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Allegra didn’t play chess; she found it too daunting to keep in mind all of the pieces and they way theyone’s moves several steps in advance But based on the nuhter was giving the handso back in her chair, Allegra was startled by a quiet voice in her ear "My lady Allegra" Turning, she found Maris’s maidservant, Verna

"Aye, Verna?"

"You are needed in the kitchen," Verna whispered, tugging at her mistress’s sleeve

"I am needed in the kitchen?" she repeated

As they walked away from Merle, Verna spoke in a humble voice, "Aye, my lady, there is someone that has asked to speak with you He did not wish Lord Merle to know of it"

Fear gripped Allegra’s chest and she felt her heart thu uncontrollably behind her ribs She had hoped and prayed that Bon had forgotten his threat, or had given up when she had not responded

In sooth, she had not had the courage to broach Merle on the subject of Maris’s betrothed, for she could not fathom a solution to the probleood on his threat to expose her true parentage But Allegra could not allow her daughter to ith her own half uncle--most especially to a man such as Bon de Savrille

Nor, did it seem, that she would be able to sway her husband in a decision he had alreadyhad Merle commented that the man he awaited should arrive on the ned

In despair, Allegra recalled the day of her oedding and the private vow she’d ainst her will In all these years, Allegra had not forgotten Michael, nor had her love for the man she remeain, or rown to love Merle as she should Although she’d been a good wife to him, and served him well, she did not feel the passion and blind love that she still harbored for Lord Michael

Theto the entrance to the bailey "My lady, the man awaits near the stables I did not wish to alarra had not pulled a cloak around her Her dread grew, causing her stomach to churn, and she forced herself to walk across the courtyard, head bent She shivered and stuer in her wake

Stepping hesitantly inside, she breathed a sigh at the inherent war horses The stable was dark, but a shadowy figure stood near the rear

"What do you wish?" she asked in a quivery voice

"My Lady Allegra," a slight man stepped forward so that she couldyou a token from my master" He reached out, and she stepped back in alarers closed around her hand So heavy was pressed into her palhtly around it Metal pressed into her tender palhed and leaned forward "My , you will be in hly past her and suddenly she was alone

Allegra stu the heavy h ankle deep snow to the chapel Leaning on the heavy door, she nearly fell into the haven

Candles flickered along the altar and at each corner of the chapel Allegra slowly unfurled her clenched fingers Even in the varying light, she was able to s on the heavy metal brooch De Savrille

If she’d had any doubt that Bon still intended to one

The next day was unusually fair for January The sun glared high in the sky, and the serfs and loves alike as they went about their business

Merle was in the bailey watching his men practice their swordplay when the visitors arrived Dirick, who had just put his oord down, looked up curiously as Gustave approached

"My lord," announced the seneschal, "the Lords d’Arcy have identified thereat hall, and have them take their ease, but you wished to be informed upon their arrival"

"Thank you, Gustave Dirick, do you come with?"

"I’m certain you have much to discuss that does not concernmeal so that I don’t interrupt your business" Dirick wiped an ar his hair back in one slick motion

"Nay, nay," Merle said heartily--and so firue, "Come with me and meet my dear friend and his son At the least, they shall have news, for they co the latest froe entrance of the keep, beckoning for Dirick to follow Resigned, he pulled on his tunic and folloondering why Merle was so insistent that he uests