Castles

her fingertips. 'Your father's subjects haven't forgotten you. You're still their beloved princess. The general has a notion that if he marries you, he'll be able to take over the kingdom with the support of the masses. It's a clever plan.'

'But I don't wish to marry him,' Alesandra whispered.

'And neither does your guardian wish it,' the superior said. 'He believes the general won't take no for an answer, however, and will take you by force if necessary to insure his success. That is why the Duke of Williamshire wants guards to journey with you to England.'

'I don't want to leave here, Mother. I really don't.'

The anguish in Alesandra's voice tugged at the mother superior's heart. Forgotten for the moment were all the mischievous schemes Princess Alesandra had gotten involved in over the past years. The superior remembered the vulnerability and the fear in the little girl's eyes when she and her ailing mother had first arrived. Alesandra had been quite saintly while her mother lived. She had been so very young-only twelve-and had lost her dear father just six months before. Yet the child had shown tremendous strength. She took on the full responsibility of caring for her mother day and night. There was never any possibility her mother would recover. Her illness destroyed her body and her mind, and toward the end, when she had been crazed with her pain, Alesandra would climb into her mother's sickbed and take the frail woman into her arms. She would gently rock her back and forth and sing tender ballads to her, her voice that of an angel. Her love for her mother had been achingly beautiful to see. When at last the devil's torture was finished, her mother died in her daughter's arms.

Alesandra wouldn't allow anyone to comfort her. She wept during the dark hours of the night, alone in her cell, the white curtains surrounding her cubicle blocking out none of her sobs from the postulants.

Her mother was buried on the grounds behind the chapel in a lovely, flower-bordered grotto. Alesandra couldn't abide the thought of leaving her. The grounds of the convent were adjacent to the family's second home, Stone Haven, but Alesandra wouldn't even journey there for a visitation. 'I had thought I would stay here forever,' Alesandra whispered.

'You must look upon this as your destiny unfolding,' the mother superior advised. 'One chapter of your life is closing and another is about to open up.'

Alesandra lowered her head again. 'I wish to have all my chapters here, Mother. You could deny the Duke of Williamshire's request if you wished, or stall him with endless correspondence until he forgot about me'

'And the general?'

Alesandra had already thought of an answer to that dilemma. 'He wouldn't dare breach this sanctuary. I'm safe as long as I stay here.'

'A man lusting for power will not care if he breaks the holy laws governing this convent, Alesandra. He certainly would breach our sanctuary. Do you realize you are also suggesting I deceive your dear guardian?'

The nun's voice held a note of reproach in it. 'No, Mother,' Alesandra answered with a little sigh, knowing full well that was the answer the nun wished to hear. 'I suppose it would be wrong to deceive…'

The wistfulness in her voice made the mother superior shake her head. 'I will not accommodate you. Even if there was a valid reason…'

Alesandra jumped on the possibility. 'Oh, but there is,' she blurted out. She took a deep breath, then announced, 'I have decided to become a nun.'

The mere thought of Alesandra joining their holy order sent chills down the mother superior's spine. 'Heaven help us all,' she muttered.

'It's because of the books, isn't it, Mother? You want to send me away because of that little… fabrication.'

'Alesandra…'

'I only made the second set of books so the banker would give you the loan. You refused to use my funds, and I knew how much you needed the new chapel… what with the fire and all. And you did get the loan, didn't you? God has surely forgiven me my deception, and He must have wanted me to alter the numbers in the accounts or He never would have given me such a fine head for figures. Would he, Mother Superior? In my heart, I know He forgave me my bit of trickery.'

'Trickery? I believe the correct word is larceny,' the mother superior snapped.

'Nay, Mother,' Alesandra corrected. 'Larceny means to pilfer and I didn't pilfer anything. I merely amended.'

The fierce frown on the superior's face told Alesandra she shouldn't have contradicted her, or brought up the still tender topic of the bookkeeping.

'About the fire…'

'Mother, I have already confessed my sorrow over that unfortunate mishap,' Alesandra rushed out. She hurried to change the subject before the superior could get all riled up again. 'I was very serious when I said I would like to become a nun. I believe I have the calling.'

'Alesandra, you aren't Catholic.'

'I would convert,' Alesandra fervently promised.

A long minute passed in silence. Then the mother superior leaned forward. The chair squeaked with her movement. 'Look at me,' she commanded.

She waited until the princess had complied with her order before speaking again. 'I believe I understand what this is really all about. I'm going to give you a promise,' she said, her voice a soothing whisper. 'I'll take good care of your mother's grave. If anything should happen to me, then Sister Justina or Sister Rachael will tend to it. Your mother won't be forgotten. She'll continue to be in our prayers every day. That is my promise to you.'

Alesandra burst into tears. 'I cannot leave her.'

The mother superior stood up and hurried over to Alesandra's side. She put her arm around her shoulders and patted her. 'You won't be leaving her behind. She will always be in your heart. She would want you to get on with your life.'

Tears streamed down Alesandra's face. She mopped them away with the backs of her hands. 'I don't know the Duke of Williamshire, Mother. I only met him once and I barely recall what he looked like. What if I don't get along with him? What if he doesn't want me? I don't want to be a burden to anyone. Please let me stay here.'

'Alesandra, you seem determined to believe I have a choice in the matter and that simply isn't true. I too must obey your guardian's request. You're going to do just fine in England. The Duke of Williamshire has six children of his own. One more isn't going to be a bother.'

'I'm not a child any longer,' Alesandra reminded the nun. 'And my guardian is probably very old and weary by now.'

The mother superior smiled. 'The Duke of Williamshire was chosen and named guardian over you years ago by your father. He had good reason for naming the Englishman. Have faith in your father's judgment.'

'Yes, Mother.'

'You can lead a happy life, Alesandra,' the mother superior continued. 'As long as you remember to use a little restraint. Think before you act. That's the key. You have a sound mind. Use it.'

'Thank you for saying so, Mother.'

'Quit acting so submissive. It isn't like you at all I have one more bit of advice to offer you and I want your full attention. Do sit up straight. A princess does not slump.'

If she sat any straighter, she thought, her spine might snap. Alesandra thrust her shoulders back a bit more and knew she'd satisfied the nun when she nodded.

'As I was saying,' the mother superior continued. 'It never mattered here that you were a princess, but it will matter in England. Appearances must be kept up at all times. You simply cannot allow spontaneous actions to rule your life. Now tell me, Alesandra, what are the two words I've asked you again and again to take to heart?'

'Dignity and decorum, Mother.'

'Yes.'

'May I come back here… if I find I don't like my new life?'

'You will always be welcomed back here,' the mother superior promised. 'Go now and help Sister Rachael with the packing. You'll be leaving in the dead of night as a precautionary measure. I'll wait in the chapel to say my good-bye.'