Nan was in her room, pacing the floor.  She had heard that Lord Richard had returned.  She was worried about Christine.  What he could be doing to her?  Did he find out anything about them?  She knew they were playing too close to the edge.  Those men must have figured it out.  One of them smiled and winked at her when she left Christine's chambers the day before.  And that feeling...that feeling of dread about this affair began to surface.  She knew the end was coming soon.  She had no idea how to stop it.  If only she could get Christine out of here.

There was a knock on her door.  Her heart nearly jumped from her body at the sound.  She took a breath and opened the door.  It was Christine.  And she looked horrible.

"You have been crying.  Oh my love, what is wrong?" Nan put her arms around Christine, but she pushed Nan away.

Christine looked at her, shaking her head.  "Please, don't."

"What is wrong?"  Nan began to approach Christine again, but she put her arm out.

"I said, don't.  Don't touch me."

This was the end.  Nan could feel it.  Please, heavens I beg you.  Don't let this be the end.

"Are you all right?  Why have you been crying?"  Nan asked, trying to push her dread away.

"I want you to pack your things and leave...Now."

Christine did not look at her.  She kept her eyes on the wall in front of her.

"Why?"

Then Christine turned to her and for a moment she thought she saw Christine mouth the words 'I love you.'

"I don't love you.  I never did.  This affair is boring me and getting in the way.  I want you to leave now. You are no longer welcome here.  Now get your things and go."

Nan could feel her heart rip apart.  She lost control of breathing, the pain in her chest was gripping at her body.

"You don't...you don't mean this.  I know you love me. I know."

The tears fell from Nan's eyes.

"I don't love you.  In fact I hate you.  Now go."

Nan only just stood.

"Why aren't you listening to me?  For God's sake, get your things packed and leave!"

Christine grabbed Nan's medicine bag and threw it at her.  Nan caught it, then caught the clothes that 
Christine was throwing at her.

"You have your stuff.  Now leave!"

Christine pushed Nan, causing her to move towards the door.  She continued to scream at her to leave, that she hated her.  As Nan reached the doorway, she saw Lord Richard for just a moment, before he slipped from her sight.  She understood now.

Nan turned to Christine, seeing the pain that covered her face.  Then she mouthed the words 'I love you too.'

She turned and walked out the door, her clothes and medicine bag still in her arms.

Christine collapsed onto the floor, her sobs echoing through the room.