needed protecting, but she was beginning to realize that Noel had a
299/395
power all her own. When it came down to the matter of who was to
be accepted into the family and who was denied hospitality, Noel
had the final say for everyone that lived under her roof. Not even
Lucas would be able to break away from that without being forced
to leave his entire family behind. Helen had been denied Noel?s
blessing, and that was the end of it.
Helen managed to stand up and make her way to the door but
when she got there she paused. ?May I ask you one more question??
Helen said, following an impulse. She waited politely for
Noel to nod before continuing. ?What would you have named
Lucas??
?Tradition would have led us to name him after Castor?s father.?
Noel?s face was closed.
?And what was that?? Helen asked, already half knowing what
Lucas?s name would have been, what it should have been if his
mother and father had followed the rules.
?Paris,? Noel replied, unable to look Helen in the eye.
300/395
UNCORRECTED E-PROOF?NOT FOR SALE
HarperCollins Publishers
.....................................................................
Chapter Fifteen
The meadow went on and on and on?endlessly. There
was only one type of flower that grew here?a small
blossom so pale it was nearly transparent. No bees
buzzed around these flowers and none of them altered
from their precise alignment unless Helen brushed
against them. They were infertile things that had no scent, sustained