“They have puppy dogs and Alya also brought a bird, but the poor thing died on the trip. Her betrothed gave her a beautiful, gilded cage with a new bird. Alya goes everywhere with Belkis and Fatima, and she has dark hair like me. Did you know we are same age, we are both to … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Nine, The Petal Ship, by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Eight, House of Bourbon, by Mordaunt
At Fontainebleau, the King is irritable and quick to take offense. Everything displeases him, beginning with the weather. Too many summer storms have been interrupting the garden fêtes, and spoiling the riding parties. The hunts have been disappointing and unrewarding. Even the ballet inspired by French proverbs, ardently promoted by Monsieur de Saint-Aignan, has turned … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Eight, House of Bourbon, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Seven, Faber est suae quisque fortunae, by Corso
“Every man is the artisan (or maker) of his own fortune…’ “What are all these lists?” Lucien leans over Sophia’s escritoire to inspect the piles of parchment. “Shoo,” she says waving him away from her desk, “I have a system and you are making a mess of it.” “Do sit down dear, you seem hungry,” … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Seven, Faber est suae quisque fortunae, by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Six, House of Stuart, by Mordaunt
Marie Cessette is not surprised by Raoul’s pigeon post. Part of her wonders whether she has not known the truth already. “Is it bad news?” Père Gazil wrings his hands anxiously. The visit to Le Maupertus has left him unnerved, and he has not kept his fears to himself. “We should never have come to … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Six, House of Stuart, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Five, What Really Happened at Le Maupertus? by Corso
The tavern door swings shut, every man’s eye watching the blonde woman sweep from the tavern, armed men in her wake. Renacer watches the door, as though expecting her to return and give him one last cold disdainful look. He chuckles to himself as he would not mind another glimpse of the arrogant tilt of … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Five, What Really Happened at Le Maupertus? by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Four, House of Richelieu, by Mordaunt
Messages and letters have been piling on Raoul’s desk throughout the night and continue as dawn breaks over the Faubourg Saint-Germain. He is used to being thus inundated despite the fact that to sort his office’s regular vast correspondence he employs a few competent and trusted secretaries. But this morning he is neither at his … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Four, House of Richelieu, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Three, Ducunt Volentem, Nolentem Trahunt…”Fate leads the willing, and drags the unwilling, by Corso”
He knows he is dreaming… the smell comes first…dank, putrid…his chest clutches at the stench before she appears out of the gloom, her dress streaked with dirt, fair hair that once curled around a pretty face hangs lank and dirty from muddy water. She has a stumbling walk, arms reaching, mouth stretched wide into a … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Three, Ducunt Volentem, Nolentem Trahunt…”Fate leads the willing, and drags the unwilling, by Corso”
Chapter Ninety-Two, Next Moves, by Corso
“This is a good list Paul,” Lucien studies the paper carefully. “We choose one or two from each of the Baltic ports, Ireland and ….” He runs his finger down the page, considering each ship, seeking the right combination of distant ports, cargo and captains. “Susa and Algiers,” he looks over the page at Paul … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Two, Next Moves, by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Two, Le Maupertus, by Mordaunt
“Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.” W. Shakespeare, As You Like It. Act 1. Scene 3. The only sign of the night’s violent storm is the sheen of rain on the flagstones of the inner courtyard, glistening beneath the early morning sun. Marie Cessette stands at the window of her bedchamber, transfixed by the … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Two, Le Maupertus, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-One, Mistress of Normanville, by Mordaunt
First, a little bit from the Canon, for inspiration. Alexandre Dumas, The Man in the Iron Mask, chapter 83, ‘Porthos’s Will’: “As to my personal or movable property, so called because it can be moved, as is so well explained by my learned friend, the Bishop of Vannes—” (d’ Artagnan shuddered at the dismal remembrance attached … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-One, Mistress of Normanville, by Mordaunt
Twelve Years After 