Free The Painted War by Imogen Rossi

about Oscurita,’ said the Baron. ‘In fact  …  I suppose you never knew, as it never came to pass, but there was once talk of an allegiance between our two worlds, formalised by marriage.’
    â€˜Marriage?’ Duchess Catriona drew herself up in surprise and the seat underneath her swayed slightly on its thick chains. ‘Who was to marry who?’
    â€˜It was two years after you were born, Your Highness,’ said the Baron. ‘Your mother the Duchess was dead two years and your father was considering remarriage. A union between the royal families would have been politically astute and might have helped him recover from his grief.’
    Duchess Catriona’s face turned pale. ‘I  …  I never knew,’ she said. ‘Nobody ever told me! Surely the older courtiers and the servants must remember this?’
    The Baron shook his head. ‘Duke Annunzio led a delegation to La Luminosa in secret. He presented himself to the court as master artist and brought his eldest daughter, the Princess Saralinda, in disguise as a simple apprentice. Your father was the only one who knew the truth – he and Saralinda met and talked together several times.’
    Bianca suddenly felt as if the earth under her feet was rocking back and forth. She had to grab on to one of the angel’s wings to steady herself. Her mother  …  and Catriona’s father  … 
    â€˜Of course, that was shortly before poor Princess Saralinda’s tragic descent into insanity,’ the Baron added, with such a look of genuine sadness that Bianca’s faintness fled instantly. She trembled with the urge to leap from behind the hedge and punch him in the face. Marco grabbed her wrist and she realised she had actually made a fist and drawn it back. She dropped her shoulders and stared at him, feeling the blood draining and rushing back to her face in a constant cycle of shock and wonder.
    â€˜It’s OK. We’ll find out if it’s true,’ Marco whispered. ‘I promise.’
    Bianca gave him a tight, bewildered smile and nodded, grateful to know he was thinking exactly what she was thinking.
    Was it possible she and Duchess Catriona were half-sisters?

Chapter Eight
    â€˜Your Highness,’ came Secretary Franco’s voice. Bianca peered around the stone angel’s right wing to see him walking down the garden path towards Duchess Catriona in her rose-covered archway. He was leaning on a golden staff and still wearing his bright sunflower-yellow robes. Several of the Oscuritan lords and ladies shied away from him as he passed. He came to Duchess Catriona’s side and bowed deeply. ‘Midday approaches, and I believe our Oscuritan guests would like to retire to their rooms for an hour before lunch is served.’
    Bianca saw a few of the Oscuritans nod, while the rest looked like they desperately wanted to but were still trying to act as if the light and heat of the day wasn’t bothering them.
    â€˜Then let us go in,’ said Duchess Catriona, getting to her feet. ‘We have achieved plenty for our first morning. I have  …  much to consider.’
    The Oscuritans started to gather their fans and parasols and to make a hasty beeline for the doors to the palace. Though she was still in shock, Bianca couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the Luminosan courtiers strolling after them with slow, smug steps.
    â€˜May I ask a favour, Your Highness?’ said the Baron. ‘As I am not of the same delicate constitution as my compatriots, may I have your permission to take my leave from you to visit some of my favourite places in La Luminosa? I called this beautiful city home for so many years, I would love to be able to explore it once more.’
    You lost the right to explore La Luminosa when you tried to steal it!
Bianca thought angrily.
    Duchess Catriona’s brows drew down, and for a moment Bianca thought she was going