"Back to France?" Ugolini stared. "I thought he, too, was going to Perugia."
Sophia felt a ball of ice suddenly encase her heart. She had told Ugolini, as she told Daoud, that Simon was going to Perugia. She prayed Ugolini would not suspect that she had been lying.
"Oh, no," said the contessa. "France. He told me himself when he took leave of me. And when he returns, I think Ghibellini everywhere in Italy will have reason to tremble. Because the might of France will follow him. I am only sorry he will not come in time to save Orvieto from the Sienese. One of my sergentes just reported that the Sienese army is but a day or two away from here."
And Lorenzo with it, thought Sophia. If only he would hurry.
"What will you do, Contessa?" Ugolini asked. "As a Guelfo family, do the Monaldeschi intend to leave Orvieto before the Sienese arrive?"
He was straying from the subject, thought Sophia impatiently.
Never mind the damned Sienese army. They cannot do us any good.
The old lady tossed her head, her hooked nose jutting defiantly. She laid her hand on Vittorio's.
"We will stand fast. This family has lived in this city since the days of the Etruscans. I expect our militia to put up a good fight. After our honor has been satisfied, we will ask, with dignity, for terms."
"Very brave," said Ugolini.