"That was more than a year ago, Your Signory."
"And you have failed to learn anything useful as my agent in Ugolini's household."
"Your Signory! If not for me, you would have been totally unprepared for the attack on the Monaldeschi palace."
Simon saw that Sordello's rough skin was reddening. His bad temper was threatening to break through.
It was true, though, that Sordello's warning about the Filippeschi attack by itself made up for all the man's misdeeds.
The mention of Ugolini's household brought back the pain of that parting from Sophia. He pictured again that dizzying moment when he almost possessed her, remembered how he had poured out all his secrets to her. He saw again her tears and remembered his own, that he had shed after she ran from him. The memory made him feel like weeping now.
Hoping to sound casual, Simon said, "The cardinal's niece—I believe her name is Sophia. Did you see her before you left Orvieto?"
Sordello's discolored eyes met Simon's. "No, Your Signory. I have seen little of her since the night of the Filippeschi uprising."
Damn this gap-toothed brigand!
Simon continued to pretend to be casual. He stood up and yawned. The wine made him feel less in control of his feelings than he liked.