Reckless (Age of Conquest #5) - Tamara Leigh Page 0,101
that is needed, Nicola thought of the curiosity and anticipation that held everyone so enthralled she heard her own breath, then she prayed, Not a death sentence, Lord. Not that.
“Our shores are free of Danish invaders,” the king announced.
After she replayed his words through her head to be certain she heard right, it took all the woman of her not to demand to know what had transpired between Vitalis and him.
Though she heard murmurings of disappointment from those gathered in the hall, the silence of listening closely returned. Just as intriguing if not more so than word of Vitalis was the state of the Danish invasion.
“You are not pleased, Lady Nicola?” William steepled his hands on his chest. “For one long their captive, you are exceedingly forgiving.”
“They did not treat me ill.”
“So Prince Canute told—and that his cousin was in love with you.”
Her throat tightened. “He cared for me.”
“And for it the fool is dead.”
Now her hands tightened. “Murdered by his own cousin.”
The king sighed. “Shared blood does not ensure good relations. Indeed, often it hinders them.”
She angled her chin higher. “As I am blessed to be of the family D’Argent, I would not know.”
His brow furrowed. “What is it you speak to one another? First, in between, and in the end you are D’Argents?” He nodded. “Commendable—providing it comes after your oath of allegiance to your king. Does it?”
Nicola longed to speak in truth, but it could prove an irreparable mistake. “I would not think that needs confirmation, Your Majesty. Since ever my family has placed their liege first, doubtless, ever they shall.”
He grinned. “Womanhood suits you well, Lady Nicola. Though I know still you are trouble, I am thinking it is time you wed and make babes.”
She could not hide her alarm nor aversion, certain she would have little say in who would become the father of her children.
William chuckled over her discomfort, then glanced behind at Sir Guy. “A reward is due you, Chevalier. Would you consider this lady worthy compensation for the service rendered me of recent, as well as lands upon which to grow your family?”
Nicola thought she might have to swallow her tongue to keep protest from it. Though she did not know the chevalier well, he was handsome, not greatly older than she and, most importantly, honorable according to her brothers and cousin. However, he was not the man she wanted.
“Sir Guy?” William waved his guard near.
The surprise on the chevalier’s face resolved as he halted to the right of his liege. But instead of balking—and really he should—he smiled and locked eyes with her. “Worthy compensation, Your Majesty.”
She would have been offended had she glimpsed possessiveness in his stare. Instead, she saw mild interest amid questioning. If he hoped to find admiration or acceptance reflected in her own eyes, he would be disappointed.
“I am honored to be under consideration,” he said. And no more.
“Honored, but you prefer a less troublesome wife.” William looked up at his man. “You are thinking that since your king has already saved you from one, why offer up another, eh?”
The glint in the chevalier’s eyes was not relief. It was pain, and Nicola knew the reason, having heard William had broken the chevalier’s betrothal to a lady to award the woman to a rebel leader who had disbanded his followers and accepted William as his king.
Sir Guy inclined his head. “You know your vassal well, my liege.”
“Be not hasty,” William said. “Think on it, and we shall discuss it later.” He returned his attention to Nicola. “If not Sir Guy, there is Baron Lavonne.”
Her stomach churned. She did not know that Norman though his recently awarded lands were upon Wulfenshire, but there was ill feeling between him and the Wulfriths for Lady Hawisa having slain his sire at Hastings. Thus, a match boded disaster for both families.
“Are you unwell, Lady Nicola?”
She followed the king’s gaze to her midriff. Seeing she pressed a hand to it, she snatched it away. “Non, Your Majesty. I but indulged too much this eve.”
He narrowed his lids. “Did you? I cannot say I looked oft upon you, but when I did, never did I see you more than pick at your meal.”
She forced a smile. “You have found me out. It is no easy thing to be a ravenous lady in such high company, but I am learning how to appear proper whilst still getting my fill.” Pressing her lips, silently she added, Now cease flitting subject to subject and return to