The Everlasting Covenant Read Online Free PDF Page B

turn her heart from Dylan now. For a year, through so much danger and risk, all she had thought of was the moment she could finally belong to him. Such deter mined vision in a young woman could not be easily dispelled.
    And Ferris knew, she was sure of it. He had asked, in his own cautious way, that she forsake Dylan ’ s love and do what was right. He had even directed her to go alone to mass, a place where she might find Dylan without any members of her family looking on.
    Oh Father, forgive me, for I am a bad daughter, an ill bride, and I sin and lie for the want of one love.
    She kept her head bowed, seated far back behind the few who had risen for mass. She heard the sound of armor behind her, and her heart began to beat wildly . As the priest prayed she stole a look and saw Dylan, outfitted in chain mail and breastplate, his plumed helm in the crook of his arm. Why was he armored? There were no jousts today.
    When the mass was complete, she rose, keeping her head bowed, crossed herself, and moved as quietly as a nun out of the church. She swiftly glided around the side, through the gardens and toward the concealing coppice. There was a narrow path that led to a clearing beside a stream. At dawn and again at dusk one could meet many a castle servant on this path, for it led from the town to the hall, but at this hour she hoped it was private.
    She turned and saw that he was close behind her and his face was troubled.
    “ We depart, my sweet love. I have made the family tardy since I could not be found in my bed. ” He shrugged. “ They assume I warmed some castle wench ’ s pallet elsewhere. Except, perhaps, Lady Daphne, whose eyes were filled with pain. She sent me to mass to atone, and Daphne generally ignores her sons ’ wenching. The pain in my mother ’ s eyes, I trust, is for you, Anne. ”
    “ Dylan, why? Where do you go? ”
    “ There is a plot against King Henry. The Duke, Richard of York, gathers armies. If King Henry falls to some conspiracy, my family will fall with him. ”
    She rushed to him, his armor crushing her. Tears slid down her cheeks in yet another fearful moment. “ Dylan, everything has changed. We must flee quickly. My mother has found an earl who wishes to make me his bride .. . and my father plots with the Duke of York. Oh please, let us be done with this! ”
    “ There are kings and plotting dukes in every country, ma belle. ”
    Anne was confused by the political conspiracies that engulfed noble families. She did not know who was right or wrong. The all too frequent plots and bloody battles made only one impres sion on her -- this futile and carnal waste of life kept her from Dylan. “ But different dukes and kings. .. . Oh, Dylan, we can serve the same one if we make haste away from here. ”
    “ Anne ... ” Agony seemed to draw out her name.
    She stepped backward abruptly. For the first time since their eyes met, she heard hesitation in Dylan ’ s voice. She had com mitted every dream to their day. She would not dream lies – she was too proud to lie to herself. With wisdom that was rare in one so young, she questioned him quickly and purposefully. “ Our promise, our oath that we will be together, is it no more? Do you have me wed this earl while you go to King Henry ’ s aid? Dylan, speak now. ”
    His features softened and he moved near. He grasped her upper arms and pulled her into his embrace, gently rubbing his cheek against hers.
    “ If you want me no more, Dylan, you must tell me now. We have made a promise that there is but one way, we both deny our families or not at all. If I defy my father, I cannot go to your family and present my new loyalties. ‘ Tis both or not at all. ”
    “ Anne, my love .. . ”
    “ If you cannot, I will not judge you. But your word, Dylan. Now. Today. There is little time. ”
    “ I cannot live without you, my sweet love. ”
    “ There is no longer a convent to protect me, Dylan. The Earl of Ayliffe gives me some months --