Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,52
and refreshments had led to a last-minute flurry. Now everyone had gone, apart from the members of her own household. Geoffrey was out hunting, for which she was glad because it gave her time to assemble her defences. She still did not know what she was doing here. Although safeguards had been put around her by letter and strict agreement, she was uneasy. In her absence, her rivals in England could work upon the matter of the succession to their own advantage, and although she had an increased household, she was still isolated.
Drogo had not returned with her, but had taken the cowl and become a monk at the abbey of Prémontré. Others had replaced him, but they were her father’s men, not knights of her choosing.
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At least there had been neither sign of Aelis nor evidence of her occupation here, although Matilda had not asked about her.
Geoffrey’s servants had shown her to her quarters, seen to her hospitality, but otherwise kept their distance. She felt as if she were standing inside a gilded cage, but was unsure whether it offered her protection from what was to come, or was a place to imprison her until the time came for her to be disposed of.
Her chamber door suddenly flung open, making her start, and Geoffrey strode in, vibrant as a young lion. His red-gold hair was a mass of wind-ruffled curls and his eyes were as vivid as clear green-blue glass. He had grown and broadened during the time they had been apart; the soft angles of adolescence had hardened into the chiselled bones of young manhood. He was breathtaking. And she hated him and she feared him.
“Lady wife, welcome home.” He flourished a mocking bow.
She felt a horrible mingling of arousal and trepidation.
Already she was preparing to fight him to the death. If he beat her again, one of them would die.
“I trust your chamber is to your liking.” He looked round, hands on his hips.
“Thank you, my lord, it is—or it will be when my people have finished making it so.” Her attendants had knelt as Geoffrey entered the room. She gestured them to stand and continue with their tasks.
His jaw tightened, but there was bleak amusement in his eyes. “Strange to say, but I have missed your presence,” he said.
“The challenge and the icy looks have been wanting. No one else can send such a chill down my spine with a single glance.” She eyed him with contempt. “I would have had an annulment were it possible.”
“My sweet wife, I considered giving you one.” He glanced at the servants again. “But since it is not to be and we must both bear our crosses as best we may, shall we discuss matters?” 130
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“Now?” She fought her fear.
“Why not? Better sooner than later.” He raised his hand, then paused in mid-gesture and turned his palm over towards her. “Will you dismiss your people?” There was an edge to his voice, but obviously he was abiding by the letter of their reunion, if not the spirit.
She wondered what he would do if she refused him “Leave us,” she commanded with a brusque gesture, “but do not go far. I will call if I have need.” She ignored her husband’s snort of amused contempt.
As the servants filed out, she and Geoffrey locked stares like two opponents circling behind their shields. The latch fell and there was silence apart from the snapping of the logs in the hearth as the fire licked over the seasoned bark. Then Geoffrey crossed the space between them and slipped his arm around her waist and drew her against him. “I meant it when I said I had missed you. I also meant it when I said I considered an annulment. Why should I keep a wife who fills my cup with vinegar?”
“Because there are compensations?” she mocked. “Because it raises your rank to be married to a dowager empress and future queen? It gives you power and standing you would not otherwise have. Because you want Normandy and you will never get it without me…”
Geoffrey’s grip tightened. They were both breathing hard with lust and anger. Her loins were moist with need. It had been so long, and however much she disliked, perhaps even hated him, however little she would ever forgive him for what he had done to her, the physical attraction between them was still a powerful drug.