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Leadem, Christopher

"Highland Ballad"

"The way the windows are staggered, it could only have
come from the uppermost story. Would that make sense, based on your
knowledge of the Tower?"
"Yes," said Stephen, understanding. "And it would suit my father's
temperament as well. He'll have done everything possible to
intimidate....."
But Michael was no longer listening. Instead he ran with sudden
resolution, back to the startled horse, and removed the saddlebags.
Returning again, but this time not so close, he tried to gauge the
height and distance exactly, then poured out his bundles on the
ground.
* * *
The two women sat huddled together in fear, at the farthest point from
the wretched, inadequate door. For as Ballard suspected, they had
heard every word of the murderous doings beyond it, including Lord
Purceville's promise that they would not live out the night.
Of all the moments Mary had yet endured, this was undeniably the
darkest. To hear one's death sentence pronounced is a trial few can
face. To hear the words spoken by her own father, the man who had
brought her into the world, who should have loved and cared for her
above all others.


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