Mystique Read Free Page A

impression that it had value. But in truth, it was quite cheap, else Gervase would never have bought it. And why would anyone murder the poor peddler after he had already sold the crystal? It makes no sense.”
    “Murder is eminently logical in such a situation if one is attempting to cover a trail,” Hugh said, far too gently. “I promise you that men have killed and been killed for far less reason.”
    “Aye, mayhap.” Alice braced her elbow on her hand and tapped her fingertip against her jaw. “By the eyes of the Saints, I vow that men are certainly extremely keen on doing a great deal of stupid, unnecessary violence.”
    “It does happen,” Hugh conceded.
    “Nevertheless, unless you have some objective evidence that indicates a clear connection between the murder of the peddler and the green crystal, sir, I do not see how you can conclude with any certainty that there is a link.” She nodded once, satisfied with her own reasoning. “The peddler might very well have been killed for some other, unrelated reason.”
    Hugh said nothing. He regarded her with a chilling curiosity, as if she were some strange, heretofore unknown creature that had materialized in front of him. For the first time, he appeared somewhat bemused, as though he did not know quite what to make of her.
    Ralf groaned in obvious misery. “Alice, in the name of the Rood, pray do not argue with Sir Hugh. This is no time to practice your skills in rhetoric and debate.”
    Alice took umbrage at the grossly unfair accusation.“I am not being ill-mannered, Uncle. I am merely attempting to point out to Sir Hugh that one cannot deduce something as serious as a motive for murder without solid evidence.”
    “You must take my word on this matter, Lady Alice,” Hugh said. “The peddler is dead because of that damned crystal. I think we can both agree that it would be best if no one else died because of it, can we not?”
    “Aye, my lord. I trust you do not think me lacking in proper manners, ‘tis merely that I question—”
    “Everything, apparently,” he finished flatly.
    She scowled at him. “My lord?”
    “You appear to question everything, Lady Alice. At another time I might find the habit mildly entertaining but tonight I am in no mood for such distraction. I am here for only one purpose. I want the green crystal.”
    Alice steeled herself. “I mean no offense, my lord, but I would like to point out that my cousin purchased that stone for me. In actual fact it is now my property.”
    “Damnation, Alice,” Ralf wailed.
    “For God’s sake, Alice, must you quarrel with him?” Gervase hissed.
    “We are doomed,” William muttered.
    Hugh ignored them all, his full attention on Alice. “The green crystal is the last of the Stones of Scarcliffe, lady. I am the new lord of Scarcliffe. The crystal belongs to me.”
    Alice cleared her throat and chose her words cautiously. “I realize that the stone may have once belonged to you, my lord. But I believe one could argue that, strictly speaking, it is no longer yours.”
    “Is that so? Are you trained in the law as well as in matters of natural philosophy, then?”
    She glared at him. “That stone was procured by Gervase in a perfectly legal transaction. It was then passed on to me as a gift. I do not see how you can possibly lay claim to it.”
    The unnatural silence that gripped the chamber was shattered by another collective intake of breath. Somewhere a tankard crashed to the floor. The harsh clang of metal on stone echoed through the hall. A dog whined.
    Ralf made a small, croaking noise. He stared at Alice with bulging eves. “Alice, what do you think you are doing?”
    “Merely establishing my claim to the green crystal, Uncle.” Alice met Hugh’s eyes. “I have heard it said that Hugh the Relentless is a hard man, but a just and honorable one. Is that not true, my lord?”
    “Hugh the Relentless,” Hugh said in ominous tones, “is a man who knows how to hold on to that which