Read Online Falls the Shadow by Sharon Kay Penman - Free Book Online Page A

live?”
    Einion’s smile came back. “God willing, Madame, I do. Prince Llewelyn was fortunate, in that the seizure was a relatively mild one. He ought to make a good recovery.”
    Gruffydd drew back into the shadows, lest the others read his face. Why should he feel such relief? How could he still care?
    Senena glared at the doctor. “Do not lie to us!”
    “Madame, I assure you I am not lying!”
    “A mild seizure! A good recovery! What sort of fools do you think we are? Apoplexy kills, it cripples, it affects a man’s wits, his—”
    “Not always, Madame, not in this case. It is true that Prince Llewelyn is showing some signs of palsy, some paralysis in his left arm and leg, but I feel that in time he will—”
    “Paralysis—I knew it!”
    Gruffydd was frowning. “Knew what, Senena?”
    “Oh, think, Gruffydd, think! What happens if your father is disabled by this seizure, bedridden, unable to talk? Who do you think would then rule Gwynedd for him? Who would have control of the privy seal? They would!” She pointed at Davydd and Ednyved. “What is to keep Davydd from issuing orders in Llewelyn’s name—orders for your arrest? Gruffydd, do you not see your danger?”
    Gruffydd hadn’t—until now. He swung about, stared at Davydd. How could he have been so blind?
    Elen stopped striving for patience. “Davydd would never do that!”
    “He’d do it,” Gruffydd said grimly. “You think he has not been laying plans for Papa’s death? He knows Papa’s people would choose me if given half a chance, knows—”
    Davydd shoved his chair back, rose to his feet. “I was a fool to send for you, a fool to think you’d want to know of Papa’s illness. His suffering means nothing to you, nothing at all.”
    Gruffydd stepped toward him. “Damn you! I’ve had—”
    “Grandpapa!” The cry was Llelo’s; he alone had noticed the bed curtains being pulled back.
    It was suddenly very still. Llewelyn’s eyes moved slowly from face to face. “I think it best,” he said, “that you keep this deathbed vigil elsewhere,” and Senena’s fear began to ease, for his voice had been low, but very distinct and very cold. So the doctor had not lied, after all. She’d nursed the sick often enough to recognize the distinctive aura of coming death, and she could not find it now in Llewelyn’s face. How long, she marveled, was he to have the Devil’s own luck? How long must they wait? But at least he’d not be Davydd’s puppet. She sighed; thank Christ Almighty for that much!
    The silence was a strained one; none of Llewelyn’s children could meet his eyes. Elen was the first to recover; she moved swiftly across the chamber, bent over the bed. “Papa, we’re so sorry! We never meant for you to hear that.” She glanced back accusingly over her shoulder, said, “Do you want Gruffydd and Senena to leave?”
    “Yes,” Llewelyn said, but then he added, “I want you all to leave,” and Elen straightened up in dismay.
    “But Papa…” Her protest trailed off; Einion was already beside her.
    “Madame,” he said, politely but firmly, and she reluctantly let him escort her from the chamber. The others followed slowly.
    No one spoke as they moved out onto the porch, crossed the narrow drawbridge that led to the stairs, descended into the bailey. But there Gwladys balked. She was turning to reenter the keep when Einion barred her way.
    “I have to go back,” she said. “I know how we must have sounded—like dogs squabbling over a choice bone.”
    “Worse—like birds of prey drawn by the stench of carrion,” Elen interjected bitterly, and angry color rose in Senena’s face.
    Einion still blocked the stairs. “Madame, I understand. But now is not the time to talk to your lord father.” He paused, speaking to them all. “I said I expected Prince Llewelyn to recover…and I do. But it will not be easy for him. You must try to understand how he feels—stunned, helpless, betrayed by his own body. He needs time