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Henry glanced at Dirick, who stood next to hiaze back onto Maris "About this charge of treason, my lady You do realize that the sentence for this cri to look at the dark haired race, I--I may have misspoke myself and--and may not have fully considered the situation I withdraw ," she added with spirit, still keeping her gaze averted fro nodded "Aye, then I think that a wise decision" He stroked his beard with thick fingers as if deep in thought "You’ll pledge your fealty to ht have continued speaking had there not been an urgent knocking upon the chae left in their presence hurried to answer it, and Henry looked on curiously

"Your , his bow fluid and elegant

"Rise, Merren What brings you in such haste?"

"’Tis terrible news But lanced at Maris, giving an expectant pause

Henry nodded then turned to Maris "My lady, you may return to your chambers I will expect to see you at supper this eventide In fact, you shall find your place as ed to stammer, stunned by his invitation and disappointed that she would not hear what terrible news theainst the throne chair It was not lost on her that she, and not Sir Dirick, had been asked to leave the king’s chambers

Nervous worry and indignation acco Nevertheless, she walked unhurriedly to the cha for all the world as if she had not conducted herself the coe lord

When Maris felt rather than heard the heavy door close behind her, she released her breath in a forceful whoosh of relief

"Lady Maris?"

A voice fro observed in such an informal state A woman, mayhap a few years older than she, stood near one of the torches that lit the hall She had an aura of ease and peacefulness about her, and the smile she bestowed on Madelyne arm and friendly

"Yes?" Maris recovered and looked imperiously at her How could the woman know her naone nowhere but to her chaossip to spread a the court?

"I am Lady Madelyne of Mal Verne My husband, Lord Gavin, is a confidant of the king and I a to Queen Eleanor Her highness bade estured toward one of the hallways leading from the entrance to the royal cha that great lady was farher husband "What would the queen wish of side the other woman "I’ve only just arrived at Westray eyes like luminous moonstones "I auess, I’d expect she should like to determine if you’ll do in her court Cohness is not known for her patience"

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The harsh wind of April whipped violently, stinging Dirick’s cheeks and nose He pulled the fur lining of his cloak closer, burying his er, rode just ahead of hient pace

If he had no need for haste, Dirick would have waited a day or two for the spring weather to change to so of a war meal in the Great Hall Course upon course of food prepared for the purpose of i would be served to his court Jesters and troubadours would take their turn at entertaining the ladies and lords who gathered at the king’s pleasure--including the lately arrived Maris of Languht of that woman made his blood boil She had uile than Queen Eleanor The olden brown eyes toward his sovereign and blithely declared Dirick a traitor…and then,that it had been an error…God’s nails, was the daft woeon for life?

Over the lastfroone fro the murder of his father and the other similar victims It had been most fortunate that he’d been not only at Westminster, but actually with Henry when news of Maris’s arrival was brought to the royal chae of the events that took place at Langumont and at Breakston The only part he’d declined to share was the description of Maris’s last revenge upon hietic, jovial humor today and had called for Maris to attend him immediately To Dirick’s surprise, he’d invited hiht have been more prudent for him to have announced his presence immediately, but the perverse woman had such a contrary effect on hie of surprise

She was still the beauty his ain over the past several moons Even travel weary and worn as she must have been, and dressed in fashions that the court had not seen since King Stephen, Maris of Langumont would have outshone any other lady at court had one been there to see her Mayhap the exception would be Queen Eleanor…but Maris would indeed cause all to look twice or thrice at her, even in the presence of the queen