"Dario, take Erebus aboard. I'm going after her. Prepare the boat. Cristiano and Dante will arrive within the hour. As soon as I bring her back, we will set sail."
Pedro swapped coats with the captain and tucked his hair inside a sailor's cap, his only concession as a disguise. If it weren't for Anne, he would relish meeting a soldier intent on arresting him.
He tunneled his vision into the city. When he caught her, she would wish Ulrich had gotten her first.
Chapter 24
Aftersomanydaysaboard, Anne's balance was off, the stone pavement of Aveiro's square floating under her feet. The channels used in lieu of streets added a smell of salted water to the city, and the absence of carriages and oxcarts made it hushed. Gondolas skimmed their dark waters, bright colors reflecting on the surface.
What a pity. After reading about the charming city in her guidebooks, Portugal's Venice, now that she was here, her mind kept straying to Pedro in another woman's company. Had she been pretty? What had she offered that Anne couldn't?
Beatriz tugged at her elbow. "Miss, shouldn’t we head back?"
"So soon? We just arrived."
"I have this feeling someone is watching us."
Anne glanced at both sides. "But no one is giving us the least attention."
Couples and families strolled and visited the shops. Many drank tea at inviting cafés, sitting under the shade of ash trees. All perfectly safe.
She would not allow Pedro's pessimism to taint her. She linked her arm with Beatriz and urged her along. To their right, the Monastery of Jesus rose higher than the other buildings, flanked by junipers, its broken arch pediment windows glinting in the sun. An Avis princess, Saint Joana, had lived there. Typically, Anne would wait in line to visit the museum, but she couldn't muster the enthusiasm.
"If we are staying, let’s sit for a bit? I've brought some coins, and you can try Aveiro's famousovos moles."
Anne's stomach lurched at the thought of eating the sweet made of egg yolk and a copious amount of sugar. "I'll have to pass, but we can stop if you fancy one for yourself."
"I don't know..." The maid peeked longingly at the spindly masts beyond the central channel. "If we hurry, we can arrive before His Excellency, and then we wouldn't upset him. You know he is— "
"We should try theovos moles, Beatriz. What an excellent idea." Anne wouldn't consider the Count's sentiments, as he hadn't considered hers. The ungracious thought brought a bitter taste to her mouth, but she was helpless to dispel it. Had he not taught her to put her own wishes above others?
The petite maid sighed and glanced heavenward. "There's apastelariawith nice outside tables. Come, and we'll have a pastry too… Dante told me about the duel yesterday."
"You don't say."
Beatriz looked at her for a short spell, and her eyes darted back to the square. "It wasn't about a woman, but about honor. He had so much to say."
"Dante? Spoke more than expletives?"
Beatriz scrunched the skirt of her dress. "I sent him away. I'm confused. Oh, Miss Anne, he... he frightens me."
Anne sighed, her eyes straying to the marina. "A girl should not settle for less than perfect love. One she feels confident will be comfortable, frictionless, and filled with quiet afternoons by the hearth, drinking tea and discussing literature."
Beatriz frowned. "I'm not so fond of tea..."
A figure approached them. Anne's breath caught, and she gripped Beatriz's arm. An elderly man, face gaunt, clothes wrinkled, and expression somber. When he stepped into the sunlight, he offered a gentle smile.
Anne released her death grip on the maid's arm and pointed to the peculiar instrument the man carried. "What is that?"
Beatriz smiled. "It's arealejo, Miss. He wants to see your luck."
The man twirled a hand crank, filling the square with crisp, twinkling notes, and opened a hidden drawer. Thimble-sized papers filled the compartment. A lovebird chirped out of a tiny door.
"What a lovely fellow you are." Anne extended her arm. "May I?"
At the man's consent, Anne cooed to the bird and caressed its green feathery chest.
A gust of wind stole Anne's bonnet, but Beatriz caught the headpiece before it could sail into the channel.
