‘Fils de pute!’ Lucien swears viciously, yanking his sword from the dead man’s body, pivots to drive his dagger into another belly, his sword slashing across another throat. He stumbles over the rocky terrain, cursing his attackers continuously dragging a man down with him grabbing for his face and banging his head repeatedly into the … Continue reading Chapter Nineteen, Part I-The Road to Glenay, by Corso
Chapter Eighteen-When the Devil Knocks, by Corso
‘Madame! Madame! ‘Gilo! You are not…’ Sophia de la Croix blinks as Gilo’s word register… …Men! Men coming down the road… Marchal. Sophia grabs Gilo, glares at Alban. The boys are wide-eyed and still. ‘Both of you to the chapel- now! Cousin Francois is there. All of you stay there until I come for you.’ … Continue reading Chapter Eighteen-When the Devil Knocks, by Corso
Chapter Seventeen-Intermezzo, by Mordaunt
Zwischenzug, Intermezzo, or in-between move is a chess tactic, whereby a player instead of the expected move, interposes another move that is an immediate threat, thus forcing the opponent to respond, and only then plays the expected move. No one knows when the first intermezzo was played, but it must have been played long before … Continue reading Chapter Seventeen-Intermezzo, by Mordaunt
Chapter Sixteen-Road to Consequences, by Corso
‘Is there anything more to add?’ Lucien straightens up from the leaning over the map table, one finger still resting on the open map. The men ranged around the table are silent, each thinking of the task ahead of them, the length of the journey, the routes they have scouted – at least on the … Continue reading Chapter Sixteen-Road to Consequences, by Corso
Chapter Fifteen-Pandora, by Mordaunt
“Madame is in her salon…” the footman at the door barely has time to speak. M. de Rohan is already running up the stairs two at a time, hat in hand. He flings open the door of Marie Cessette’s private salon, where she sits at her writing desk finishing her daily correspondence. She springs to … Continue reading Chapter Fifteen-Pandora, by Mordaunt
Chapter Fourteen-Piecemeal Truce, by Corso
She leans against the worktable, feeling slightly sick. The argument with Lucien drained her. He has never raised his hand to her, but there had been times when she felt his fury as a heated blast, and knew he stalked away before he lost control. This had been one of those times. She delays … Continue reading Chapter Fourteen-Piecemeal Truce, by Corso
Chapter Thirteen-In the Family, by Mordaunt
The warmth of Layla’s kiss lingers on Raoul’s lips. It was unexpected, as is everything else about Layla. This is why she is compelling. She reads him perfectly, whereas he always finds himself dumbfounded. Her unwavering faith in him echoes in his mind: I will wait…I will never give up…I will love you always… Raoul … Continue reading Chapter Thirteen-In the Family, by Mordaunt
Chapter Twelve-The Red Dress, by Corso
‘Messieurs, I am here to propose a solution.’ The men are standing bearing polite expressions, their eyes shifting to Lucien and Athos as the ones to acknowledge the Duchess and speak first. Both men hesitate, exchanging a considering glance, uncertain as to her inclusion in this meeting. In that interim, the Duchess d’ Aiguillon stands, … Continue reading Chapter Twelve-The Red Dress, by Corso
Chapter Eleven-Artful Retreat, by Mordaunt
I am your King, Monsieur! If he were still the man Captain d’ Artagnan recruited, impressionable and awestruck by the Musketeer legends, Fabien Marchal would have sought the counsel of Captain d’ Artagnan, whom he revered, and those he called his trusted friends: M. de Rohan, Layla Grimaud, and Raoul. But Fabien Marchal has outgrown … Continue reading Chapter Eleven-Artful Retreat, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ten -War Council, by Corso
Lucien opens the door quietly and pauses to let his eyes adjust to the dark. He carries boots in one hand, clothes under his arm. In the other hand he balances a basin of hot water. He crosses the room and sets the basin on a table, the boots and clothes near the wide settee. … Continue reading Chapter Ten -War Council, by Corso
Twelve Years After 