Here Be Dragons - 1 by Sharon Penman (best inspirational books txt) 📕

knew, defend in principle their right to do so. Women were the lesser sex, after all, and even Holy Church said they were born to be ruled by man. Alison was right; she had indeed been lucky that morning.But what she feared far more than a beating was the loss of Llewelyn's friendship. How could she bear to have him look upon her with distaste, to shun her company, treat her with chill politeness? And how could it be otherwise now? Even when he finally took her to his bed, it would be without affection or tenderness; he'd not make love to her, would make use of her to beget an heir. He might even install Cristyn openly in his bed, at his table.And it was her fault. She had allowed her lealousy to rob her of that which she most wanted.HE six-mile ride from Aber to Bangor Fawr yn Arfon had done much to °°1Llewelyn's anger, as he'd known it would. He'd always had a appy facuity for concentrating upon one problem at a time, and by the 'me he arrived at the great cathedral church of St Deiniol, he had as his

246primary concern the upcoming meeting with the Bishops of Bangor a ri St Asaph.He was never able to put his quarrel with Joanna cornplet ] from his mind, but he did succeed in focusing his attention upon tv, matters at hand, and by day's end he was satisfied with what he had accomplished.It was dusk as he made ready to return to Aber. His escort va augmented byEdnyved's force, for the latter had been a guest of Bishop Robert's, and was now planning to move on to his own manor at Llys Euryn in Creuddyn."I assume you can find me a comfortable bed for the night at Aber?" GivingLlewelyn a mischievous, sidelong glance, Ednyved added, "or should I be offering you a safe bed at Llys Euryn?"Llewelyn could not hide his surprise. "What have yousecond sight?"Ednyved grinned. "Just an ear for choice gossip. One of your menwho shall remain mercifully namelesswas kind enough to tell me about all I missed this morn. Did your girl-wife truly walk in on you and Cristyn? Jesus wept! What did you do? Mind you, this is not mere morbid curiosity, t>ut in case I ever find myself in a like predicament!""I did what arty man would do when he's caught in the wrong. 1 lost my temper."Ednyved laughed, then nudged his mount closer to Llewelyn's, "Does Joanna knovv, Llewelyn, that you've given her grounds for ending the marriage? Is there any chance she's on her way home to England even as we talk?"Llewelyn shook his head. "Joanna knows naught of Welsh ways, even after some rtionths in our midst. Moreover, Joanna knows that John wants me as a.lly, and as hard as it may be to fathom, she has found in him much to lov-e."LLEWELYN was aw^re that he was a magnet for all eyes, but it did not bother him unduly; he'd lived most of his thirty-three years at center stage. He was bothered, however, by Joanna's failure to appear for the meal. Each time h^glanced at her empty seat, he felt a twinge of guilt; nor was his conscience eased to be told she'd eaten nothing all day, had not ventured from her chambers since the morning. He sent a servant to the kitchen, and b»y the time dinner was done, a platter was waiting, mead and wafers a T,d venison pasty.Ednyved sauntered over, drawled, "As peace offerings go, you'd get better results with moonstones and amethyst," accompanying Llewelyn as he departed the hall, stepped out into the icy da%k of the bailey."My lord . . .'""A man emerged so unexpectedly from the shadows

247they both started, instinctively dropped hands to sword hilts. But he stepped closer, Llewelyn recognized Aldwyn, his silentiary.a "jvty lord . . . after you rode out this morn, your wife did go to your mbers in search of you. The Lady Cristyn was there and they hadC rcis." He paused, said unhappily, "My lord, I know not how to tell you, but '""But what?" Llewelyn said sharply."princess Joanna . . . she ordered us to burn your bed.""She did what?" Turning, Llewelyn looked at Ednyved, and then, of one accord and to Aldwyn's indescribable relief, they were shouting with laughter."Lord Jesus," Ednyved gasped, wiping his eyes. "Just count yourself lucky you were not in it at the time, my lad!" Sobering somewhat, he said, "I've a confession, one that'll make me sound an utter ass. But when Aldwyn gave that pregnant pause, the damnedest thought crossed my mind, that Joanna knew more of Welsh law than you thought, knew that, catching Cristyn in your bed, she had the right to claim Cristyn's life without paying a blood-fine!""Ah, but only if she did it with her own hand. Can you truly imagine Joanna stabbing Cristyn ... or anyone else?" After a moment, Llewelyn began to laugh again. "But then, I never thought her capable of burning my bed, either!"LLEWELYN found himself hesitating before the door of Joanna's bedchamber. He was perfectly willing to placate his young wife, to offer her the balm of smiles and soft, soothing words. He was not so willing to humble his pride, to play a role for which he'd had so little practice, that of penitent, and it was with an unexpected sense of unease that he beckoned to his servant, reached for the door latch.He forgot his reluctance, however, with his first sight of Joanna. Her face was pinched and drawn, a mirror for such misery that he no longer begrudged her an apology, would give it gladly if that would but heal her hurt.He gestured for the servant to put down his burden, waiting until they were alone to say, "I was told you'd eaten nothing all day, Joanna."Joanna was staring at the platter in disbelief. "You . . . you are not angry with me?""Ah,