A Kiss in the Night by Jennifer Horsman

butchers had given the ring to Paxton, who in turn had given it to her. Perhaps not even knowing the evil deed from whence it had come. She had to think so, or she'd lose the blessed light that surrounded her unborn child.
    The necklace speared her with a tingling warmth. She lifted it up, staring at the jeweled charm.
    "Does milady Belinda care for a late supper?"
    Linness looked up and smiled at the servant. This heavenly phenomenon sent from Mary, this miracle, was complete. She was Lady Belinda, betrothed to Lord Morgan Gaillard of Chamberlain. Nothing could change that now. Nothing and no one. "Yes, I would." Boldly, with nary a doubt left, she said, "And please call me Linness. I prefer it to my Christian name."
    The woman curtsied with a pleased smile and hurriedly rushed from the room. The door closed. She met Clair's bright blue eyes as the woman said, "So 'tis Lady Linness, is it? And who were ye before today?"
    "Linness of Sauvage, a humble seer of the past and the future of common folks."
    Clair drew back with her shock. ''A fortune-teller?!"
    "Aye. And my sight tells me you are Clair of Montegrel, serving woman to the deceased Lady Belinda and her mother before her. You have buried one ... no, two husbands, I see. You are more clever than the next ten people, though few have noticed this. You have a large heart, are quick to laugh, and yes, like me, you are guided by your intuition. 'Twas what saved me. You looked into my soul and you could not condemn me."
    Clair's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Ah, I wager ye say such to everyone. Or nearly such."
    A bright twinkle came to Linness's eyes and her smile seemed to light up the room. "Oh no, Clair of Montegrel." Linness laughed, all the tension of the day released with sudden animation as she explained, "When I am telling a fortune and my sight fails me, which often happens, this is what I say, ‘You, sir, or Madame, have had a life mixed with tragedy and blessings.' They always gasp at the wonder of my powers. I say, 'I see you have many complaints about the trials of your day…' They proceed to list these complaints to me. Then I say, 'You do not count the joy and merriment in your life often enough. Right now I see you laughing and with your arms around... who is it? I can only see it is a good person, someone you love?' They tell me a name, again amazed by how well I have seen into their life. Lastly I add, 'I see that you have lost someone very dear to you ' They nod, of course, and say aye, my mother or my firstborn or my sister. Then I say she is calling to me from heaven, and asking me to ease the burden of your sorrows, for they are in bliss and know someday you will be joining them."
    Her thin brows arched mischievously over her silver eyes. "And then, as they are bowing, as pleased as a well-fed pig, I add the very last."
    "Oh? And what might that be?"
    "Five ducats, please."
    Clair threw her red head back and the two women laughed merrily before they reached for each other's arms. A warm friendship sprang between them, born first of necessity, but one that each sensed, even then, would grow with mutual love and regard. The feelings grew that first night as Linness began the telling of her remarkable, wholly unbelievable tale.
     
    * * * *
     
    The heated exchange began as soon as they shut the door on the lady's room. John, steps behind Morgan, said, "This changes everything. I will send out a scout to track down Paxton and tell him to return at once—"
    Morgan reached the bottom step and, without turning around, he continued down the corridor to the great hall, his loud voice booming with these words, "You will do no such thing."
    "What?" demanded John as he hurried to catch up to him.
    "You heard me," he answered.
    John rushed in front of him, wanting to see his nephew's face. The torchlight blazed behind Morgan, casting him in darkness and shadows, and yet John could see the determination set in the hard line of his lips. "But the lady is