The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley Read Free Book Online Page A

doorway.
    “Yes, Grace,” I said to her. “I know you love us . I know.” Tears began to run down my face.
    “Anna,” she cried. “I tried to love her too, Kat. I did.But every time I looked at her, I saw him and what he did to me.”
    “Who was her father, Grace?” I said.
    “I can’t speak of that,” she choked. “She’s marked with my stains. I’m so ashamed. God forgive me. God forgive me.”
    “Shhhh, Grace,” I stopped her. “Speak no more of it.” I glanced again to the doorway. Anna was gone. Grace had closed her eyes. She was breathing heavily, and I heard the rattle. The death rattle. God’s me. “No, Grace, don’t die. Don’t die!” I was shouting. I couldn’t help it.
    She smiled. “That tongue of yours will get you in trouble someday. And you’ll suffer more than the duck pond, I warn you.”
    “Grace,” I said more calmly. “Please tell me. Please.”
    “Your mother was lovely, Kat,” she started, her eyes still shut. “Such a good woman. She would have loved you. She didn’t deserve what he did to her. A no-good nasty beast, he was. Handsome as the devil, and a devil he was.”
    I took her hand and held it tightly. She went on. “Your mother died of the childbed fever, not long after you were born. I tried to help her. God help me, I did. But itwas too late. And after she was gone, much later, it was dangerous for you. So I saved you.”
    “Where is my mother buried, Grace?” I asked.
    “You…staring all the time. They never marked it.”
    “My father, where is he?”
    “He got his just rewards.” She laughed. “The bastard.” She coughed again, and I heard a growl. The wolf was standing in our doorway. Strangely, I was not scared, even though Grace had taught me my whole life to be afraid of wolves. I clapped my hands wildly at it. It turned and ran, its tail tucked low.
    “Grace?” I whispered.
    “Go for your uncle. I’m ready,” she said softly. “But do not tell him of Jane.”
    “Grace. You know I heard her. Everything. There’s more you are not telling me. Where is the pendant? She said it was worth a queen’s fortune. Anna and I could live off it perhaps for the rest of our lives.”
    “You do not need it. I’ve given you a trade. And a husband who will adore you.”
    “I shall not marry,” I proclaimed.
    “It’s buried. Buried where no one will find it.”
    “I know your hiding places, Grace,” I confessed.
    “Not all of them, I assure you, Kat.” Grace’s laugh waslow. “You always were a cunning girl. But I was more cunning. Don’t go searching, Kat. Don’t. It’s dangerous, it is. Marry Christian and be content. You owe me that. The real wolves are there, not here. Mark my word, with that tongue of yours you’d likely get your head chopped off.”
    My hand went up to my neck.
    “I’m ready now, Kat,” she said. “Go for Godfrey. Poor sweet Godfrey. He’ll take it hard, he will. Agnes and I barely a year apart.”
    “Is there something I should know of Uncle Godfrey?” I asked her.
    “Nothing that is any of your business. It shall go with me to the grave as some things in life should.”
    “And what of Anna, Grace? Shouldn’t you be thinking of Anna?”
    “No.” She sighed. “I know you’ll take care of her. She’s part of you, Kat. You do know that, don’t you? She’s the other side of your heart, as Agnes was to me. Swear you’ll marry Christian. Swear to me now. I shall not rest in peace until you do.”
    I waited a few moments. “I promise,” I stuttered. God forgive me. I would not marry him. “Grace, shall we go for Father Bigg? Perhaps he can ease your worries.”
    “God’s death, no,” she murmured. “What good wouldthat do? He can say a few words over my grave. Wrap me in a farm sack if you may; burn the bed and my clothing. Tell everyone I died of the apoplexy.” She coughed again violently.
    “Will Anna and I fall sick?” I asked her.
    “No.” She smiled wanly. “I’ll make sure of that from