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darling, for then I'd want you to be mine in truth, Ranulf thought, but he Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html did not say so. If only Turold had not made you fear my sex . Aloud, he said, "I've told you why. I've been saying it ever since we left Rouen, Aldyth--I don't trust Prince Henry--not around an innocent like you. He's a womanizer par excellence. If he thought you were my mistress, it would be only too like him to want you, too--and as he outranks a mere baron like me, I'm afraid I would be pressured to let him, uh, sample you. I don't want to be put in that position, Aldyth, and you don't want to be in it, either, do you?" Aldyth shook her head, aghast at the thought. "He sounds like a monster." "He's not," Ranulf said, but an incident long ago had taught him to be wary. He doubted Henry would still use his rank to take a vassal's woman, but he would take no chances, not with Aldyth. "He has many cellent qualities--a keen mind and a talent for strategy not the least of them--but he's been denied the thing he wants most, real power. He had to buy his county, you know, with the silver that was his only legacy from his father, for the Conqueror had given all the land to Rufus and Robert. As a cons quence, Henry thinks he should have whatever else he wants, such as any woman who attracts his passing fancy." "Yet you were going to bring Lady Vivienne here," Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Aldyth pointed out. "Yes..." Aldyth's mind was ever sharp for holes in his carefully constructed reasons. "But Vivienne is not an innocent babe such as you are. She could have taken care of herself." "And I cannot?" Aldyth cried, stung. "Grande merci, my lord, for your faith in my abilities!" She dug her heels into the cob and shot ahead of him down the coastal road to Henry's castle. Chapter Fourteen "Ranulf of Kingsclere, it's good to see you!" the prince cried, rushing into the bailey as Ranulf and Aldyth dismounted. "I was hoping when you sent word you were going to Rouen you'd find a way to visit me here." Ranulf bowed. "My prince, I am happy to be here." Henry caught him into an embrace as he straightened. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "But you travel in little state, Ranulf--with just a page?" Henry exclaimed, indicating Aldyth. "Where is your giant Breton?" "Edward, stop stating and do as I taught you," Ranulf commanded. A blushing Aldyth, who had been staring at the best looking of the Conqueror's three living sons, hast' fly went down on one knee and inclined her head. "Prince Henry, I have the honor of presenting Edward of Pevensey, my page, whom I'm still training in courtesy, as you can see," Ranulf said dryly. "Urse, my squire, had the temerity to fall in love with my leman and ask her to wed him. He has taken her home to celebrate the New Year with her babes, so I had only this young pup to bear me company up the road from Rouen." He ruffled Aldyth's hair playfully. "A sore trial, that," he added, chuckling. Under the cover of her tousled hair, Aldyth glared at him. She'd teach him to patronize her! "And you did not mind your squire filching your chore amie? You do not seem Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html brokenhearted. No, I see you, are not. No matter, there are other delights here to tempt your-- ahem!-palate. You have come to bring in the New Year withus . Excellent!" "Your court is always most comfortable," responded Ranulf. "And I would somewhat belatedly congratulate you on your new lands, my prince. May I ask how you like he- ing Count of the Cotenfin and Avranches?" Obviously forgotten, Aldyth was free to study Henry once more. He was taller than his older brothers and his sire, Aldyth noted, but shorter and more stockily built than the Norman knight who stood before him. He was tawny-haired and lacked the fioridity and uncouthness of Rufus's face and the dissipation that marked Robert's. "Ah, I'm quite fond of having any land, since before I had nothing to call my [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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