In a Dark Wood Read Online Free PDF Page B

looked at the page she held. He fidgeted at the sight of a nude figure, albeit sexless. A creature was displayed on each part of its body, indicating which astrological sign controlled that part of the anatomy. A sheep foraged among the curly hair of the head; a crab clung to the throat, just beneath a bull that peeked out from behind the neck. With a wince, he noted that the androgynous crotch was bejeweled with a black scorpion. “My father assembled this humble collection,” he said.
    â€œThere are many beautiful things.”
    â€œI’m sure the library at the abbey far surpasses this modest assortment.”
    â€œIt does, of course, but step over to the light to see this lion. Even in the sunset it is so delightful. You can almost see it twitch its tail.”
    Near the window meant behind an archway, and he walked her to the wall, although careful not to touch her. “Why have you come here?” he breathed.
    â€œBecause I had to see you,” she whispered. “Besides, pigs did break into our garden and soiled everything.”
    With a sick feeling in his stomach, Geoffrey knew that the slaughtered boar had caused its brethren to attack. There were spirits in things, just as the spirit in water struggled to escape when it boiled. Did not our Lord cast the evil demons into a herd of swine?
    But the sight of her melted him, as heat renders wax. He opened his hand, and slowly, very slowly, his hand approached her cheek, and he touched her.
    â€œYou haven’t forgotten?” she breathed.
    A memory of great pleasure made him tremble. “How could I?” he whispered into her ear, the crisp edge of her veil at his lips.
    She had come, as she had now, to complain of pigs, and she had insisted, daintily but with a touch of impatience, that she see the sheriff himself. He had been ready to ride forth, a gentleman attending a gentlewoman, to the sight of the ravaged hedge.
    It was another blot upon his soul. And yet her beauty—not youthful beauty, but something riper—had already dissolved him again, here in the East Tower, cold stone beside them, vellum page rattling to the floor.
    He wanted to have her here, now, in the quoin formed by the archway and the wall, but the lion on the chest of the naked figure reminded him where he was and who he was. The black scorpion gleamed on the surface of the parchment.
    He hadn’t forgotten. He would come to her. Yes, the pigs were shameful creatures. Once again he would inspect the hedge. Love did, it was true, conquer all. He kissed the brooch, the gold warm as flesh at his lips.
    Geoffrey was glad that Hugh could not overhear his love patter with the abbess. And he was glad, too, that Hugh had no thought of the jealousy he felt now, as his wife turned to meet him. Could such a freely lustful man feel so possessive of his wife? Hugh might be moved to ask, if dismay allowed him to speak at all.
    Yes, the sheriff would have to answer. Indeed he could.
    His wife’s dress flowed to the floor, her sleeves reaching nearly as far. The insides of her sleeves were lined with blue silk, embroidered in gold with the pattern of trefoil leaves. Gold circled her neck, and a drape of coral beads fell from one shoulder to the opposite waist, each bead the size of a knuckle, but perfectly spherical. The beads chuckled as she moved to adjust her hair, speaking to her lady-in-waiting in Parisian, “Oh, look, my husband wears green just as I do, as if it were May.”
    â€œIf I could speak with you …”
    His wife tossed a shoulder, and they were alone.
    â€œSo—” he began.
    She made a pout in the looking glass. “You’re angry.”
    â€œWhy did you go fowling this afternoon?”
    â€œWhy not?”
    He controlled his voice. “For what purpose?”
    â€œMy pleasure.” Said softly: myn pay .
    â€œI told you I did not want to see you in the company of the falconer.”
    She turned to glance at