Page 42 of Murder on the SS Leviathan
‘You know something of my father, yes? The boy was begot by him on one of the maids soon after Isabella gave him an heir. For all we know, there are a dozen more around Scogliera, but Lorenzo found this child and brought him into his service—just as he brought Livia and myself into the castle. Even the worst of villains have some redeeming qualities, and my brother’s was his care for his family.’
‘Some care! You were as much a prisoner as Livia!’
Lucrezia drew a deep breath. ‘That time is in the past; or, I thought it was so.’ She closed her eyes again. ‘You have not asked the name of this brother of mine.’
‘His name?’ There hadn’t been so many male servants at the castello but, still, Cecile could hardly recall all their names. ‘Not the gardener—Raphael?’
’No, not Raphael.’ Lucrezia smiled weakly. ‘He was far too pure-hearted to share our wicked blood.’
Her mouth grew pinched again. ‘You have not guessed, though his name was aptly chosen by his mother. The serpent is the emblem of the di Cavours, you recall.’
Cecile blanched. ‘You mean that brute? Serpico?’
‘Ah, you do remember.’
‘But, didn’t he try to save his master? Some said they saw him approach the library, where the fire began. The roof collapsed, Lucrezia. No man could survive that. If he did, he would be horribly disfigured, surely.’
’Who can say? Serpico was not seen again. All thought him buried in the ruins. He was savage, as you say—but very strong, and determined. A true di Cavour.’
Cecile pressed her fingers to her temples. ‘Do you mean to say he blames you? That he has dragged himself across half a continent, waiting until now to exact his revenge?’
‘You do not know him.’ Lucrezia turned away. ‘He was loyal to my brother. Lorenzo often taunted me that, should he die in suspicious circumstances, Serpico would seek me out. As for the rest, he may have been gathering his strength, or watching with some plan of his own. To choose now was clever, perhaps, since we cannot escape this ship until we reach port—and there are more places to hide than we can know. As for locks, they are nothing to him.’
Cecile sifted through all she knew. Much still did not make sense. ‘What of Maud? Did Serpico have a hand in her fall, do you imagine?’
Lucrezia gave this consideration. ’I do not know the details, but there was animosity between my brother and the countess. In London, I believe Isabella was matchmaking. Maud insulted my brother by declining his interest. Perhaps, Lady McCaulay did not fall by accident.’
Cecile’s heart was growing heavier by the minute. ‘We must inform the captain; tell him everything.’
‘All?’ Lucrezia returned her gaze to Cecile’s face. ‘And what shall happen if the truth comes out, of all that happened at the castello? Is this what you want,cara—for the scandal of that place to follow you?’
Lucrezia was right. It would be impossible to tell half the tale. To persuade the captain of such vengeful intent, he would have to know all and, once begun, every sordid detail would be revealed. What would her brother think? And Lance? Moreover, such things never remained confidential. In combination with the recent deaths, the story was sensational enough to become the talk of the ship.
‘Then, what are we to do?’
Lucrezia reached behind her, drawing out something from under the pillow. ‘I have this, and I’m prepared to use it.’
Cecile stared at the pistol. It was smaller than any she’d seen before, small enough to fit easily into a lady’s reticule. The handle, inlaid in mother-of-pearl, fitted Lucrezia’s palm perfectly.
‘I had it made in Sorrento.’ Lucrezia’s expression became wistful. ‘Though I never had the courage, I shall have no hesitation now. It was in my pocket when we fled the castello and, with this gun, I shall keep us safe.’
Henry, Lance and Lucrezia—all armedand swearing to protect me.
For some reason, it made Cecile feel more powerless than ever.
Lucrezia turned the gun over in her hand. ‘Many times, I thought of hurting my brother. I imagined how I would take delight in it but, for all his wickedness, he rescued me, long ago—from the orphanage and a dreary life. His motives were not good, but I was grateful nonetheless. However much I wished him dead, I could not bring it to bear, and I’m glad, for the person who most desired her revenge had it instead.’
‘You didn’t do it because you have a conscience, and for all your bravado, I believe you’re God-fearing. You wouldn’t damn yourself by committing such a sin.’
Lucrezia’s sudden laughter made Cecile start. ‘Sweet one, if I have a soul, I fear it is already too blackened to fly to Paradise, but you are right that something like a conscience remains. I do not think the same is true of the man who hunts me.’
‘Then, keep the gun close.’ Cecile brought her hand over Lucrezia’s again, and her fingers felt the cold, hard steel of the barrel.
Lucrezia was right. They could not sit by and rely on others to act on their behalf. If Serpico were truly aboard, they were all in danger.
Until he’d satisfied his desire for revenge, he would not stop.
