The Virgin Blue. Tracy Chevalier

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      Isabelle did not answer. What would it take to draw Etienne away? The steward had not looked at him when urging them to go. He knew Etienne would not leave.

      Etienne and Bertrand returned from the barn, Etienne joining his parents at the table. Jean glanced up at Isabelle and Susanne.

      —Go to sleep, he said. We will keep watch.

      But their eyes were on Bertrand, standing uncertainly in the middle of the room. He looked up at Susanne as if searching for a sign. Isabelle leaned toward her.

      —God will protect you, she whispered in Susanne’s ear. God and the Duchesse’s men.

      She sat back, caught Hannah’s glare, met it. All these years you have taunted me because of my hair, she thought, yet you pray to your own magic. She and Hannah stared at each other. Hannah looked away first.

      Isabelle missed Susanne’s nod but not its result. Bertrand turned resolutely towards Jean.

      —Susanne, Deborah and I, we will go to Alès with the Duchesse de l’Aigle, he stated.

      Jean gazed at Bertrand.

      —You understand that you will lose everything if you go, he said quietly.

      —We will lose everything if we stay. Susanne is near her time, she cannot walk far. She cannot run. There will be no chance for her when the Catholics come.

      —You do not believe in this house? Where no babies have died? Where Tourniers have thrived for 100 years?

      —I believe in the Truth, he replied. That is what I believe in. With his words he seemed to grow, his defiance giving him height and girth. Isabelle realized for the first time that he was actually taller than his father-in-law.