The Centurion by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Medieval, Romance
Publisher: Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.
Published: 2019-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

Alyx had moved into the keep that afternoon after her visit with Lilia, into the usual chamber that she stayed in when she visited The Lyceum. It was a small chamber in the eastern wing, the one with the views of the garden that were so magnificent. Her father and Dyl usually had the chamber adjoining hers and they were both in it at this time, resting before the feast that evening.

But Alyx was awake, pondering the events of the day, feeling comfortable enough with Lilia’s presence to leave the little cottage and return to the keep. It was warmer here, and cleaner than the dusty cottage and, in truth, the time she spent with Lilia had been eye-opening.

She didn’t feel threatened by the girl, but she did feel sorry for her.

Lilia was timid and shy. Alyx felt a good deal of pity for her, betrothed to a man as magnificent as Torston. Surely the girl felt intimidated and out of place with such a prospective husband. Alyx had been kind to Lilia because Torston had wanted her to be, but she also had an ulterior motive. Torston wanted to break the betrothal and Alyx sought to help. Perhaps a few well-focused conversations about Torston and Alyx could discourage Lilia from wanting to marry him.

It was worth a try.

But that was until there was a soft knock at her door. When she opened it, Morley was standing there, seemingly greatly upset.

“My lady, we need your help,” he said.

Alyx cocked her head curiously. “Morley?” she said as she stood in her open chamber door. “What is it?”

Morley simply motioned to her. “Please,” he said quietly. “Come with me. Do not ask any question. Just come with me.”

Concerned, Alyx did. She followed Morley to the western side of the keep and up two flights of narrow stairs until they came to an iron gate that was guarded by a weeping lady. Alyx noticed that it was one of Lady Lilia’s women, who shut the gate behind her, and Morley, throwing the bolt as if she were frightened to leave it unlocked.

Alyx’s concern grew.

They passed into the next chamber, which was devoid of people, but passing into the third and final chamber, Alyx could see Antonia and another lady hovering over a supine body on the bed. As Morley and Alyx drew near, Alyx could see that the body on the bed was Lilia.

Her gown was torn and her face was bloodied.

“Sweet Jesus!” Alyx exclaimed softly as she came around the bed to survey the damage. “What on earth happened?”

Lilia was weeping steadily. Her beautiful dress was ruined and everything about her was in complete disarray. Her lady bent over her, trying to wipe away the blood and soothe the woman, as Antonia stood at the foot of the bed with her arms folded stiffly across her chest. When Alyx asked the question, Antonia turned to Alyx in complete despair.

“We did not know who to turn to, my lady,” she said tightly. “You must promise you will not repeat any of this, to anyone.

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