The Deadliest Sin by The Medieval Murderers Page B

new silk doublet. ‘Are you jealous? You know what they say about the size of a man’s nose reflecting the dimensions of his other
organ.’
    Zuliani quickly looked around, hoping no one had heard Cat. He wondered if this was what the conversation was like all the time amongst the old aristocracy. Cat laughed at his discomfiture.
    ‘Never mind. Your . . . nose . . . is quite big enough for me.’
    ‘Caterina!’
    She cast her eyes up to the ceiling high above their heads to signify her delight at his impatience.
    ‘Very well. To business, if you insist. The old man is Antonio Perruzzi himself.’
    Zuliani’s eyes widened. ‘Of . . .?’
    ‘Of Perruzzi’s bank. In fact, you could say he
is
the bank, to which, they say, the English king is so indebted that if he paid off what he owes it would bankrupt his whole
kingdom.’
    Zuliani frowned.
    ‘What’s he doing in Venice?’
    Cat took his arm and led him out of the chamber.
    ‘Doing what he always does, no doubt. Making more money.’
    ‘There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s what we Venetians do best. What do you think we expected of the money invested in Bagnioli’s
colleganza
?’
    Cat waved a deprecatory hand, as if the money she had loaned Zuliani was of no consequence. But despite her gesture, he knew the loan was important. The Dolfin family, of which Caterina was the
last living representative bearing that name, was no longer wealthy. Of course she should have been a Valier after her marriage – and had been for a number of years – but on
Pasquale’s death, she had returned to her own illustrious name. Zuliani had pondered asking her to marry him and take his name for herself and their granddaughter, but so far had been afraid
to broach the subject. A Dolfin was always a Dolfin, even if this one was his lover too.
    As the day was still warm and the sun bright, they began to walk along the quay from Ca’ Tron towards the Arsenale. It was then that Zuliani spotted the galley, which was unloading on the
quayside.
    ‘It’s Baglioni’s vessel, and it looks as though he has returned with a hold full of goods.’
    He rubbed his hands briskly, and gave Cat a pleading look. She sighed at being abandoned, but was resigned to Zuliani’s natural instincts.
    ‘Go on. Go and find out how much Baglioni has earned for us.’
    Zuliani grinned his thanks and, leaving Cat stranded on the quay, he pushed through the crowd, which had gathered to gawp. He was soon at the gangplank of the galley, carefully noting the
bundles of silk that were being offloaded. Making a mental calculation as to the return on his – on Cat’s – investment, he cast around for Baglioni. There was no sign of him, but
he spotted Saluzzo, the ship’s captain, hanging from the rigging. Zuliani called out to him, and the man looked round. His face clouded over a little when he saw Zuliani on the dock. But then
Saluzzo soon put a cheerful grin back on his face, and nimbly dropped on to the deck of the galley. He strode over to the gangplank, meeting Zuliani on the quay before he could set foot on the
ship. He shook his hand vigorously.
    ‘A good trip, master, with a well-bought stock of silks and cotton to sell on to the German traders. You will profit well by it.’
    ‘I am glad to hear it, Saluzzo.’ He looked around the quay. ‘Where is Baglioni?’
    Saluzzo looked around too, as if he expected to see the trader on the dock, though his eyes said otherwise. He shrugged.
    ‘He was here a moment ago.’
    Zuliani wondered if Baglioni’s absence was a sign the trader planned to short-change him over his deal. It certainly looked as if the man was avoiding him, and perhaps in the process of
falsifying his records. But then, just as his suspicions were mounting, he heard Baglioni’s voice behind him.
    ‘Messer . . . Zuliani?’
    He turned to be met by the beaming face of a successful trader, who was eager to share his good fortune. And it seemed he had divined Zuliani’s