Free Suicide Kings by Christopher J. Ferguson Page B

accustomed, replaced by something more refined, more respectful. He looked at her like he might a fine painting or classical sculpture. He regarded her with respect and she found she liked his eyes on her in this way.
    Her mother though…it was inappropriate for her to have such thoughts at this time. “You should go,” she whispered.
    His eyes locked on her for a moment, then he stood. “I’ll be in touch with you as soon as I learn anything.” He moved to let himself out, and then twisted to half face her. “It has been my honor to meet you, Lady Savrano.”
    She nodded, remained silent.
    He turned and left.
    ****
    Blinding lights pulled Diana from sleep like a baby from the womb. She sat upright in bed startled and alarmed. Tendrils of rapidly fading dreams escaped her mental grasp. She blinked and looked around.
    Siobhan tied back one of the heavy curtains. Sunlight poured into Diana’s bedroom. Diana fell back against her pillows, hands rubbing her eyes. How dare a servant awaken her when she was not prepared! Grumpily, she mumbled, “Your services in this household are no longer required.”
    “Begging your pardon, Lady,” Siobhan chimed in a tone that suggested she didn’t take Diana’s comment the least bit seriously. “I thought it best to wake you if you were still intent on investigating the nature of your mother’s death. Your father has already left to check on his businesses.”
    A long yawn stretched across Diana’s face. At least her headache had vanished. As Siobhan went along tying back the rest of the curtains, Diana managed to roll lazily out of bed. “What is the time?”
    “Nearly midday, lady,” Siobhan answered without the slightest hint of reproach.
    Diana stood and walked to the window. The city outside, most of which stretched below her window, was dusted with a fine layer of white. Diana’s pride in her city swelled a bit at the view. The world seemed so beautiful in a cold and lifeless way. In a different year, she might have been tempted to go outside and enjoy the snowfall. There would be little enjoyment today.
    Siobhan helped her get out of her nightclothes and attend to her morning hygiene. For clothing, Diana did her best to learn the lessons of the last two days. She selected a reasonably sturdy woolen dress to wear as well as a good pair of hunting boots. This was the best she could procure as an athletics outfit. At least the dress would be less inclined to bunch up around her feet than her previous choices. Siobhan helped her don the clothes with great consideration.
    Offhand, Diana commented, “It always amazes me how the house servants remain awake until the family is asleep and are awake again earlier when the family breakfasts. How do you survive on so little sleep?”
    Siobhan, in the process of helping put on a boot, looked up and met her eyes. “The alternative is prostitution or starvation.” She went back to sliding the boot up Diana’s leg.
    Diana mulled that over, rubbing her tongue over one incisor.
    Without looking up this time, Siobhan noted, “I saw you had a rather handsome visitor last evening.”
    “He represents the Republic. He’s apparently investigating my mother’s murder as well.” She paused for a moment. “Did you really find him to be handsome?”
    “He was willowy, had unblemished skin and all his teeth. In Ireland, a man such as that is an ideal of beauty.”
    Diana laughed a little. “I don’t know how much he could be trusted. Even if he tells the truth about working for the Republic, there are so many factions…”
    “You think he works for Friar Savonarola?” Her tone was clear to Diana. Even if Savanarola wasn’t involved in her mother’s murder, and there was no evidence he was, he could only be a sinister presence. The Mad Friar’s shadow never seemed to bring benefit to those upon whom it fell.
    Diana shook her head. “When I mentioned Savonarola’s name, I got the impression he disapproved.” She stood, tested