A Companion for Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

and don’t bother calling again because I won’t be
in.”

    “Why don’t you
come here and let me kiss you…”

    “Out!” Penryth
sighed in irritation at having to move before he was rested.
Reluctantly rolling off the bed he leisurely pulled on his clothes as objects flew past his
head. He sighed again as she burst into tears. Why did women have
to cry so much? Melisande was a stunning woman, but… His eyes
returned to her uneven breasts. How could he make love to a woman
for over two years and not notice she had one breast larger than
the other? She was crying harder now. He could almost hear her
wishing him to take her in his arms and tell him his wife was a
jest. He approached the fire and brushed her back with his elbow as
he filled and lit his pipe. “You’re a wretched heartless Welshman
and I hate you.”

    “Does this mean you won’t be visiting my
country next summer?”

    “I hate Wales…there’s nothing there, but
stupid boring sheep.”

    “Don’t forget the mountains and manly men.”
He blew a lungful of smoke into her hair as he admired her ear. His
wife had pretty ears; they had a pleasing curve that brought to
mind the heart in the wooden love-spoon his father had carved for
his mother.

    “You’re hateful…I thought you loved me.” She
flung herself into his arms and sobbed into his coat.

    “Melisande, you know it wouldn’t mean
anything to you if I did. Your husband loves you; the man sails
off, risking death, to increase his fortune so he can build the
house you want and all you muster in gratitude is that you hope
he’s dead.”

    “Only because he’s a bore…”

    “I’d bore you as soon as you could put my
heart in your purse; that’s probably why Oldham chews his nails. I
learned years ago to keep my heart well out of harm’s way.”

    “You once loved Rosamund Philips; you could
fall in love with me.”

    “I only thought I loved her.”

    “Everyone knows she has her heart set on
making her precious Grace the Countess of Carmarthen. You’re going
to have a son by that fat ugly lump aren’t you? You married her for
revenge. You still love Rosamund…” His lover started to sob.
“…she’s been in your thoughts while you’ve made love to me.” With
her face pressed into his waistcoat she couldn’t see his expression
of exasperation.

    “How could I think of another woman when my
arms are filled with such beauty?” Penryth sucked on his pipe as he
relived the unpleasant moment his nephew has revealed he was in
love with Grace Philips; something bad was bound to come of it. The
boy’s heart would be broken and Penryth would have to piece it back
together. He put an arm around the naked woman and removed his pipe
to kiss her upturned lips. “Rosamund could never compete with your
superior charms…”

    His wet eyed lover tugged on his ill-tied
cravat. “Come back to bed and prove it.”

    “I must go check on my wife.”

    “Stay!”

    “If I return to your bed I’ll only fall
asleep. I’ll visit you in a few days. If I don’t find you occupied
I’ll happily worship your charms.” He tried to kiss her forehead,
but she pulled away and tugged hard on his cravat making him
cough.

    “If you walk out that door you won’t touch me
again.”

    “You told me to go, I’m going.”

    Tears flooded out of pretty blue eyes that
looked deceptively innocent. “If you leave it’s over.”

    “I’ll call in a few days.” He tucked his pipe
back into the corner of his lips and patted her wet cheek. “Don’t
upset yourself Melisande; it’ll make your eyes red. Men will think
you miss your husband.”

    “I hate you!” She pulled free of his arms and
raced to pick something up to throw at him, but he was gone before
it smashed on the floor. “I hate you!” The words followed him to
the front door. He could only hope his timid wife would lose her
temper by sulking in silence.

    Heading home, he was oblivious to the noise
of the city moving past.