Lady of the English - By Elizabeth Chadwick Page 0,92

England. But he said nothing, merely set his lips.

Stephen shook his head. “You are a dark horse, Will. I would never have thought to witness such audacity in you, but I am discovering that men are seldom what they seem, and your request at least is harmless ambition.”

“Sire, I gave you my oath at your coronation and my loyalty is to you.”

Stephen grunted. “So you say, and so, in your case, I believe.

Well then”—he waved his hand—“go and court your queen, and if the lady consents to your suit, I will give you an earldom as a wedding present to make you a worthy consort.”

“Sire!” Elation sparked in him, but caution too, because while Stephen was generous, he would want something in exchange.

Stephen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is perhaps of benefit that the dowager queen should have a new husband to give her direction. She has too much time to brood in that nunnery, and cling to the past.” His eyes lit with a hard gleam. “If you marry her, I trust you to keep her occupied and out of trouble. She has been overly concerned with her rights in Waltham Abbey, which belong to a reigning queen, not a dowager. I would expect you to set her right on the matter. By all means let her indulge in good works, but in her own sphere.” Will inclined his head. That at least seemed simple enough.

“I will do so, sire.”

Stephen nodded approval. “I often thought that Adeliza was wasted on my uncle. He never saw her delicate charms the way others did.”

“Sire.” William scooped up the puppy and bowed from the chamber, feeling smirched and elated at the same time. He had been granted permission to ask for Adeliza’s hand in marriage, 228

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and he had the verbal promise of an earldom and in exchange for very little. All he had to do now was win Adeliza’s consent.

ttt

Adeliza had not expected Will D’Albini to return quite so soon, but she took his arrival in her stride, and thought well of him that he not only brought the pup for Adam, but spent a while with the lad and his new pet to see them settle into the relationship. She watched him tussle and play with boy and dog as naturally as a child himself.

“You like children, my lord,” she said as eventually they walked to her lodging to take refreshment.

He smiled and shrugged. “They are easier to deal with than adults. As are animals. If you love them, they will love you, and their needs are easily read. I enjoy them for that wholesome simplicity.”

She felt a pang at his words. There was very little of that in the world.

“I have something to ask you,” he said as they reached her door.

“About the leper hospital?” She looked up at him and was trapped in his bright hazel stare. No, not about the leper hospital, she thought, because that subject would not fill his gaze with such intensity or bring such a flush to his face.

Adeliza stumbled on the threshold and he caught her arm to steady her. She felt the span and strength of his grip.

“No,” he said, “or not directly.”

Adeliza had Juliana take his cloak and pour wine, and then dismissed all of her women, telling them to wait within call.

Folding her hands in front of her like a nun, she said, “What do you want to ask?”

His complexion was fire-red by now. He gathered himself, and spoke in a rush. The words emerged like a speech, so she knew he must have been rehearsing them for some time—probably 229

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since riding away last week. “I have long admired and esteemed you,” he said. “If it would be an honourable estate for you, then I offer my hand to you in marriage. I have the king’s permission to pursue my suit, and should you agree, he will bestow an earldom upon me so that you shall not be disparaged.” Adeliza opened and closed her mouth. She had been queen to one of the greatest kings in Christendom for fifteen years, and had known what to say on every occasion, but now she had no voice, only a stare.

“I have shocked you,” he said. “Forgive me; I am too blunt.” She struggled to draw her scattered wits together. She had suspected this was coming ever since he said he had something to ask her. Wilton was a safe haven where she