Free Aztec Century by Christopher Evans Page B

appeared that she was one of the
auianime
.
    ‘Catherine,’ Extepan said, coming forward and taking my hand. ‘Forgive me receiving you in this way, but I gather it was something urgent.’
    I felt awkward and embarrassed because I had nothing pressing to tell him; I was instead hoping to obtain some information from him.
    He motioned to chairs and asked the girl – whom he called ‘Mia’ – to fetch us refreshments. She bowed, keeping her eyes averted from me, and withdrew silently.
    Extepan sat cross-legged in an armchair, carefully draping his robe over his knees.
    While Chicomeztli hovered discreetly in the background, Extepan remarked, ‘A daily massage is one of my few indulgences. I find it soothes the spirit as well as tones the muscles.’
    ‘If I had known,’ I said drily, ‘I wouldn’t have disturbed you.’
    ‘If it had been truly inconvenient, then I would have said so.’
    Chicomeztli sat down out of earshot with a copy of the
Daily Herald
, whose banner headline read CROWN HIM!
    ‘Mia is my household companion,’ Extepan went on, ‘and a great comfort to me. I am a long way from home, and the dutiesof a governor permit few luxuries. Now – in what way can I help you?’
    He had an openness and directness which seemed almost innocent. But I had to beware of making judgements on surface appearances, especially since it was an Aztec trait to mask the most intricate of manoeuvrings beneath a show of formal courtesies. While it was normal for the
tlatoani
to appoint his sons to eminent positions, Extepan would not have been given the governorship of Britain if he did not possess any diplomatic or administrative talents.
    ‘Where’s Richard?’ I asked. ‘I haven’t seen him in several days.’
    ‘I believe today he’s visiting the Natural History Museum,’ Extepan said. ‘They have a new display of articulated dinosaurs which I understand he was eager to see.’
    This fitted: Richard still had his child-like delight in large creatures. But the answer wasn’t sufficient for me.
    ‘And previous days? I have the distinct impression he’s being kept away from me.’
    Extepan belted his robe more tightly. ‘That’s not the case, I assure you. Weren’t you told he had gone to Windsor? Your private rooms at the castle are being refurnished, and Richard wanted to see how the work was progressing.’
    ‘I was told, but I found it hard to credit that he’d take any interest in such matters,’
    Extepan smiled. ‘He spent most of his time playing croquet.’
    ‘With nothing else to occupy him?’
    I knew from ALEX that he had, in fact, met with the French and Italian ambassadors, though I had no idea what they had discussed.
    ‘A number of diplomatic courtesies were conducted,’ Extepan said. ‘Other European countries are naturally interested in your brother’s intentions, and he only agreed to meet them in exchange for a “holiday” at Windsor.’
    ‘Why wasn’t I told?’
    Extepan looked rueful. ‘To be frank, he asked that you shouldn’t be. He thought you would disapprove.’
    ‘I see. Which European countries exactly?’
    ‘Italy, Serbia and France.’
    ‘How convenient. All countries under your occupation. No doubt they were most enthusiastic that Richard should accept the crown.’
    Extepan sat back. ‘I think, Catherine, that perhaps you are the only person who isn’t.’
    I didn’t want to get into another fruitless argument on the subject, so I kept my peace. At this point, Mia returned, bearing a silver tray with two crystal tumblers containing a thick green drink. She moved with perfect grace, giving off fragrances of cinnamon and lavender. Again she withdrew without glancing once at me.
    Extepan raised his tumbler and swallowed half of his drink.
    ‘Sweet lime juice, freshly squeezed. We grow them all year round in California now. Try it, Catherine – it’s delicious.’
    ‘You know I won’t co-operate with you.’
    He shrugged. ‘It’s understandable. You