“Close the door and bolt it,” Dori said to the young woman behind her, all the while never taking her eyes from Eseld.
The old woman turned as if to move toward the bed, where the crying had come from.
“Don’t you dare,” Dori warned in a low voice. “Don’t you dare think to touch him ever again. I’ll kill you with my bare hands, I swear it.”
“You don’t command me,” Eseld said. “Glander is my grandson. He is in my care. His lordship will see your end himself this time, rather than leave it to that pathetic, faithless priest.”
“Your son is gone from London,” Dori said. “Andmy babyis not of his issue. His name is William Calumet. He is not your grandson.”
“You lie.” Eseld glared at her. “Glayer impregnated you in the Holy Land, when you ran after him and begged him to marry you. You threw yourself atop him. He told me.”
“Glayer Felsteppe killed the father of my son and claimed him for his own. He thought to have me killed so that no one would ever know.”
“He can’t impregnate anyone,” the accusation came from behind Dori, and Eirene stepped forward. “I should know. He can’t make love in a normal way. He’s sick. His manhood is . . . broken.”
“Youlie because my son turned you away,” Eseld said and faced the bed again. She took a hesitant step and then glanced back at Dori, her brows drawn together. “Heismy grandson.”
“I’m telling the truth and you know it, if you’ll only admit it to yourself,” Dori said. “You cared for Felsteppe as a baby as you cared for my son. There can be no resemblance; it’s impossible. I was three months gone when that farce of a marriage took place.”
“This child is perfect. And he has my blood in his veins,” Eseld whispered frantically. “He must.”
“He doesn’t,” Dori said. “And I’m taking him with me, where he belongs.”
“No!” Eseld cried and rushed forward, her hands out.
Dori threw up her own arms, ready to defend herself, but the old woman dropped to her knees on the floor.
“You can’t take him,” she gasped. “You can’t. He’s all I have left. If he’s gone, I’ll have no purpose. Glayer will send me away. He’ll send me back. I’lldie!”
Dori looked down at the disturbed woman, then walked in a backward circuit away from her, putting herself between Eseld and the bed. “You poisoned me while my child was yet in my body. You stole him from me the moment after I bore him. You allowed your monster of a son to commit such atrocities that even hell’s darkest fiend would condemn. Evil he likely learned from you.”
“No! No, no, no!” Eseld tried to follow on her knees but fell forward onto her hands. She crawled after Dori. “Not from me. I showed him naught but love. I loved him! I still love him. And I love Glander.”
“That’s not his name,” Dori said, staring in horror at the rapid deterioration of the woman at her feet.
“Take me with you, then,” Eseld pleaded suddenly. “Wherever you go. I can serve you. I can care for the babe. I’ll love him so much. You can beat me if you wish.”
Dori pulled her skirts from the woman’s claws. “No!” she shrieked. “Get away from me! Get out! You’re mad!”
Eseld dissolved into a pile of weeping on the floor. “I know, I know,” she moaned into her shaking hands. “He doesn’t love me. None of them did. None ever.”
“Eseld,” Dori said, her voice trembling. “Eseld, you must leave. You must go now.”
The old woman rose to her feet as if her body had become boneless and was tethered to an invisible rope that pulled her aright. Her sobs were soundless, issuing from her gaping mouth. She turned in a slow circuit and slid toward the door, collapsing against it for a moment while struggling with the bolt. She pulled it open at last and walked through the doorway.
Dori looked up into the wide eyes of Eirene of Glencovent, a stranger to her. A stranger who had given her a gift of inestimable value.
“Thank you,” Dori whispered.
The blonde glanced beyond Dori’s shoulder toward the bed and then met her eyes once more. “How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”
“Since the night he was born.” She turned and saw the very top of a rounded head covered in dark hair among a nest of creamy bedclothes. “I’ve never held him.” She felt the young woman come to stand close behind her.
The pile of blankets suddenly gave a sharp yelp and Dori jumped.
“I’m a bit nervous,” she admitted.
She heard stomping footfalls through the open doorway and her heart leaped into her throat. “Close the door,” Dori said, lunging for the bundle on the mattress. She scooped up the surprisingly heavy baby and brought him close to her chest just as the male voice called out in surprise.
