The Kadin Read Free

backed out of the room. His head was whirling. Earl of Glenkirk! Ambassador to the duchy of San Lorenzo! A possible marriage for his daughter with one of the oldest—albeit smallest—royal houses in Europe! He should be elated, yet he wasn’t He felt sad, as if he had lost something very dear to him Cursing his mystical Celtic heritage, he shrugged and hurried off to tell his family the news.

2
    S AN L ORENZO basked beneath the warm September sun. Its emerald-green hillsides, tumbling gently to the sea, flashed occasional spots of red, yellow, and orange flowers. To the south, the vineyards burst with plump purple and gold wine grapes; and in the valley beyond the coastal hills, the ripening grain eagerly awaited the harvest
    Perched precariously above the Mediterranean in wild and colorful disorder was its capital. The cobbled streets of the town ran up and down past houses of every hue, not one the same. Hence its name, Arcobaleno, meaning “rainbow” in Italian.
    Overlooking the town sat the palace of Sebastian, duke of San Lorenzo. Slightly below it facing on the sea, was the pink marble villa where his excellency, Patrick Leslie, earl of Glenkirk, ambassador of His Most Catholic Majesty, James of Scotland, had resided for two years.
    Lady Janet Mary Leslie sat cross-legged upon her bed, brushing her long, red-gold hair. Her green eyes sparkled mischievously at her eight-year-old brother, Adam, who impatiently paced the room.
    “For heaven’s sakes, Jan, can’t you hurry? You’ve kept Rudi waiting almost an hour now!”
    She laughed. “You may go on if you wish, Adam, but I’ll bet Rudi won’t go without me.”
    “You are a vixen, Janet Leslie, just as father says,” retorted the boy.
    “And you, Master Saucebox, are allowed to ride with us only because ‘tis more seemly now that I am of marriageable age!”
    “Hah,” snapped Adam. “Marriageable age, indeed! Father will not allow your bethrothal to Rudi until you are at least fourteen!”
    “He never said that to me.”
    “One does not discuss these things with a mere female,” said Adam loftily.
    “You were eavesdropping! Oh Adam, tell me what father said! I’ll give you one of Fiona’s puppies when they’re born.”
    “Pick of the litter?”
    Janet debated. She wanted to give Rudi the best pup, but her curiosity was too great, so she nodded her consent
    Adam climbed upon the bed next to his sister and said in a conspiratorial voice, “I wasn’t really eavesdropping, Jan. Father forgot I was waiting for him. I overheard him talking to Duke Sebastian last night He said he felt even fourteen was too young, but he’d permit it provided the marriage isn’t celebrated until you are sixteen or seventeen.”
    “You’re a liar, Adam Leslie!”
    “I am not! Ask him yourself!”
    Janet jumped off the bed and, giving a shake of her hips to settle her long skirt ran from the room She was a tall girl for her age, and the recent onset of puberty had matured her slender body. Her mind raced as she traveled the corridor to her father’s suite. She had hoped next Christmas would bring the announcement of her bethrothal to Rudolfo, heir to the duchy of San Lorenzo, with their marriage to follow within the year. Pushing past a startled servant she burst into her father’s rooms.
    Patrick Leslie had been lying upon his bed fondling a well-endowed, golden-skinned brunette. He leaped up, smothering an oath. “You have been told not to enter my chambers without knocking, Janet!”
    “You would not have heard me, my lord father.” She mocked a curtsy. “I want to speak with you on a matter of great importance.”
    Patrick turned to the girl on the bed. “Get out!” The girl rose slowly, her mouth sulky. “But don’t go far,” he added. Her mouth turned up in a smile, the girl slipped out
    “And now, my lady, what is so important that you burst into my rooms unannounced?”
    “Adam said he overheard you tell Duke Sebastian you would not permit my