Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub

Author:Melinda Taub [Taub, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-449-81665-3
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2013-07-09T04:00:00+00:00

O, a kiss

Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!

—Coriolanus

“COME, ROSALINE! COME, LIVIA! Nieces, wake!”

Rosaline gasped and sat up in bed. Someone was pounding on her door, yelling loud enough to wake the whole of the duchess’s estate. Pulling on a dressing gown, she leaned out the window. The sight below made her gape in surprise.

“Uncle?” she called. “By heaven, what—”

“No time, child!” Lord Capulet roared up to her. “Wake your sister, gather your gowns, and hie you both to House Capulet, an you value your lives and your maidenheads!”

Rosaline ran down the stairs, opening the door to her uncle. “Calm yourself, good my lord. What is it?”

He entered, mopping at his brow. He looked as though he’d run to Padua and back. “ ’Tis the Montagues,” he said. “They make open war upon us. Every Capulet lady and child is to withdraw within the safety of House Capulet’s walls, so that I may protect you.”

“Rosaline?” Livia, sleep-mussed and yawning, was stumbling down the stairs. “What’s that noise?”

“Uncle,” Rosaline said firmly, “I thank you for your pains, but if this is another street brawl, I’m sure there is no need for your protection.”

“Gramio was slain last night,” Lord Capulet said.

Next to her, Livia gasped. Rosaline gripped her hand as their uncle related the circumstances in which his body was found. Rosaline pressed a hand to her mouth, trying not to be sick. Livia wrapped her in her arms and guided her to the couch.

“I pray your pardon, Rosaline,” her uncle said heavily as she clung to a shaking Livia. “You saw the blackness of this Benvolio’s heart long ere I could. I should never have agreed with the prince’s foolish scheme to marry you with him.”

Rosaline felt as though her stomach had dropped through the earth. “Benvolio?” she whispered.

“Aye,” her uncle said, grim-faced. “ ’Tis he slew Gramio.”

Rosaline shook her head, clutching Livia closer. “Ah! No, not he, Uncle. Some kin of his perhaps, but not he—”

“Was not this his sash?” Lord Capulet said, producing a torn length of crimson cloth.

Rosaline closed her eyes. Benvolio had worn just such a sash the night before. Had any of his other kinsmen worn them? She thought so, but could not be sure. “I know not,” she whispered.

“Marry, you may not, but the sword that pierced it, and Gramio’s chest, is known to be Benvolio’s.”

Could Benvolio really slay her kinsman on the street?

She recalled the fury in his eyes as he’d slashed his blade across Orlino’s face, and shivered. Aye, he could. If roused, he could.

“Very well, Uncle,” Rosaline said, meeting his gaze steadily. “We’ll away to House Capulet.”

He gave a short nod. “Good. There’s one there who would speak with thee.”

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