The Shattered Rose Page 0,93

moments her breathing fractured and her fingers dug deep into his flesh.

Then her teeth sank in him, too, as she muffled her cries.

He felt himself begin to harden again. In a peaceful bed he'd be in her again before she recovered, and it was a spicy notion, but enough was enough. He drank the last of her passion from her lips, then led her out a long way around, hoping no one would know just who had been making that cart shake.

By the time they blended in with the crowds, Jehanne still looked dazed.

Galeran thought almost kindly of the problems that had brought them to a tinsmith's cart in Waltham, for they'd never before made love like that, in fierce, surreptitious urgency.

But there were too many hazards for him to be grateful. It was those hazards, even including death, that had driven them into that brief madness.

He'd settle for security and love in a bed any day.

When they joined Raoul and Aline, his friend gave him a knowing grin, and Galeran could feel himself blush.

At least Aline hadn't noticed. She seemed enthralled by a sword swallower.

"Ugh! Why would anyone want to do a thing like that?"

"Perhaps he has little choice," Galeran said, tossing the man a coin.

"Perhaps it is just his destiny."

"Oh. Like a vocation," said Aline, not looking at Raoul at all.

And when Galeran looked a question at Raoul, his friend just seemed very thoughtful, and even unhappy.

The situation could be interesting if Galeran had interest to spare.

Chapter 15

The next morning Galeran visited his father, who was trying very hard to look frail.

"This is better, anyway," said Lord William. "Keep him unsure of us."

"Not hard when you don't know what you plan to do."

"Don't scowl at me, lad! In the end all that matters in this world is our honor and our soul. I have to think on this."

"I understand, Father."

"Watch out for Flambard. He'll do what he can to break us." Lord William gripped his hand. "I'll be praying for you."

Galeran went to mount his horse, reminding himself that he believed in prayer, and believed in a just but merciful God. He'd rather have had his father by his side, though. No monarch would reject William of Brome's support if offered. A monarch unsure of it, however, just might decide the best course would be to break the family's power entirely.

He could imagine Bishop Flambard urging that.

The road into London teemed with mountebanks, merchants, gentry, and lords, doubtless woven through by all kind of thief. They could have used the horses to force a path, but with women and a babe in their midst that wasn't so easy, so they went with the slow-moving flow, reminding Galeran again of his thoughts about destiny. He was grateful, at least, to have lodging. Raoul had distant kin - wine merchants - living in the city, and had sent a messenger ahead to ask hospitality. They'd just received word that Hugo and Mary would be delighted to house their party, though they warned space would be tight.

Still no opportunity for a peaceful, private, night with his wife, he feared.

Galeran found that he wanted his peaceful life at Heywood perhaps more than ever before. It was so close - so nearly in his grasp - yet could be snatched away at the king's whim.

It hardly seemed possible, but within the city walls the crowds were worse.

In places, the crush of people clogged up entirely and Galeran had to order his men to use horse and whip to break up the blockage. It took them hours to reach Corser Street. Their hosts apologized for the limited space in their narrow house, but Galeran knew they were fortunate.

While Jehanne and Galeran arranged their party in the two available rooms, with the grooms and men-at-arms left to sleep out in the sheds behind the house, Raoul undertook the task of finding any news.

He returned in an hour with a basket of pies and a net of cherries. "The king's holding open court," he said, dusting off his clothes. "Of course, the point of it is to accept homage from as many people as possible."

"What's the mood out there?" Galeran asked, pouring his friend some of Hugo's wine.

"Favorable to Henry, I'd say. Your old King William wasn't any more popular here than in the north and the general tone seems to be 'good riddance.' Especially with King Henry making that special declaration on his coronation day, reestablishing the old laws."

Jehanne was off with the baby,