“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
Chapter Eighty-Eight, What we leave behind, by Mordaunt
Bianca has shifted from sitting, to kneeling, to standing on the kitchen bench so that she can reach easily over the great table where her shells are spread, separated according to shape, size, and color. She is engrossed in her work, stringing them into bracelets and necklaces with colorful glass and silver beads, using the … Continue reading Chapter Eighty-Eight, What we leave behind, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eighty-Six, First Light, by Mordaunt
“I meant to wait for Alexandre in the carriage,” Constance says. “Madame Charbonneau tells me Athos is not here. She insisted I come inside.” Perhaps it is Constance’s apologetic tone or perhaps it was something in the air at Glénay, in the sidelong glances and the measured confidences, that Alessandra perceived even though she was … Continue reading Chapter Eighty-Six, First Light, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eighty-Four, Glow of Midday, by Mordaunt
Even though she has seen nothing of the house, she recognizes it. From the time they arrived, early in the evening, she remembers only the torchlight and the commotion at the gate, and being carried inside but little else. Yet, everything about the bedchamber where she finds herself is familiar: how the daylight pours in, … Continue reading Chapter Eighty-Four, Glow of Midday, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eighty-Two, Lingering Shadows, by Mordaunt
The bedchamber is imbued with hazy light from a handful of flickering candles and the glow from the fireplace. There are others here. Shuffling sounds, and distant hushed voices that she recognizes: the physicians, the nurse, and the midwife. She cannot understand their words. Only Sophia’s whisper reaches her. “I will return in the morning,” … Continue reading Chapter Eighty-Two, Lingering Shadows, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eighty-One, Lèon, by Mordaunt
In the heat of midday the stonewall feels pleasantly cool against Athos’ back. He exhales loudly as he sits at the bench, reaching for his flask of water. “Was that too much for you, Old Man?” Seated next to Athos, Lucien sounds equally out of breath. Just like Athos, he is covered in mud and … Continue reading Chapter Eighty-One, Lèon, by Mordaunt
Chapter Seventy-Nine, Jeu de la Bête, by Mordaunt
Jeu de la Bête was a 17th c French trick-taking card game, derived from the earlier (16th c) Spanish game Ombre (Homme, in French). It is named after the bête (beast), a term that referred to the penalty for failing to take the required number of tricks or for various infringements. The silence that envelops … Continue reading Chapter Seventy-Nine, Jeu de la Bête, by Mordaunt
Chapter Seventy-Seven, Gilded Lilly, by Mordaunt
To gild refined gold, to paint the lilyTo throw a perfume on the violetTo smooth the ice, or add another hueUnto the rainbow, or with taper-lightTo seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.(William Shakespeare, King John, Act 4- Scene 2) It has been more than a fortnight since Layla’s encounter … Continue reading Chapter Seventy-Seven, Gilded Lilly, by Mordaunt
Chapter Seventy-Five, Le Mat d’ Escalier (Two-Rook Checkmate), by Mordaunt
Leaving Glénay is not easy. There is too much uncertainty for those Raoul and Marie Cessette leave behind. There is too much uncertainty for the two of them also, even though neither has revealed the true extent of their concerns to their loved ones. At the courtyard of Glénay they say their last farewells, full … Continue reading Chapter Seventy-Five, Le Mat d’ Escalier (Two-Rook Checkmate), by Mordaunt
Twelve Years After 