Wolf Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

servant.’
    She was surprised by this gesture, then caught a warning glitter in his eyes as he glanced past her at Simon, still leaning against the wall tapestry.
    Wolf was not concerned for her welfare, she realised with a flicker of anger. He was telling every man there that she was his possession.
    The king had watched this exchange with interest, an avid look on his face.
    ‘I trust you slept well, Wolf? Though as I recall, you’re a man who can sleep anywhere, even among the dead on a battlefield. Look at this brave fellow, Anne. A better swordsman would be hard to find in all of England.’ King Henry held out his hand, and Wolf knelt dutifully to kiss it. ‘So you’ve finally chosen a bride to warm your bed. Well, it’s about time you secured your line, and she’s pleasurable enough to look on. You have my blessing on the match, as I told you yesterday. But did you have to find her among Anne’s own maids? The queen does not wish to part with her, for she needs all her ladies about her at this time.’
    ‘Forgive me, sire. I am most loath to distress Her Majesty with my request, but it is a good match and I should be less of a man if I did not pursue it whole-heartedly.’ Lord Wolf stood back from the dais, bowing to the queen. ‘My eye first fell on the lady when she was a girl. Now the wars are over and Eloise is grown to womanhood, I crave Your Majesty’s permission to claim her.’
    Queen Anne studied Eloise in silence, then turned her gaze to Lord Wolf. ‘I have no desire for Eloise to leave my service,’ she declared, unsmiling. ‘The king has spoken to me on your behalf, and, believe me, I do understand the pressing nature of your claim. But you must look elsewhere for a bride. If I allowed my maids of honour to leave court and be wed whenever they wished, my lord, I would have no women left to attend me.’
    Her father fell on his knees before the queen, his head bowed in deference. ‘Forgive my impertinence in taking away one of your ladies, Your Majesty. But as Lord Wolf has said, my eldest daughter is over-ripe for marriage. Indeed, if she waits much longer, she may never be wed at all. I would be very glad to see her wed to Lord Wolf, if Your Majesty could graciously consent to release Eloise from service. For once she is wed, I can find a suitable bridegroom for my youngest daughter Susannah, who is now of age and much admired amongst the landowners in the north.’
    Queen Anne drew breath as though to deny him, but the king laid his jewelled hand heavily over hers.
    ‘Come, my love,’ King Henry told her, his voice unmistakably cold.‘Lord Wolf has fought stoutly for England and our throne. I have rewarded him for his service with land and goods. You can readily spare him one of your maids of honour for a wife.’
    The court held its breath, waiting for the queen’s response to this veiled reprimand.
    Queen Anne looked at her husband a long moment, and a flush crept into her cheeks. Stiffly, she turned her head towards Lord Wolf.
    ‘Take her then, my lord, and I wish you joy of her.’ Her voice was almost shrill. ‘But I trust Eloise will be speedily returned to me whenever I send for her in the future. Indeed, if she is not with child by the summer, she may take her place here at court amongst my married ladies-in-waiting.’
    Lord Wolf bowed courteously. ‘You have my humble thanks, Your Majesty, and my promise as a soldier on that.’
    It was over. The next petition was already being announced by the chamberlain. Eloise felt a despairing rage within her as her father was dismissed. She wanted to cry out to the king and queen, ‘What about me? Are my feelings not to be consulted? I do not even wish to be married to this man!’
    But the decision had been made for her. She had no choice but to curtsey, and follow her father and Lord Wolf from the chamber. She had been handed over to the enemy.
     
    Her last days at court passed swiftly. Soon the morning arrived for their long