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morning sunshine. “It is a beautiful day, Joanna. I hope the banquet met your expectations last night.”
    â€œDon’t try to be subtle. You mean, did Gloucester meet my expectations?” She threw back the covers. “Actually, he turned out better than I thought. When I ignored him, he didn’t take offense. He didn’t put on any airs and graces; nor did he try to flatter me. Gloucester’s still old enough to be my father, but at least he’s no toady.” Joanna slid her feet into her slippers and donned her bed-gown.
    â€œIt was what happened after the banquet that bored me to tears and drove me to the edge of insanity. The queen, herding a gaggle of noble ladies, expected me to show them all the wedding gifts on display in the Long Gallery. What should have been accomplished in ten minutes, stretched to two hours. They took an inordinate interest in every gold cup and silver fork until I contemplated picking one up and stabbing myself for the sheer fun of it.”
    Jory laughed. “Viewing the costly gifts is one of the great pleasures of attending a royal wedding.”
    â€œYour sister-in-law, Sylvia, kept making pointed queries regarding your whereabouts and complaining that you hadn’t presented yourself to them yet. I’m adept at avoiding unwanted questions, but now it’s your turn to answer a few.” Joanna gave Jory back her own words. “Did you really do it? Did you lose your virginity?”
    Jory smiled her secret smile. “I too am adept at avoiding unwanted questions. I learned the trick from a royal princess.”
    â€œYou did indulge in dalliance! At least tell me his name.”
    â€œGervais…Giles…or was it Guy? I don’t remember.”
    â€œOh, you little hussy, he is French !”
    Jory rolled her eyes. “He is indeed.”
    â€œDo you have another rendezvous planned for tonight?”
    â€œHe did invite me,” Jory confessed, “but I have no intention of keeping the assignation. I have quite made up my mind. In any case, I shall be far too busy attending the events that Queen Eleanor has arranged in your honor.”
    â€œAh, yes, an al fresco luncheon served in the formal gardens, followed by a sightseeing tour along the Thames from Windsor to London aboard the royal barge. Father has arranged for the men to go on an all-day hunt. Lucky devils!”
    â€œYou love going out on the river,” Jory protested.
    â€œYes, I do enjoy it in the company of my own ladies, but certainly not with the queen’s uppity attendants, who look down their long, disapproving noses at me. As well, Mother will expect me to remember the name and title of every earl and baron’s wife. I cannot tell Countess Cowclap from Baroness Horseface.”
    â€œYou only pretend you can’t tell them apart to amuse yourself.”
    â€œYou know me so well, Jory.”
    â€œMaude Clifford and Blanche Bedford will be attending you this morning, Your Highness. I must go and present myself to Lynx and Sylvia, and my uncle, John de Warenne.”
    â€œDon’t try to change the subject. The royal barge will be back by nightfall and so will the hunters. That leaves plenty of time for dalliance between sunset and sunrise.”
    â€œI shall resist temptation today—I’ve quite made up my mind.”

Chapter 3
    â€œH ello, Minx! Where have you been hiding yourself?” John de Warenne, who had come to collect Lynx for the hunt, used her pet name. Lynx and Minx was a jest they had shared with their uncle since they were children. “I swear you grow lovelier each time I see you. Your beauty dazzles my eyes.”
    Jory dropped him a graceful curtsy. “Thank you, kind sir.”
    â€œDon’t encourage her, John. Her angelic looks may bedazzle you, but they mask an imp of Satan. I see nothing but devilish mischief dancing in those green eyes.”
    Jory, used to her brother’s teasing, paid