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Chapters (21)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Introduction
  5. CHAPTER ONE - “Princes met and talked against me.” PSALMS 119:23
  6. CHAPTER TWO - “Hell hath no fury like the woman scorned, Or the woman mourning.”
  7. CHAPTER THREE - “And I will give him the morning star.” REVELATIONS 2:28
  8. CHAPTER FOUR - “O God, with your judgement endow the King, and with your ...
  9. CHAPTER FIVE - “And a voice shall speak from legend.”
  10. CHAPTER SIX - “A Spokesman of the Infinite must guide. . . .”
  11. CHAPTER SEVEN - “Things are not what they seem.”
  12. CHAPTER EIGHT - “In the unknown lies terror, and in the night, deceit.”
  13. CHAPTER NINE - “Whence comes the wonder, whence the miracle?”
  14. CHAPTER TEN - “Even as Father, so the Son.”
  15. CHAPTER ELEVEN - “For surely laughter masks a nervous soul.”
  16. CHAPTER TWELVE - “A gilded silver crucifix—yours, Duncan!”
  17. CHAPTER THIRTEEN - “Who, then, is the Defender?”
  18. CHAPTER FOURTEEN - “Defender’s Sign shall seal . . .”
  19. CHAPTER FIFTEEN - “You placed on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones. ...
  20. INDEX OF CHARACTERS
  21. INDEX OF PLACE-NAMES

“So, he has given orders he is not to be disturbed, has he?” She rested delicate fingertips on his shoulder and smiled.

“I believe I shall give the same orders.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN - “For surely laughter masks a nervous soul.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“For surely laughter masks a nervous soul.”

THE early-morning stillness was jarred by a staccato rapping at the door, and Morgan tensed and opened one eye, instantly alert. The brightness of the room indicated that it was time to be up and about, and a rapid evaluation of his own condition assured him that the short sleep had been at least adequate. Whatever was going to happen today, he felt ready for it.

Easing to his feet, he glided to the door and placed a cautious hand on the latch, a quick wrist motion flicking the hilt of his stiletto into his palm. His voice was low as he stood aside and called, “Who’s there?”

“Rhodri, the lord chamberlain, Your Grace,” a voice answered. “The royal wardrobers wish to know when His Majesty will be ready for his bath and robing. It’s getting late.”

Morgan returned the stiletto to its sheath and shot back the bolt, opening the door to disclose a stately, white-haired gentleman in deep burgundy velvet, who bowed deferential greeting as Morgan stepped into view.

“Your Grace.”

“What time is it, Lord Rhodri?” Morgan asked quietly.

“Past Terce, Your Grace. I would have called you earlier, but I thought both you and His Highness could use the extra sleep. There’s still well over an hour before the procession begins.”

Morgan smiled. “Thank you. Please tell the wardrobers that the king will be with them shortly. Also, see if you can find my aide, Lord Derry. If I have to go to the coronation looking like this, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that I’m precisely the scoundrel I’m rumored to be.”

He ran a meaningful hand over the golden stubble on his chin, and the chamberlain concealed a smile. He and Morgan were friends of long standing, dating from the days shortly after Morgan first came to Brion’s court as a page. Rhodri had been chamberlain even then, and the game he and Morgan played was one worn comfortable by the passage of the years. A small, golden-haired boy had stolen Rhodri’s heart then, and now he remained just as devoted to the man.

His eyes twinkled in shared understanding as he looked Morgan straight in the eye. “There was never any doubt in anyone’s mind, was there, Your Grace?” he replied dryly, his tone not requiring an answer. “And is there anything else Your Grace requires?”

Morgan shook his head, then snapped his fingers as he remembered one final instruction. “Yes, one more thing. You’d best send for Monsignor McLain. Kelson will wish to see him before he leaves for the cathedral.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Rhodri bowed.