Page 37 (1/2)

The count laughed "You still don’t understand the laws of time, Alastair The mere fact that these two are here in front of you proves that your plan will not succeed So maybe you shouldn’t rely on God’s help in this business too much Or on my continued forbearance" Suddenly there was an icy chill in his eyes and his voice, and I saw Lord Alastair flinch For a split second all the arrogance was gone from his face, and his expression was one of naked fear

"By changing the rules of the game, you have forfeited your life," said the count in exactly the sahtenSuddenly I was convinced all over again that he was capable of cutting an enemy’s throat with his own hands

"Your threat ave him the lie Pale as death, he put a hand to his Adam’s apple

"Oh,us already?" Lady Bro happily around at us

Count Saint-Geroodwill in the hostess Iti"

Lord Alastair rubbed his throat The color was slowly co back into his cheeks

"Satanas! Satanas!" cried Darth Vader angrily "We will crush you, ill tear out your lying tongue with our own hands…"

"My young friends here are as sorry as I am that we really have to leave now," the count continued with a sain at Lord and Lady Pympoole-Botha as its guests," said Lady Broain soon And your delightful young friends It has been a great pleasure for us all"

"The pleasure was entirely ours," said Gideon, cautiously letting go of me as if he wasn’t sure whether I could stand onlike a ship, anda bad bout of seasickness too, e said good-bye, Iby Giordano and, above all, Jalance for Lord Alastair and the ghost, as still uttering savage threats But I bobbed a curtsey to Lord and Lady Bro, and I didn’t bat an eyelash when Lord Brompton left the trail of a moist kiss on my hand

I sank in a very deep curtsey before the count, but I dared not look hiain When he said quietly, "We shall see each other yesterday afternoon, then," I just nodded and waited with downcast eyes until Gideon was besidemy arm This time I let him lead me out of the salon

"FOR GOD’S SAKE, Gwyneth, that wasn’t a party with your school friends! How could you?" Gideon was i my shawl around my shoulders He looked as if he’d like to shake me

"I’m sorry," I said for the umpteenth tie and his coach behind Gideon like some kind of jack-in-the-box "The road and the church are safe All the entrances to the church are guarded"

"Colady," Rakoczy suggested "She see idea, but no thank you," said Gideon "She can e that short distance on her own, can’t you?"

I nodded fir harder now After the Broh the dark was even eerier than e had set out Once again the shadows seeain I suspected that there could be a figure ready to pounce on us in every nook and cranny "… ipe that which is displeasing to God off the face of the earth," the shadows seemed to whisper

Gideon didn’t seem to like the look of the road either He walked so fast that I had trouble in keeping up with hile word Unfortunately the rain did nothing to clearSo I was extremely relieved e arrived at the church and Gideon made me sit down on one of the pews in front of the altar While he exchanged a feords with Rakoczy, I closed my eyes and cursed my stupidity Granted, that punch had also had positive side effects, but all things considered, I’d have done better to stick to the no-alcohol pact that Lesley and I had made It’s always easy to be wise after the event

There was only a single candle burning on the altar, as there had been e arrived, and apart froht, the church lay in darkness When Rakoczy left--"All the doors and ill be guarded by my men until you travel back"--I was overcome by fear I looked up at Gideon, who had come back to my pew

"It’s just as scary in here as outside Why doesn’t he stay with us?"

"Out of politeness He doesn’t want to listen toat you But don’t worry, we’re on our own Rakoczy’s men have searched every last corner"

"Hownoyneth I suppose you realize that you did alht to have done? As usual, come to think of it"

"You shouldn’t have left me alone--I bet that was also alht to have done!"