Mystique Read Free

your son?”
    “Damnation, woman, you are not exactly inexpensive in your habits.” Ralf’s anxiety about Hugh’s presence gave way briefly before the long list of grievances he felt toward Alice. “That last book you insisted I purchase for you cost more than a good hound.”
    “It was a very important lapidary written by Bishop Marbode of Rennes,” Alice retorted. “Indeed, it sets out all the properties of gems and stones and it was a wonderful bargain.”
    “Is that so?” Ralf snarled. “Well, let me tell you how that money could have been better spent.”
    “Enough”
Hugh reached for his wine cup with one large, well-shaped hand.
    The movement was a small one, but coming as it did from the depths of the vast pool of stillness that enveloped Hugh, it startled Alice. She took an involuntary step back.
    Ralf quickly swallowed whatever further accusations he had intended to make against her.
    Alice flushed, annoyed and embarrassed by the stupid argument. As if there were not more important matters at hand, she thought. Her fiery temper was the bane of her existence.
    She wondered briefly and with some envy how Hugh had achieved such great mastery over his own temper. For there was no doubt he kept it in an iron grip. It was one of the things that made him so dangerous.
    Hugh’s eyes reflected the flames on the hearth as hecontemplated her. “Let us dispense with what is obviously a long-standing family quarrel. I do not have the time or the patience to settle it. Do you know why I have come here tonight, Lady Alice?”
    “Aye, my lord.” Alice decided there was no point in dancing around the subject. “You seek the green stone.”
    “I have been on the trail of that damned crystal for more than a sennight, lady. In Clydemere I learned that it had been purchased by a young knight from Lingwood Hall.”
    “As a matter of fact, it was, my lord,” Alice said briskly. She was as eager to get down to business as he.
    “For you?”
    “That is correct. My cousin Gervase discovered it for sale by a peddler at the Summer Fair
in
Clydemere.” Alice saw Gervase start visibly at the mention of his name. “He knew I would find the stone extremely interesting and he very kindly procured it for me.”
    “Did he tell you that the peddler was later found with his throat slit?” Hugh asked very casually.
    Alice’s mouth went dry. “Nay, he did not, my lord. Obviously Gervase was not aware of the tragedy.”
    “So it would seem.” Hugh glanced at Gervase with predatory interest.
    Gervase’s mouth opened and closed twice before he managed to find his tongue. “I swear I did not realize that the crystal was dangerous, sir. It was not very expensive and I thought it would amuse Alice. She is very fond of unusual stones and such.”
    “There is nothing particularly amusing about the green crystal.” Hugh leaned forward just far enough to alter the pattern of light and shadows on his harsh features. His face became more demonic. “In truth, the longer I chase it, the less amused I am by it.”
    Alice frowned as a thought occurred to her. “Are you quite certain that the death of the peddler was linked to the crystal, my lord?”
    Hugh looked at her as if she had just asked if the sun would likely rise on the morrow. “Do you doubt my word?”
    “Nay, of course not.” Alice stifled a small, inwardgroan. Men
were
so ridiculously touchy about their powers of logic. “‘Tis merely that I do not see any connection between the green stone and the murder of a peddler.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Aye. The green stone is not particularly attractive or valuable so far as I could discern. Indeed, it is rather ugly as crystals go.”
    “Your expert opinion, is, of course, appreciated.”
    Alice paid no attention to the sarcasm in his words. Her mind was leaping forward, pursuing the logic of the interesting problem. “I will concede that a vicious robber might have killed to obtain the stone if he was under the mistaken