st tell him
about Sophia. He was not even sure what he was trying to find out.

Even though he had not spoken and had tried to look friendly and not
threatening, he could imagine how much his presence must frighten her. A
French count. To her that must almost be like being visited by a king.
And she probably feared Christians anyway. If she decided she must
protect Sophia from him, he would get nothing from her.

Simon was grateful when Friar Mathieu cleared his throat and spoke.

"Count Simon is anxious about your welfare, my dear," said the old
Franciscan. "He was quite surprised to learn that Cardinal Ugolini and
Madonna Sophia had not followed the pope here to Viterbo. He was
wondering whether Madonna Sophia had left some word with you about where
she was going."

Rachel shook her head. "I have not seen her since John took me from
Madama Tilia's house." Her black hair was wound in braids around her
head, exposing her small ears, made to look smaller still by the large
gold hoops she wore in them. Similarly, a gold necklace with a jeweled
pendant emphasized the slenderness of her neck. Her arms and hands
seemed weighed down with bracelets and rings. The Tartar must be
showering her with gifts.

"And Madonna Sophia gave no hint of her plans when she visited you at
Madama Tilia's?"

Friar Mathieu asked it as if it were the most natural question in the
world.

_My God, what would Sophia be doing at Tilia Caballo's? At a brothel!_

Simon felt his stomach clench. He did not want to hear Rachel's answer.

"No, Father. The last thing she told me was that everyone would be
leaving Orvieto soon. And when we did, I would not have to stay with
Madama Tilia anymore. I begged her to take me back with her to Cardinal
Ugolini's, but she said she could not. Later that day John came for me.
I never spoke with Madonna Sophia again." She looked uneasily at Simon.

Sophia had said she knew about the girl only through the gossip of
servants and townspeople. Could this girl be lying about having met
Sophia? But she would have no reason to do that. So it must have been
Sophia who lied about never having met Rachel. He felt as if a dagger
had struck him in the back.

And she had certainly never said anything about going to Tilia
Caballo's. How could he learn the true connection between Sophia and
Rachel without making Rachel suspicious?

"That is just it, Rachel," he said. "Things have been happening so
rapidly, and I was awa