Marian shut the door behind Layla, her heart swelling with sympathy for the young woman. She seemed so resigned to her fate and that troubled Marian more than anything. How could she just accept the fact she was going to die, if she were innocent?
And if she didn’t kill Jean, then who did?
Suddenly the urge to find her children and hug them close overwhelmed her. She wanted to protect them, keep them safe from the winds of change and trouble that seemed to be whirling around them since their father’s death.
Marian picked up her skirts and hurried up the stairs to find her babies. She opened the door to Renee’s room and found the little girl curled up asleep on her bed, her dolls spread around her. Marian felt her heart swell with love at the sight of her child sleeping so trustingly, and as Marian gazed at her daughter her resolve strengthened to keep her safe.
Closing the door, Marian continued down the hall to Philip’s room, realizing she hadn’t seen the boy since breakfast this morning.
She knocked and opened his bedroom door. At first glance it appeared to be in order, but then Marian noticed items missing. His favorite hat that his father brought back for him, a teddy bear he hadn’t yet given up, and his father’s picture. Then she saw a note lying on his bed. She walked over to the bed and picked up the piece of paper, a sense of fear overtaking her. As she begin to read, her heart leapt within her chest and she gasped.
Mother,
I don’t like living here without Papa. I don’t like what the children say about him and you. I’m going to France to find Papa’s family.
Love,
Philip
Marian ran out the door, screaming for her servants. Philip had run away!