Fragments of Grace by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque [Veque, Kathryn Le]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2012-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cassandra and Chloë had always been close, but this went beyond that. Cassandra hadn’t left Chloë alone for even a moment since Keir departure the day before when Keir had asked her to stay with her sister as much as possible to make sure the woman was well. He was very worried about her, as Cassandra was. Chloë simply didn’t look well, the emotional and physical toll of the past few days’ events weighing heavily on her.

Keir’s departure hadn’t been particularly dramatic or wrought with great sobs, but as Keir and Chloë quietly embraced one another, his forehead against hers as he whispered words of love and comfort only Chloë could hear, the emotions radiating from the pair had been palpable. Kurtis and Cassandra had felt it with great sadness, as had Coverdale and Michael. Even Lady Blanche had seemed touched by it while Anton tried not to watch, fearful that his guilt might get the better of him. He wasn’t oblivious to it, but he still believed he was doing what was best for his daughter. If St. Hèver perished, it would be easier to marry her off as an unwed maiden.

When Keir had finally pulled away with a gentle kiss to her lips, Chloë had held her anguish admirably. She had even given him a smile and wave as he mounted is charger and moved to the head of the army. She had held the smile until he quit the gates, disappearing from view, but the moment she knew he couldn’t see her anymore, the tears came.

Kurtis and Cassandra quickly took her away so the entire castle wouldn’t see her breakdown. They had taken her up to her third floor chamber where she collapsed on the bed in muffled sobs. She remained in bed all day and all night, and Cassandra remained with her. She even slept with her sister even though she was a newlywed and her new husband slept alone in the chair near the hearth. At this moment, they were all family, bonded together to tend Chloë during this dark time. It was what Keir wanted.

As the day after Keir’s departure dawned bright, the birds singing loudly, Cassandra tried to convince Chloë to get out of bed, but Chloë wouldn’t budge. She lay in the bed where she had Keir had shared many wonderful hours, staring at the lancet window with the bright blue sky beyond as if imagining some distant place and time where she and Keir were always together, never apart. Kurtis muttered to Cassandra that at least Chloë wasn’t crying, but Cassandra found no comfort in that statement. At least crying was the release of emotion. What Chloë was doing went beyond expending emotion; she was staring off as if the world around her did not exist.

Near the nooning meal, Blanche came to Chloë’s room to see how her daughter was faring. Chloë was still lying in bed, staring out of the lancet window, and Blanche tried to speak with her daughter in an attempt to elicit a response.

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