Trapped at the Altar Read Online Free PDF Page B

from the valley would have dared approach her for a dalliance or even something more serious. Ivor was accustomed to thinking of Ari as belonging to him. She was his friend, his companion, destined to be his wife, and until this moment, he realized, he had never once wondered if she could be considered attractive or desirable in the ordinary sense of the words. It had seemed an irrelevant consideration.
    But clearly, her poet found her so. Abruptly, he felt a wash of intense jealousy, so surprising it almost took his breath away. The thought that they were up there on the cliff top somewhere, playing at lovers, or whatever it was they did together, was suddenly intolerable. She belonged to him. How dared she renege on such a binding pact? It was her destiny, and she knew it. It was one thing to dallywith a romantic fantasy before that destiny had been presented to her as immutable, quite another now that it was fixed in stone. Now this romantic dalliance became a personal slight.
    He started for the stables to fetch his horse. It was his business and his alone to find her and bring her home.

    Lord Daunt remained at the table in the Council house, drumming his fingers on the tabletop.
    Three of his brothers had also stayed behind, and the youngest of them inquired rather tentatively, “Is something the matter, Rolf?”
    â€œI don’t trust Ariadne,” Rolf declared after a moment. “She’s always been impetuous and not inclined to obedience. Our father indulged her shamefully, and she thinks she can do what she likes. It’s time she realized things have changed, and she’ll do as I want, when I want.”
    He took a deep draught of the ale in his tankard. “My informants tell me that if the Duke of Monmouth lands along this coast, the West Country will almost certainly rise in his support. If his rebellion succeeds and he takes the throne, then the Protestant faction in this part of the world will become all-powerful, and our position in this valley will be even more precarious. Up to now, we haven’t been troubled by London interference. My father believed it was because the King has Catholic leanings, whatever front he puts on for public show. But Monmouth is a fanatic, as bad as Cromwell in his heyday, and if he chooses to send the might of an army after us, we cannot with-stand such a force, however protected we seem to be in this stronghold. But if the Daunt name is reinstated in court favor, through this marriage of Ariadne and Ivor Chalfont, our Protestant connections will ensure we don’t invite persecution.”
    â€œThe King is not ailing, is he?” Hector Daunt asked. “Monmouth surely will not make a move while his father is still alive.”
    Rolf shrugged. “True enough, but the King leads a life of dissipation, and it takes a toll. He could be struck down at any moment. It would take Monmouth several months at least to muster a decent invasion force, which is why we need to get Ariadne and Chalfont in position and established at court before the winter sets in. There is no time to indulge Ariadne’s whims.”
    He reached for the jug to refill his tankard. “So I intend to force the issue. I need the three of you to go above and bring back this man.” He pushed a piece of paper across the table.
    Hector read what was written and nodded. “I know where this is.” He pushed back his chair. “Come, gentlemen.” He left the Council chamber, followed by his two younger brothers, leaving the eldest contemplating the contents of his ale tankard with a half smile on his thin lips.

THREE

    A riadne wriggled her shoulders into a more comfortable place between the spreading roots of the copper beech beneath which she lay, Gabriel still sprawled across her, his eyes half-closed. The springy moss was soft as any mattress, and she was tempted to sleep herself after the last passionate moments, but she could see through the dappling