The Traitor's Daughter Read Online Free Page B

complaint?”
    “It is more of a concern ,” Nalio corrected precisely.
    “Well?” Aureste allowed his impatience to show.
    “Your daughter, eighteen years old and still unmarried, goes gadding about all over town, wherever she pleases, quite unattended.”
    “That’s a lie. I took Reeni along,” Jianna contradicted.
    “A lady’s maid, as young, heedless, and silly as her mistress. That is worse than nothing. Two foolish girls, without a thought for anything beyond sensation, venturing anywhere and everywhere, perhaps deep into the slums or the dockside taverns—”
    “Jianna, where did you go? Speak plainly,” commanded Aureste.
    “The zoo,” she said.
    “The zoo? Why?”
    “To look at the pink peacock. And the new rump-faced hi-biluk. They’re quite marvelous.” Turning to her uncle, she added kindly, “You really ought to go see for yourself. Perhaps it would cheer you up.”
    He glared at her.
    “Did you go anywhere else?” Aureste inquired.
    “No, Father. Just the zoo.”
    “Well.” Aureste shrugged. “That is innocent and harmless enough. Content, Nalio?”
    Nalio appeared to debate inwardly before replying. “No, I am not content, indeed I am not. You spoil the girl. You allow her to run wild. It does not look at all well, and it will end badly. What would the Magnifico Tribari’s folk think if they knew? Perhaps the betrothal would be broken off. Think of the disgrace! She should be controlled, for her own sake as well as ours.”
    “You make too much of a small matter, brother.”
    “I do not think so. The streets of Vitrisi are no safe place for an unescorted young woman, most particularly one bearing the name of Belandor. The outlaws of the resistance hate us, and they have been active of late. And the servants of House Corvestri are ruffians. They stripped one of our kitchen lads naked and threw him into a wallow just two days ago.”
    “The squabbles of servants—” Jianna commenced.
    “Only mirror the quarrels of their betters,” Nalio overrode her. “More than one of our House have been murdered by those Corvestri brigands and their vile bravos. You would do well to remember that, young lady. Also, there have been reports of crazed Sishmindris attacking pedestrians.”
    “Crazed Sishmindris—bah, what nonsense!” she returned.
    “And there are worse things yet,” Nalio continued. “They say that the plague has broken out in the city—the pestilence of legend, the—the—the walking death—that it is here among us. If this is true, Aureste, then your roving daughter may well carry the contagion home to Belandor House.”
    “You’re afraid for yourself, Uncle.” Jianna’s lip curled.
    “I am afraid for all of us. As you would be if you possessed a grain of good sense.”
    “I just don’t seem to share your capacity for extreme … caution.”
    “Aureste, are you going to let this—this—this mannerless hoyden speak to me that way?”
    “Mind your tongue, Nalio. I will not allow you to insult my daughter.”
    “I insult her? Did—did—did you hear what she said to me? Why must you always—”
    “That will do,” Aureste decreed. “The conversation grows wearisome. Here is my decision. Jianna, you may venture abroad when you please, but you will inform me or the household steward of your plans. You will avoid the waterfront, the Spidery, and any area south of Ditch Street. You will avoid the known haunts of Corvestri retainers. Whatever your destination, you will not stir unaccompanied by an armed guard.”
    “She should have at least three,” Nalio opined.
    “That’s ridiculous!” Jianna exclaimed.
    “You are an ignorant girl. Your elders know what’s best for you. You will not set foot from this house with less than three guards,” Nalio told her.
    “I don’t need any, you poltroon!”
    “Aureste, did—did—did you hear?” Nalio stammered. “Are you going to allow—”
    “One armed guard,” the magnifico repeated. “That will