Read Online Dido by Adèle Geras - Free Book Online Page A

window, a patch of darkening sky, but still the afternoon light shone gold over the harbour. There wasn’t a sound to be heard, and she wondered briefly where everyone was. They’re hiding, she told herself. Waiting to see how thequeen reacts. Perhaps the servants are eating in the kitchen. She was quite sure that everyone in the palace was there somewhere, waiting, because they were all obviously aware of Dido’s anguish and would be eager to see what she needed; what she would do next. But no one, it seemed, had walked down the corridors for a long time and Anna decided that when she left her sister, the first thing she’d do was go and check that the sentries were still in their positions. This would be a good time for enemies to creep in and take over the palace. Iarbas wasn’t exactly an enemy, of course, but jealousy made men act strangely, and he’d certainly had his eye on Dido ever since they came to Carthage. His nose was out of joint and no one likes that. Ever since it had become generally known in the city that Dido was in love with Aeneas, he’d been sulky, but who knew what effect the news of his rival’s departure would have on him? Even though Dido had made it clear to him, long before Aeneas’ arrival, that she had no intention of ever marrying him, men quite often didn’t believe what they didn’t want to believe and it was possible that he still held out some hope, especially now that his rival was leaving Carthage. Much better to make sure that the soldiers knew their duty and were constantly on guard against intruders.
    Anna looked at Dido (who was not asleep, but lying very still on her back with one arm flung over her eyes) and said: ‘Did you fall in love with Aeneas from the very first time we saw him? Looking filthy and ragged and unshaven?’
    â€˜Of course not. Why do you keep going on and on about that time? It’s past and won’t return.’
    â€˜Well, you refuse to speak to me, so what choice do I have? I must think about something.’
    Dido gave a scornful laugh. ‘And that’s the best you can do? I can’t imagine anything more boring.’
    â€˜How can you say that, Dido? The feast we laid on is still talked about. We’ve never had such a magnificent occasion here at the palace, either before or since. Iopas singing all the songs of welcome – how nervous he was beforehand: d’you remember? It was his first public appearance as court singer and his hands were shaking. Then Aeneas’ stories. I know very well you remember those. Which of us had heard such things before? And his voice—’
    â€˜Not another word about his voice!’ Dido sobbed. ‘It rings in my ears constantly. I don’t want to be reminded of that night. Keep your thoughts to yourself, I beg of you.’
    Anna knew there was no point in speaking to her sister of what else had happened that night, when most of the guests at the banquet had left for their beds. She opened her mouth to say something and then changed her mind. Better not, she thought. She’ll bite my head off if I so much as mention it. That was the night when I realized that there was something more going on than the mutual attraction of a man and a woman, and that the Gods had made it their business to guide these mortals. Now, she reflected bitterly, they have seen the outcome of their work. They havedestroyed my sister. Anna knew the Gods might be aware of her thoughts but she didn’t care. Let them know what I think. They are responsible for everything that’s happened.
    â€˜Queen Dido,’ Aeneas said, turning to her, ‘it’s going to be hard for me, speaking about some of these things. But I can see that you and the rest of the company want to hear them, so I’ll begin at the beginning.’
    Everyone in the banqueting hall fell silent as he spoke and leaned forward in their seats. Some filled their goblets with