Jenna Jaxon - Time Enough to Love 03 Read Online Free PDF

their betrothal resounded in her ears. “Truthfulness can be a two-edged sword in marriage if wielded with too much vigor.” The days of truth in her marriage were no more. She flung herself across the bed, sobbing in misery.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Geoffrey stood wooden as a statue as Alyse ran from the Great Hall. He looked after her, yet did not see her. His heart beat in fits and starts, though not from the exertion of the dance. He understood now. She had tried to avoid him, been discourteous to him in the vain attempt to foreswear what he had known from the beginning—she loved him still, and with a passion neither of them could disavow.
    The touch had been their downfall. He had never renounced his feelings for her , but even he had been awed by the power the slightest contact with her called forth. The moment he had taken her hand, he had known the love and fervor they had once shared had not died.
    And he had sighed with relief. He had feared that after living as Thomas’s wife, she would feel nothing for him. He squeezed his fist until the nails dug into his palm. Thoughts of them together still sent agonies through him. One question, however, had been answered. Theirs was a mating of the soul that could not be denied any more than one could deny needing water to drink or air to breathe. He would never lose her completely.
    How this travesty would eventually play out , he knew not. He suspected it would end badly for all of them. And the difficulties would only mount now that they were living in such close proximity. He sent yet another curse to be heaped upon his sire’s head for his part in the mockery that was now his life.
    He looked up to see Thomas striding toward him, concern and anger warring on his face.
    “What happened to Alyse?” He stopped short in front of Geoffrey, his brows drawn into a deep frown. “She ran out after the dance. You did not attempt to... Did you do aught ...?” Thomas’s mouth set into harsh lines.
    Christ.
    Geoffrey turned what he hoped were innocent eyes to Thomas. “Nay, Thomas, we merely danced as you instructed. She seemed distressed because she did not know the dance, but she comported herself well. Mayhap the unfamiliar lifting and twirling motions unsettled her.” He shrugged. “All I can say is that she burst into tears at the end and ran from the room.” Geoffrey then turned as if to return to the dais. “Will you go after her? I will make your excuses to Princess Joanna.”
    Thomas cut his eyes toward him, but answered smoothly, “My thanks, Geoffrey. I had better attend her. Perhaps she was truly fatigued earlier.” His lazy smile emerged, one Geoffrey knew well could disguise all manner of emotion. “It may be that she is with child. I should not have pressed her to dance with you, mayhap.”
    Geoffrey fought the urge to snarl and instead nodded. “Perhaps you should not have. I pray she fares well, Thomas.”
    He started for the dais, clenching and unclenching his hands as he went. Drained by the turmoil of the evening, he climbed the steps to the platform, bent on easing his tension with a flagon of ale. Ere he reached the seat next to his wife, however, a steward accosted him, bearing a message. He read the note quickly, nodded to the steward, and turned to Princess Joanna.
    The young woman eyed the note and cocked her head. “What is amiss, Sir Geoffrey? Why have Lord and Lady Braeton left the banquet?”
    “Highness, I regret to inform you that Lady Braeton was taken ill after our dance and has retired to her chamber. Thomas has gone to attend her. And I have this minute been handed a message from Sir Robert Bouchier, who has also been taken ill. He requests that I assume his duties until he recovers.”
    Princess Joanna sighed and nodded. “Then I shall keep my cousin with me lest I have no conversation left.” She patted Mary’s hand. “I will make sure she arrives back in your chamber safely ere long. God give you good night.”
    “And you as