Reckless (Age of Conquest #5) - Tamara Leigh Page 0,68

had to win than lose.

“It was planned.” Clearing her throat, she clasped her hands. “Years ago, at the king’s behest—well, he was only a duke then—I was betrothed to a man much older than I. Albeit balding, he was fairly attractive and fit, and I liked his horse from which he promised he would breed me a mare. At first, it seemed a good trade, but with the passing of each year that drew me nearer a marriageable age, more and more I thought it much in his favor until…”

Vitalis’s eyebrows rose.

She shrugged. “Until ’twas no longer a trade I wished to make. What remained of his hair had begun to grey, and it seemed he spent more time eating and drinking in the hall than practicing at arms on the training field. And were that not distressing enough, as I began to curve here and here—” Realizing she gestured at those places, she joined her fingers and gripped them at her waist.

“Continue,” Vitalis said.

If not for his smile—a real smile—she would have withdrawn. Ignoring the heat in her face, neck, and chest, she said, “Each time I looked at him and saw he looked at me in places his eyes should not go, I became uncomfortable. After all, I was not yet a woman. Too, increasingly he disapproved of my activities, rebuking Guarin for teaching me the throw of a dagger and pull of a bow.” Her voice having risen, she drew a calming breath. “So…”

Vitalis’s smile broadened. Had she less restraint, and she was nearly there, she would have kissed it.

“So you played the vixen and made good use of the stable boy,” he said.

She nodded. “It was unkind of me, but not as unkind as you think. Often he gave chase and tried to kiss me. I simply made certain the one time he caught me was during one of my betrothed’s visits when his men were heading to the stables to prepare for hawking.”

Smile disappearing, Vitalis said, “Did the boy survive the beating?”

“No beating since I made certain my sire’s men were near and claimed I was the one who did the kissing.” She grimaced. “I thought that would be enough to clear him, but as an examination was required to prove it was only ever a kiss we shared, I submitted to that humiliation.”

“Admirable.”

She sighed. “As hoped, it was not enough that I remained virtuous. After my betrothed broke our marriage contract, I believed I had only to gain my parents’ forgiveness and that it would be granted in time—and not too much time since I had overheard my mother express doubt about the match and my sire agree and tell it would be best if my betrothed ended our agreement since the man had King William’s ear. I thought myself clever to effect that, never considering still there would be great consequences for my family and me.”

“I am guessing your former betrothed was not humiliated sufficiently to hold close your indiscretion.”

“You guess well.”

“For that, when your brother, Cyr, crossed the channel to take possession of his English lands, you accompanied him.”

She inclined her head. “Word spread that Nicola D’Argent was a harlot who, did any nobleman take her to wife, would have to be locked away to ensure any child she birthed was of his loins. Thus, since no good husband would I find in Normandy, and I did not wish to enter a convent…”

“Exile.”

“Of sorts. It was thought a suitable match could be made in England with a newly-landed Norman as yet unaware of what I had done. Though several were interested in wedding me, my brothers did not rush me to the altar, and now the tale is here as well. Thus, King William may order one of his grateful vassals to wed this D’Argent, most likely Estienne Lavonne who was given a portion of Lady Hawisa’s lands upon which Castle Balduc was raised.”

“Which he has renamed Broehne Castle upon Abingdale, I have heard,” Vitalis said, then set his head to the side. “You do not seem overly sorrowful about being exiled.”

She tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “My sorrow is in dishonoring my family and these years being denied my mother and father. Other than that, and despite England’s groanings and heavings, I like this country Guarin and Dougray make their own with the aid of their Saxon wives. Like you, I wish to end my days here.”

Face tightening, he said, “Not like me, Nicola. There will be no advantageous