The Secret Hamlet - Book 2

I know that Nichol and Lucette must be protected.

The next morning, Helene described the birth to Ezra in more detail and followed him to the door with nonstop requests: “When you talk to her, I want to hear exactly what she has to say and how she says it.”

Ezra turned to Helene and kissed her on the lips. “I will do as you say, my love.” Waving, he turned and walked toward the midwife’s house.

There is more to what happened in that room than she has words to describe. I must buy Sacha’s silence, he thought. This is an important mission. I need to be persuasive.

Approaching the door, he lifted his hand, knocking … dread vibrating through his body. Again and again, Ezra knocked on her door, and still no one answered. Hearing children talking and laughing inside, he knocked again, this time louder. At the same time, he shouted, “Please, someone open the door! It is me, Ezra.”

Finally, the door cracked open revealing the partial face of a man. “Is Sacha here?”

The man glared at him. “Yes.” Then he abruptly closed the door.

Moments later, the door opened, but this time Sacha appeared. “What do you want?” she snapped, a scowl on her face.

“I wanted to pay you for your services. Yesterday you left before I could do so.” Ezra handed her a hefty purse of coins. “Thank you for your help with the delivery. Nichol and her baby are doing well.”

“The devil is in that woman and her child!” she shouted and slammed the door in Ezra’s face.

Stunned, he stared at the door. Alarmed by what she said and by her behavior, Ezra knew he must return to his family immediately and tell them what had happened.

This woman is dangerous. For Nichol. And for all of us.