Read Online Dating Hamlet by Lisa Fiedler - Free Book Online Page A

you The Murder of Gonzaga? They will perform it, however, with a change. They will enact the very tale told to me by my father’s ghost.”
    â€œAh!” I nod. “You are beyond reasonable, sir, you are brilliant. Art which imitates life shall be the King’s accuser, and upon seeing his crime enacted, foul Claudius will surely recognize that he is known!”
    â€œIt will unsettle him surely, mayhap extract from him a full admission.”
    â€œYou are shrewd, sweet Hamlet,” I whisper, running my palm o’er the roughness of his cheek. “Yes. The play will be the very thing, wherein you shall expose and catch the conscience of the King!”
    â€œThat, my darling one,” he whispers, drawing my face toward his, “is precisely how I said it.”
    Â 
    Â 
    Next morning, I am awakened harshly by Polonius.
    â€œUp, woman. Your lord has use for you.”
    I stumble, for sleep still floats itself across the surface of my understanding. My mouth is dry, my eyes do battle with the light of day. Cool air ripples along the flesh beneath my flannel gown, and I shiver. “What do you wish of me?”

    â€œYou will follow me now to the great hall,” he orders.
    â€œMay I ask the purpose, sir?”
    â€œPrince Hamlet hath been summoned there. You will arrive as well, a seemingly accidental encounter. King Claudius and I will conceal ourselves and observe this planned-chance meeting. From such observance shall we ascertain the extent of Hamlet’s affliction. If love for you hath made him mad, the proof will produce itself there in your troubling presence.”
    â€œJust yesterday you forbade me speak to Hamlet. Now you command me meet him in the hall at dawn!”
    â€œThink not to challenge me. Do as I insist. Now dress!” He turns and makes to leave, then turns again to face me. “Mark me, girl. Do not dream to inform the Prince of this intrigue! You will not send your maid to tell him prior, nor shall you yourself during the course of the confrontation, give any signal with your eyes or lips or hands to warn him that we watch.” He glares at me. “Know, Ophelia, this guilt is yours. ’Tis the fault of your most reckless beauty that Denmark suffers. Your welcome willingness inspired him, and now he finds you unwilling to be welcoming. This confuses his heart and poisons his mind.”
    Anger bristles within me. “’Twas you who turned my will unwilling, sir! Must I remind you of that?”
    My insolence causes him to bare his teeth. “I discouraged your encouragement, for in my wisdom I knew that what you might do would be his undoing.”

    â€œHad I remained willing,” I mutter, “and done what I would do, his undoing would not be done.”
    Polonius looks blank, then sputters, for my words rattle his empty mind. “Curse the day the Prince laid eyes upon you.”
    He storms from the room. I pluck a simple gray gown from the back of a chair and slip it over my head, pausing to touch the chain and charm so recently given me by my love. I am not afraid, I am thrilled to the depths of my soul! Another chance to deceive those who have so deceived the Prince.
    Â 
    Â 
    We join the others: Claudius and Gertrude, their accomplices, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern—curly hair and nice teeth but no honor between them. The King and Queen interrogate their spies, who reveal little. Hamlet may be mad; then, mayhap, not; but if so, they’ve concluded nothing of the cause. Claudius bids them continue the search; they agree and are off.
    â€œSweet Gertrude, leave us too,” says Claudius, and explains the forced encounter that is to come.
    I watch the Queen’s eyes whilst she listens, surprised when she turns to me a gentle countenance.
    â€œOphelia, I hope your virtues will bring Hamlet to his wonted way again, to both your honors.”

    I nod, swallowing words I long to say. Would that I could break