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
Duchess de Chevreuse
1. Attributed to Claude Deruet , Portrait of Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Chevreuse (1600-1679) as Diana the Huntress (circa 1627), Palace of Versailles; 2. Marie with her son Louis Charles; she poses as Diana and her son as Hercules; 3. Entourage of Daniel Dumonstier , Portrait of Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Luynes (circa … Continue reading Duchess de Chevreuse
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 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 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
Chapter Nine- Once More by the Moonlit Lake, by Mordaunt
“We are brothers,” her father says and except for the crackling fire in the fireplace, the room turns still. Even Rascal stops chirping in his cage. Her father’s voice lingers in the silence: Brothers… Mére… Younger brother… Older Brother… Your uncle… Cousins… Facing her and Raoul, and standing next to her father, are her mother, … Continue reading Chapter Nine- Once More by the Moonlit Lake, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eight-A Family Dinner, by Corso
‘They are all coming,’ Sophia sits on the very edge of the settee, reporting to Marie, ‘children too and even the young priest, Father Ignazio who travels with the Duc d’Herblay. Rayya and Bianca will play their harps and then they will join Yusuf on the oud. It should be quite pleasant.’ She beams at … Continue reading Chapter Eight-A Family Dinner, by Corso
Chapter Seven-King of France, by Mordaunt
It is not one of the windowless cells. Raoul wonders if this was Fabien’s idea of compassion, but the narrow, iron-barred slit in the wall allows Henri Bernard a glimpse of the open sky, where birds fly free, and of the river, where life continues unobstructed, so Raoul settles on cruelty. “This is the Marquis … Continue reading Chapter Seven-King of France, by Mordaunt
Chapter Four- Artful Diversions, by Mordaunt
From a young age he was taught to steer his way blindfolded through labyrinths. He has honed the skill at great cost, first navigating through the vagaries of court intrigue, a foreigner and the Dauphin’s favorite, then faced with the brutal realities of war, and later escaping the deadly labyrinths of Fez, and the treacherous … Continue reading Chapter Four- Artful Diversions, by Mordaunt
The d’ Artagnan Romances & “Between Two Kings”
Alexandre Dumas, c. 1859–1870. Carte de Visite Collection, Boston Public Library/ Le Siecle- original publications (1844 & 1847) Written by Alexandre Dumas in collaboration with Auguste Maquet, whose story and strained collaboration with Dumas deserves its own post, the d' Artagnan romances remain the main inspiration for all versions of the Musketeer story, including the BBC … Continue reading The d’ Artagnan Romances & “Between Two Kings”
Twelve Years After 