The Charlotte Series: Book 2: The Rebel's Prize

Twelve - Part 1

"Sei abbastanza sicuro che sia quello che hai sentito?" The duke asked anxiously. (Translation: Are you quite certain that is what you heard?) 

"Sì, naturalmente, la tua grazia. Non penserei di disturbare se non fossi stato assolutamente certo."  (Translation: Yes, of course, Your Grace. I would not think to disturb you had I not been absolutely certain.)

"Yes, I can see that you are very certain."

The duke shook his head and rubbed his fingers against his brow. Izzy watched, still wringing her hands. The duke looked most puzzled.

"Miss Bricker, may I ask how it is you came to speak Italian?"

"Italian?"

Izzy's eyebrows shot up and her mind raced. It had never occurred to her that the words were yet another language. She heard them speaking and she understood what they said. She knew she could speak Hindi, Urdu, and French so she just assumed...Italian? She pushed her mind toward the abyss that was her past once more as she hurried to a chair to sit down.

She kept her eyes closed as she concentrated on the task. Sometimes she could stir up a whisper or a fleeting image but today all the effort brought was pain. It was severe and almost instant for she had no sooner seated herself when the first pains began to stab. Yet she kept on trying to remember, to think about that empty space in her memory.

At once her hands flew to her temples as she cradled her head and cried out. The duke was kneeling at her side at once.

"You must not distress yourself, Miss Bricker. Your father told me about your injury. Is this part of the things you cannot remember?"

"Yes." She whispered as the pain began to ease, though it left her head aching.

"He said you remember things but not how you came to know them and that sometimes you are not aware that you know them at all until you simply do them."

"That is true. Once on the ship I heard a sailor whistling a tune and I just started singing the words though I am quite certain I'd never heard the song before."

"You must have heard it at one point, as you must have learned Italian at some point. I am not concerned that you speak it..." he paused and lifted her chin to offer a smile. "Incidentally, my dear, you speak it very well."

"Thank you, your grace."

"What concerns me is what you heard." He rose and sat in the chair next to her.

"But the King is already dead some four years past if I recall. It was quite all anyone could talk about for months and everyone went about in mourning."

"You are correct. But the Queen has gone into mourning and she is not much seen about. I don't know if the threat would be extended to her, or perhaps it might be meant for another King entirely. There are many foreigners in our company. Do you recall who it was you heard speaking? Would you be able to recognize them if you saw them again?"

"Yes, your grace. I was quite startled by what I heard and could not help but stare. I know it was not polite of me but I am sure I could show them to you."

"I don't want them aware that they have been understood. If there is a plot, I should learn what I can and inform the proper authority. You did well by sending for me and I wonder if I might impose upon you further this evening."

"Of course, your grace."

"I should like for you to be my companion for the remainder of the evening. I should like you to hang on my arm and laugh and be lovely. My guests shall be curious and they shall all want to have their turn to meet you. But while you listen to their benign chatter and charm them with your pretty smile, I should like for you to be listening to anything you might hear."