Love, Remember Me Read Online Free PDF

wanted to hide, but your aunt would not let me.
    "Bliss had taken to court after her marriage to Owen FitzHugh like a busy duck takes to a millpond. It is her natural milieu. She will guide you safely through the maze of manners and morals there. If you are wise, Nyssa, you will trust her, and listen well to what she has to say."
    Blaze put an arm about her daughter. "There is one piece of advice that I must give you, however, my dear. Guard your reputation carefully. Your virginity is the greatest treasure that you possess, Nyssa. The gift of it is yours alone to give, but I would hope you should give it to the man you will marry one day, for he will appreciate it far more than any other. Because I was the king's mistress for a short time, there will be fools crass and coarse enough to believe that you are an easy prey. Remind them sharply, for I know you will not have to remind yourself, that you are the virtuous daughter of the Earl of Langford, not some common drab. You are not to be trifled with by any."
    "Was the king in love with you, Mama?" Nyssa asked. She had never before dared to voice the question.
    "He was enchanted with me for a brief time," her mother replied, "but I do not believe he was ever really in love with me. We became friends, however, which was to the good, Nyssa. I have ever been the king's most loyal servant. So I hope you will be as well."
    "I had always heard it said, Mama, that the king was the handsomest prince in Christendom, but I do not think him handsome. He is quite fat, and the stink from his sore leg the day he visited us was quite dreadful. I do not imagine even a crown could make me want to marry such a man. I do not envy the Princess of Cleves, poor lady. Yet I could see the king thinks himself quite grand. I cannot believe you loved him."
    Blaze smiled. The young were apt to be quite harsh in their judgments of their elders. "The king has gained a great deal of weight since our time together, Nyssa. He was in his youth a very handsome man. Time, I fear, has not been particularly kind to him. We do not see ourselves age as others see us. In his own mind the king still thinks himself as a very dashing gentleman. It would be wise for those about him to treat him as such. No one enjoys getting older, my daughter, and even a king is not safe from the ravages of time."
    "I shall miss you, Mama, and Papa too!" Nyssa told Blaze.
    "I shall miss you also, my darling," the Countess of Langford replied, "but it is time that you began your journey into life. Court will offer you wonderful opportunities. You are certain to find a husband there, Nyssa. He might be a man of stature, or perhaps the brother of a friend that you will make. There is so much ahead of you!"
    "I will only marry for love, Mama," Nyssa said.
    "Love often comes after marriage, my dear," her mother replied. "I laid eyes on your father only once, and quite briefly at that, before I married him. I didn't even know him, but Edmund was so good. I very quickly fell in love with him. He was an easy man to love."
    "But what if you hadn't fallen in love with him?" Nyssa said with firm logic. "It would have been horrible for you! I think I should rather love the man before I marry him, and not leave such things to chance, Mama. Mistress Fortune can be a fickle creature."
    "As long as he is a suitable match," her mother said. "It must be a proper marriage that you make, Nyssa."
    "But I will first love him," Nyssa insisted.
    Blaze smiled at her eldest child. "He will be a very lucky gentleman," she said.

CHAPTER 2
    T HE king was planning a gala Christmas wedding. His mood was gayer than many had ever seen it. The festivities would be held at the monarch's favorite palace of Greenwich. There would be twelve full days of joyous celebration following the marriage ceremony. The new queen would make her formal entry into the capital city of London on the first day of January. Her coronation was already tentatively planned for February second,