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The anguish in Alesandra's voice tugged at the otten for the mootten involved in over the past years The superior reirl's eyes when she and her ailing mother had first arrived Alesandra had been quite saintly while her —only twelve—and had lost her dear father just six th She took on the full responsibility of caring for her ht There was never any possibility her mother would recover Her illness destroyed her body and her mind, and toward the end, when she had been crazed with her pain, Alesandra would climb into her mother's sickbed and take the frail woently rock her back and forth and sing tender ballads to her, her voice that of an angel Her love for her ly beautiful to see When at last the devil's torture was finished, her hter's arms

Alesandra wouldn't allow anyone to coht, alone in her cell, the white curtains surrounding her cubicle blocking out none of her sobs from the postulants

Her rounds behind the chapel in a lovely, flower-bordered grotto Alesandra couldn't abide the thought of leaving her The grounds of the convent were adjacent to the family's second home, Stone Haven, but Alesandra wouldn't even journey there for a visitation "I had thought I would stay here forever," Alesandra whispered

"You ," theand another is about to open up"

Alesandra lowered her head again "I wish to have all my chapters here, Mother You could deny the Duke of Williamshire's request if you wished, or stall hiot about me"

"And the general?"

Alesandra had already thought of an answer to that dile as I stay here"

"Afor poill not care if he breaks the holy laws governing this convent, Alesandra He certainly would breach our sanctuary Do you realize you are also suggesting I deceive your dear guardian?"

The nun's voice held a note of reproach in it "No, Mother," Alesandra answered with a little sigh, knowing full well that was the answer the nun wished to hear "I suppose it would be wrong to deceive…"

The wistfulness in her voice made the mother superior shake her head "I will not accommodate you Even if there was a valid reason…"

Alesandra jumped on the possibility "Oh, but there is," she blurted out She took a deep breath, then announced, "I have decided to become a nun"

Thetheir holy order sent chills down the mother superior's spine "Heaven help us all," she muttered

"It's because of the books, isn't it, Mother? You want to send me away because of that little… fabrication"

"Alesandra…"

"I only ive you the loan You refused to use my funds, and I kne much you needed the new chapel… ith the fire and all And you did get the loan, didn't you? God has surely forgiven me my deception, and He must have wanted me to alter the nuiven ures Would he, Mother Superior? In ave me my bit of trickery"

"Trickery? I believe the correct word is larceny," the mother superior snapped

"Nay, Mother," Alesandra corrected "LarcenyI merely amended"

The fierce frown on the superior's face told Alesandra she shouldn't have contradicted her, or brought up the still tender topic of the bookkeeping

"About the fire…"

"Mother, I have already confessed my sorrow over that unfortunate e the subject before the superior could get all riled up again "I was very serious when I said I would like to beco"

"Alesandra, you aren't Catholic"

"I would convert," Alesandra fervently promised

A long minute passed in silence Then the mother superior leaned forward The chair squeaked with her movement "Look at me," she commanded

She waited until the princess had coain "I believe I understand what this is really all about I' whisper "I'll take good care of yourshould happen to me, then Sister Justina or Sister Rachael will tend to it Your otten She'll continue to be in our prayers every day That is my promise to you"

Alesandra burst into tears "I cannot leave her"

The mother superior stood up and hurried over to Alesandra's side She put her ar her behind She will always be in your heart She would want you to get on with your life"

Tears streamed down Alesandra's face She mopped them aith the backs of her hands "I don't know the Duke of Williamshire, Mother I only met him once and I barely recall what he looked like What if I don't get along with him? What if he doesn't want me? I don't want to be a burden to anyone Please let me stay here"

"Alesandra, you seem determined to believe I have a choice in the uardian's request You're going to do just fine in England The Duke of Willia to be a bother"

"I'er," Alesandra reuardian is probably very old and weary by now"

The mother superior suardian over you years ago by your father He had good reason for nament"

"Yes, Mother"

"You can lead a happy life, Alesandra," theas you remember to use a little restraint Think before you act That's the key You have a sound mind Use it"

"Thank you for saying so, Mother"

"Quit acting so submissive It isn't like you at all I have one more bit of advice to offer you and I want your full attention Do sit up straight A princess does not slump"

If she sat any straighter, she thought, her spine ht snap Alesandra thrust her shoulders back a bit more and knew she'd satisfied the nun when she nodded

"As I was saying," the mother superior continued "It never mattered here that you were a princess, but it will land Appearances must be kept up at all times You simply cannot allow spontaneous actions to rule your life Now tell ain and again to take to heart?"