A Quenchless Fire by Rosie Lear

Author:Rosie Lear [Lear, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786233875
Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing
Published: 2018-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Matthias was relieved to be home. He was exhausted, dirty and still experienced a sense of shame for passing the murdered girl on the St. Denis gate, and his dalliance with her which caused her downfall. Before making for his own home, he and William gave Sir Tobias their account of the expedition.

“So it would appear that Allard is indeed dead. Of that we are now certain. But what has become of this girl masquerading as Celeste? Celeste herself appears also to have paid a terrible price for their attachment.”

It was obvious to Sir Tobias that Allard had deserted his daughter and young son, become hopelessly infatuated with Celeste, and the fact now needed to be faced.

“His infidelity cost him dear,” William observed.

“But what of the situation in France?” Matthias asked, rubbing his weary eyes in frustration. His orderly mind liked to tie things up neatly, and this was still a tangle of loose ends.

“We may never understand it, Matthias,” Sir Tobias said, “the camp in Calais is clearly in disarray. The men have not been paid for months. The death of John, duke of Bedford was a disaster for our troops in France. Duke Humphrey is being replaced by Duke Richard of Gloucester. This may improve matters. It is a matter of grave concern to England that our King is so young. We can only pray that he will come to manhood and prove to be as strong in government as was his father before him.”

On this sombre note, the talk broke up and Matthias mounted his horse and made his way home to Milborne Port.

He reflected on the events which had unfolded in Paris as he rode. Allard and Celeste had met with an untimely and violent end; at least the uncertainty of Allard’s fate was now clear and Alice was released from her marriage vows. No doubt Sir Tobias would be seeking a new match for her in the fullness of time. Matthias hoped the choice would be more secure than this one had been.

The state of the camp in Calais appeared to give Sir Tobias cause for concern for the country in general…Matthias respected his knowledge but had no first hand experience of battle. Of course, he was required to keep up his practice at the butts with his bow….as were all the men in the area, but it had become somewhat half hearted of late. He had been glad of William’s presence while in France, and discomfited by the antagonism towards the English from some quarters. It was the mystery of the false Celeste which troubled him. He failed to understand why anyone would trouble to seek out Sir Tobias and Alice on a paltry excuse to extract money….it was not as if the events had happened in England….why pursue the family of one soldier who had been in Calais all the way to Dorset on a false premise? And where had this girl disappeared to?

Fresh doubts and concerns assailed him as his home came into view.

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