Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart

Author:Anne Stuart [Stuart, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The castle was alive with rumors. Lady Hedwiga had returned and refused to give audience to her husband's bastard sisters. Richard the Fair had retired to his own solar with enough wine to drown an army. And Brother Jerome was running all over the castle looking greatly troubled.

But that was nothing compared to the more delicious rumors that currently flourished. Sir Thomas was far too noble to indulge in idle gossip, but the courtyard of Summersedge Keep was a busy place so close to the evening meal, and at least three servants had been listening quite avidly. Within the hour it was public knowledge that Sir Thomas du Rhaymer had been bewitched, that Lady Claire had seduced the poor knight, and that Lord Richard's mysterious advisor was lacking a vital portion of his anatomy. The kitchen workers hadn't had as much fun since Christmastide.

It took longer for the word to reach the two sisters, since neither of them went down to eat They stayed alone in the solar, window shutters flung wide to let in the cold, cleansing autumn air and rid the place of Richard's foul presence. It wasn't until Madlen arrived back, her plain face alight with mystery and pleasure, that they first heard.

Madlen was a woman possessed of a kindly heart and a very small amount of tact. While Lady Claire was in the garderobe, she informed Lady Alys of the rumors concerning Sir Thomas and Lady Claire. Enough time had passed, along with Richard's careful intervention, that it was now believed that Lord Richard had come upon the two of them, rutting in Lady Claire's solar.

No one quite believed it, of course. Lord Richard would scarcely bear the scars of a woman's hand on his face, and Sir Thomas would not be alive if it were the truth. But it made a lovely story on a quiet night.

But Richard's pet monster was always more interesting, and Madlen couldn't bear to wait until she was alone with Claire. The other women would be arriving soon, and would spoil her delight in passing on such shocking information.

Alys stood at the window, staring out over the castle below, remembering Simon's words. He'd watched her the night before, seen her pacing in front of the windows. She peered into the darkness, trying to orient herself. Which tower was his? Which lighted window belonged to the Wizard of Summersedge Keep? Would he be watching again tonight? If she went to him, would he kiss her again?

A wild, foolish fancy, and she pulled away, only to see Madlen busy whispering in Claire's ear as she brushed her long, silky hair. Claire's expression was one of utter horror, until she noticed her sister's curious attention. She muttered something sharp and dismissive to the servant, taking the brush from her hand and continuing to attend to her own hair.

"You may go, Madlen," Claire said with unaccustomed dignity. "We have no further need of you tonight."

Madlen looked toward Alys uncertainly, but Alys simply nodded. Claire was more than able to unlace her sister's cumbersome gown, and Alys was suddenly, mortally tired.

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