Free The Haunted Wizard - Wiz in Rhym-6 by Christopher Stasheff Page A

out.
    "Only to Brion, and she is obviously in love with him," Mama said.
    "She is?" Matt looked up in surprise.
    "Aye, my husband." Alisande smiled. "She may not know it herself, but it is there in her eye, in the tilt of her head, but most especially in the sharpness of her tongue as she addresses a man she desires but knows she cannot have."
    "She can now," Matt said softly.
    The room was quiet as Mama and Alisande digested his comment, eyes widening in horror. Then both spoke at once.
    "You cannot think she ordered him slain!"
    "That sweet little thing couldn't have—have—"
    "Oh, yes she could," Matt said in answer to both. "Stop and think, ladies—would you want to marry Gaheris?"
    "Well, of course not!" Alisande said indignantly.
    "But that does not mean I would slay him," Mama maintained. Page 39
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    "You're not a medieval princess being set up as an international sacrifice." Matt knew the Prince of Toulenge had died, and that Rosamund was officially the province's ruling princess, though her mother ruled as her regent. Apparently, though, the dead father's bargain with Drustan couldn't be broken—as long as Gaheris was alive. "I'd say it's quite possible that Rosamund hired the footpad to kill Gaheris so she wouldn't have to marry him. In fact, considering Gaheris' idea of fun, you might even call it self-defense ahead of time."
    There was another short silence. Then Alisande admitted, "I could not truly blame her." Matt had another thought. "Is Brion in love with her?"
    "That is harder to say," Mama said. "He is so easily baited, at least by her—" She broke off, looking thoughtful.
    "You spoke truly, my love," Papa said quietly. "To his brothers, he gave jibe for jibe, but to her, he could only protest, and that with some sign of hurt."
    "His defenses aren't up to their usual standard with Rosamund," Matt agreed.
    "Yes, I would say there is some sign that he is in love with her, then," Mama said, "though like her, he denies it."
    "But he might be able to find an excuse to defend her," Matt said, "by killing his brother."
    "The murder does make him heir apparent," Alisande agreed. There was another silence as the next thought occurred to them all. Matt finally voiced it. "Does Rosamund go with the crown?"
    "In law, the betrothal was only with Gaheris," Alisande said, "but it was made because he was the heir apparent."
    "So it would have to be renegotiated with Brion, but probably will be?"
    "It would," Alisande said, "but with a war, such negotiation will be impossible."
    "Which means Brion gets to keep her."
    "Or," said Mama, "that Drustan does—for if she is betrothed to no one, he can keep her near with none to bar him."
    Papa turned to her. "Then you think Petronille's jealousy has some basis?"
    "Oh, yes," Mama said quietly. "Did you not see the gleam in Drustan's eye when he looked at Rosamund?"
    "Yes, I did," Alisande said darkly. "If this war serves no other purpose, perhaps it will allow us to rescue my cousin."
    "Maybe Sir Orizhan thought the same way," Matt said.
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    Papa smiled. "We have come full circle, my son. The only two we have not suspected are Queen Petronille and young John."
    Matt shrugged. "I don't see what John would gain by killing Gaheris."
    "Might he be striking back at a bully?" Mama suggested.
    "Might," Matt agreed, "and there's always sibling rivalry. But since John seems to have established himself as Papa's pet, he has all the protection against Gaheris that he needs, and probably revenge, too."
    "I cannot see that Petronille has anything to gain," Alisande said, "other than the beginning of war, which may gain her birthright, her quarter of Merovence, for her favorite Brion..." Then her eyes widened. So did Mart's. He finished the sentence for her. "… or even the whole kingdom!"
    "Yes," Alisande whispered. "If Brion is