O inglorious league!
Shall we, upon the footing of our land,
Send fair-play orders and make compremise,
Insinuation, parley, and base truce
To arms invasive?
King John Act 5, scene 1, 65?69, Shakespeare
The late night disembarking kept away most of the eyes. Only three pairs watched for them in the courtyard of Seansloe Manor. The carriage and wagon rattled upon cobblestones and stirred servants from their seats waiting out their turn at duty. When Sylvia stepped out of the carriage, shifting Aidan to her left shoulder where he slept sound against her, she searched the windows above them. Like vultures, she felt the dark windows sharp upon her and her family. She was rather certain a few more pairs of eyes watched from those windows signaled by the sounds floating up from below.
Gwen held Beata in much the same fashion as Sylvia had her second son. Keefe stepped forward to meet them, Lyana and Kiema in his wake on either side. His intensity was not hidden by the softness of his voice or the faint lights of lamps low burning. ?Welcome home, Sylvia. The letter advising of your arrival was just in time.?
?Oh?? She was curious what more could have changed to make the man so agitated.
?We received word today that Their Majesties are coming within the next day or two.?
It caused her heart to freeze and her arms went cold and yet she felt sweat start to form as if she were suddenly very warm. ?They as well as Llewellyn? He is still here, is he not?? She flicked a glance over her shoulder to Ewan who was walking with his family, but still close at hand. She knew he had heard even without an indication. It was something in the absolute calm in him.
?Yes,? Keefe continued, ?he is still in residence. Quite a polite guest, but asking interesting questions of servants.?
It was a bitter bile that rose in Sylvia?s throat. The servants who would have known best about her relationship with Hudson were dead. ?Llewellyn is moving faster than we thought.?
Lyana spoke up as they crossed inside, turning down corridors that held the gloom of the hour and the doubt in Sylvia?s heart. ?I believe that may have been my fault, Syl. I wrote Rian about Llew?s return. I did not think she would react this way.?
Rian. Of course she would find Sylvia?s choice a bitter medicine to accept. ?No, Lyana, do not trouble yourself. We know nothing for certain, and we will not. Let us all find our beds and rest. There is time yet.? With only Gwen to her aid with the children, she tried to settle her thoughts and heart at the same time she settled her sons and daughter.
Shall we, upon the footing of our land,
Send fair-play orders and make compremise,
Insinuation, parley, and base truce
To arms invasive?
King John Act 5, scene 1, 65?69, Shakespeare
The late night disembarking kept away most of the eyes. Only three pairs watched for them in the courtyard of Seansloe Manor. The carriage and wagon rattled upon cobblestones and stirred servants from their seats waiting out their turn at duty. When Sylvia stepped out of the carriage, shifting Aidan to her left shoulder where he slept sound against her, she searched the windows above them. Like vultures, she felt the dark windows sharp upon her and her family. She was rather certain a few more pairs of eyes watched from those windows signaled by the sounds floating up from below.
Gwen held Beata in much the same fashion as Sylvia had her second son. Keefe stepped forward to meet them, Lyana and Kiema in his wake on either side. His intensity was not hidden by the softness of his voice or the faint lights of lamps low burning. ?Welcome home, Sylvia. The letter advising of your arrival was just in time.?
?Oh?? She was curious what more could have changed to make the man so agitated.
?We received word today that Their Majesties are coming within the next day or two.?
It caused her heart to freeze and her arms went cold and yet she felt sweat start to form as if she were suddenly very warm. ?They as well as Llewellyn? He is still here, is he not?? She flicked a glance over her shoulder to Ewan who was walking with his family, but still close at hand. She knew he had heard even without an indication. It was something in the absolute calm in him.
?Yes,? Keefe continued, ?he is still in residence. Quite a polite guest, but asking interesting questions of servants.?
It was a bitter bile that rose in Sylvia?s throat. The servants who would have known best about her relationship with Hudson were dead. ?Llewellyn is moving faster than we thought.?
Lyana spoke up as they crossed inside, turning down corridors that held the gloom of the hour and the doubt in Sylvia?s heart. ?I believe that may have been my fault, Syl. I wrote Rian about Llew?s return. I did not think she would react this way.?
Rian. Of course she would find Sylvia?s choice a bitter medicine to accept. ?No, Lyana, do not trouble yourself. We know nothing for certain, and we will not. Let us all find our beds and rest. There is time yet.? With only Gwen to her aid with the children, she tried to settle her thoughts and heart at the same time she settled her sons and daughter.