“Hugh is my brother.”
“He is a very bright man who has a way of making coins increase. I was going to send word to his man.”
“Oh.” That piqued Donald’s interest. He wasn’t at all surprised. Hugh’s business reputation was well known, thanks to DuClare and Rodigio. Hugh was particular whom he did business with and had created a business that thrived with elite clients.
“I will tell Hugh when I get back.”
That put a satisfied grin on the man’s face.
“Come, I’ll take you to your room and have some clothes brought to you. Tell me more about Hugh…”
“Andrea.”
She heard Donald’s whispered voice as his knuckles tapped on her door.
Andrea stared at the looking glass, unable to move. Marie had sent her a hunter green gown with a pleated bodice and a slit at the neck that showed the light green undertunic. The dress was fitted to the torso and closed with small pearl buttons down the side. The huge sleeves trimmed with intricate embroidery and pearls hid the snug-fitting undertunic sleeves. A long, braided, harvest gold silk belt was knotted low on her narrow hips.
“Andrea.” His voice sounded more urgent.
She opened the door and stared at the handsome prince who stood in front of her. He didn’t wear the customary cotte. Instead, he wore hose that showed his muscular legs. Under a sky-blue tunic trimmed with silver embroidery around the neck and sleeves was a tan undertunic. A silver belt sat low on his hips.
He held up the parchment that Lady Abadia gave them and walked into her room. She closed the door behind him.
“I wonder if there is a message on this.” He handed her the scrap. “I knew you would want to see what it says.”
She sat at the small table with a lit candle and with shaking hands she opened the parchment and smoothed it out. She sat back, took her eyes off the scrap and focused on him.
“It’s the final piece of the map.”
She took out the other two pieces from her bodice.
She held Lady Abadia’s scrap in front of the candle. Slowly lines and letters appeared. When all was revealed, she placed the piece with the others. The map was complete.
“The words are difficult to read. The secret ink spattered the parchment.” Donald read over her shoulder.
“Abadia de Amiens…
The Seeker and Sword win wars. An antidote to power to be held by only one strong of heart. The Sword will… what is this word? I can’t make it out,” Donald said.
“Wait. An antidote to power to be held by only the strong of heart.” Andrea glanced at him, hardly able to contain her excitement. “That’s what Lady Abadia said. She knew these words all along.”
“Read the rest,” Donald said, as he studied the map.
“The Sword will something fail. No matter. Let them drink in celebration then wait, for then all to be yours,” Andrea said.
Donald read and reread the final two sentences. He didn’t bother to try to guess the missing word. It didn’t matter. The Sword didn’t matter. Their mission was—no, the Sword’s mission, his part, was doomed to fail.
He knew how to keep his thoughts from showing on his face. Keeping a blank expression was a trick he’d learned from his brothers when they were young. He’d perfected the tactic more recently in handling clients for Hugh.
Now he kept his thoughts from Andrea, the Seeker. He took a breath to slow his heartbeat.
“Look.” Her finger pointed to the map. “There’s an X by Bamburgh Castle.”
Andrea stood up and paced the room. “I’m too excited to sit. I want to leave this minute and be on our way.”
Her face was flushed with excitement, and that made him smile. There was no question in his mind to remain at her side. The prophecy said nothing about her demise, only his. What would happen to her if he wasn’t there? There was no doubt in his mind that she would find her way to Bamburgh Castle with or without him.
She put her arms around his neck.
“Do you know where Bamburgh Castle is?”
“I do. The castle is a half day’s ride north of Alnwick.”
He bent his head lower then hesitated and looked into her eyes. The swirls of emotion he saw there took his breath away. It wasn’t for the quest, or some dented ancient goblet. He moved her closer and kissed her, and the world fell away. The touch of her lips was soft and sweet. She deepened the kiss as he crushed her to him. His lips found her cheek.
They were warm with the flush of their kiss.
“While this is very lovely, I have something else to show you.” He took a scrap of parchment from his shirt. “Mother Simone’s message. I found the scrap in my satchel. Here are the other two. What do you see?”
Andrea stepped away and laid the parchments on the table. She didn’t need to study them long. Donald’s piece was not in the same handwriting and was signed M. Simone.
“That’s a relief. Mother Simone had nothing to do with the attack. Someone else at the abbey is involved.” Donald sat, drummed his fingers on the table, and stared at the scraps. “It was a clever move on their part. We’ll have to be careful, very careful.”
“We could make a list of everyone we’ve been with—”
“We’re expected at dinner,” he interrupted her and stood.
“I know. You’re right.”
“Good. Then let’s be off.” Donald looked at the pieces of the map. “We shouldn’t keep the pieces together. You take the first two. I will carry the last.”
He was glad she didn’t argue. He would have carried them all, but he had better sense then to even suggest that. She would never agree.
Andrea stepped away and smoothed out her skirt.
She took the two pieces of parchment and put them in her bodice. He took the last piece and the notes from the abbey and put them into the leather pouch that hung from his belt.
He opened the door and held out his
