Free An Embarrassment of Riches by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Page B

could,” Rakoczy agreed, “but it would put me in a more difficult position than the one I am in presently, for their demands would be likely to increase.” He paused, his face unreadable. “I cannot rid myself of the feeling that I may need to have the means of paying for a clandestine departure, and in Bohemia, jewels are more anonymous than gold.”
    “Then you’re planning to escape?” Hruther was not surprised.
    “Not at present, but it may come to that, if I can arrange for the protection of Santu-Germaniu before we go. If only Konig Bela had not quarreled with his son after granting him rule of Transylvania, suspicion would not have been turned on Santu-Germaniu.” He stifled a yawn. “I sometimes feel I am in a vise, with Otakar on one side and Bela on the other, and that between them they will do their best to ruin me.”
    “As was tried on Cyprus,” said Hruther.
    “I trust not.” Rakoczy offered nothing more as he glanced toward the window. “There will be more rain this afternoon, by the look of it. There are clouds in the distance, and they are towering already.”
    “Summer storms,” said Hruther. “At least that will lessen the heat.”
    “And the virulence of the current ailment is fading, thank all the forgotten gods,” Rakoczy said. He stretched as thoroughly and gracefully as a cat, then twisted his upper body side to side, which for him was a sign of fatigue.
    “Do you think you might rest today?” Hruther asked, a flicker of concern in his faded-blue eyes. “You’ve been out or working all night for the last three days.”
    Rakoczy’s smile was more wry than amused. “I am better for having been out last night,” he said. “It restored me somewhat.”
    “Did the woman enjoy her dream?” Hruther made no attempt to hide his assuagement. “Are you improved?”
    “It certainly seemed she did,” Rakoczy answered, a note of unease in his answer; he changed the subject. “How are the servants? Has their distress ended?”
    “All are recovered but two scullions,” said Hruther, adding, “They should both be fine in a few days.”
    “Very good.” He touched his small hands together. “We will continue to treat the well-water for another fifteen days, just in case; the Chinese are right about that precaution.”
    “Some of the household have complained about the taste of garlic in the water,” Hruther said, his attention on the banded coffer.
    “If the animacules in the water are to be killed, they will have to bear with the taste a while longer. And they will have to endure it again next year, when the animacules return.” Rakoczy stowed the coffer in a niche beneath the largest window; though it was heavy, he gave no sign of effort in carrying it. “I’ll want presentation pouches the day after tomorrow; I am asked to make an appearance at the Konige’s Court that day.”
    “And besides jewels, what does the Konige want of you—more songs?”
    “Very likely. She is receiving one of the von Hapsburg ladies, and she wishes the occasion to be as awe-inspiring as possible, with every sign of wealth and elegance. Given how much Otakar dislikes the von Hapsburgs, the Konige will want the von Hapsburgs to envy her, and Otakar.” He paused, his demeanor thoughtful. “I should probably offer a few jewels to Aurelie von Hapsburg as a matter of courtesy.” He gave a short sigh. “Good stones, but not as grand as the ones I present to Konige Kunigunde, I think. Perhaps the moonstones, and a pair of aquamarines.”
    “The emeralds to Konige Kunigunde,” Hruther recommended.
    “Of course, and a pair of diamonds along with topazes and amethysts to the Konige as well. I would offend her if I did not give her something remarkable, and failure to do that would displease her grandfather and her husband, which”—he sighed—“could lead to trouble, not only here but at Santu-Germaniu, as almost everything I do can. So long as he can dismantle my estates, Bela has me on a