Read Online Midnight Magic by Shari Anton - Free Book Online

to him a few moments this morning, to ask his preference on the embroidery.” Emma secured the needle in the fabric and held it to the side; Gwendolyn sensed an oncoming lecture. “You should truly make an effort at courtesy, Gwen. We do not yet know how Alberic intends to deal with us, and after what happened yesterday I shudder to think of what action he might be forced to take if the villain is not found soon.” She wagged a finger. “While we speak of courtesy, you must also be kinder to Garrett. None of this is his fault.”
    “He brought Alberic here, did he not?”
    “Garrett had little choice if he wanted to return to his wife and children. ’Struth, Father knew the risks when he sided with Empress Maud. And he lost all. If you persist in raging against the inevitable, we may suffer more.”
    Emma’s complacency rankled. All might not be lost.
    Gwendolyn leaned forward. “Several of Camelen’s men who survived Wallingford chose not to serve Alberic. Do you think any of them might have gone to Bristol? Is it possible the Empress Maud or the earl of Gloucester might send troops to liberate us? Perhaps the archer is an assassin sent to rid us of Alberic.”
    Emma shook her head. “Be sensible, Gwen. I am sure the empress has more urgent battles to fight. If she has not the troops to send to Wallingford’s aid, then certes she has not the means of laying siege to Camelen to overthrow Lord Alberic.”
    So Gwendolyn had feared, but couldn’t help but hope.
    So be it, then. She would do as Emma suggested and be sensible, but not in the way her sister hoped.
    ’Twas time to retrieve the ring and arrange to leave Camelen, going first to her uncle’s stronghold, and from there to Madog ap Idwal in Powys.
    She knew little of her betrothed beyond that he possessed a good deal of land, and her father judged him well suited to be her husband and a partner in the legacy. To him she would give herself and the ring.
    But first she had to get the ring.
    Gwendolyn heard someone running in the passageway. Thinking Nicole must be done with her morning lessons, she paid no attention until the door opened with a bang.
    “My ladies, you must come down to the hall quickly!” a serving wench demanded. “Lady Nicole has tried to murder Lord Alberic!”
    Heart pounding, Gwendolyn slid off the bed and scurried down the passageway and stairs, Emma at her heels.
    In the hall, Odell stood behind Nicole, holding her by her elbows. Alberic stood a few feet in front of the girl, studying a dagger Gwendolyn recognized as William’s, which she’d left on the table in his chamber.
    She allowed herself to breathe when she saw no blood on either attacker or victim. Still, Nicole’s attempt to draw blood could reap harsh punishment.
    Emma rushed past Gwendolyn. “My lord, you have my sincere apology for my sister’s—”
    “Silence!” he shouted, bringing Emma to a halt, his ire focused on Nicole. “Are you aware I could hang you for your treachery?”
    Nicole paled, but her defiant expression didn’t waver.
    Horrified, Gwendolyn cried, “Nicole is merely a little girl! We give you our oath she will never try this again.”
    “You are right, she will not,” Alberic agreed, then turned to another of the king’s soldiers. “Find Garrett. Have him join me and the ladies in my bedchamber.”
    Then he pointed the dagger toward the stairs. “Up.”
    “Murderer!” Nicole spat out. “You should hang, not me!”
    “Up!” he shouted again.
    Odell pushed Nicole toward the stairs. Gwendolyn followed close behind, remembering how she’d tried to explain to Nicole that death in battle wasn’t murder, and that every king’s man shouldn’t be blamed for their loved ones’ deaths. Apparently she hadn’t convinced the child, who now might pay a high price.
    My fault.
    Guilt battered Gwendolyn with each step, wondering what she could have said differently. Yesterday in William’s chamber, if she’d paid more attention to Nicole