The Shattered Rose Page 0,18

her to him.

He might have done it were it not for the tiny baby in her arms.

Her bastard child.

Trust Jehanne to face him with her sin proclaimed.

Where was Gallot? Galeran glanced around but saw only her wide-eyed, frightened women. Wise, he thought, to keep an older, more aware child out of this.

So, how had his clever, wise wife put them in this situation?

He walked forward, unusually aware of the rattle and clink of his mail and the fact that it hadn't been off his body in days. He must stink. What was Jehanne seeing? Perhaps he did appear a stranger. His stubble had almost attained the status of a beard, and there were new scars to mar him.

His dogs had known him on the instant. Her hounds, too well-behaved to leave their mistress without permission, still thumped their tails in welcome.

Only she seemed indifferent.

But she wasn't indifferent. As he drew closer, her control cracked a little and her eyes widened and grew intent. He couldn't tell, however, if she was terrified or merely surprised by his appearance.

He stopped in front of her, marveling at how little she had changed. She matched almost perfectly the image of his dreams.

Two pregnancies had not rounded her, though her breasts were bigger at the moment, doubtless full of the bastard's milk. Apart from that, she was perhaps a little thinner and paler than he remembered, but just as beautiful.

Her skin still had the pearly translucence that had always fascinated him, her eyes were still a clear blue. Her hair still made him think of gold and silver threads spun by fairies, and tendrils still escaped to curl around her face as they had always done.

Why, Jehanne? Why?

If she heard the silent question, she did not answer. She simply met his eyes in silence. He supposed there wasn't much to say unless she fell on her knees like Walter to beg for mercy.

He knew she'd rather die.

What would she do, though, if he threatened her brat? Would that break her?

He was immediately ashamed of that vicious thought.

"Lowick?" he asked.

"Has left." Unlike her familiar clear voice, it came out huskily and he saw her swallow to clear her throat.

"Did he want you to leave with him?"

"Yes. But I am no use to him without Heywood."

Then why? Why give yourself to a man who valued you so little? Did he lie to you? I thought you were impossible to lie to.

"Did you want to go?"

She held the child a little closer. "I was afraid to stay," she whispered.

"But you did stay."

With quiet composure she added, "I am your wife and this is my home."

Galeran looked away at the anxious women, grasping a moment to think.

One face scowled rather than trembled. Jehanne's sturdy young cousin, Aline, was there. He'd forgotten she'd left St. Radegund's convent to bear Jehanne company during his absence. What had the almost-nun made of all this, and why was she frowning at him? But then, she had eyebrows that generally gave a severe impression.

His favorite and most intelligent hound, Grua, picked up the mood and whimpered, pressing close. Stroking the smooth head, Galeran wished Aline and Grua could instantly tell him all they knew.

Why had he imagined that his first moments with Jehanne would provide answers? Or any he wanted to hear. She hadn't denied wanting to leave with Lowick, and she'd as good as said that it was only duty that kept her in their home.

Jehanne had always held to duty, guarding her honor as fiercely as any man.

So why had she done what she had done?

Was it simply that she'd thought him dead? Duty would surely demand more evidence than a rumor, and more mourning time as well.

And if she'd truly thought him dead, why had she not married her lover?

Distant noises told him his father was arriving in the bailey, already blistering the castle people in the way Galeran had not. The bellowing voice grew louder as Lord William began to mount the stairs to the hall, still berating any and all for this affront on his family's honor.

Lord William, who blustered and raged but could not stand to see a woman hurt.

Galeran walked back to Jehanne. "Give the babe to his nurse."

Jehanne's eyes widened slightly, but after a noticeable hesitation she obeyed and passed the sleeping child over.

"Fall," he said quietly, and timing it to coincide with his father's entrance, he hit his wife.

It was no playful tap, but Jehanne could have stayed on her feet. For a moment instinct