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

had suggested the match to Llewelyn, after meeting Mortimer during her London visit, and now, with the wedding but weeks away, she gave every indication of looking forward to her new life as Ralph de Mortimer's lady."Shall we begin with the Marshals, Gwladys? My sister Nell will attend, of course, but Pembroke will have sailed with Henry for Brittany by then. I think we ought to invite Pembroke's younger brother, though; they are""Joanna ... I'd rather we wait. I asked Senena to join us." Although Joanna said nothing, hers was an expressive la ^ Gwladys leaned across the table. "Let us speak plainly. I do not bla Papa for keeping Gruffydd atDeganwy, for Gruffydd gave him

625choice Nor do I blame you It is only natural that you should try to feguardDavydd's rights Gruffydd has a man's courage, a man's will, but a child's grasp of the world we live in Yet I still love him, I still feel uis pain, andI would never forsake him When he asks me for something/ I fry to oblige, and he asked me to include Senena in my wedding plans She needs this, Joanna, needs some pleasure in her life I want to do this for Gruffydd, want you to do it for me Will you7"Such a question could have but one answer Joanna nodded "I'll fry," she said grudgingly "In all honesty, I cannot promise that she'll not provoke me, but Iwill try ""Fair enough " Gwladys half rose, beckoned to her sister-in-law Ah, there you are, Senena Joanna and I were just discussing those who cannot attend Chester, too will be sailing with the English King and Pembroke I doubt that Gwenlhan and her husband will come from Ireland But at least Marared and her husband will be present What of Elen and John the Scot, Joanna7""I think not," Joanna said regretfully "They're visiting the court of John's cousin, the Scots King, will not be back in time But my brother Richard and his wife will come for certes, and mayhap my aunt, the Countess of Salisbury ""May I assume you do mean to squeeze in a few Welsh midst all these Normans7"Joanna dropped her pen, splattering the parchment with ink Gwladys said hastily, "The Welsh will be well represented, Senena Here is our list Have you any suggestions to make7"Senena gave the list only a perfunctory glance "What of Will de Braose and his wife7 Surely you do not mean to overlook them Or have you already given Will an invitation, Madame7""No, I have not'" Joanna drew a deliberate breath She could not do this to herself, could not allow her suspicions and her guilt to color the roost innocent of utterances, in that way lay madness "Of course I mean to inviteWill and Eva de Braose, they are Davydd's km now " And, picking up the pen, she inked in the names of her lover and his wifeGwladys laughed suddenly, none too happily "That man always lc* have a diabolical sense of timing," she said, as Joanna turned with °reboding, sawWill de Braose being ushered into the hallHe greeted the three women in turn, and then smiled at Joanna "I uPpose Iought to have sent word ahead, but I took it for granted that y°u could accommodate me "How long, Joanna wondered in sudden despair, was it to be like is How long ere she could talk to this man and not feel a shamedSe of intimacy7 "You are ever welcome at my husband's court," she

626said reluctantly, stressing the words "my husband" in the vain hope that Will would understand the emphasis, abandon the chase. "But neither Llewelyn norDavydd is here. They are meeting in Bangor with the Bishop, and I do not expect them to return until the morrow. Mayhap you would rather continue on toBangor, join them there?""Bangor is but six miles," Gwladys chimed in, no more eager than Joanna to have Will at Aber. But he was shaking his head, saying that only a churl would give up an opportunity to pass an evening with three charming women, andJoanna could only pray that neither Gwladys nor Senena caught the mockery beneath the good manners, that none but she could read the message in those amused grey eyes.Dinner should have been a festive occasion, freed as they were of the monotonous menus of Lent; the table was bountifully set, and afterward there was music and dancing. But for Joanna, the evening was an ordeal. Will was in recklessly high spirits; he insisted upon dancing with Joanna and Gwladys, even attempted to coax Senena into joining the carole, and he flirted outrageously with Glynis, who seemed both flustered and flattered by his attentions. And all the while Joanna could feel Senena's eyes upon them, upon her and Will.Joanna was standing alone, watching the dancers. When Will materialized unexpectedly at her side, her nerves betrayed her and she splashed half of her wine into the floor rushes. "Shall I fetch you another cup, Lady Joanna?" Will asked, so solicitously that she yearned to slap him."No. You've had enough wine tonight for both of us. You can do something for me, though. You can stop trying to bedazzle Glynis. Let her be, Will. There's no sport in seducing such an innocent."Will laughed so loudly that he turned several heads in their direction. "'Jealousy is cruel as the grave,'" he quoted softly. "Do you recognize that, Joanna? The Song of Solomon. Who'd ever expect to find so erotic a love poem in Scriptures? Shall I recite it for you? 'Behold, thou art fair, my love. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet. Thy breasts are like two'""Will, hush!" Joanna was truly frightened now. "When the stakes have become life or death, it is no longer a game. Have you not noticed how Senena keeps watching us? She puts me in mind of a stalking cat, makes me feel like a bird with a