It bothers him. In the mornings, long before Petite wakes, Athos rides with Balignant down to the sandy cove. Even after a week he refuses to walk there using the shortcut through the back of the garden. From the old pier he watches the dawn, every dawn a different array of colors, and the low … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Four, Le Sourcier, by Mordaunt
Chapter Forty-Three, Smothered Mate, by Mordaunt
In chess, a “smothered mate” is a checkmating method whereby it is necessary to sacrifice pieces to smother (surround) the king so he is unable to move. The method is known since the 15th century, and was described in Luis Ramírez de Lucena’s (c. 1465 – c. 1530) book Repetición de Amores y Arte de … Continue reading Chapter Forty-Three, Smothered Mate, by Mordaunt
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 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 Five-Love Unsought, Love Unaltered, by Mordaunt
Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better. Shakespeare, 1601 Twelfth Night, act 3, sc.1, l.154. Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds. Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 From the window of the salon she sees him galloping down the graveled path toward the house. Even at this distance Constance worries that his … Continue reading Chapter Five-Love Unsought, Love Unaltered, by Mordaunt
Château de Bourron-Marlotte
This small château, which in the story serves as one of Rochefort's many safe-houses, is not too far from Fontainebleau and is a hotel today. The owners provide a brief history of the place, and it is in that history that we discovered a way to connect this charming place with our story. M. de … Continue reading Château de Bourron-Marlotte
Twelve Years After 