The Chosen Queen Read Online Free PDF Page A

me.’
    It was not an accusation but Edyth longed to merit the woman’s kindness and the lure of answers was strong. She glanced around. Harold was still absent, Avery was outside the door, and
Elaine had her grey head down over her needle. They were as alone as it was possible to be at court.
    ‘There was a man,’ she managed.
    ‘Any particular man?’
    ‘Lord Torr.’ She flushed as she said it; even the name sounded wanton now.
    ‘Oh. Oh, I see.’
    ‘You do?’
    ‘I take it he was not alone?’ Edyth shook her head. ‘With a girl perhaps? Were they naked, Edyth?’
    She said it so simply that Edyth was surprised into answering directly.
    ‘Sort of. He had no trews on and his tunic was hitched up and she . . . she . . .’
    ‘Had her skirts around her waist?’
    ‘Yes,’ Edyth agreed though her throat felt dry and the word snagged. ‘But she was . . . She was . . .’ She closed her eyes and forced herself to say it,
‘kneeling.’
    She fumbled for more words but Svana rescued her.
    ‘You wish to know, perhaps, if that is normal?’ Edyth nodded mutely but Svana did not seem embarrassed at all. ‘Normal is such a restrictive word, is it not? And the human body
is such a wonderfully unrestrictive thing. A man and a woman can make love in any way they choose.’
    ‘They can?’
    ‘Of course, as long as they
do
choose –
both
of them. Never let a man force you to do anything you do not wish, Edyth.’
    ‘Even if he is my husband?’
    ‘
Especially
if he is your husband!’
    Svana’s tone was playful now and Edyth looked up to see that Harold had re-entered with her wine. She felt heat flood through her body and fumbled for the goblet he held out. For years now
her mother had been impressing on her that a husband was to be obeyed in all things; she would be horrified if she heard such talk. Edyth glanced guiltily to the door but Harold’s laugh drew
her eyes back inside.
    ‘Don’t let her fill your head with nonsense,’ he said lightly, catching Svana around the waist again as if his hands were drawn to her of their own accord. ‘She’s
eastern – thinks it means she can do as she likes.’
    He looked down at his wife and Edyth saw his eyes darken as Lord Torr’s had done in the forest. She felt all her new knowledge and awareness collecting behind her eyes, heavy and itchy,
and put her hands up to try and rub it away. Svana instantly leaned forward.
    ‘You’re tired, sweetheart?’
    ‘No!’
    ‘Confused?’
    ‘A little.’
    ‘That’s as it should be. It takes time to become an adult.’
    Edyth sipped at her wine.
    ‘I think the girl was willing.’
    ‘Then all is well,’ Svana said firmly.
    ‘Even if they’re not married?’
    ‘Better to be married.’
    ‘Like you two?’
    ‘Exactly.’
    ‘But you’re not properly married, are you?’
    It was something her father had told her a hundred times but her words seemed to hit Svana like arrows.
    ‘More “properly” than any priest can offer,’ she snapped.
    Edyth flinched, horrified, and Harold stepped hastily forward.
    ‘A handfast marriage binds the hearts, Edyth. That, surely, is worth more than land-contracts and church threats?’
    ‘Yes,’ she stuttered, looking helplessly past him to Svana, whose supple body was rigid. ‘Yes, yes, I see. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean . .
.’
    But just as swiftly as Svana had tensed she recovered, visibly shaking herself free of whatever fury had held her in its clutches.
    ‘Nay, Edyth,
I
am sorry. Handfast marriages are my people’s custom and I forget that others do not see them as completely as we do. I just ask one thing of you: as you
become a woman, try not to rely on others’ judgements. Do you see?’
    Edyth nodded, awkwardly aware that most of her judgements, if such they were, were more her father’s than her own. Earl Alfgar had always been most free with his opinions and she had never
thought to question them but if they could wound a lovely lady