TWENTY-FOUR
Siward arrived home just in time to witness Rosamond's meeting with Lady Schutz. His instincts drove him to dive between the two women, defending Rosamond, but he held himself back. If she was to be his queen, she would need to know how to respond to courtiers. Plus, he had to admit, he wanted to hear her defence for himself. He knew there had been magic in the air in the ruins, but he would bet his life that it was not of her making.
Interesting. She did not deny the charge of being a witch, or of casting spells. Neither did she confirm Grandmother's suspicions. Her regal response to the old lady's insults made him want to applaud. Oh, Rosamond was born to be queen.
But when Grandmother raised her hand to the girl, Siward did not move fast enough to prevent the blow. When
