The Sorceror's Revenge Read Online Free PDF

want.’
                  ‘There is something the beautiful lady of the manor has not yet seen…’ Anne turned in surprise, looking at the peddler who had spoken.  It was unusual for a man of his lowly class to speak unless addressed by his betters, and yet as she gazed into his face something told her he was not what he seemed.  From his build and the air of command that seemed to emanate from him she felt he had been a soldier of some standing.  She felt the chill spread over her.  Something about this man made her very afraid.  There was anger in his eyes and haughty pride in his face.  Why was he pretending to be a humble peddler?  ‘I have a jewel worthy of such a woman if you would care to see it, sir?’
                  ‘Show me.’  Nicholas commanded and held out his hand.
    Anne saw the frown on her husband’s face and knew that he did not like this peddler, who seemed arrogant and disrespectful.
    ‘I have all I need, husband.  You have spent enough on trinkets for today.’
    ‘I will see this jewel, Anne.  If it is truly worthy of you, I may buy it.’
    The peddler took a pouch from inside his jerkin and shook the contents into the palm of his hand.  The ruby was mounted in gold and had a deep rich colour, sparkling with fire as the sun’s rays touched it.
    Nicholas picked up the jewel, holding it to the light so that Anne could see how magnificent it was.  ‘This is a wonderful thing, my love.  Should you not like to own it?’
    ‘I have no use for such things,’ Anne said.  The fear was growing inside her, though she did not know why the jewel should have this effect on her.  She felt the peddler’s intense gaze on her face and something about him made her want to run away and hide.  ‘I shall go in, Nicholas.  The meal is almost ready and I would not have it spoil.’
    Nicholas returned the jewel to the peddler.  ‘My wife does not wish for your trinket, though it is truly of rare worth.’
    The peddler returned the stone to the pouch, tucking it back inside his jerkin.  He turned aside without answering Nicholas and motioned to the other peddler, who immediately bent and gathered up his goods.  The two men left, carrying their packs over their backs even though servants had not yet finished making their purchases and protested with disappointment.
    After they had gone, Nicholas ordered the gates locked.  Something about the peddler had disturbed him.  The man’s wares were of good quality but that jewel was almost beyond price.  How could a peddler come by such a precious thing?
    He went into the kitchen.  Iolanthe had placed her new trinket on the table and was once again playing with her puppy.  He smiled as he watched her, his unease lifting in the comfort and warmth of the familiar surroundings.  It seemed that like her mother, his daughter was more interested in living things than precious stones.
                  ‘You did not wish for the jewel?’
                  Anne turned her head to look at him.  She touched the little garnet cross, which hung on the chain Nicholas had bought for her.  ‘I have this, which I treasure, as you know – why should I need more?’
                  ‘You are so lovely, inwardly as well as your face.  It is no wonder that I love you so much, Anne.  I think I should not want to live if I lost you.’
                  Anne turned to look at him, a question in her eyes.
                  ‘Why do you fear it, Nicholas?  Surely you know I love you?’
                  ‘Yes…’ Nicholas felt the stabbing sensation in his chest.  He should tell her now but the fear was so strong it almost choked him.  She loved him now but if he told her the truth the love would turn to disgust and hatred.
     

 
     
     
     
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    Robert felt the rage build inside him as he prepared to return to the Abbey.  His ruse had worked even better than he