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 Sixty-Six, Bitter, Painful, Necessary Truths, by Mordaunt

Constance knows she is not needed. Milady–Constance cannot think of her by any other name–is in the care of two doctors, two midwives, a nurse and those closest to her: Sophia, Elodie and their daughters, Marie Cessette who is her daughter-in-law, even the duchess d’ Aiguillon who holds masses for her twice every day in … Continue reading Chapter Sixty-Six, Bitter, Painful, Necessary Truths, by Mordaunt

Chapter Fifty-Two, The Man Called Guerin Spranger, by Corso

Rouen… ‘Who is this man, Guerin Spranger? Do you or Lucien know of him?’ ‘And if we did?’ Captain Peter Eastman raises a questioning brow to the man beside him.  Gérard Leroy is a wealthy successful merchant in Rouen, a restless man constantly seeking investment opportunities.  Peter Eastman and Lucien Grimaud are known to be … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Two, The Man Called Guerin Spranger, by Corso