Tyrant of the Mind Read Online Free PDF Page B

mentioned is the one Geoffrey married. Perhaps you did not know that their arrival was not long after yours? Aye, I thought not. From my less than discreet words, you must also realize that I cannot abide the woman. I have had more than I can bear of her voice and company. Now that you have more leisure with Richard’s return to health, I would be most pleased if you kept her out of my sight and well-entertained while Geoffrey and I finish the details of what Robert can offer as a dower and what Juliana should bring as her marriage portion.”
    “Who else accompanied…”
    “The Lady Juliana, of course, and Henry came as Geoffrey’s heir and interested party to the agreement. His inclusion was intended only as a courtesy, but he has thrown up such earthworks to a reasonable decision that both his father and I are now questioning our wisdom in asking his attendance. I do believe Henry is so niggardly that he resents every pittance removed from his own inheritance. It is Robert’s task to entertain him, however, whether he fancies the responsibility or not.”
    Eleanor nodded. At least she did not have to see the younger son, George. Had he been here, it would have been painful for them both. Not only had he had been her father’s choice for her husband, George had been eager for the marriage himself. She had been fond of him, a feeling perhaps rather different than what a sister would feel for a brother if she were honest with herself, but she had never felt sufficient lust to turn her heart from the convent. That passion, she thought ruefully, had not conquered her until she had met Brother Thomas.
    Eleanor took a sip of cider to hide the blush she felt rising at the thought of the finely formed priest. “If Juliana is your choice to be Robert’s wife, it is a good one,” she said at last. “I remember her as a witty and lively girl, one who did not lack in certain feminine attributes which my brother might view with more favor than the fine mind I enjoyed.”
    Her father grunted with amusement, then his expression turned solemn. “Juliana has changed, child. Her mother’s death and her father’s over-quick marriage to her childhood friend have made her into a somber girl. Despite the bewitchment of his whore, Geoffrey still has wits enough to grieve over the change. He thinks a husband and children of her own will chase melancholy from Juliana’s soul.” Adam glanced away from his daughter and stared fixedly into the hearth.
    As her father remained silent, Eleanor tapped her foot with impatience. “There is more to this story, is there not?”
    “I hesitate to say that grief has unsettled Juliana’s mind entirely, yet I have heard tales of most curious behavior. Her father does not believe she is bewitched, rather that her womanly humors have been unbalanced of late. If so, we must act quickly in the matter of this marriage to restore her to full health.”
    “Behavior such as…?”
    “One morning she came to break her fast in a robe. A monk’s habit. It seems she had slipped into their priest’s room and stolen his summer robe.”
    “It would not be unlike Juliana to play such a mischievous trick, but I can only hope their confessor is more pleasant of scent than ours. Father Anselm has never exuded a sweet odor of sanctity. Unless I were performing a severe penance, I would not steal a robe from him.” Eleanor wrinkled her nose.
    “You will make me laugh, child, and this is a serious matter. There is yet more to the story.”
    “Forgive me, father. What else?”
    “Before their arrival here, Juliana cut her hair, then shaved her head.”
    Eleanor frowned. “My jest was indeed out of place. That act is far beyond the innocent mischief-making of the girl I knew.” She fell silent for a moment, then continued. “Juliana and her new stepmother were once friends, yet you suggest they may now be estranged. How has their behavior together altered? Do they no longer speak civilly with one