The Shattered Rose Page 0,89

simply to argue size with me?"

"No. You mentioned marriage. I think it's time to straighten out some details."

He eyed her sideways. "My mention of marriage was rather hypothetical."

"So is my question about details."

"Very well."

"Do you have any property other than your horse and sword?"

"Yes. Do you have any property to bring to a marriage?"

"Yes. What property do you have?"

"Land near my father's home in Guyenne. And you?"

"The rents from an estate in Yorkshire. How much is your land worth?"

"Perhaps fifty marks a year. And yours?"

"About half that."

"Adequate, then." The teasing humor in his eye almost made her want to smile at him, but she resisted and rode back to Lord William.

The older man raised his brows. "You're going to tire out your horse, Lady Aline, making him do a double journey."

Aline ignored that. "He has an estate in France worth twice my dower property."

"It would have to be looked into, for it's too easy for a foreigner to lie about such things, but if true, he is a suitable husband for you."

"But there has to be more to it than money."

"Of course. There's temperament. A house full of disagreements and misunderstanding becomes tedious after a decade or two."

Aline looked forward at Raoul's broad back. "I don't think that would be a problem."

"Even if he has a wandering eye?"

Aline frowned at Lord William. "It's not so much the eye that bothers me."

His eyes still twinkled, but he said seriously, "There are some women who don't care a great deal if their husband eases himself elsewhere, as long as no insult is offered them in their own house. There are others who are deeply hurt, and perhaps driven to strike back in some way. Temperament, you see."

And Aline did see. She'd always thought of herself as a calm, easy-natured person, but she wasn't at all sure she could be calm if her husbands - if Raoul - eased himself elsewhere. "Thank you, Lord William. I'll think on it."

She rode back to Jehanne's side, only too aware that there had been no mention of a third possibility - that Raoul de Jouray be a faithful husband.

* * * * * Galeran was aware of the strange maneuverings between Raoul and Aline in the next days, but he put them out of his mind. He trusted his friend to marry Aline if necessary, and there were more important matters to be dealt with.

As they neared London, the heavy traffic toward the city spoke of excitement and acceptance of the new king. The closer they got, however, the more uneasy Lord William became.

Speaking quietly as they rode into Waltham, Galeran's father said, "Once we take our oath to Henry, it is settled."

"Henry will make a better king than Robert."

"Not if he's cursed. I let my dislike of Bishop Flambard and my concern for you push me into supporting Henry, but I'm not sure it's right, lad."

Galeran looked at his father. "You can't go to Westminster and not swear to Henry."

"I know, I know. In fact, I feel a terrible pain coming on____"

And by the time they stopped at the abbey for the night, he was groaning and swaying in the saddle.

Once he was settled and being treated by the monks, Jehanne came over to Galeran. "Is he really sick?"

"With any luck he will be after taking those medicines." Galeran flipped open a satchel with considerable irritation. He looked up at Jehanne and saw she already guessed the truth.

Having checked that no one was close by, he said, "He's never been easy about Rufus's death. It was Flambard's interference in our affairs that pushed him into supporting Henry, then he stuck with it to aid us. Now, however, his conscience balks. His opinion - and he could be right - is that no enterprise built on murder can succeed."

"No enterprise supported by Bishop Flambard can be worthy!"

"I feel the same way, but it's not logical. Good and bad men often end up on the same side."

"What will it mean to us if your father stays here?"

"As long as he doesn't openly support Robert's claim, it could be all right.

Henry will have to try to woo him. I hope."

"We will go ahead, then, without Lord William?"

"Of course. We need this settled, and these early days are probably best. I suspect Henry is promising anything to anyone to gain support."

She let out an exasperated breath. ""Your father is right. There should be more to this than expediency. If it weren't for me, you would both have a freer