Feather Castles Read Free Page B

under one of those piles of corpses! Now I must leave you, for if Guy sees me I shall be undone before I start! If things go awry for me, remember that our answers lie on the top floor of that damnable palace in Dinan. Not much, but at least we have a beginning!”
    â€œVery well. Take care, my dear. I’ve no wish for this beginning to be your ending! I will convey your warning to the Horse Guards.”
    Diccon gave a cynical snort. “Much they will heed you! If General Smollet had his way I would be in Bedlam at this very moment!”
    â€œHe says that, I admit, but has not ordered you back home. Shall I try to reach the Regent’s ear? Mrs. Fitzherbert might—”
    â€œLittle hope there, love. Prinny fancies my adversary his fervent admirer. Well, I must be off. Speak to your burnt offering if you wish, though I confess that to place a girl in such jeopardy goes against the grain with me.”
    â€œBurnt offering, indeed! I have no more fondness for the scheme than have you. At all events, I’ll not attempt to persuade her to it yet. She still supposes Claude to be her saintly benefactor. Poor deluded innocent!”
    â€œHmmmm. Is it possible she has not heard of his unlovely clan?”
    â€œVery possible. Her youth was passed at the Convent School, and since her Papa died she has led a sheltered life, devoted to her sister’s care. However, I mean to try and…”
    The dream was becoming hazy, the words fading into an unintelligible muddle. The soldier sighed wearily and sank deeper into sleep.
    *   *   *
    Sister Maria Evangeline’s voice, upraised in anger, awoke Rachel. She lay on a hard and uncomfortable sofa in a tiny parlour, and for a moment stared in confusion about the stark, unfamiliar room. Recollection came in a rush, and with it anxiety, and she sat up as the nun bustled into the room, neat as a bandbox, carrying a pitcher of steaming water and exclaiming cheerily, “Ah! So you are awake, my love. Can you credit it? That miserable groom of mine fell asleep, ‘Just for a bit’ says he, wherefore our horses are gone, and the wonder is the phaeton was not taken as well.” She set the pitcher on a table that already held bowl, soap, and a towel, and added, “A fine pickle! Did you get any sleep?”
    Rachel pushed away the blanket that covered her, and stretched. “Yes, for you did not awaken me!” She yawned. “I was to have taken the last watch.”
    â€œAs well you did not!”
    Alarmed by the grimness in the nun’s small, hazel eyes, Rachel exclaimed, “Oh, no! Never say he is … is…”
    â€œHe lives, thank the good Lord. But towards dawn he became delirious, and I had to call Diccon, for I could not hold him.” She lifted a pudgy hand to quiet Rachel’s attempted scold. “You were exhausted, child, as well you might have been after so frightful an experience. Besides, I needed Diccon’s strength. I wonder our soldier did not waken you, though, he raved so.”
    â€œOf what? Himself? His family, perhaps?”
    The nun hesitated, then said reluctantly, “No. He seems obsessed with one thing only.”
    â€œA lady?” Rachel smiled. “I do not doubt that.”
    Sister Maria Evangeline shook her head. “Our rescuer spoke only of—” She paused again and lowered her voice. “Murder.”
    â€œMurder!”
    â€œAye. And you look sadly pulled, child. Come now and wash. Diccon has left, and I’ve sent Andrews to find some horses or a conveyance to carry us back to the city.”
    Her spirits quite sunk, Rachel stammered, “But—but what does it mean? You never think the soldier could have— That he is—”
    â€œA murderer? Or out of his head, merely? Who knows? He is quieter now, at least, and spoke a few words to me. I collect he fears to be taken prisoner. Does he live that long.” Pursing her