French Silk [antikvár]

PrologLieA_ JL blup jay swoc^^d in and perched on the nake4,(^erub's toe. Too (^^i^ted to spfasn in the^uiitain with the aBanden of the lowly sparrow, the jay took one sip^f water, then jetted from the courtyard. He seemed disdainful of the serenity enclosed within the old brick walls which were covered with clinging, flowering vines. Bumblebees buzped induS|mpu,sly among the pastel blossoms. Hanging baskets of rems Itill drip]^^ from a predawn shower. On the waxy leaves of philodendrons and camellia bushes, drops of rainwater glistened in the bright sunlight."So Rapunzel let down her cascade of lovely, golden hair, and the prince used the heavy locks to scale the stone wall of the tower."Claire Laurent, who'd been listening intently, looked skeptically at her mother. "Wouldn't that hurt, Mama?""Not in fairy tales, darling.""1 wish I had long, golden hair." The girl sighed wistfully.Mary Catherine patted her five-year-old daughter's tumble of russet waves. "Your hair is too lovely for words."The tranquility of the courtyard was shattered abruptly when Aunt Laurel barged through the screen door. "Mary Catherine, they're