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

well, Princess.” Geoffrey bowed to her then bent to brush a quick kiss on his wife’s cheek. “I know not when I will return, Mary. You need not wait up for me.”
    The slight, pale woman glanced into his eyes and murmured, “I do not mind, my lord. I will await you.”
    Geoffrey nodded and left. It mattered naught what Mary did. Alyse loved him still. And in the end, as callous as it might be, that was all that mattered.
    * * * *
    As Thomas reached their chamber, he heard sobbing through the door. He burst into the room, and his gaze flew to the source of the horrible sound: Alyse crumpled on the bed, weeping as though her heart would break. His heart stood still in his chest. He had not heard her cry thus since the day she had discovered Geoffrey married... He swore under his breath and rushed to the bed, grabbing Alyse by the arms and turning her to face him.
    “What did he do to you, Alyse? What did the villain do to you?” he shouted, fear and rage mingling in his gut. “He swore he did nothing, but if he lied... Tell me!”
    Alyse struggled to sit up, shaking her head, her sobs lessening.
    “You knew something would happen if you danced with him. Is that why you refused him at first?” He gave her a little shake then gripped her arms convulsively. “He made advances before this, did he not? That is why you were afraid of him!”
    Alyse gasped and la id a restraining hand on his arm. “Nay, husband, speak not so. ’Tis not true. Give me a moment to compose myself. ’Tis nothing to do with Sir Geoffrey.”
    He let her go and sat back, truly perplexed. Why this hysterical weeping? She had been moody today, and then fatigued. The words he had spoken to Geoffrey rose to mind, and he looked at her anew, a true hope in his heart.
    * * * *
    Alyse hid her face with her hands, trying to think of some excuse for her behavior. Something other than the truth. She wiped her eyes and stared at her lap. What could she say?
    The silence drew out. When she could bear it no longer, she raised her head and blinked as his gaze softened and grew warm. He stole one hand out to cup her chin and with the other brushed the hair back from her face.
    “Alyse, my sweet,” he said gently, “are you with child?”
    At his words, her tears started afresh, for this had been her first disappointment of the day. And now, the perfect excuse... She sadly shook her head. “Nay, my love. ’Tis that which has distressed me so. My courses have come upon me again, so I know now that I do not carry your child.” And the pain of that thought overwhelmed her so that she laid her head on his shoulder, and sobbed aloud. She could not even do him this service as his wife.
    Thomas held her close and stroked her hair, soothing her, then sighed. He pushed her head back, peering into her face, and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “I know this saddens you, my love, but in a short time we will try again. We are young, and when it is God’s will, you will surely grow great with my babe.” He kissed her tearstained face. “Now let us have no more weeping tonight, Alyse. You gave me such a fright! Your cries were so dreadful, I was sure ’twas something else that upset you. Something much worse.”
    She turned sorrowful eyes to him then spoke carefully. “You thought Geoffrey had harmed me.”
    Thomas shook his head regretfully. “I beg your pardon for that, Alyse. Aye, and Geoffrey’s too. I should have no cause for such suspicions, but your earlier reluctance to dance with him then your outburst after the dance led me to think... I am sorry if I seemed to doubt you, my sweet.”
    Alyse forced a smile although her conscience smote her. She did not deserve his trust. But mayhap a gentle admonishment would serve to quash further insistence on a public display of friendship between her and Geoffrey. “’Twas this very reason, my love, that I wished to avoid Sir Geoffrey. Even though you have assured me that you doubt me not, I think you