The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees Page A

might have made this up together, stupid children that they were. ‘I ask only that, whatever our fate, we share it together. We will go away, far from here. We will never return. I give my word.’
    That was a big mistake. Whatever they wanted, Sebastian would do the opposite, just because they wanted it. Surely the boy knew that? I wished I could have collected his words as they spilled and stuffed them back into his mouth.
    Sebastian did not explode with rage. He spent a long time, as if considering, but that vein was pulsing in his temple again and the knuckles were white on his clenching fist.
    ‘Your word? What is that worth? I have plans for her, and of one thing you can be very sure: you will never see her again. Her fate is decided. She is to be sold into slavery. I already have a buyer.’
    ‘Father!’ Stephano stepped towards him. ‘You can’t do that! She’s a duke’s daughter and your own niece, your sister’s child!’
    He looked around, as if others would support him in his pleading, but they’d all turned away.
    Lord Sebastian continued as if his son had not spoken.
    ‘You will go into the service of Sale Reis, the Barbary corsair.’ He indicated the man standing by his side. ‘He can do with you what he likes: galley slave or catamite. It is of no concern to me. I do not know from whose loins you sprang, but you are no son of mine.’
    Stephano didn’t lack for bravery. He leaped forward to defend his mother’s name, grabbing the Turkish dagger from the table. He had it at his father’s throat, the needle point pricking through the skin. Sebastian swallowed, bright blood trickling past his Adam’s apple. The boy should have jammed the knife right in and ripped through his windpipe, but he couldn’t do it, and then Sale Reis had the knife.
    ‘To kill a father is a grievous sin in any man’s religion,’ the corsair said. ‘You do not want such a crime on your conscience.’
    He was a big man, the dagger looked like a toy in his hand, but he had struck quicker than a snake to force Stephano’s hand down. He smiled, his gapped teeth white against his swarthy skin, his glossy beard touched with henna. He wore a white turban and was swathed in robes in the manner of his people. He put the dagger back down on to the table. In case there was any more trouble, he rested his hand lightly on the short curved sword stuck into his sash.
    Sebastian ordered the guards to seize his son, but Sale Reis put up his hand.
    ‘He is mine now. I’ve lost many fine men. I need all I can get. What about the other one?’ He nodded towards Guido. ‘What’s your name, boy?’
    ‘Guido Ad Romano, of Pavia.’ The boy spoke up with courage and dignity.
    ‘He will be hanged.’ Sebastian turned to the guards. ‘Take him away!’
    ‘You can’t do that!’ Stephano shouted. ‘He’s a nobleman’s son.’
    ‘I can do what I like.’ Sebastian’s lips stretched into a smile. He dabbed at the blood on his neck with a kerchief. One victim was better than none.
    ‘I will take him too, if I may. As I said, I have lost many men in your service.’ Sale Reis bowed slightly, as if in deference, but it was clear that Sebastian was in his debt.
    ‘Very well. Take them.’ Sebastian looked cheated, then he saw Violetta.
    ‘Your father, the Tyrant Duke, is dead,’ he said to her, his tone as curt and dismissive as if she were a kitchen maid. ‘He was killed in the fighting, which is unfortunate. I’d have had him blinded and hung outside his own tower for all to see, left there to starve to death. I could take your life as forfeit for his, but I have been prevailed upon to be merciful. You are sold into slavery. Meet your new master.’
    A man stepped out from the shadows. It was sixteen years since I had last seen him, but I would have known him anywhere. He’s got spindle sticks for legs and walks as if someone’s stuck a stave up his arse. Age had not improved his beauty. His goose-green eyes, once popping