The Devil's Diadem Read Online Free PDF

immeasurable worth beyond the door. I did not know them, nor did their stern faces relieve my nerves. Mistress Yvette looked at them, then nodded back at us. One of the men relaxed enough to stand down from his guard and open the door into the chamber.
    We filed in and I kept myself as far as I could in Mistress Yvette’s shadow. Evelyn caught my eye, giving a small smile of reassurance.
    I was surprised at how uncrowded it was. I had expected the same bustle and chaos in the solar as was in evidence everywhere else, but there was only a group seated in chairs and benches about one of the open windows.
    Light spilled in the window and over the group, and I had to blink in order to make them out.
    There was Edmond, seated in the imposing chair that was normally the earl’s.
    Pengraic sat next to him, leaning close as they murmured quietly.
    Lady Adelie sat on a chair opposite them. She was packed about with pillows and cushions, and I thought she looked weary.
    Beside her sat Stephen, his hair gleaming in the sunshine, leaning in to the service of his mother as the earl did to the king. Two other men — great nobles by their dress — completed the circle; I soon learned they were Walter de Roche, Earl of Summersete, and Gilbert de Montgomerie, Earl of Scersberie, and a Marcher Lord like Pengraic.
    Lady Adelie noticed us first, and, as she gave a smile, so Stephen turned.
    He noticed me immediately as I hid behind Mistress Yvette, almost as if he’d been looking, and gave an imperceptible nod.
    ‘Ah, my children,’ Pengraic said, and then they were all looking at us, and I tried to shuffle even further behind Mistress Yvette.
    To no avail. Both the earl and the king looked directly at me, no doubt reliving my earlier humiliation. I glanced at Lady Adelie and saw that her face was sympathetic.
    They had told her then, yet she did not condemn me.
    The older children, Alice, Emmette and the twins, dipped or bowed before the king, then Pengraic beckoned Alice forward a step.
    ‘Gilbert,’ the earl said, ‘this is my daughter Alice.’
    Alice dimpled prettily at the closer of the two noblemen, and curtsied again. I looked at the gleam of interest in the nobleman’s eyes, and wondered if Pengraic was arranging a match between Alice and this man — the Earl of Scersberie. Scersberie was an old man, older even than Pengraic, and I thought it likely Alice was to replace a wife lost to the ravages of childbirth.
    I wondered if Alice were to be the first replacement, or a second or third. I had a momentary gladness that I had no estates or dowry, that I, too, might be handed about, offered to old men who lusted after my riches.
    Pengraic beckoned Emmette forward, introducing her, then the twins stepped forward at his gesture.
    ‘Ancel, Robert,’ Pengraic said, ‘you remember my lord of Summersete. It seems you will be going to his household a little sooner than expected.’
    The boys dipped their heads and looked suitably restrained. The Earl of Summersete, a much younger man, and darkly handsome, gave them a friendly enough nod.
    Sweet Jesu, I thought, was Pengraic about to dispose of all his children at this one gathering?
    ‘And these two are the babies I have left,’ the countess said, and gestured me forward.
    John was wriggling about on my hip, and I was having trouble holding him, but Rosamund behaved beautifully, walking forward docilely but confidently, and dipping in a little courtesy that put my attempt to shame.
    I still could not look at either the earl or the king.
    ‘The little boy I have met previous,’ said Edmond. ‘On the stairs a short while ago.’
    He paused, and I finally looked at him. His eyes were warm, glinting with secret amusement.
    Then Edmond saved me by bending forward so he could look Rosamund in the eyes and take all attention away from myself and John.
    ‘And who is this pretty little maid?’ Edmond said, his voice soft, and he held out a hand.
    I let Rosamund’s hand go and she