailant.
It was Hafeza.
Relief flooded me.
‘You scared me to bits!’ I hissed, placing my hand against my breast, trying