15 Miles the Impostor

CHAPTER 15 Miles the Impostor E dward and Miles sat in the front room of Hendon Hall thinking about their next move. Or rather, Miles was thinking about what to do next. Edward was beginning to wonder why no one was searching for him. "They must have realized by now that a fraud is living in the palace," Edward said. "Why has no one come for me?"

There was a light tap on the door, and Edith entered the room. Miles sprang forward to greet her, but she held her hand up slightly. Miles stopped in his tracks. She was still beautiful but very sad. "I have come to warn you," she said. Her voice was quiet and she turned to look behind her several times. "My husband is master of this region. He has power over everything and everyone." She paused for a moment. "He always gets his way." Miles ignored her comments. "Don't you recognize me, Edith? Don't you see that I am Miles?" She swallowed and took a deep breath. She could not look him in the eye. "I can only warn you. You must escape. You must leave now." "I will not leave my home again," Miles said firmly.

"Don't you understand?" Her cheeks were red and she was breathing heavily. "This is not your home anymore. My husband is a tyrant. You are not safe here." She turned to look behind her again. "None of us are truly safe here." "You ask me to leave after saying something like that? Are you worried that he will hurt you?" Miles moved closer, but she

stopped him again with a wave of her hand. "Please take this money. It will help you on your travels." She held a purse toward him. "Do one favor for me," Miles said. "Look me in the eye just once. Look me in the eye, and say you do not recognize me." At that moment, the door burst open. Several servants rushed into the room and grabbed the two visitors. After a terrible struggle, Miles was overpowered. He and Edward were dragged away and thrown into prison.