The Rival Queens by Fidelis Morgan

Author:Fidelis Morgan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fidelis Morgan

Despair—absolute privation of hope is Despair.

Consists of grinding teeth, biting lips, furrowing the forehead. The eyebrows drawn down over the eyes, tightened towards the nose.

The mouth open, and drawn back, the under lip full and turned out.

‘It’s her!’ said Alpiew when she had got her breath back.

‘Rebecca?’ The Countess edged forward.

‘That’s the dress she wore to play Roxana, milady. I spent so long staring at it onstage, I’d recognise every bead, every sequin.’

‘And those are her pretty shoes,’ sobbed Godfrey. ‘Let me lay my hands on the villain who did this…’

‘I can’t bear it.’ The Countess snatched the lantern from Alpiew. ‘Let’s not look any more.’

They turned away from the body.

‘The killer is probably still in the park,’ whispered Alpiew. ‘Her body is still warm.’

‘Had we arrived a few moments earlier’—the Countess grasped Alpiew’s hand—‘we would have seen the murder.’

‘Oh, madam.’ Alpiew’s teeth were chattering. ‘What shall we do?’

‘We should raise the hue and cry.’ Godfrey’s voice was weak and shaky. ‘Call for the watch.’

‘Knowing the idiocy of the watch,’ the Countess swallowed, ‘If we stay here they will apprehend us for the crime.’

‘We can’t just leave her.’ Godfrey fell to his knees.

‘When we get on to the road again we will get a link-boy to raise the hue and cry.’ The Countess stooped and gently helped Godfrey to his feet. ‘It is better that way. Really, Godfrey. She wanted you to protect her, not to be hanged for her.’

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