Betrayal (Book 2: Time Enough to Love) Read Online Free PDF Page B

become after the revelations of the past several minutes, his mind raced to the one contingency Geoffrey had not touched on. He put a hand on his friend’s arm. “What if Alyse is with child?”
    Geoffrey stared at him, his eyes suffused with pain. “That is the private hell I have endured these last seven days, for I could speak of it to no one. By the time we know for certain, I will be firmly married to Mary. And if she is, she will be dismissed from the princess’s service and sent home in disgrace. I know naught of her father, but I hold out no hope he will be compassionate to her. If she were to marry immediately it might serve, but how is that to be accomplished? If I did not think the king would imprison or execute me, I would defy them all and marry her.”
    With the circumstances so horrific, Thomas could think of no reply. He placed a hand on Geoffrey’s shoulder, as much to take comfort as give it. “This is why you asked me to accompany Lady Mary? To tell me what has transpired?”
    Geoffrey nodded. “Aye, and to be my witness at the marriage.” Thomas stared at him, stomach sinking. “’Tis then I shall need a friend the most.”
    He nodded briefly, though being witness to such a travesty would lie heavy on his soul.
    “I would ask another difficult service of you, my friend.”
    He guessed what was coming and steeled himself for it.
    “I have prepared a letter to my love. Will you take it and put it into her hand? I cannot think what she will suffer, Thomas, but if you are there to comfort her, as you have comforted me, mayhap ’twill be some help to her. I can do no more.”
    He nodded again, sighing deeply. Next to witnessing Geoffrey’s wedding, this would be the most heinous task he would ever do.
    As if in accord, both men turned toward the waiting carriage. Geoffrey set his jaw. “’Tis time I meet my bride.”
    They began to walk toward the conveyance when Thomas asked, “Does Lady Mary know anything of what is to transpire?”
    “I doubt it. I know not if her father made her aware of the circumstances. Lord Longford has certainly sent no word to her.”
    Geoffrey’s face was stony as he approached the carriage. Opening the door, he peered into the darkened chamber, seeking the face of the woman he would soon make his wife. A pale face, framed by flaxen hair and made paler still by the light of the torches, moved toward them. Huge, dark, frightened eyes stared at them. Geoffrey reached toward the young woman, who flinched from him.
    Her face was splotched and streaked with tears. She clutched a sodden handkerchief, though if she had tried to dry her tears it had had little effect. She had obviously been told of her new circumstances, for she cast a tremulous look at Geoffrey’s severe visage, and her frightened tears began anew.
    “Lady Mary, you have been informed of the wishes of our parents and the king, have you not?” Geoffrey’s voice boomed in the darkness.
    The girl could not speak, but finally nodded miserably.
    “Will you then accompany me to the chapel of Longford, to see the matter done?”
    A sob then another slight nod.
    The little group entered Longford Manor and crossed the Great Hall, turning down a corridor to the right and heading toward the back of the manor house and Longford Chapel. As they moved forward, Thomas’s distress at his friend’s plight increased. So did his fear that the innocent Mary might soon bear the brunt of Geoffrey’s rage.
    He laid his hand on Geoffrey’s arm before the party entered the chapel. “A word, Geoffrey, if you please.”
    His friend nodded then motioned the ladies into the chapel, where they proceeded up to the waiting figures at the altar.
    “Last words of comfort, Thomas?” Geoffrey sneered as he turned to face his longtime companion.
    “Nay, Geoffrey. Words of caution.” He glared sternly at the young man who stood sullen and wretched beside him. “I know your pain at these events and had I the power to alter the