Chapters Nine-Twelve Summary

In Chapter Nine, the reverend mother is in the act of asking Ismae everything that she remembers about her interaction with the man named Duval when he bursts into the room even though Annith has tried to stop him. Duval is angry because he is trying to question the men whom Ismae has killed about their role in the plan to keep Anne from being crowned duchess. Duval allows himself to be trapped by the reverend mother as she suggests that he take Ismae to live with him for several weeks so they can coordinate efforts. Ismae is to act as his mistress. Ismae is not happy with the plan, but obeys as she has been commanded.

In Chapter Ten the reverend mother visits Ismae in her room to give her the gift of a dagger of Mortain. Although it is...