She glanced at Diamandis, who was visibly holding his tongue.
With a deep sigh she bowed to the delegation. Im sorry. Where are my manners? If we conduct our business briefly, I can make my other appointment without ruffling feathers on that end as well. Who do I have the honor of addressing?
Very slightly mollified, he said, I am Jacoby Sarto of the nation of Sacrus. Your return from the dead has caused quite a stir amongst the great nations, lady. There are claims of proof that you must provide, before you are accepted for who you are.
I know, she said simply.
Thursday next, he said, at four oclock in the Council offices. Bring your proofs. He turned to go.
Oh. Oh dear. He turned back, a dangerous look in his eye. Venera looked abjectly apologetic. Its a very small problemmore of an opportunity, really. I happen to have become entangled in a number of obligations that day. My former debtors and creditors but Im not trying to dodge your request! Far from it. Why dont we say, eight oclock P.M., in the main salon of my home? Such a date would allow me to fulfill my obligations and
Whatever. He turned to confer with the others. The conference was brief. So be it. He stepped close to her and looked down at her, the way her father used to do when she was young. Despite herself, Venera quailed insidebut she didnt blink, just
as she had never reacted to her fathers threats. No games, he said very quietly. Your life is at stake here. Then he gestured sharply to the others and they followed him away.
Garth leaned in and muttered, What obligations? You have nothing planned that day.
We do now, she said as she watched Sarto and his companions walk away. She told Garth what she had in mind, and his eyes widened in shock.
In a week? The place is a shambles!
Then you know what youre going to be doing the rest of the day, she said tartly. Hire as many people as you needcash a few of my gems. And Garth, she said as he turned to go, I apologize for earlier.
He snorted. Ive had worse reactions first thing in the morning. But I expected better from you.
For some reason those parting words stung far more than any of the things shed imagined he might say.
Im still sorting it out in my own mind, she said, pausing to set her feet better against the riveted iron decking that underlay her estate. They were beautiful, and grotesque. Dali horses the handlers called them. Apparently, a Dali is any four-legged beast raised under lower gravity than it was evolved to like.
Garth nodded and they pushed and pulled for a while. The rack was approaching the wall where the little cell of rebels had made their entrancea hole pounded in the brickwork that led to an abandoned airshaft. Garth had explored a few yards of the tunnel beyond; Venera was afraid the rebels might have left traps behind.
It was the smell I noticed first, she said as they took another break. Not like any fish or bird Id ever encountered. Foul but you could get used to it, I suppose. They had the horses in a place called a paddocka kind of slave pen for animals. But the beasts they were huge!
Voices and loud thuds filtered in from the estates central hallway. Two of the work gangs Garth had hired that day were arguing over who should start work in the kitchens first.
Shadows flickered past the cellar door. The estate was crawling with people now. Lanterns were lit everywhere and shouted conversations echoed down, along with hammering, sawing, and the rumble of rolling carts. Venera hoped the racket would keep the neighbors up. She had a week to make this place fit for guests and that meant working kitchens, a ballroom with no crumbling plasterwork and free of the smell of decayand of course, a fully stocked wine cellar. The rebel gang had removed all evidence of themselves when they retreated, but had left behind the hole by which theyd gained entrance. Because the mansion only had one entrancethe back doors had not yet been uncoveredVenera had decided it prudent to keep this bolthole. But if she was going to have a secret exit, it had to be secret; hence the wine rack.
Okay, she said when they had it about three feet from the wall. Im going to grease the floor under the hole, so we can slide the rack to one side if we need to get out in a hurry. She plonked down the can shed taken from one of the workmen and rolled up her sleeves.
Well have to survey for traps some time, he said reasonably.
Venera squinted up at him. Maybe, but not tonight. You look like youre about to collapse, Garth. Is it the gravity?
He nodded, wincing. That, and simple age. This is more activity than Ive had in a long while, when you factor in the new weight. I thought I was in good shape, but
Well, I hereby order you to take two days off. Ill manage the workmen. Take one day to rest up, and maybe on the second you tend to the uh, that matter that you wont talk to me about.
What matter? he said innocently.
Its all right. She smiled. I understand. Youve been in exile for a long time. Plenty of time to think about the men who put you there. Given that much time, Id bet youve worked out your revenge in exquisite detail.