Elizabeth Mayne - The Rose of Lorraine

7/27/2019 Elizabeth Mayne - The Rose of Lorraine

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T he R os e o f L or rain e

by

Elizabeth Mayne

BOOK ONE

L aw i s l ike f ir e f or i t l ig ht s a s t rut h,

w arm s as chari ty ,

burns as zeal.

W it h t ho se v ir tu es t he K in g w il l r ul e w el l.

SI M ON D E M ON T FO RT

(c )c op yr ig ht b y M . K ay e G ar ci a J an . 1 99 7

c ov er a rt b y J en ni e D ix on

" Th is e ar th o f m aj es ty , t hi s s ea t o f M ar s. .. "

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Prologue

Ju ne 1 0, 1 34 6

Chandos Enceinte


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" Wa ke u p, E ng li sh ! Y ou 'l l n ot s pe nd t he n ig ht b en ea th m y r oo f. G et d re ss ed a nd g et o ut !"

E dw ar d P lant ag en et s tart led awake. A m ud dy b oo t s tr uck h is b el ly , m ak in g h im w in ce and p ro tect h is

balls.

" Go o n, g et o ut ! P ut o n y ou r f il th y b oo ts a nd t ak e y ou r s ti nk in g c ar ca ss e ls ew he re ."

T he b oo t f el l t o t he f lo or a s E dw ar d s to od . N ak ed , t al l, b ar re l- ch es te d a nd h an ds om e b ut t ir ed b ey on d

belief, the king of England stared at Isabella de Chandos and knew the woman had gone mad...again.

" Bell a, w hy ?" E dw ar d d em an ded i n a com pell in g v oi ce. H e h ad a w ay w it h w om en .. .even ang ry o nes.

" Tel l me wha t ha s ups et you? I wil l ma ke i t bet te r, I sw ea r."

H er ni ght r ai l whi rl ed a ro und he r l egs a s s he pi cke d up hi s c ot te ha rd ie , s ar k a nd hos e a nd t hr ew t he l ota t hi m. R ed ha ir r age d a bout he r a s wi ld a s t he te mpes t a nd f ur y t ha t he ld he r in it s gr ip. Eve ry i te m wa s

w et a nd s od de n, f or i t h ad r ai ne d f or t wo d ays n ow a nd a ny m an w ho d ar ed t he o ut do or s, r et ur ne d

d renched t hr ou gh t o t he s ki n.

T ho ug h l ul le d b y t he g oo d a le h is h os t h ad p ro vi de d, E dw ar d h ad s en se e no ug h t o s te p i nt o h is h os e a nd

t ig ht en t hem o ver h is b el ly b ef or e t he w om an 's h us band arr iv ed .

Sh e h ad p ro gr es se d t o t he s ta te ly b ed a nd c la we d a t i t. s tr ip pi ng t he d am as k c ov er le t, t ea ri ng t he f in e

l in en s he et s f ro m t he f ea th er be d. T he k in g a pp ro ac he d h er f ro m b eh in d, h an ds o pe n t o g ra sp h er

s ho ul de rs a nd c al m h er . S he h ad a lw ay s b ee n a h ig h- st ru ng , s en si ti ve w om an o f t em pe rs a nd m oo ds t oo

d ee p t o f at ho m, b ut h er h us ba nd , J oh n d e C ha nd os , w as K in g E dw ar d' s m os t t ru st wo rt hy m an .

"Bella, why?" Edward crooned in a soothing voice. "Has someone frightened you?"

S he s pu n w it h a w ad o f c lo th b unc he d a nd t ra il in g i n h er h and s, s cr ea mi ng , " I w an t y ou g on e! H ow d ar e

yo u! Ho w d ar e yo u a sk m or e of C ha nd os . H e' s do ne e no ug h f or yo u. "

" Bell a, B el la." E dw ar d l ai d h is b ig h an ds l ig ht ly o n h er s ho ul ders , l et ti ng t he clo th s s he s ho ved at h im f al l

t o t heir f eet. " Calm , s weet li ng . T el l m e w hat i s w ro ng ."

" Wr on g? " s he s cr ea me d i n h is f ac e. " Wo ul d y ou c ut m y h ea rt f ro m m y b re as t? A ye , y ou w ou ld , y ouhe ar tl es s b as ta rd. I kn ow wh at y ou pl an, w ha t yo u or de r m y hu sb an d t o d o. Y ou go t o w ar i n

Normandy, Calais and Lorraine."

" Yo ur M aj es ty , w hat t ro ub le h er e?" T he w om an 's h us band charg ed i nt o t he b ed chamb er g iv en o ver t o

the king.

S ir J oh n w as d re ss ed n o b et te r t ha n E dw ar d I II , i n s op pi ng t re ws a nd m ud dy b oo ts . L or d C ha nd os

s ki dd ed t o a h al t o n t he p ol is he d f lo or . H is t an ne d f ac e d ra in ed o f c ol or a s h e c au gh t s ig ht o f h is w if e

w ea ri ng o nl y a n ig ht r ai l i n t he ki ng 's p re se nc e. " Wh at d o y ou h er e, B el la , i n t he k in g' s b ed c ha mb er ?"

" Me rde ! Mo n m ar i, c an y ou n ot s ee I t hr ow t hi s be as t, t hi s r oi de g ue rr e ou t o f ou r h ou se ? I w on 't l et

h im b ui ld a n a rm y i n m y y ar d t o a tt ac k m y f at he r a nd m y b ro th er s. E no ug h, E dw ar d P la nt ag en et . H er e

s ta nd s on e wo ma n who ha s t he c our ag e t o s ay t o yo u, no, you c an not b e ki ng of Eng la nd a nd a ls o ki ng


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of Fr anc e. " S he s pa t a t t he k in g' s f ee t.

M or ti fi ed , t he l ad y' s h us band q ui ck ly s ecur ed a h ol d u po n h er , p ul li ng h er away f ro m t he k in g. " Hu sh ,

Bella," he soothed her. "You imagine things again."

" No n! " R ag e g av e h er t he s tr en gt h t o t wi st f re e o f S ir J oh n' s g ri p. " Li ar ! I h av e b ee n t o P or ts mo ut h, s ee n

w it h t he se t wo e ye s t he c ogs a nd b oa ts , h or se s a nd c ar ts pi le d hi gh wi th a rm s a nd t ool s o f wa r. Yo ui nva de Fr anc e. I know i t. Do not l ie t o m e, Cha nd os . Do not l ie f or yo ur ki ng !"

" Be s il en t, B el la !" t he l or d o f t he m an or t hu nd er ed a c om ma nd t ha t n on e w ho s er ve d h im w ou ld d ar e

d is ob ey . H is m ad w if e w as a no th er m at te r. S he r an t o t he f ir ep la ce a nd t oo k f ro m t he m an tl e a p ri ce le ss

v as e. " Pu t t ha t d ow n a nd l ea ve t hi s r oo m a t o nc e. "

" He l ea ve s o r I d o, C ha ndo s. Y ou m us t c hoo se ."

" Maman, w hy are y ou s cr eami ng ?" A l it tl e b oy o f f ou r y ears s tu mb led i nt o t he chamb er . B eh in d h im a

s le ep y o ld er b ro th er w as s tr ic ke n f ac e, a ll e ye s a nd s il en t, b ut s ha ke n s o b ad ly h is n ig ht s hi rt f la pp edaround his skinny knees

like wind-torn willows.

" Madame," t he h us band r oar ed . " Pu t t hat d ow n! "

" I s we ar to you, Cha ndos, do you t ake up a rms a ga ins t my fa the r, I wi ll kil l your s ons a nd t he n kil l

myself."

" Bell a, y ou g o t oo f ar ."

" No n, C ha nd os , y ou a nd y ou r d ev il -k in g h av e g on e t oo f ar . O n m y e te rn al s ou l, I s we ar t o y ou , t hi s i s a ll

y ou w il l h av e l ef t. N ot hi ng !" S he t hr ew t he v as e a t h er h us ba nd 's h ea d.

C ha ndo s du ck ed a s he l ung ed f or h er . Th e t wo l it tl e b oy s s cr ea me d a nd t he va se , a t ok en f rom Q ue en

Phillipa for gracious hospitality given in the past, shattered against the castle wall.

"B Y O AK , A SH , A ND T HO RN ,

T H E F AE RI ES M AG IK I S B OR N. "

- 1 -

T he W el l o f So ul s


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Lewes, England, 1995

" Bell a, p leas e, n ot ano th er E ng li sh cem et er y! " A ri st ot le W yn fo rd . H e r ol led h is eyes as h is w if e t ur ned

o nt o t he P ri or y p ar ki ng l ot . S he t ou ch ed t he F ia t' s b ra ke t oo f ir ml y a nd p ea g ra ve l s pl at te re d o ut f ro m

u nd er t he w heel s. " Damn , B el la. M y f ir st v acat io n i n f if teen y ears and y ou 'r e g on na s po il i t w it h anaccident!"

" Ca lm d ow n, A ri . I t' s o nl y t he g ra ve l i n t he p ar ki ng l ot ." Be ll a e as ed t he c ar i nt o a s pa ce , m en ta ll y t oy ing

with a Walter Mitty-ish vision of wringing Ari's neck. His constant nagging undermined her confidence

a bo ut d ri vi ng i n a f or ei gn c ou nt ry . " I' d b e g la d t o l et y ou t ak e t he w he el ."

" Me? A ri st ot le W yn fo rd , d ri ve? I n E ng land ? W it h n o s peed l im it s and all t hese m an iacs o n t he w ro ng

s ide of t he r oa d? Not on you r l if e! "

" Th en s to p n eedl in g m e u nn eces sari ly . W e' re h er e t o g et away f ro m s tr es s and r el ax ," B el la r em in dedh im . " Keep t hi s u p and y ou 'l l d ri ve w hen w e t ackl e t he m ou nt ai ns i n W al es t om or ro w, A ri ."

A ri f la sh ed a t oo th y g ri n a nd r ea ch ed o ut t o p in ch h er c he ek . F ou rt ee n y ea rs a go t he g es tu re h ad m ea nt

s he w as c ut er t ha n a b ug . T od ay , i t m ea nt n ot hi ng .

" In W al es ? H on es tl y, B el la, are y ou crazy , w om an , o r w hat? I 'l l b e b us y eno ug h s tr ai ni ng t he l im it s o f m y

W el sh h er it age , r ea di ng r oa d s ig ns a nd m ap s w hi le y ou d ri ve . I h av e i t o n g oo d a ut ho ri ty w e W yn fo rd s

d es ce nd d ir ec tl y f ro m a n E ng li sh k in g- -o n t he w ron g s id e o f t he b la nk et , m in d y ou . I w on de r h ow o ne

says navigator in Welsh?"

" We s hall h av e t o ask ," B el la r ep li ed .

S he d ro pp ed t he k ey f ob b eh in d a n u nf in is he d M is s M ar pl e m ys te ry i ns id e h er p ur se , a nd m ad e c er ta in

s he h ad t he ir p as sp or ts , t ra ve le rs c he ck s a nd h er W al ki ng t he B at tl e F ie ld s o f E ng la nd G ui de B oo k

before snapping the bag closed.

T hey t um bl ed o ut s ep ar at e d oo rs i nt o a s of t m or ni ng m is t. B el la s mo ot hed t he w ri nk les f ro m h er k haki

w al ki ng s ho rt s and s lu ng a s weat er acr os s h er s leev el es s b lo us e. S he s to od v er y s ti ll l is teni ng t o t he

c ru nc h o f t he g ra ve l u nd er A ri 's t ra in er s a s h e c am e a ro un d t he c ar , b ut h er e ye s s tr ay ed t o t he b at tl ef ie ld

s he w as he re t o v is it .

Something unexplainable tugged on her, commanding she move directly there. From the moment she'd

s et f oo t o n E ng li sh s oi l, s he 'd e xp er ie nc ed a s tr an ge , r ec ur ri ng s en sa ti on o f d ej a v u, b ut n ot a s s tr on g a s

s he f el t i t now . T he t ru th w as s he 'd n eve r b ee n t o Eng la nd be for e a nd k ne w of n o r ea so n w hy s he s houl d

f ee l t hi s w ay f or t he p as t n in e d ay s.

O n o ne l ev el t he o dd s en sa ti on s po ok ed B el la . S he h ad n ev er g iv en m uc h c re di t t o p sy ch ic e xp er ie nc es

o th er p eo pl e claim ed t o h av e. B el la's t ho ug ht s w er e f ir ml y r oo ted i n r eali ty . I ai n h ad r ev el led i n t he

f an tast ic, t he m ag ical , i n w is hes and f ai ry t al es and all t hi ng s t hat w en t b um p i n t he n ig ht .

F ro m t he t im e I ai n b eg an t al ki ng , B el la h ad a sk ed h er se lf i f i t w er e p os si bl e t ha t h er s on c ou ld b e a n o ld

s ou l r eb or n. I ai n' s e nd le ss q ue st io ns a nd o bs er va ti on s a bo ut t he h ow a nd w hy o f n at ur e h ad t es te d w ha t

B el la p er ceiv ed as p ur el y n or mal. T ragi call y, h is d eath , t he d eath o f h er o nl y chi ld , h ad l ef t h er w it h a

g ap in g v oi d i n h er l if e t hat s im pl y cou ld n ot b e f il led.


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Now, Lewes' Walls beckoned to her with the same poignant sense of impossible mystery the Alamo did

back home in San Antonio. Battlefields gave meaning and purpose to death. To die for a cause was a

no bl e t hi ng. To di e a s I ai n ha d, w as a c ar el es s wa st e of l if e. W ha t e pi ta ph c oul d b e s ai d f or a

n in e- ye ar -o ld b oy r un o ve r b y a c ar ?

I t w as h ar d f or B el la t o i ma gi ne t hi s pe ac ef ul l it tl e v al le y a s t he s it e o f b lo ody g or e a nd c onf li ct .E very th in g s eemed s o v ib rant , s o f ul l o f col or . G reen . G reen g rass , g reen t rees cro wn in g H ar ry 's M ou nt

and Offham hill, green hedgerows marked each country lane and crisply-trimmed privet hedges bisected

t he s to ne w al ls o f a c as tl e r ui ns . M os sy g re en , f or es t g re en , d ee p a nd l ov el y s um me r g re en .

T o h er r ai se d- in -t he -h ea rt -o f- Te xa s e ye s i t w as a r ar e

t re at t o s ee s uc h l us h c ol or . B el la d id n' t m is s T ex as ' h ea t o r s un . N ot a ft er g et ti ng s un bu rn ed o n t he

h ot test d ay i n L on do n h is to ry w hi le w at ch in g t he T ro op in g o f t he C ol or s at B ucki ng ham P al ace. W hen

s he g ot h om e s he c ou ld t el l h er f ri en ds , y es , a r ed -h ea d c ou ld g et a s un bu rn i n L on do n.

T he he at di dn 't l in ge r i n E ngl and . T od ay on t he r oa d t o B ri gh ton t he s un c ou ld n' t m ak e u p i ts m in d,

poking in and out of an overcast sky. Bella cast a glance at the clouds and forced a smile, "I hope it is

g oi ng t o clear o ff ."

S he w at ch ed A ri t il t h is l on g f ac e a nd s qu in t a t t he p ur pl ing c lo uds . L au gh l in es c re as ed h is e ye s a nd a

h in t o f g ray at h is s an dy t em pl es l oo ked v er y app eali ng .

" Wha t w ou ld y ou l ik e t o d o f ir st , A ri ? T he A nn e o f C le ve s M us eu m o r t he c as tl e r ui ns ?"

" I' m u p t o h er e o n r ui ns ." A ri s no rt ed a s h e j ab be d f la tt en ed f in ge rs a t h is t hr oa t l ik e a b at tl e a xe . " Lo ok

a t t ho se k id s o ve r t he re . I 'l l b et t we nt y d ol la rs t ha t s ho p' s g ot v id eo g am es i ns id e i t. " T he s am e h an d t ha th ad n' t d ecap it at ed h im n ow p oi nt ed d ow n H ig h S tr eet w here n um er ou s b oy s l oi tered o n t he s id ew al k.

" Do es n' t m ak e a ny d if fe re nc e w he re i n t he w or ld y ou g o n ow ad ay s. A ll m al es u nd er t he a ge o f s ev en te en

l oo k t he s am e, d on 't t he y? "

E very wh er e t here w as a p ai nf ul r em in der t hat I ai n w ou ld h av e b een f ou rt een t hi s com in g A ug us t. T he

s un b roke t hr oug h t he c lou ds a s one l ad s aunt er ed up Hi gh St re et l ike he wa s t he l or d of t he m ano r b or n.

H e s wa gg er ed p as t a n e ld er ly w om an w it ho ut b ot he ri ng t o s pe ak o r g ra nt h er o ne e xt ra i nc h o f g ro un d.

B el la w ou ld n ev er h av e a ll ow ed I ai n t o g ro w u p s o c al lo us . A T ex as g en tl em an t ip pe d h is h at o r t ou ch ed

t he b ri m i n de fe re nc e t o a ge . I t wa s t he w ay s he w as r ai se d a nd s he wou ld ha ve r ai se d I ai n t he s am eway.

T he l it tl e o ld l ad y a ct ua ll y s to pp ed a nd t ur ne d t o w at ch t he b oy s tr ol l u p t o t he y ou th s o n t he s id ew al k

and g reet t hem i n s om e u ni vers al ly u nd er st oo d s ig n l an gu ag e t hat n ow b oi led d ow n t o s wear w or ds and

heybro wazhangin?

T he g ro up o f t ee ns d is ap pe ar ed b eh in d t he s to re f ro nt . W it h t he s id ew al k c le ar o f t he ir r ow dy n oi se t he

u nu su al t ow n r ecov er ed i ts aur a o f O ld W or ld q uain tn es s. T ou ri st s s pi ll ed o ut o f t he P ri or y, chatt er in g o n

t heir w ay t he m us eu m. A ri t ug ged i mp at ient ly o n B el la's arm . " Let' s m ak e a q ui ck r un t hr ou gh t he

museum. I'm getting hungry."

B el la s lu ng h er p ur se acr os s h er s ho ul der and aut om at ical ly l en gt hened h er s tr id e t o m at ch h er h us band 's

energ et ic p ace. A t f iv e- el ev en h e l or ded o ver h er d im in ut iv e f iv e f oo t zer o.


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A g lance at h er w ri st watch con fi rm ed t hat i t w as n' t q ui te eleven o 'clo ck . B el la cou ld s af el y b et every

C on an D oy le v ol um e s he o wn ed t ha t A ri w ou ld g iv e h er o ne h ou r t o c om pl et e t he t ou r. T he n h e' d r oa r

l ike He nr y t he E ig ht h f or hi s di nn er a t p re ci se ly h ig h n oo n a nd s pe nd t he n ex t t hr ee h ou rs i n a c ha rm ing

public room, savoring English beer and swapping stories about the big deal that got away.

A ri st ot le W in th ro p W yn fo rd h ad b een b or n w av in g a q uali fi er and w eari ng p ol yest er p an ts .

H e' d be en t we nt y- fou r y ea rs o ld , f re sh ou t o f t he a rm y w it h a br il li an t s mi le , a di mpl e i n h is c hi n a nd

C al if or ni a s ur f er b lo nd h ai r t hat w as t o- di e- fo r- to -t ou ch w hen h e' d p ro po sed m ar ri age t o s hy and

sheltered, fifteen-year-old Sarah Isabel Saint Pierre of Castroville, Texas.

H er p ar en ts h ad n' t w an te d B el la t o d at e A ri st ot le . C as tr ov il le w as s ma ll t ow n, r ur al . O n b ot h s id es o f h er

f am il y h er g reat , g reat g rand parent s h ad b een o ri gi nal s et tl er s o f t he t ow n. A ls at ians b an ded t og et her f or

o ver a cen tu ry i n t heir n ew ly ado pt ed cou nt ry , s peak in g t he o ld F rancoi se and cli ng in g t o t heir cus to ms ,

r ai si ng b ig f am il ies and s tr ap pi ng s on s t ied t o t he l an d.

A ri w as a c it y b oy . A ri w as d if fe re nt -- fl as hy , s li ck , n ot t o b e t ru st ed b ec au se h e w as n' t o ne o f t he m.

H e h ad g iv en h er a d ia mo nd r in g a nd a d oz en r ed r os es o n h er s ix te en th b ir th da y, S t. V al en ti ne 's D ay ,

a nd b y Ea st er , Be ll a ha d kn ow n f or c er ta in a ba by w as on t he w ay .

I n s pi te o f h er p ar en ts ' p re di ct io ns , t he ir m ar ri ag e h ad l as te d, t ho ug h t he re h ad b ee n n o m or e b ab ie s a ft er

I ai n. A t f ir st , B el la h ad n' t m in de d. B ec om ing a m ot he r w as t he g re at es t j oy o f h er l if e. T he l on g ho ur s

w hi le t he b ab y w as n ap pi ng , B el la h ad s pent r eadi ng . M ag azin es and m ys teri es , chi ld care b oo ks , all t he

s tu ff a y oun g m ot he r w ho w as l uc ky e no ugh n ot t o h av e t o w or k t o he lp t he f am il y m ak e a d ec ent l ivi ng

w ou ld r ead .

B y t he t im e I ai n h ad b eg un h al f- day p re-k in derg ar ten t he m on th ly f lo w o f m ag azin es and b oo k clu b

s el ecti on s n o l on ger f il led all t he emp ty h ou rs i n B el la's d ay s. S he h ad t ur ned t o col lege and d is co vered

h is to ry a nd i mm er se d h er se lf i n t he s tu dy o f t he p as t t o f il l i n t he g ap s. F or y ea rs s he s ta ye d s o b us y

w or ki ng o n h er d eg re es s he n ev er l is te ne d t o t he q ue st io ns t ha t h ov er ed i n t he b ac k o f h er m in d. S he h ad

a s uccess fu l h us band , a b eaut if ul s on , a p rett y h om e. W hy w as n' t t hat eno ug h?

B el la t ho ugh t s he w as s ma rt e no ug h t o k now t ha t i f s om et hi ng w as n' t b ro ke n, y ou d id n' t t ry t o f ix i t. I t

n ev er o cc ur re d t o h er m in d i n a ll t ho se y ea rs t ha t I ai n w as t he g lu e b in di ng h er a nd A ri t oge th er . S he

k ne w t ha t n ow , n ow t ha t i t w as t oo l at e. A ri h ad n' t t ou ch ed h er i nt im at el y i n o ve r f ou r y ea rs . H e n ev er

cam e h om e b ef or e eleven at n ig ht .

T he s un b ro ke t hr ou gh t he c lo ud s, w ar mi ng t he d ay c on si de ra bl y a s t he y e xi te d t he A nn e o f C le ve s

Museum. Ari

w al ke d o n a he ad o f h er , b ut B el la l in ge re d o n t he f la gs to ne w al k, e nt hr al le d b y t he p as to ra l b ea ut y o f t he

morning.

A c en tu ri es o ld o ak s pr ea d i ts d en se , m ag ni fi ce nt c an op y o ut wa rd , s om e l im bs b en t s o l ow , t he y n ea rl y

t ou ch ed t he ear th . B es id e i t, a s tand o f ash f lu tt er ed t he s il very u nd er bell y o f t heir l eaves i n t he g us ti ng

breeze. According to the Texas folklore that Bella had grown up with, that meant rain. As she checked

t he s ky a ga in , B el la 's ha nd gr az ed t he he dge a t he r s ide . S he pul le d i t b ac k s ha rpl y wh en a t hor n c ut he r,

and cri ed o ut i n s ur pr is e, " Ow !"


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T he t ho rn y b us h h ad s cr at ch ed h er r in g f in ger. T hr ee b eads o f r ed b lo od i ns tant ly w el led alo ng t he i nch

l on g c ut . She o pe ne d he r pu rs e t o ge t a t is sue . By t he t im e s he f ou nd on e, t hr ee bl oody s tr ea ks t wi st ed i n

t o one r ed s pl at te r t ha t f el l t o t he e ar th .

" Bell a, com e t o m e! "

" Wh at ?" B el la s ta rt ed , s ur pr is ed b y t he d ee p v oi ce t ha t c am e o ut o f n ow he re . S he p ut h er k nu ck le i n h er m ou th , l icki ng t he cop per- tast in g d ro pl et s o ff w it h h er t on gu e, w rapp ed t he s cr at ch w it h t he t is su e and

l oo ke d t o A ri . " Wh at w as t ha t y ou s ai d? "

H e t ur ne d o n t he s tone pa th t en f ee t a wa y a nd ga ve he r one of t hos e l ook s of hi s, f ul l of i mpa ti enc e. " I

d id n' t s ay any th in g. H ow ev er , aft er s eein g t hat d is pl ay i n t he m us eu m, I 'd s ay t hat H en ry t he E ig ht h w as

one he ll of a ma n. J eez , si x wi ve s! Ever y t im e t he old ba sta rd got t ire d of plowi ng one , i t wa s of f wi th he r

he ad a nd o n t o t he ne xt ."

H e m ad e t hat cho pp in g m ot io n w it h h is h an d again . B el la s tared at h im , con fu sed. S he h ad d ef in it el y

he ar d a m an s pe ak. Be ll a s ai d, " We ll , yo u' re no t t o wo rr y a bo ut A nne o f Cl eve s. S he 's on e of t he s ma rto ne s t ha t k ep t h er h ea d. K in g H en ry j us t d iv or ce d h er ."

" Di vo rced h er , y ou s ur e? C ut ti ng o ff h er h ead w ou ld h av e b een q ui ck er ."

A ri s qu in ted again st t he s un , p at ti ng h is p ockets , l oo ki ng f or s un gl as ses. H e f av or ed t he m ir ro red o nes t he

T ex as H ig hw ay P at ro l i ss ue d a s u ni fo rm g ea r. A s h e s et tl ed t ho se o n t he b ri dg e o f h is a qu il in e n os e, B el la

r eali zed h e s hu t h er o ut m or e eff ecti vely t han i f h e' d d on ned o ne o f t he v is or ed h el met f ro m t he m us eu m' s

a rr ay o f s ui ts o f a rm or .

" Whe n we ge t ba ck hom e, Be ll a, I wa nt you t o go a he ad a nd f il e f or t ha t di vor ce ."

T ak en b ac k, B el la a sk ed , " Ar i, w ha t m ak es y ou b ri ng t ha t u p n ow ?"

A ri g la nc ed a t t he R ol ex o n h is w ri st , a p er k o f t he M il li on D ol la r S al es A ss oc ia te C lu b, d is mi ss ed t he

cas tl e r ui ns and f lash ed h is n ew car s ho wr oo m f lo or s mi le. " Wh y, K in g H en ry , w hat els e?"

" Do n' t b e s pr ea di ng t ha t s al es ma n' s g lo ss o n m e, A ri . Y ou 'd b et te r s ay w ha t y ou r ea ll y m ea n, " s he

insisted.

" Well , s eein g t hat w e' re i n s uch a p ub li c p lace.. .. " H e s ur veyed t he t ou ri st s and n at iv es w it h t he exp er ti se

o f a m an w ho cou ld cut a q uali fi ed cus to mer f ro m a m il li ng cro wd i n t wo s econ ds f lat. D is mi ss in g t hema ll , he dug hi s h ands i nt o t he de ep p oc ke ts of hi s c am p s hor ts , a nd s ta re d a t he r u pt ur ne d f ac e. " Aw , he ll ,

i t' s l ik e t hi s, B el la. A sk y ou rs el f w here w e' re g on na b e t en y ears f ro m n ow , w hen t here's n ot hi ng h ol di ng

u s t og et he r t od ay ? O ur m ar ri ag e i s o ve r. Y ou 'r e t he o nl y o ne w ho w on 't a dm it i t. "

B el la w ou ld n' t a rg ue . Y ea rs a go s he 'd s to pp ed b el ie vi ng f ai ry t al es c ou ld c om e t ru e. I t w as h er f au lt t ha t

s he'd alw ay s n eeded m or e t han A ri w as w il li ng t o g iv e. " Ri gh t, A ri . C on si der t he m at ter clo sed. I 'l l p ho ne

a l aw ye r c ol le ct f ro m t he n ex t p ho ne b oo th w e c ro ss ."

" Yo u k no w i t' s f or t he b es t. " H e l oo ke d t o a p ai r o f p re tt y E ng li sh g ir ls s tr ol li ng u p t he s am e p at h a nd

winked.

B el la's cheek s i ns tant ly s tain ed w it h col or . S om e t hi ng s w ou ld n ev er chang e, b ut s he w as t hr ou gh w eari ng

blinders wherever she went.


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A t ra in l um be re d t ow ar d t he s ta ti on i n L ew es , w hi st le b la ri ng a s i t d re w a br ea st o f t he c as tl e r ui ns .

T he n oi se o f i ro n w heel s clank in g m as ked t he h am meri ng o f B el la's h eart . D iv or ce. W hat col d- bl oo ded

m ockery t hat w as t o t he y ou th fu l p as si on t hat h ad creat e I ai n. W hy w as s he k id di ng h er self ? A ri st ot le

ha d a lwa ys c lai me d t o be a ma n of his t ime s; hi s ma rri age vow ha d re al ly re ad a s long a s we bot h s ha ll

d ig i t. Sh e ou ght t o h ur t i ns ide , bu t t he t ru th w as , B el la f el t m or e r el ie ve d t ha n a ny th in g e ls e. A t l ea st i tw as s et tl ed . S he cou ld g o o n f ro m h er e. .. ho pi ng . H op in g t hat s om ew here h er k ni gh t i n s hi ni ng arm or

might exist.

T he t rain r at tl ed n oi si ly o ver a cul vert . B el la w el co med t he d is tr acti on and m en tall y f ocus ed o n t he

h is to ry o f L ew es . W he n t he r ai lr oa d ha d be en l ai d a cr os s t he P ri or y r ui ns i n 1 84 6, a w el l s ha ft f ul l o f

h um an b on es h ad b ee n d is tu rb ed . T he s te nc h h ad b ee n s o b ad , w or k o n t he r ai lr oa d h al te d. A s pe ci al

t ra in h ad b ee n br oug ht t o L ew es a nd o ve r a do ze n c ar s of bo ne s we re m ov ed t o a n e mb ank me nt b ei ng

built over a stream.

P ro gr es s d ec re ed t ha t t he r em ai ns o f t ho us an ds o f m en w ho h ad s ac ri fi ce d t he ir l iv es i n t he B ar on s' W ar h ad n o m or e v al ue t ha n g ra ve l. T he b on es o f E ng li sh p at ri ot s h ad b ee n u se d t o f la tt en t he r ai lr oa d b ed .

W hi le t he l on g t ra in i dl ed a t t he p la tf or m, B el la b ow ed h er h ea d t o s ay a p ra ye r f or t he l os t a nd f or go tt en

w ar ri or s o f E ng la nd w ho se n am es h ad n ot b ee n r ec or de d f or p os te ri ty . N ot u nt il s he 'd r ai se d h er h ea d

a nd m ade a s ign of t he c ro ss di d Be ll a l ook f or A ri . He h ad w an de re d f ar .

H er m in d g rapp led w it h t ri vi a, v ag uely q uest io ni ng i f K in g H en ry 's b at tl e at L ew es h ad b een t he b at tl e

S ha ke sp ea re h ad i mm or ta li ze d w it h t he l in e " a h or se a h or se , m y k in gdo m f or a ho rs e. " S he h ea rd i n

r es po ns e t he s ol em n c ha nt o f h er o wn f ey G re ek c ho ru s, d iv or ce , d iv or ce , A ri 's f re ed om f or a d iv or ce .

I t ha dn 't b ee n a H en ry w ho h ad l os t h is m ou nt . T ha t w as R ic ha rd t he T hi rd . B el la s te rn ly t ol d h er se lf , i tw as t im e s he a cc ep te d a ll t ha t s he c ou ld n ot c ha ng e. G od h ad g iv en h er t he s tr en gt h t o g o o n l iv in g a ft er

l oo si ng I ai n. H e' d s ta nd b y h er t hr ou gh a d iv or ce a s w el l.

D eepl y t ro ub led, s he cro ss ed t he r oad t o j oi n A ri st ot l e at K in g H en ry 's h is to ri cal m ar ker .

B li th el y, a s i f h is l as t w or ds t o h er h ad n' t b ee n f ul l of r ej ec ti on , A ri r ea d t he d es cr ip ti on o f t he b at tl e. B el la

s ai d, " I kn ow wha t i t s ays , Ar i. Th is i s o ne of t he p ivot al s it es of t he Ba ro ns ' W ar . Ki ng He nr y wa s t ake n

prisoner by Simon de Montfort, also called the kingmaker. Prince Edward was unable to come to his

f at he r' s r es cue a nd l os t t he d ay . Th e B ar ons ' W ar s et t he p re ce de nt of c ons en t t o l ev y t ax es b y

parliamentary agreement for all future kings of England."

" Ah , ah, ah! " A ri i nt er ru pt ed h er t o clu ck h is f in gers u nd er h er chi n. " Been r eadi ng t hat t ravel g ui de, h av e

you?"

" Ri gh t, A ri , I g ot a ll t ha t t ri vi a t uc ke d i nt o m y h ea d b y r ea di ng a t ra ve l g ui de ." B el la s ig he d. H e g ave he r

h is b ac k a nd s ha mb le d d ow n t he g en tl e s lo pe t o a no th er p la qu e.

S he t ook t he ti ss ue of f he r f inge r, wa dde d i t i nt o a ba ll a nd t hr ew i t i n a ne ar by wa st e c ont ai ne r. The

w in d u nf ur le d t he t is su e, l if te d i t o ut o f t he b in a nd s we pt i t a cr os s t he g ra ss .

B el la s ho ok h er h ea d, d is gu st ed b ec au se n ot hi ng s he t ou ch ed c am e o ut r ig ht . S he h ur ri ed a ft er t he s cr ap

o f t is su e t o r et ri ev e i t. S he d id n' t w an t a ny on e i n E ng la nd t o t hi nk s he w as a c ar el es s A me ri ca n w ho

t rash ed t heir n at io nal m on um en ts . T wi ce t he w in d p layed h av oc w it h t he b lo od y t is su e, s natchi ng i t away


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t he m om en t s he b en t t o r et ri ev e i t. S he c au gh t i t a s s he m ut te re d, " Th re e' s t he c ha rm ."

A clap o f t hu nd er r um bl ed and chi ld cri ed o ut , " Mama!"

B el la s tr ai gh tened, s hi veri ng , s earchi ng f or t he chi ld w ho se v oi ce s ou nd ed s o m uch l ik e I ai n' s t hat i t

u nn er ved h er . T here w as n o o ne o n t he b at tl ef ield , o nl y A ri , s tr id in g t ow ar d S im on d e M on tf or t' s

marker.

A ri e xh ib it ed n o a la rm , b ut a s s he s ta re d a t h im s he s aw a c om pl et e s tr an ge r s te p b ef or e h im -- a t al l,

l on g- li mb ed , d ar k and v ir il e m an d ress ed i n cur io us ly o ld f as hi on ed clo th es , a l on g t un ic and t ig ht s l ik e

t he y' d s ee n s ol di er s w ea r a t t he t ro op in g o f t he c ol or s. B el la s ho ok h er h ea d. T he m an v an is he d. W as

s he g oi ng n ut s? H eari ng v oi ces? S eein g t hi ng s t hat w er en 't t here? S he b li nk ed t wi ce and A ri t ur ned t o

l oo k at h er w it h d is gu st and i mp at ience t wi st in g h is h an ds om e f eatu res.

" Co me o n, B el la . Y ou 'l l n ag m e t o d ea th t om or ro w i f y ou d on 't g et t o r ea d a ll t he d am n m ar ke rs . Q ui t

d aw dl in g a nd l et 's g et t hi s o ve r w it h. I w an t a b ee r, s oo n. "

S om eho w, s he 'd w al tz ed i nt o t he T wi li ght Z on e. A ri h ad g iv en u p o n h er n ow t ha t s he w as no l on ge r h is

c hi ld b ri de . S he w as t hi rt y y ea rs o ld -- a w om an f ul l g ro wn -- aw ar e o f h er se lf a nd h er s en su al it y; a t e as e

wi th he r bod y a nd he r l oo ks i n wa ys t ha t s he 'd n eve r be li eve d p os si bl e whe n s he ha d be en a s hy,

o verw helm ed t eenager i n l ov e w it h a d as hi ng ly , h an ds om e m an . H er b reas ts w er e f ir m, h er w ai st n ar ro w.

I t w as n' t t oo l at e t o h av e a no th er c hi ld .

" Bell a, com e o n. L et 's g o. "

S he c oul dn 't . H er f ee t r oo te d t o t he s pot o n w hi ch s he s to od a s a m il li on do ub ts a nd r eg re ts c ro wde d

i nt o h er b ra in l ik e c ro ws p ec ki ng a t a c or n f ie ld .

T he w in d pl ay ed h av oc w it h h er h ai r. S he br ou gh t he r h an ds up t o h ol d b ac k h er w il d t an gl e o f h ip -l en gt h

a ub ur n h ai r. A ri p it ch ed a f it e ac h t im e s he t hr ea te ne d t o c ut i t.

F iv e r av en s f le w a cr os s t he s ky a nd l an de d o n t he B ar on s' r ig ht f la nk , j ab bi ng a nd c aw in g a t t he e ar th

w here a k in gm ak er h ad o nce w ield ed E ng land 's m os t p ow er fu l s wo rd .

" Be ll a? W ha t' s w ro ng w it h y ou ?" A ri t ur ne d t o l oo k a t h er , b ut w it h h is e ye s s hi el de d s he c ou ld on ly s ee

t he r ef le ct io n o f h er o wn t ro ub le d f ac e. W hy c ou ld n' t h e h av e b ee n f ai th fu l t o h er ?

A c ol d c hi ll s we pt a cr os s he r n ec k a s t he w in d h au nt in gl y w hi sp er ed i n h er e ar , " Be ca us e h e ne ve r r ea ll yloved you."

A ri p oi nt ed t o a m ar ke r w he re a p ri nc e, R ic ha rd o f C or nw al l, h ad s to od . S ca th in gl y, A ri c as t h is c ol d,

ill-informed judgement on Offham hill and larger Mount Harry. "That's why they call this Lewes' Wall.

T he m b as ta rd s o n t he o th er s id e o f t hi s b ot to m d id n' t s ta nd a c ha nc e o f n ot g et ti ng s la ug ht er ed ."

B el la s aw no pu rp os e i n c or re ct in g h im . S im on d e M on tf or t h ad n ev er f ou gh t a b at tl e f ro m a p os it io n o f

w eakn es s u nt il h is l as t. A ri cou ld n' t p os si bl y u nd er st an d t hat b ecau se h e h ad n' t t he f og gi es t n ot io n o f w hat

t ru th , l oy al ty , h on or and f id el it y w er e all abo ut . H e com pl et el y l acked t he m os t b as ic and n eces sary o f

human virtues.

S he t ur ne d h er f ac e t o t he r is in g w ind a nd l if te d h er e ye br ow s i n s ur pr is e. A n o mi no us b an k o f s to rm

c lo ud s t ow er ed o ve r t he n ea rb y c oa st . T he w in d s we pt h er h ai r o ff h er s ho ul de rs a s s he s ai d, " It 's g oi ng


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to storm."

A ri l oo ke d a t t he s am e p or te nt ou s c lo ud s a nd s ai d, " It b et te r k ee p t il l I 'm f in is he d h er e. "

He i nv ad ed t he d om ai n o f t he f iv e r av en s. E ac h c aw ed a nd s pr ea d i ts w in gs a s a w ar ni ng . T hu nd er

r ol led. T he r av en s s cat tered. B el la s hu dd er ed , r em in ded o f P oe's r el en tl es s b ir d t hat cri ed , " On ly t hi s and

nothing more."

F ol lo wi ng t heir f li gh t, s he l oo ked s tr ai gh t u p. F iv e r av en s b eat t heir w in gs again st t he b ackd ro p o f t he

c om ing s to rm a nd f le w a cr os s t he s un . T he b ri ll ia nt o rb d az zl ed h er . S la pp in g a ha nd o ve r h er e ye s, f iv e

black spots burned white in both her retinas. The wind swirled, batting her hair all around her at once.

T he f in e do wn o f h ai r gl az in g h er a rm s a nd n ec k p ri ck le d.

" Be ll a, c om e t o m e! " c om ma nd ed a d ee p v oi ce f ro m f ar , f ar a wa y, s ta rt li ng h er s o t ha t s he d ro pp ed t he

t is su e i n he r ha nd. I t f el l s tr ai gh t t o t he e ar th a t he r f ee t- -l ik e a s ton e- -i ns te ad of a bi t of t is sue .

A s s he r em ov ed t he h an d s hi el di ng h er e ye s, t he f iv e b la ck s po ts a nd t he b lo od -s po tt ed t is su e m er ge d,becoming one burgeoning hole on the bent-to-the-wind, green, green grass. Alarmed, Bella called,

"Ari?"

S he w as n' t q ui ck e no ug h. T he e ar th t re mb le d a nd s hi ft ed . A p ow er p ol e t il te d a nd c ra sh ed a t h er f ee t.

F ou r t hi ck , e le ct ri c p ow er c ab le s s na pp ed a nd w ri th ed i n a m ac ab re s na ke d an ce , r ea ch in g f or t he

g ro wi ng p it o f b lack ness at h er f eet. T he j ol t o f elect ri ci ty s tu nn ed h er .

A ri s to od m ot io nl es s, a s cant t en f eet away, h is j aw w ag gi ng i n s ho ck . C rack in g f lash es o f b ri ll iant l ig ht

exp lo ded as t he d an ci ng cab les cro ss ed . E ach s ho ck j ig gl ed and j ig gl ed i ns id e B el la l ik e t he q uaveri ng o f

a t uni ng f or k, goi ng on a nd on a nd on a nd on.

T he b la ck h ol e d ee pe ne d. H er f ee t s an k t o t he a nk le s i n p ow de ry d ir t. N o f ig me nt o f h er i ma gi na ti on , t he

ear th s mo ked and h eaved, o peni ng i nt o a y aw in g, s pi rall in g chasm o f every b li nd in g col or o f t he

rainbow.

Ar i s qua wk ed l ike a l una ti c a nd hi s bl on d ha ir s tood on e nd. " Son of a bi tc h! I f t ha t a in' t t he e nd of a

prayer, look at that! It's over, Bella!"

A p ow er l in e s tr uck B el la's r ig ht k nee. T ho us an ds o f v ol ts o f elect ri ci ty h am mered t hr ou gh h er . S he

smelled her burning hair and flesh.

H or ns , p ip es a nd k et tl e d ru ms r oa re d i n h er e ar s. A ri 's s ho ut c re st ed o n a r is in g c ac ap ho ny o f n oi se t ha t

became a tidal wave, dragging Bella into its current. Unbearable sounds of metal tearing and glass

g ri nd in g u nd er laid t he ago ni zi ng m oan o f s om eo ne k eeni ng i n t he d eepest , d ar kest g ri ef . T he w in d t or e at

h er , s pi nn in g B el la d eeper and d eeper i nt o t he u nf at ho mabl e v or tex.

T he h or iz on t il te d. S he t hr ew o ut h er a rm s a s s he l os t h er b al an ce . H er p ur se f le w o ff h er s ho ul de r,

s ucked i nt o t he h ol e. R ef lexes t oo k o ver. S he cou ld n' t l os e all t heir t r av el ler' s checks !

O h, G od , s he p ra ye d, h el p m e.

Doubling and twisting, head over heels, both her arms windmilled to snatch hold of the falling, flying

purse. She caught the strap and the bag burst open at the seams.


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A l ip st ick w hi rl ed . P as sp or ts chased f lu tt er in g p ag es o f M is s M ar pl e l ik e g os hawk s h on in g i n o n

panicking plovers. The guidebook fanned apart. Each page curled and lifted from the spine, free and

s ep ar at e l eaves i n t he m aels tr om w in d.

C oi ns , k ey s, p en s a nd m in ts s tu ng B el la 's a rm s a nd l eg s. T he t or n s tr ap f lu tt er ed i n h er g ri p, a u se le ss ,

tattered lifeline.

T he n s he p lu ng ed h ea dl on g i nt o t he t un ne l o f c ol or s w it h A ri 's l as t t au nt e ch oi ng i n h er e ar s. I t' s o ve r,

B el la . I t' s o ve r, B el la . I t' s o ve r. .. .

TH E S ON S O F C HA ND OS

-2-

Ru in s o f S t. M ar ti n' s P ri or y


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E N G LA N D, 1 3 46

" Mi lady , m il ad y. O h, m il ad y, w ak e u p. " R ob in d e C hand os chaff ed h is m ot her' s l if el es s h an d b et ween

his rough, callused palms.

R ai n p ou red f ro m t he h eavens and l ig ht ni ng s ho t t hr ou gh t he d ar k, o pp ress iv e s ky . T he r un of f s pi ll ed o ver

t he edg es o f t he s ti nk in g p it , r ai si ng t he w at er l ev el o mi no us ly abo ut t he w om an 's b od y.

F eari ng t he l ad y' s l if e w as l each in g i nt o t hi s t er ri bl e s cr ap o f cur sed s oi l, R ob in s cr am bl ed u p t he s teep

w al l t o g as p i n a c le an , u nt ai nt ed b re at h t he n c al l f or h el p. H e w ip ed h is h an ds o n h is b re ek s, c up pe d h is

palms around his mouth and shouted at his companions. His little brother held back at the crumbling

s to ne b ou nd ar y t hat m ar ked t he h au nt ed p ri or y' s g ro un ds w it h t he W el sh b ar d.

" Ha ll o! G eo ff re y! O wa in ! H er e, he re ! I 'v e f ou nd h er ! S he i s i n t he W el l o f S ou ls ."

R ob in w av ed h is arm s w il dl y, o bl iv io us t o t he w in d- dr iv en r ai n s ti ng in g h is f ace. T hank s b e t o S ai nt

G eo rg e, t he l um mo xe s h ea rd h im . T he b ar d r ai se d a r am s- ho rn t o h is m ou th a nd t ru mp et ed a l ow , l on g

s ig nal t hat w ou ld t ravel l eagu es f ar th er t han R ob in 's v oi ce. I t w ou ld b e r el ay ed acr os s t he r ol li ng , d es ol at e

c oa st al d ow ns b y o th er s o f t he ir s ea rc h p ar ty u nt il i t r ea ch ed h is f at he r' s e ar s.

R ob in 's t oo -b ig h an ds t remb led as h e u nclasp ed t he b ro ach h ol di ng h is f ur -t ri mm ed clo ak o n h is

s ho ul de rs . H e w ai te d t il l h e w as c er ta in h is b ro th er h ad t he c ou ra ge t o s te p f oo t o n t he t re ac he ro us

shifting soil inside the priory's walls.

S at is fi ed t ha t G eo ff re y t re ad a s ur e c ou rs e a vo id in g s in kh ol es , R ob in l ea pe d o ve r t he s id e o f t he p it a nd

s ki dd ed do wn t he s lo pe t o t he l ad y. H e t hr ew hi s c loa k o ve r h er bo dy. H e c ou ld no t m ak e s en se of L ad y I sabell a d e C hand os ' d is habi ll e, b ut i ns ti ncti vely k new h is b ro th er w as t oo y ou ng t o s ee h er n ak ed ,

m ud - sp at t er ed ar ms and l egs .

H e f ea re d t he w ra th of h is f at he r w he n he f ou nd h is m is si ng w if e i n t hi s he ll pi t t ha t ha d dr ive n t he l as t

saintly hermit-monks mad decades ago.

A ga in , R ob in l if te d h er pa le ha nd i nt o h is o wn . F or a ll t ha t h e w as t en a nd f iv e, n ea rl y a m an gr ow n, h e

kn ew no t w ha t e ls e t o do f or t he l ady e xc ep t c ha ff i t mo re .

S he w as a s c ol d a s t he m ar bl e o n K in g H en ry 's t om b. W ha t c ou ld h e t el l M on se ig ne ur ? H ow c ou ld h eexp lain t hat G eo ff rey' s t el li ng o f h is t ro ub li ng d ream s h ad com pell ed R ob in t o l oo k i ns id e t hi s p it all s ai d

opened into hell?

" Ho , R ob in ! I s i t M am an ?" G eo ff re y t he p es t t um bl ed o ve r t he e dg e a nd s li d o n h is b ac ks id e t o a c lu ms y

h ea p a t R ob in 's k ne es .

" Im be ci le ! O f c ou rs e, i t i s o ur m ot he r- -j us t a s y ou d re am ed i t. " R ob in t hr us t o ut a s tr on g a rm j us t i n t im e

t o k ee p t he b oy f ro m k no ck in g i nt o t he l ad y. " Yo u w ou ld c ru sh a r os e w er e i t p ut i nt o y ou r c lu ms y

hands."

" Go d a ss oi l u s, i t s ti nk s d ow n h er e! " G eo ff re y p in ch ed h is n os e a s h is o ld er b ro th er t uc ke d t he s to ut

w oo l abo ut t he l ad y' s s ho ul ders . " Wi ll M on seig neur b eat M am an f or com in g h er e?"


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Rob in s at ba ck on o ne he el a nd pu t h is ha nd o n Ge of fr ey' s s houl de r. " Go up a nd wa it a t t he t op of t he

w el l. F at he r w il l n ot s te p o n t hi s c ur se d l an d u nl es s h e s ee s y ou. H ol d t ig ht t o m y l or d' s r ei ns w he n h e

g iv es t hem t o y ou s o h e can d is mo un t. V it e! V it e! M on seig neur com es ."

S hi veri ng , t he b oy d ug b on y k nees i nt o t he ear th . " Wi ll y ou s in g a b al lad t el li ng h ow y ou f ou nd M am an ,

Robin?"

" Ob ey m e, r un t! N ow i s n ot t he t im e f or q ue st io ns ."

T he boy s cr am bl ed on a ll f ou rs t o t he t op. R obi n us ed hi s s odde n gl ove s t o w ipe di rt f ro m t he l ady' s

v el ve ty c he ek . H is t hr oa t s tr an gl ed a t t he t ho ug ht o f c om po si ng a d ir ge . H e t ur ne d h is f ac e t o t he r ai n a nd

l is te ne d w it h k ee n e ar s f or t he a pp ro ac h o f h is f at he r' s w ar -h or se .

" Ho , R ob in , P ap a s ee s m e. H e c om es ," G eo ff re y s ho ut ed o ve r t he r im .

R ob in s tr ug gl ed , k eepi ng t he w om an 's h ead and s ho ul ders clear o f t he d eepeni ng w at er . H e p rayed h is

f at he r' s h ea rt w ou ld s of te n a nd t he re w ou ld b e m er cy f or h is m ot he r.

T he w ar -h or se h al te d a t t he e dge of t he p it , bl ac k a s t he s to rm r ol li ng a cr os s t he s ky . On i ts b ac k, Si r

J oh n C ha nd os m ad e n o m ov e a s l ig ht ni ng s mo te t he s ky. T he f ie rc e a nd d re ad ed k ni gh t g la re d i nt o t he p it

k no wn a s t he W el l o f S ou ls . H e l if te d h is g au nt le t- co ve re d h an d t o m ak e a s ig n o f t he c ro ss o ve r h is

brow, his breast and his lips before daring to speak.

" Is i t B el la, R ob in ?" J oh n C hand os ' v oi ce cut acr os s t he g lo om .

" Ay e, F at he r. " T he yo ut h l if te d a w et c lu mp o f a ubu rn h ai r f ro m t he e ar th a nd h el d i t a ga in st t he w hi te

c ro ss a nd c re sc en t m oo n e mb ro id er ed o n h is t un ic . E ve n w et , t he c ol or o f t he R os e o f L or ra in e' s h ai r

was recognizable.

G eo ff re y j um pe d t o c at ch h ol d o f t he w ar -h or se 's b ri dl e. L ea th er c re ak ed a s t he f ea rs om e k ni gh t

d is mo un te d w it ho ut t he a id o f a s qui re . H e s po ke t o t he h or se , c al mi ng i t, a nd p ut t he r ei ns i n t he y ou ng

boy's hands. "Stand fast, son."

T he l in ks o f h is h au be rk c hi nk ed a s t he k ni gh t e as ed i nt o t he s te ep r av in e. R ob in n ev er t oo k h is e ye s

f rom t he m an he i dol iz ed a s a kni ght of t rue hea rt a nd cou ra ge ne xt t o none . By the ti me he r ea che d t he

bottom where Robin knelt and the lady lay in a pool of mud, Sir John had stripped his gauntlets from his

hands.

H is k ne e s un k d ee p i nt o t he s od de n e ar th . H is e xp os ed a nd r us t- re dd en ed f in ge rs r ea ch ed o ut t o c ar es s

L ad y B el la 's c ol d a nd w et c he ek . L ay in g h is b ro ad t hu mb b en ea th t he l ad y' s n os tr il s, S ir J oh n h el d h is

own br ea th a nd wa it ed f or a s ign of l if e.

T he h ar d, f ix ed p la ne s a nd a ng le s o f h is f ea tu re s s ho we d n o t ra ce o f e la ti on a s h is w if e' s b re at h w ar me d

t he p ad of hi s t hum b. " Sh e i s a li ve ."

H op e f la re d a ne w i n R ob in 's h ea rt a nd h e r ai se d h is e ye s t o S ir J oh n' s p ie rc in g b lu e g az e. " Sh e i s? G od

preserve and keep us. My lord Father, tell me what to do."

" Ho ld y ou r f acil e t on gu e f or a m om en t t il l I d is cern i f y ou r M am an h as b ro ken h er f oo li sh n eck. "

R ob in b it h is t on gu e w hi le t ho se h an ds t ha t h e' d s ee n c ru sh e ne mi es o f t he c ro wn c ra dl ed t he l ad y' s w el l


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H er m udd y a rm s a nd d ri pp in g h ai r s wu ng l im pl y a s S ir J ohn t oo k t he b la nk et f rom R ob in 's h an d a nd

s pr ea d i t o ve r h er .

A not he r h or se s nor te d. R obi n r ai se d hi s g az e t o t he t op o f t he pi t. O the rs of t he ir s ea rc h p ar ty ha d

a rr iv ed , r in gi ng t hi s d ev il 's ho le . N ot a m an a mo ng t he m s ai d a w or d.

Si r J ame s t os se d dow n a l engt h of r ope . Robi n s na re d i t a nd p ut i t i n hi s f at he r' s ha nd t he n s cour ed hi s

c loa k f rom t he mud. A bi t of s il ve r c aught hi s e ye . H e be nt to r et ri eve a l ar ge c oi n a dhe re d t o t he muddy

wa ll s of t he pi t. A hum an s ku ll p oke d o ut of t he e ar th b es id e i t. He pl uc ke d t he c oi n f re e a nd ba ck ed

away, s ay in g a h as ty p rayer, t hen s cr am bl ed aft er h is f at her.

T he s qu ir e h ad t ak en c ha rg e o f t he wa r- hor se a nd G eo ff re y t he pe st ha d b ee n bo os te d o nt o S ir

G ra ha m' s m ou nt . T he b oy s hi ve re d u nd er t he d ra pe o f G ra ha m' s c lo ak a nd c lu ng t o t he k ni gh t' s b ac k l ik e

a m on ke y o n a n o ra ng e t re e i n t he Q ue en 's m en ag er ie .

R ob in vo we d t o r em em be r G eo ff re y' s pa le a nd di st re ss ed f ac e a s i t wa s n ow . He ha d b ee n t he l as t t os ee L ad y C ha nd os w he n s he h ad g iv en y ou ng H en ri o ve r t o G eo ff re y' s c ar e a nd s ai d s he w as r et ur ni ng

t o Fr anc e. Ha d t he boy t ol d t he t rut h t o t he ir f at he r t he n, t he a gony of t he pa st we ek m ight ne ve r ha ve

been. But Robin tempered his ire toward his little brother by reminding himself Geoffrey had shown

courage crossing this haunted soil alone.

" Wh at i s t hat?" G eo ff rey p oi nt ed t o t he coi n R ob in s cr ub bed again st h is t un ic.

R ob in s ho we d t he c oi n t o b ot h S ir J am es a nd c ur io us G eo ff re y, s ay in g, " It h as a k in g' s f ac e, t ho ug h I

know not which king."

" Let m e s ee i t?" G eo ff rey d em an ded, r each in g f or i t.

" Nay, ' ti s m in e. I f ou nd i t. "

S ir J am es G raham cau gh t G eo ff rey' s h an d b ef or e h e cou ld t ou ch t he coi n. " Di d y ou f in d t hat t here?"

Graham demanded of Robin.

" Ay e, m y l or d, s tu ck i n t he m ud ."

"Throw it back," the knight commanded. "'Tis devil's coin."

R ob in w an te d t o k ee p t he c ur io us t hi ng w it h t he f ac e o f a n ob le m an e ng ra ve d u po n i t. I t w as b ig ge r t ha n

a ny c oi n h e h ad e ve r s ee n a nd he ha d no t ha d t im e t o d ec iph er t he n ame or i ns cr ip ti on on i ts t wo s ide s.

H e l oo ke d up a t hi s f at he r' s m os t t rus te d f ri end a nd s aw t ha t h is f ac e w as a s ha rd a s S ir J ohn 's w he n a

s qu ir e t ar ri ed o verl on g f ul fi ll in g an o rd er . N ei th er k ni gh t w as k no wn t o r ep eat an o rd er a s econ d t im e.

R ob in d ro pp ed t he coi n.

I t p lo pp ed i nt o t he w at er a nd a K en ne dy h al f- do ll ar d is ap pe ar ed i nt o t he s il t o f t im e.

"...le plus illustre chevalier du monde..."


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BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN

-3-

England, 1346

A d am p, c hi ll y w in d s tr uc k h er f ac e. B el la k ep t h er e ye s s hu t t ig ht a ga in st i t, b ur ro wi ng b ac k i ns id e t he

cocoo n o f s oo th in g, com fo rt in g w hi te l ig ht . S he w an ted n o p ar t o f t he v iv id col or s s wi rl in g r ou nd t he

s of te ni ng e dg es o f h er h av en . I ns id e t he h al o o f w hi te s he w as s af e a nd u na fr ai d. B ey on d t he w hi te , t he re

was mayhem, turmoil and pain.

Her shoulder scraped against something solid. She sensed many strange and unpleasant things--the smell

of w et w ool , t he f ee l o f s li pp er y m ud, t he s ou r a ro ma o f s ew age , t he a bs enc e of c lo the s a nd s hoe s, a ndthe familiar-from-childhood motion of a galloping horse.

T he re w as m or e, a m an 's s tr on g, s ur e a rm s up po rt in g h er a s s he s lu mp ed a ga in st h is c he st , h er h ea d

n od di ng w it h t he s tead y g ai t o f t he h or se, r ub bi ng again st t he m an 's chi n.

Be ll a o pe ne d h er e ye s c au ti ou sl y, s ca re d a nd u ns ur e o f w ha t s he w as g oi ng t o s ee . A r ai nb ow f la sh ed

i nt o h er eyes. R ed s, i nd ig os , s hi mm er in g y el lo ws , s park li ng g reen s all d an ced b ef or e h er u nf ocos ed eyes.

H er v is i on l acked clar it y, d ep th and p reci s io n. H er eyes r eg is tered o nl y b lu rr ed, s hapeless col or s.

W ea kl y, s he l if te d h er l id s m or e a nd b eg an t he p ai ns ta ki ng t as k o f f oc us in g u po n t he w or ld b eyo nd t he

void surrounding her.

D ir ec tl y b ef or e h er l oo me d a p ai r o f b la ck p oi nt ed e ar s a nd a f ly in g m an e. S he h ad n o t ro ub le p ro ce ss in g

t hat. L if ti ng h er chi n, t ur ni ng h er h ead s li gh tl y, b ot h eyes con fr on ted t hi ck l eath er r ei ns g ri pp ed b y b lack

g lo ves. N o, s he b li nk ed t wi ce. T ho se w er e n ot g lo ves, t hey w er e i ro n s t ud ded g au nt l et s!

B el la s wall ow ed . W as t hat chain m ai l s heat hi ng t he arm s r is in g f ro m t he g au nt lets ? F or s om e i rr at io nal

r ea son s he ne ede d a n i mme di at e a ns we r t o t ha t qu es ti on . Bu t t he e ff or t i t t ook t o mo ve a ny pa rt o f h er

body was phenomenal.

S he a ch ed a s i f h er b on es h ad b ee n c ru sh ed . S or e f in ge rs t an gl ed i n t he w oo l a nd m er el y t ur ni ng h er

h ead s en t ago ni zi ng p ai ns r ip pl in g acr os s h er n eck and s ho ul ders . S he h ad t o s et tl e f or w hat j ud gm en tsh er e ye s c ou ld m ak e.

A chain mail h oo d encir cl ed t he r id er 's f ace and s ho ul ders . T he f ir st g li mp se B el la h ad o f h is d ar k, h ar d,

a nd r ut hl es s f ac e c au se d h er t o c ry o ut , " Go od G od A lm ig ht y, w ho t he h el l a re y ou ?"

H is l ef t h an d clamp ed o nt o h er t wi st in g s ho ul ders , cru sh in g h er again st h is i ro n- cl ad chest . " Be s ti ll ," h e

growled.

"Put me down this instant," Bella demanded.

" Madame." O ne cor ner o f a b lack m us tach e t hat d raped h is m ou th , l if ted i n a d is dain fu l cur l s cant i nches

a bo ve h er e ye s. " Do y ou v al ue y ou r p re ci ou s w hi te h id e, k ee p y ou r t on gu e b eh in d y ou r t ee th . T hi nk y ou

I c ar e w ho w it ne ss es m y j us ti ce ? F or ce m y h an d i f y ou d ar e. T u p en se v ot re f il s. "


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Think of her son. Bella jerked, instinctively looking for Iain beyond the knight's massive shoulder.

R id er s f ol lo we d c lo se ly o n a m ud -b og ge d r oa d b at te re d b y r ai n. T he h ug e d ro ps t ha t p el te d t he l in ka ge

cov er in g h is s ho ul der s pl as hed i nt o h er eyes, m ak in g h er f li nch. S he r em em bered. .. Iain w as d ead.

W ha t m ac ab re j ok e w as t hi s r id er p la yi ng ? W he re w as A ri ? W he re w er e L ew es a nd t he r ui ns ? W hy d idshe f ee l as if s he ha d bee n bea te n to de at h?

S in ki ng i nt o t he s ca rl et w oo l, B el la c lo se d h er e ye s. S he a cu te ly f el t t he c ol d a nd c hi ll y w et a nd h er

throbbing head couldn't fix on any solid, tangible thought.

Th e bl as t of a ho rn f or ce d he r t o ha lf r ai se he r e ye li ds , l oo ki ng f or t he c ar t ha t t oot ed. Th er e we re no

car s, o nl y a con ti nu at io n o f a m ud dy t rail l eadi ng t o a g at eh ou se f ro nt in g a cas tl e. A mazi ng ly , a

d rawb ri dg e w as l ow er in g b ef or e B el la's v er y eyes.

W ha t i s g oi ng o n h er e? s he t ho ug ht n um bl y. H ad s he s tu mb le d a cr os s a t roo p o f a ct or s f il mi ng a m ovi e?How c ou ld s he ha ve d one t ha t i f t he l as t t hi ng s he r em embe re d wa s a bl ac k hol e i n t he gr ound a t Le we s?

I f t he se p eo pl e w er e a ct or s, w ha t w as s he d oi ng w it h t he m?

Th at di d no t e xp la in wha t ha d ha pp ene d t o he r c lot he s or wha t s he wa s doi ng i n t hi s m an' s a rms . N or

w ha t h ad h im s o p is se d o ff s he c ou ld s ee m us cl es k no tt in g i n h is j aw a s he gn as he d h is t ee th .

T hu nd er and l ig ht ni ng r ol led acr os s t he f or es ted h il ls b ey on d t he cas tl e. B el la t ho ug ht , i s t hi s m an crazy o r

w ha t? D id n' t he r ea li ze he c ou ld b e s tr uc k by l ig ht ni ng r id in g a bo ut i n a s to rm c la d i n s o m uc h m et al ? S he

w ig gl ed i n h ig h d is co mf or t again st t he h ar sh l in kage o f h is chain m ai l. I t p ok ed and p in ch ed h er i n p laces

t oo n um er ou s and p er so nal t o m en ti on .

B el la s we pt t he h ig h w al ls f or c am er as a nd d id n' t s ee a o ne . T he a ct or -k ni gh t s lo we d t he h or se t o a

jarring trot crossing the lowered drawbridge.

T he re w as a no th er w al l o f s to ne i ns id e t he f ir st , h ig he r, b oa st in g t ow er s a t e ac h c or ne r. I t a ll l oo ke d v er y

real, not some Hollywood-created fantasy of painted plywood and scaffolding. Bella gulped and brought

u p o ne h an d t o t ug a m ud dy c lu mp o f h ai r a wa y f ro m h er c he ek , b ut t ha t h an d s ta nk w or se t ha n a ny th in g

s he'd ever s mell ed i n h er l if e.

J es us , M ar y, J os ep h a nd a ll t he S ai nt s, w ha t h as h ap pe ne d t o m e?

B el la l oo ked f earf ul ly p as t t he w oo l and t he k ni gh t' s l in kage encas ed arm at t he cro wd m il li ng i ns id e t he

ga te . Not one of them so muc h as bli nked a t he r.

Wha t wa s goi ng on he re ? Why di d e ve ryone l ook s o gr im? W hy di d no t one s ingl e pe rs on l ook he r i n t he

e ye s? T he y h ad e no ug h p eo pl e a bo ut t o p la y t he b at tl e s ce ne s o f E l C id . I f t he y w er e m ak in g a f il m,

w he re w er e t he c am er as ? T he l ig ht s? T he d ir ec to r a nd a ss is ta nt s? M ak e u p a nd w ar dr ob e p eo pl e?

T he k ni gh t s et h is h or se t o w al ki ng a t a v er y m ea su re d p ac e t hr ou gh a s ec on d g at eh ou se . B el la

s wall ow ed and s ai d, f ai nt ly , " Th is i s n ot a m ov ie s et , i s i t?"

S he w at ch ed a s t he w hi sk er -s ha do we d h ar dn es s o f h is j aw s et h ar de r t ha n c on cr et e. T he re w as a v er y

o mi no us and d an gero us f eel t o h im . B el la clu tched t he edg es o f t he w oo l t ig ht er abo ut h er , i nt im id at ed b y

h im m or e t ha n by t he s he er s iz e a nd u ti li ta ri an s co pe o f t he i nn er c as tl e w ar d.


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d id n ot w an t t o g et do wn e it he r. H e w as n' t g iv in g h er a ny c ho ic e, n or w as ti ng w or ds t o e xp la in w ha t t hi s

w as all abo ut . H is arm s f lexed, p ul li ng h er f or ward .

S he clu tched b ot h h an ds i nt o t he w oo l, g as pi ng as t he p ress ur e o n h er w ai st i nt en si fi ed . T he s lend er

c ol um n o f h is n ec k w id en ed p er ce pt iv el y a s h e l if te d h er o ff t he s ad dl e. S et o n h er f ee t, B el la s ta re d

d um bl y at h is f lat n ip pl es , b ro wn p uckered i sl an ds i n a l ig ht b lank et o f b lack h ai r.

F og gi ly , B el la t ri ed t o r ec ti fy e ar li er m is co nc ep ti on s. T hi s m an w as n ot a n a ct or p la yi ng a t a p ar t. H e w as

living it. That made him dangerous. Very, very, very dangerous.

S he h ad n o c ur io si ty a bo ut t he f or tr es s o r t he o th er p eo pl e i t c on ta in ed o r w ha t p ur po se i t s er ve d i n t hi s

part of England. She was incapable of focussing her thoughts on anyone other than the knight.

S ir J oh n dr op pe d h is h an ds f rom h er w ai st a s s oon a s h er b ar e f ee t t ouc he d t he g ro un d. He l ook ed a t hi s

o wn p al ms and f in gers w hi ch w er e n ow coated w it h t he s am e t hi ck , s ti nk in g s li me t hat B el la k new

a dh er ed t o h er b od y. T he s en su ou s f ul ln es s o f h is m ou th t hi nn ed . H e r et ur ne d h is e ye s t o h er a nd a s t he y

s wept d ow nw ar d, t he s neer in g cur l o f h is l ip i nt en si fi ed . T hat, o nl y f ri gh tened h er m or e.

H e t ur ne d t o t he m en g at he ri ng h is a rm or o nt o a h an dc ar t a nd t ol d t he m i n F re nc h t o f il l b uc ke ts o f w at er

f or h im . A no th er h e t ol d t o f et ch a c le an h or se b la nk et .

B el la h ad n o t ro ub le f ol lo wi ng w ha t h e s ai d a s h e a cc ep te d t he f ir st b uc ke t a nd w as he d h is h an ds . H er

A ls at ian g rand parent s b ack h om e i n T ex as s ti ll s po ke t he d ialect i nd ig en ou s t o A ls ac-L or rain e.

But w he n he t ur ne d ba ck t o he r a nd t ol d he r t o gi ve t he fi lt hy c loa k t o a ma n na med Thoma s, Be ll a kne w

t hi s i ns an it y h ad g on e o n l on g eno ug h. S he t ur ned and r an .

S he g ot f ou r s te ps a wa y w he n t he w oo l t ig ht en ed s o f ie rc el y, B el la f ea re d i t w ou ld t ea r f ro m h er g ri p.S he s ta gg er ed a ro un d, c on fr on ti ng h im . T he c ru el b as ta rd h ad p ut h is f oo t o n t he c or ne r o f t he s ca rl et

blanket. Trapped, her terror mounting, Bella dared to risk only one hand to tug the cloth out from

beneath his boot.

H e s hi ft ed m or e o f h is w ei gh t o nt o t he c ap tu re d c or ne r b en ea th h is b oo t, b ar ki ng a n o rd er o ve r h is

s ho ul der t o a b oy h e cal led s qu ir e. I mm ed iately , t he w el l d ress ed y ou th s tepp ed f or ward w it h S ir J oh n' s

m ag ni fi cent s wo rd and s cabb ar d att ached t o i ts h eavy l eath er b el t. A s B el la f rant ical ly t ug ged u po n t he

w oo l, t he y ou th w it hd rew t he s cab bar d f ro m t he l eath er .

" Bell a! " H er n am e exp lo ded f ro m h is l ip s w it h a

w hi p- li ke crack . B el la j um ped and l oo ked at h is d ar k f ace i mm ed iately . H er h eart alr eady t hr um med a

t er ri fy in g cad en ce. W hat h e s ai d n ex t n earl y b ro ug ht t he escal at ed r acin g o f t hat o rg an t o a chi ll in g h al t.

" My d ea re st l ad y w if e, " S ir J oh n s na rl ed . " Do yo u w an t t o be b ea te n w it hi n a n i nc h o f yo ur l if e, r un f ro m

me. I swear by the Holy Rood, for e very s tep I take to bri ng you bac k to thi s well , I wil l ply a stra p

a cr os s y ou r b ac k. H er e, n ak ed , b ef or e a ll o ur p eo pl e. D o y ou u nd er st an d m e, I sa be ll a d e S ai nt P ie rr e? "

B el la s ta re d a t t he b la ck k ni gh t. H er m ou th s ag ge d o pe n, w an ti ng t o s cr ea m a t h im t ha t h e w as n ot h er

h us ba nd , w an ti ng t o a sk h ow h e c ou ld k no w h er n am e. .. he r m ai de n n am e. .. bu t n o w or ds c am e o ut o f h er

constricted throat.

H er l og ical m in d con tr ad icted w hat h er s en ses r ep or ted. T hi s w as n ot r eal, n ot a m ov ie n or any th in g


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T o p ut d ow n i n w ri ti ng e ve ry f ac t s he c ou ld r em em be r a nd d is co ve r. H ow o r w he n t ha t m ig ht he lp h er ,

B el la h ad no i de a. B ut s om ew he re t he t ru th e xi st ed a nd i n u nc ove ri ng t ha t, s he m ig ht j us t l ea rn t he s ec re t

o f h ow s he g ot h er e. T he n, s he c ou ld r et ur n t o h er o wn t im e. .. wh er e s he b el on ge d.

T HE L OR D' S D IL EM MA

-5-

T he r ai n c on ti nu ed t o p ou nd o n t he r oo f o f t he h al l, a nd l ar ge p ud dl es f or me d b el ow t he s te ps . J oh n d e

C hand os l eaned again st t he d oo rj am b, s tari ng o ut at t he d ar k and d is mal n ig ht .

I t w as l at e, w el l p as t ve spe rs . He 'd be en t o c onf es si on, f or a ll t he good i t m ight h ave d one hi s s oul . The

qui et hour ha d c ome a nd a s h e c ou ld not s le ep, he pa ce d t he gr ea t h al l l is te ni ng t o t he s ounds of a s tor my

night.

C ha nd os w as d ee pl y t ro ub le d. F or t hr ee d ay s h e' d s co ur ed t he l an d b et we en B ra mb er a nd t he c oa st ,

s earchi ng t he g ul li es and crevi ces f or h is m is si ng w if e, cer tain t hat s he h ad l on g s in ce f led E ng land . H e' d

o rd er ed t he s ea rc h t o a pp ea se h is s on s. T he m in ut e B el la h ad t ur ne d u p m is si ng , S ir J oh n h ad b el ie ve d

s he h ad f le d t o he r f at he r i n C al ai s.

W he n h er h or se h ad b ee n f ou nd w an de ri ng i n a w he at f ie ld a dj ac en t t o C is sb ur y R in g, h er s on s h ad

r ai sed an alarm .

R ob in h ad r easo ned t heir m ot her w ou ld h av e g on e s tr ai gh t t o W in ch el sea w here g rand fath er S ai nt P ierr e

att en ded m ar ket r eg ul ar ly . G eo ff rey arg ued h is M am an w ou ld n ev er h av e l ef t h er A rabi an m ar e i n

E ng land . I t w en t w it ho ut s ay in g t hat I sabell a car ed m or e f or h er p al fr ey t han h er s on s.

Si nc e h e k ne w h is s on s r ea so ni ng w as t ru e, J oh n h ad o rd er ed t he s ea rc h. U nt il t he m om en t h e' d l oo ke d

d ow n i nt o t hat b lasp hemo us p it , C hand os h ad n ot d ream ed h is w if e w ou ld b e f ou nd i n E ng land . W hat

h e' d f el t t he n a nd m om en ts l at er w he n h e d is co ve re d t he s ca nd al ou s m an ne r o f h er d re ss w as r ig ht eo us

anger, blind rage and indignant fury.

H e ha d or de re d R ob in o ut o f t he pi t s o t ha t he a lo ne w ou ld b e t he re t o s tr ip a wa y t he go ld a nd j ew el s

s om e u nn am ed l ov er h ad g if te d u po n h er . H er b ar e a rm s a nd l eg s h ad b ee n a n a ff ro nt t o h is m or al it y h e' d

n ot ever b el ieved p os si bl e i n a C hr is ti an cou nt ry .

I n t ho se m om ent s w he n h e w as a lo ne i n t ha t p it w it h h er , r em ovi ng h er he at he n ga rm en ts f rom h er bo dy ,

h ad h e all ow ed even t he s li gh test f ragm en t o f h is t em per l os e f ro m h is i ro n- wi ll ed con tr ol , h e w ou ld h av e

c ru sh ed h is w if e' s s le nd er t hr oa t b et we en h is o wn b ar e h an ds . H ad s he d ar ed t o d ef y h im a t t he w el l, t ha t

s in gl e t hr ead h ol di ng h is t em per at b ay w ou ld h av e s napp ed .

T ha t w as t he r ea so n h e' d s ou gh t c on fe ss io n t hi s e ve . F or t wi ce t hi s s am e d ay , h e h ad e nv is io ne d h is

h an ds c ir cl ing he r t hr oa t. I n t he s cr ip tur es t ha t h e t ri ed t o l iv e hi s l if e b y, S t. M at th ew h ad w ri tt en " he w ho

s o m uc h a s l ook s w it h l us t a t a wo ma n h as a lr ea dy c om mi tt ed a du lt er y w it h h er i n hi s he ar t. " J oh n

a ckn ow le dg ed t ha t he h ad c on te mp la te d t he m or ta l s in o f m ur de r, bu t i t s ha me d h im t o e nv is ion s uc h a


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" Ay e. " C ha nd os n od de d. " An d t he re in G od a sk s u s t o f or gi ve m ad ne ss a nd t re at t ho se s o a ff li ct ed w it h

pity and kindness." He tossed his ale down his throat and cast the empty horn onto the trestle. "Sleep

well, my friend."

C ha nd os s to od , t al l, s tr ai gh t a nd p ow er ful a s i f b y f or ce o f h is w il l h e c ou ld r em ov e f ro m h is f ra me t he

s tr ai n t hat t hr eatened t o cri pp le h im .

G ra ha m r os e t o h is o wn f ee t. H e t as te d t he b it te rn es s p er me at in g t hi s h ou se a nd f el t h is f ri en d' s h ur t s o

d ee pl y, t ha t h is h an ds c le nc he d i mp ot en tl y a t h is s id es . W ha t c ou ld a ny m an d o w he n s ad dl ed b y a m ad

wife?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

T HE M ID NI G HT V I SI TO R

-6-

T he d oor b ur st o pe n s ud de nl y. B el la j um pe d t o h er f ee t w it h t he q ui ll i n h an d, s wa ll ow in g a j ol t o f f ea r

o nl y t o f eel abs ol ut el y f oo li sh w hen o nl y t he cat s au nt er ed i n.

T oo r el ie ve d f or w or ds , s he s an k b ac k o nt o t he s ea t a nd r ea li ze d s he 'd s pl at te re d i nk a ll o ve r t he f lo or .

H or ri fi ed t hat t he b eaut if ul o ak p lank s w ou ld b e s tain ed , B el la l oo ked abo ut f or s om et hi ng t o clean w it h

a nd c oul dn' t t hi nk of wh at t o us e. The re wa sn' t a ny t is sue or pa pe r t ow el in g or ha ndy bot tl e of 409 t o

s pr ay a t t he bl ot ch es . S he ha d no i de a w he re a ny r ags we re k ep t. A ll s he c ou ld t hi nk t o u se wa s a p ie ce

of parchment.

S he k ne lt a nd s cr ub be d a t t he s pl at te rs w it h a l ea f o f v el lu m. T he i nk h ad a s tr on g v is co si ty , t he

parchment, an absorbancy factor in the minus fifty range. The stain only smeared.

R es ou rcef ul ly , s he t ho ug ht o f u si ng t he i ns id e h em o f h er d ar k o verd ress t o r em ov e t he i nk f ro m t he f lo or before the stain set. As she concentrated on that task, her nose twitched, catching the scent of something

d if fe re nt -- wo od sy a nd p ot en t. S he l if te d h er h ea d t o l oo k a t t he d oo r, t he n n ea rl y j um pe d o ut o f h er

skin.

S ir J oh n s to od i n t he w id e o pe n d oo rw ay .

" Wh at are y ou d oi ng , B el la?" h e d em an ded.

" Cl eani ng i nk t hat I s pi ll ed ," B el la o ff er ed l am el y, f eeli ng t he f oo l t o b e cau gh t o n h er k nees , s cr ub bi ng u p

a me ss i n s o s ha me ful a m anne r a s t o us e t he i ns id e h em of a dr es s s he ha d be en g ive n t o w ea r. So me on e

e ls e' s d re ss a t t ha t.

Lo rd C ha ndo s' da rk he ad c oc ke d t o o ne s id e a s i f p uz zl ed . " Why d idn 't yo u c al l f or a s er va nt ?"


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" Ah , t he d oo r w as l oc ke d. " B el la s ta gg er ed a wk wa rd ly t o h er f ee t, e mb ar ra ss ed .

" Nay , ' t was n ot l ocked ."

" Yes, i t w as s o, " B el la i ns is ted. " Th er e' s s om e g uy o ut t here o peni ng t he d oo r every t im e s om eb od y

wants in."

" Th ey a re f oo tm en , t ha t' s t he ir j ob , t o o pe n do or s. D id I o rd er a l oc k p ut o n t he d oo r, n o o ne w ou ld

c om e i n a nd yo u c er ta in ly w ou ld n ot g o o ut ."

Now , i t w as Be ll a' s t ur n t o c oc k he r he ad t o one s ide i n pu zz le me nt ove r S ir J oh n' s r ep ly. S he

app ro ached h im w it h s om e cau ti on , s ay in g, " Bu t I d ef in it el y h eard a l ock cli ck ."

" Cl iq ue ?" h e e ch oe d. " Wh at d o y ou r f ri en ds h av e t o d o w it h t he d oo r b ei ng l oc ke d o r n ot ?"

" No , t he s ou nd , cli ck , l ik e. .. " B el la m ad e t he s ou nd w it h h er t on gu e i mi tati ng t he s ou nd o f a l ock clo si ng .H e ga ve he r a s tr ang e l ook , a s t hou gh s he b ab bl ed n on se ns e. Be ll a s te pp ed pa st h im a nd p ee re d ou t t he

door.

T he t wo f oo tm en s to od t he re a s b la nk -f ac ed a s s to re m an ne qu in s. W hi le s he h ad h ea d a nd s ho ul de rs o ut

t he d oo r, s he t oo k a s ec on d l oo k a t t he w el l- li gh te d s ol ar . I t w as a s s pa rs el y f ur ni sh ed a s t he k in g' s

bedchamber.

S tepp in g b ack, s he f ocus ed all o f h er att en ti on o n t he t al l k ni gh t. A gain , s he f ou nd h im s tr ik in gl y

h an ds om e i n a t ro ub li ng w ay w it h s tr on gl y con tr as ted f eatu res, b lack h ai r and b lu e eyes t hat a w om an

l ik e he r c ou ld m el t u nd er t he i nt ens it y o f. H e w as m uc h t oo t al l, m us cu la r a nd p ow er fu l t o s ui t he r. H e

cer tain ly h ad n ot s hr un k any s in ce t heir l as t encou nt er .

I f a ny th in g, i n t he g lo om o f t he k in g' s b ed ro om , h e l oo ke d m or e s in is te r t ha n h e h ad w he n s he 'd o pe ne d

h er e ye s i n h is a rm s t ha t m or ni ng. I t c er ta inl y d id n' t h el p he r o pi ni on of hi m t ha t he c am e a rm ed w it h b ot h

a br oa ds wo rd a nd d ir k s tr ap pe d t o h is h ip s t o v is it h er .

T he d ar k m us tach e s naki ng aro un d h is m ou th r eaff ir med h er f ir st i mp ress io n o f h im as a d an gero us m an .

T hat t ho ug ht w as com po un ded b y t he f act t hat s he k new o nl y clean -s haven m en -- in t he T went ieth

C en tu ry . I t w as c le ar ly up t o he r t o e li ci t f ro m h im a ny s or t o f g oo d w il l t ha t he m ig ht b e w il li ng t o e xt end

t o h er .

" Al l r ig ht , I w as w ro ng . T he d oo r w as n' t l oc ke d. D on 't t ho se m en h av e s om et hi ng e ls e t o d o? D on 't t he y

h ave w iv es w ho w ou ld l ik e t o h av e t he m h om e f or t he ni gh t? I t hi nk I 'm c ap ab le o f a ns we ri ng t he d oo r

myself."

"Then dismiss them," he said curtly. "They are your servants."

" The y a re ?" Be ll a bl ink ed. She s tu ck he r he ad ba ck out t he do or a nd w ave d he r ha nds a s i f t he m en

w er e p ig eo ns s he c ou ld s ho o a wa y. " Yo u c an g o n ow . G oo d n ig ht ."

S ir J ohn po ke d h is he ad ou t p as t he r a nd s ai d t he m ag ic wo rds i n F re nc h. B ot h me n b ow ed f ro m t he

w ai st t o h im , t hen o beyed t he com mand .

A s b es t s he c ou ld w it ho ut v io la ti ng b od y s pa ce , B el la s ho oe d S ir J oh n o ut o f h er w ay a nd p ul le d t he o ne


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he r l ine n c ap. He c as t i t t o t he pa rc hme nt s s ca tt er ed on t he de sk , t he n s li d hi s f inge rs i nt o th e c oi ls of he r

hair.

" Do you t ell me t hi s i s not t he s ame br ow t ha t I h av e ki ss ed a hund re d t im es ?" He be nt his he ad a nd

w ar m l ip s t ou che d t he s moot he d ba ck po int o f he r w id ow 's p ea k. " Or t ha t t hi s ha ir of r ed a nd g ol d do es

n ot b el on g t o m y w if e? " T he c ru de p in s t ha t h el d t he c oi ls i n p la ce l oo se ne d a nd B el la 's h ai r t um bl ed o ve r

h is h an ds and s pi ll ed o nt o h er s ho ul ders . H e g ri pp ed h er h ead even t ig ht er , t il ti ng h er f ace u pw ar d. H isf at ho ml es s b lu e eyes n ow s mo ld er ed w it h p as si on as t hey s ear ch ed h er ever y f eat ur e. W here eyes w en t,

l ip s f ol lo wed u nt il h e' d k is sed h er eyes, n os e, cheek s, chi n and m ou th .

A ga in st he r l ip s h e s ai d, " Ho w c ou ld I f or ge t m y w if e' s f ac e o r m is ta ke i t f or a no th er ?"

T ea rs w el le d i n B el la 's e ye s. " I w ou ld l ik e t o t hi nk I w ou ld n' t b e s o e as il y f or go tt en o r m is ta ke n f or

another."

" The n how c an t hi s t al e you we ave be t rue ?" Hi s e ye s bor e i nt o he rs . H is wor ds f ul l of r ea son a nd

s ur et y. " 'T is a f ab le , B el la . A d re am , a f ae ry t al e. "

" No , i t i sn 't ." S he s ho ok h er h ea d, i ns is ti ng t ha t w ha t s he 'd t ol d h im w as t he t ru th . " I' m f rom a no th er

cen tu ry . Y ou 'v e g ot t o b el ieve m e. "

H is f in ge rs t ig ht en ed o n h er s ku ll a nd s he f el t a s ma ll t re mo r a s h e s ho ok h er e ve r s o g en tl y. " Na y. ' Ti s

n aug ht bu t a s we et ly t ol d l ie t o s av e yo ur h id e f ro m t he b ea ti ng y ou s ur el y d es er ve ."

" No ," B el la d en ied t hat.

" Be ll a! " h e s ai d h er n am e s ha rp ly . " I w ou ld b e of t he m in d t o f or gi ve y ou . I w oul d, d id y ou b ut r ep en t

you r l ie s. I p ra y y ou, de si st now . C ea se t hi s us el es s p ra tt le . Be a s yo u w er e. I wi ll f or gi ve a ll t he pa stt em pe st s t o h av e yo ur m in d w ho le a nd u nb ro ke n, w il l y ou b ut p ut t hi s m ad ne ss o f y ou rs a si de ."

" Oh , m y g od ," B el la g as ped. " Yo u can 't t hi nk I 'm crazy ."

H is m ou th t ig ht en ed . " Do n ot b ab bl e i ncoh er en tl y. Y ou h av e s ho wn m e t hi s n ig ht t hat y ou r m in d r et ai ns

i ts l og ic and r easo n. "

B el la p le ad ed w it h h im . " I h av en 't l os t m y m in d. I k now w ho I a m a nd w he re I b el on g. "

" Yo u b el on g h er e. " H e p ul le d h er t o h is b od y, a rm s f ol di ng a cr os s h er b ac k a s h is m ou th d es ce nd ed o ve r hers.

Hi s l ip s s co red and s eared, h is t on gu e i nt ru ded d eep w it hi n h er , erasi ng t ho ug ht and w il l, r ep laci ng h er

reality with his passion.

H eaven h el p m e, B el la p rayed.

W it h t ha t d ee p, s ou l- bi nd in g k is s r ea so n e va po ra te d f ro m h er m in d. C ha nd os ' k is s w en t o n a nd o n,

h ar d- so ft l ip s s eali ng and aff ir mi ng a b on d b et ween t hem t hat exp an ded all o f h er p revi ou sl y h el d

c on ce pt io ns o f t im e. T hi s w as t he m an w ho se k is s s he h ad d es ir ed i n h er m os t s ec re t f an ta si es , w ho se

t ou ch , s he h ad a lw ay s b ee n d en ie d.

I n J oh n d e C ha nd os ' a rm s, B el la 's p as t c ea se d t o e xi st . O nl y t he p re se nt m om en t i n h is e mb ra ce


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a nd p ul le d h er u pr ig ht . B el la g la re d a t h is s ho es , t he s of t l ea th er t ha t s he n ow r ec og ni ze d a s s om e k in d o f

suede.

D am ni t a ll , h er e s he w as , n ak ed a ga in b ef or e h im , a nd h e h ad b oo ts a nd b ri tc he s o n.

S he f el t a s a ch ing ly vu ln er ab le a s s he h ad f el t b es id e t he w el l t hi s a ft er noo n. H e c aug ht he r s ho ul de r a nd

s pu n h er ar ou nd .

" Ge t y ou t o b ed. " Th e gr uf f c om ma nd w as f ol low ed b y t he s ol id i mp ac t o f h is p al m a ga in st he r bu tt . B el la

s pu n ba ck t o f ac e hi m.

" I t ho ug ht y ou s ai d y ou d id n' t b eat y ou r w if e. "

H e p ut h is f is ts a ga in st h is h ip s a nd g la re d do wn a t h er . F or a ve ry l on g m om en t t he y b ot h r em ai ne d

r ig id ly f ro zen, each g lari ng at t he o th er i n a t ru e d is pl ay o f t he b at tl e o f w il ls evo lv in g o ut o f t hi s

arguement.

" Th er e i s a lw ay s a f ir st t im e. D o yo u pr es s m e. " H e o ff er ed t ha t c hi ll y wa rni ng a s p ro of t ha t Be ll a s ho ul d

back down from her challenge while she still had the chance. "No."

B el la w as n' t g iv in g any w ar ni ng s. S he m ad e a f is t and p un ch ed i t s tr ai gh t i nt o h is chi n, cat ch in g h im

c om pl et el y u na wa re s. T he b lo w s na pp ed h is j aw s hu t a nd r oc ke d h is h ea d b ac k. A nd i t f el t d am n g oo d

f rom w he re B el la s tood, a s goo d t o i ma gi ne a s i t wa s t o d el ive r.

" Do n' t y ou e ve r s la p m y b ut t a ga in , B ud dy -b oy . I w on 't s ta nd f or i t, " s he d ec la re d.

" So b e i t, " S ir J oh n r ej oi ned o mi no us ly . " St an d y ou s hall . A g oo d s en ni gh t at l east ."

"O h, y eah? A re y ou t hr eateni ng m e?" H ad s he b een t hi nk in g p ro perl y, B el la w ou ld n ev er h av e p us hed

t he c on fr ont at io n t o a h ig he r l ev el . B ut s he h ad n' t h ad a p ro pe r t ho ugh t s in ce t en a m t ha t m or ni ng .

" Na y, l ad y, ' ti s n o t hr ea t I s ay . ' Ti s a p ro mi se ."

" Oh , y eah?" B el la s natched h er u nd er go wn o ff t he f lo or and y an ked i t o nt o h er s ho ul ders , s eeth in g w it h

s o m uc h f ur y h er f in ge rs f um bl ed w it h t he t ie s a t h er w ai st . " Yo u w an t m e t o t el l y ou n ow t ha t I 'v e t ak en

f ou r y ea rs of K ar at e a nd I 'v e e ar ne d a br ow n b el t? "

S ir J oh n b en t t o g at her h is o wn b el on gi ng s o ff t he f lo or , m ak in g B el la r eali zed t he s tu pi di ty o f h er w or dsa nd t he f ut il it y o f s ta rt in g a f ig ht w it h a w ar ri or ! W it h h er b ac k t o h im , B el la c oun te d t o t en t he n t ook a

d ee p b re at h t o c al m d ow n.

" Lo ok , I 'm s or .. ." B el la b eg an a n a po lo gy a s s he t ur ne d a ro un d, t he n h er w or ds d ie d i n h er t hr oa t. I t

w as n' t h is s hi rt h e' d r et ri ev ed , i t w as h is s wo rd a nd b el t. A s h e s tr ai gh te ne d, h is h an ds w er e s ep ar at in g

leather from steel.

" Ho t d am n, " B el la g ul pe d. T he m an h ad r ea ch ed f or h is w ea po n- -t o d o w ha t? K il l h er ? S he b ol te d,

t hank in g t he p ro vi dence t hat h ad cau ti on ed h er t o l eave t hat d oo r p ar ti al ly o pen ear li er . H al fw ay acr os s

t he n ex t r oo m, s he b eg an pr ayi ng s he c ou ld f in d h er w ay o ut o f hi s m au so le um .

T hi nk in g s he w as he ad in g f or t he s ta ir s, B el la r an t hr ou gh a n a rc hw ay o n t he op po si te s id e o f t he l ou ng e.

I t w as a d ea d e nd h al lw ay , e xi ti ng i nt o b ed ro om s. B eh in d t he l as t c lo se d d oo r, a s ma ll o il l am p


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w it ch w as g on e.

O nce t hey g ot i ns id e h er chamb er , C hand os ' eyes g li nt ed h ar d i n t he can dl el ig ht . I f s he h ad t ho ug ht h im

s in is ter at f ir st g lance t hi s m or ni ng , h e w as n ow h eart less , t he epi to me o f col d- bl oo ded, r ig ht eo us ,

u ny ield in g aut ho ri ty . H e f aced h er s qu ar el y- -s ix f eet and t hr ee i nches o f r ut hl es s alp ha m al e.

H is v oi ce d ro pp ed d ec ib el s t o t el l h er , " Ne ve r r ai se y ou r h an d a ga in st m e a ga in , B el la . I a m y ou r m as te r,yo ur hu sba nd, you r l or d. ' Ti s by m y ha nd yo u a re f ed a nd p rot ec te d. B y t he g ra ce o f G od a nd m y ha nd

a lo ne , y ou h av e b ee n s pa re d t o l iv e a no th er d ay ."

I t w as o n t he t ip o f h er t on gu e t o t el l h im s he , p er so na ll y, h ad d on e n ot hi ng t o w ar ra nt a d ea th s en te nc e.

T hi s t im e, s he w is el y h el d h er p eace.

" Defy m e again at y ou r o wn cos t, I sabel. N ev er again w il l I s tay m y h an d f ro m d el iv er in g t he p un is hm en t

y ou s o r ic hl y d es er ve . D o y ou e ve r d ar e t o c ro ss m e a ga in , t he re w il l b e n o l en ie nc y. I l e st f in is ."

G on e w as t he g en tl e, t en de r l ov er w ho h ad s o s we et ly c oa xe d w or ds f ro m h er e ar li er . I n h is p la ce s to oda s av ag e, r ut hl es s con qu er or , d et er mi ned t o d om in at e t he w if e t hat h ad d ef ied h im o ne t oo m an y t im es .

As J oh n d e C ha ndo s s ta lk ed ou t o f t he k ing 's be dr oo m, Be ll a w on de re d i f s he ha d s et a n ew r ec or d f or

t he G ui nne ss Bo ok. H e wa s t he s ec on d hus ba nd i n one d ay t o t el l h er i t' s o ve r.

A H OU SE D IV ID ED A ND O TH ER D IR TY T RI CK S

-8-

T he n ex t m or ni ng , B el la c am e t o a n a br up t a nd s tu nn ed s to p o n t he l as t s te p o ut o f t he b ar ti za n i nt o t he

g re at h al l. B ef or e h er w er e s co re s o f t re st le t ab le s, d oz en s o f s er va nt s h us tl in g t o a nd f ro l ad en w it h

h eavy t rays and p latt er s, s er vi ng an even g reat er m ul ti tu de o f d in er s.

T he h al l i ts el f w as m as si ve, f or ty f eet w id e and t wi ce t hat i n l en gt h. E very i nch s eemed ali ve and crawl in g

with humankind clothed in pre-Renaissance finery. Louvers in the hipped roof let sunlight slant down on


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gr ant ed he r w he n s he f ac ed hi m a s he s po ke t o Si r J oh n c onv inc ed h er t ha t Si r J am es G ra ha m di dn 't c ar e

f or L ad y C hand os o ne l it tl e b it .

T he p ri es t h ai le d f ro m I re la nd , F at he r K er wi n a nd t he l ad ie s a t t he t ab le w er e E un ic e a nd O di li a, b ot h

w iv es o f h ou seho ld k ni gh ts s wo rn t o S ir J oh n.

T he c ro wd t hi nn ed r ap id ly . B re ak fa st w as n' t a m ea l t o l in ge r o ve r w he n a d ay 's w or k a wa it ed . S er va nt sa nd s er fs wh o a te i ns ide t he m ano r, a s we ll a s t he s co re s of pa ge s a nd s qui re s w ho a ugm ent ed t he

s er va nt s a t t he t ab le s, t ook up t he s la ck , s it ti ng do wn t o e at , l as t.

T he d in a nd t he r ac ke t l es se ne d. R ob in a nd s ev en y ou th s s au nt er ed o ut t he w id e o pe n d oo rs i n t he

com pany o f J am es G raham. G oeff rey and H en ri , w ho se chi n b ar el y r each ed t he t ab leto p, r em ai ned at t he

e nd of t he t abl e. Ge of fr ey di d not t ur n h is he ad o nc e t o l oo k a t Be ll a, but He nr i be ga n t o i nc h c los er one

s ea t a t a t im e a s t he hi gh bo ar d e mp ti ed.

B el la w as a l it tl e hu rt t ha t t he c hi ld t ha t l ook ed s o m uc h l ik e I ai n w ou ld n' t s o m uc h a s l oo k a t h er t hi s

morning.

S he f ea re d s he k ne w t he r ea so n f or t ha t. I t w as n' t l ik el y t ha t h er s cr ea ms a nd c ur se s h ad g on e u nn ot ic ed

in the night.

Th e on e wh o ou ght t o be e mb ar ra ss ed w as t he bo y' s f at he r no t hi s s on . H ow eve r, i t s ee me d t he o nl y

one really humiliated was her.

A ft er S ir J am es l ef t t he t ab le , H en ri h op pe d o nt o t he k ni gh t' s t al l, v ac at ed c ha ir . H e s at , s wa mp ed b y i t,

his little feet swinging off the floor waiting for Bella to acknowledge him.

S he f in is hed s ip pi ng t he s tr on g h on ey ed m ead t hat f il led S ir J oh n' s j ew el ed cup , s ho ck ed b y t he alcoh ol ict ing e t o i t, s et t he g obl et do wn a nd t ouc he d a na pki n t o he r mou th.

" Go od m or ni ng , H en ri ." S he l oo ked S ir J oh n' s y ou ng es t s on o ver. " Ho w are y ou t hi s f in e, s un ny

morning?"

" Tr es b ien, M am an ," h e s ai d s om ber v oi ced. " Et t u?"

" Co mm e c i, c om me c a, " B el la r ep li ed . " Wh y d id n' t y ou s ay g oo d m or ni ng w he n I c am e t o t he t ab le ,

Henri?"

H is b lu e e ye s r ou nd ed . " Ma ma n, c hi ld re n m us t n ot s pe ak u nt il s po ke n t o. " H e t ou te d t he a da ge t ha t m os t

a ss ur ed ly h e' d b ee n r ai se d b y.

" I s ee ," B el la s ai d gr av el y. S he 'd h ave g iv en a nyt hi ng f or a c up o f c of fe e t o q ue ll t he bu tt er fl ie s a nd

t en si on a ss au lt in g h er s to ma ch . G re as y C or ni sh h en s, e el s a nd n ea r- b ee r w er e n ot h er i de a o f h ea lt hy

breakfast food. "Henri, would you do me a great favor this morning?"

" W hat i s t hat?"

" Ta ke m e on a t our o f y ou r f av or it e pl ac es ." B el la c ou ld o nl y w is h t he y w ou ld w in d u p a t a p la yg ro und a t

a M cD on al d' s eat in g

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Elizabeth Mayne - The Rose of Lorraine

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