Chapter 82 Frogs, Kisses, Ghosts and Wind

  "Remember when we were girls, still believing if ye kissed a frog he would turn into a handsome prince?" Honey Sanders asked her closest friend.
  "Ye believed that Honey?" Dame Esmerelda Frell was incredulous.
  "When I was a small girl.  Ye mean ye never kissed a frog?"
  "Those slimy things?  Ye didn't."
  "Well...only once..."
  Esmerelda laughed.
  "And did ye get a prince out of it?"
  "Well, not right away."
  "What prince would that be Honey?"
  "Why Winifred of course."
  "Oh Honey, Winifred had nothing to do with kissing a frog."
  "Try telling that to my childhood self!"
  "What did he look like...when ye kissed him?"
  "Winifred?"
  "No...the frog.  Did it's eyes bulge?"
  "Oh, the frog!  It looked like this."

Chapter 74 Awaiting a Princess

  Francis was spending what should have been a lovely day at the castle.  He supposed he couldn't expect Princess Jean to be here every time he came.  He continued hitting balls with his cue stick.  It was less practice and more fidgeting.  Perhaps he should go.

  From across the room came the gentle swish of a lady's dress.

Chapter 71 Worthy

Chapter 70 The Trouble with Besieging a Castle

Chapter 68 Moving On Alone

  Oh.  That isn't right.  No one left now, just me.  This was easier when Winifred did it.  Let's see...rent for one merchant woman...no husband...no children.  Even paying rent is a sad affair.  Oh, and Lord Lionheart lets me take off some for being a widow.

Chapter 63 Frella's Father

  He stepped out from between the trees.  He watched the gypsy man from a distance.  The gypsy didn't see him, and he did not call out to him.  He did not want to be seen.  It would be best if his family knew not of his daughter, or his daughter of himself or his family.  And yet here he was, watching the gypsy prepare to marry his daughter.

Chapter 60 What Ails You?

  Francis had worked hard all week.  He barely spent time with his frat brothers anymore, unless they studied or ate together.  In fact he had felt a little guilty about it.  To make up for it he asked if any of them would like to join him in his trip to Rosewood.  The replies had been scattered.

  "Busy," from Lord Alexander.

  "Again?" from his brother Henry.

  "I am not eager to go back to Rosewood anytime soon," had been Lord Henry's reply.  Then he had walked away muttering "the last thing I need is to visit the castle."

  What was that about?

Chapter 57 Princess Jean Finds Out

  Princess Jean met Francis for sweets before he went back to college.  He had come to making frequent trips to Rosewood.  She liked to think he came for her, but it was just as likely to see his parents.

Chapter 54 Lord Henry Divulges

  "Francis, I'm going to see what are other 'brothers' are up to, care to join me?"

  "No thank you Henry, I'm busy."

Chapter 52 Unexpected Opportunities

  When Henry and Francis Frell had walked to the fraternity, Henry told Francis it meant good lodging and good food.  Francis had hoped for more.  He hoped it would be an opportunity.  Opportunity for what he did not know.  But as second born, he needed opportunities.  Working in the castle had been one, and look where it took him?  All the way to college.

  The pledging had been easy.  They had needed to do little more than get to know the Lionhearts better, entertain them a little.  Francis had wanted to befriend them ever since that party he and his papa had gone to.

  Francis did do most of the work around the frat house.  He did not mind this.  He would learn what he could here as well as in his studies.  He is a merchant man.  He was learning how best to serve noblemen - and how to get along with them.  Surely there is opportunity in that.  Francis had no idea.

Chapter 49 Fraternity

  When Lord Alexander Lionheart first arrived at college he sought out a fraternity to join.  There wasn't one.  When the plague was at it's worst the colleges had closed down.  The fraternities had never been reestablished.  What is a nobleman to do?  Alexander made a bold move.  He petitioned to begin one.

Chapter 48 Esmerelda's Visitor

  Geoffrey was beat.  He walked good and slow to the shack he called home.  He sighed.  He had thought by the end of his duty as reeve he would have been better off.  At least his heir was in college that was something.

  Geoffrey could hear his wife inside.  Was she talking to herself in her old age?  A few steps closer and he could hear a response - a male response.  Geoffrey felt anger surge in his chest.  He walked more quickly.

  "I am jest so glad ye came to see me!"

  Geoffrey stopped in his tracks.  Esmerelda....she's been having a man visit her?  By her own choice?

  A male voice he didn't recognize murmured something.

  Suddenly the door flew open and the man ran straight into him.

Chapter 47 King Lovejoy Pays a Visit to the Roberts

  Remembrance breathed deeply.

  Picking oranges tasted almost as good as eating them.

Chapter 43 Threatening Tears

  "Our donation Father Patrick.  Ma wrapped up some of the best food from the harvest."

 

   "Francis Frell, it is too much.  Surely your family has a greater need."

Chapter 42 Geoffrey's Plan

  "Henry as my heir there are certain things ye should know."

  "Such as how to beat me old man at a game of darts?"

  "No.  A very valuable goal my son, but that is not what I was aiming at."

Chapter 41 Very Noble Indeed

  "Why hello Lord Henry.  A mighty fine name ye be having.  It's the name of me eldest.  What brings you by me place this fine day?"

Chapter 30 I Must Hesitate No More

  She is here as she often is.  But today is different.  Today I am going to kiss her.  I will walk right up to her and place my lips upon hers.

  Francis stood frozen to the spot.

  Why did I think this was a good idea again?

Chapter 29 Put Your Heart at Ease

  She seems happy enough.  But is she?  Is she really?  Is she just making the best of things?  Will it be like this for me?  We are both merchant women...but I will not remain that way.  Promised to a fisherman...mama says if papa arranged it he thought it best.  I wish he could tell me why marrying a peasant boy I've never met is best for me.  What am I supposed to make of it?  Will we be impoverished all our lives?  Will we love each other?  If there is one thing I remember of my papa it is how he loved my mama.  I have great doubt I will ever meet a man who loves any woman as much as papa loved mama.  Even as he lay dying he called her to his side, begging her often to lean close that he might kiss her.  Will I ever be loved like that?  Is Esmerelda sorry she married this Reeve?

  Unconsciously Clover Sanders edged closer.

Chapter 27 May as Well Be Peasants

  "I have arranged for us to live in the cottage on the left.  It is the closest to the pond.  Father Patrick will be our fish monger, so we'll have his best fish each day he fishes here.  We can still live among the peasants, but we shall have more shared land."

  Esmerelda didn't find the move quite so rosy.

Chapter 26 Frell Brothers Leave Childhood Behind

  She approaches!  Goldilocks Sanders, young, available, good birthing hips, and she approaches me.