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

plausible even to her ears But the hurtRained She'd been counting so on her father's presence In fact, her

182disappointment was such that she had put aside her pride and begged John to reconsider. Could not the wedding be held, instead, in vltl Chester? She would, she pleaded, write herself to Prince Llewelyn, er. treat him to agree for her sake. Remembering that now, Joanna's face shadowed, for she had received a truly chilling reply. John had beer, both sympathetic and regretful. "Even if you somehow did get him to consent, and I think that unlikely, Joanna, it is too late. The safe-conduct I gave him is for Chester;there'd not be time to issue a new one f0t Winchester." It had never occurred to Joanna that Llewelyn would need a safe-conduct to enter into England. That brought home to her, as nothing else could have done, that she was marrying a man her father could not trust, that she would be living out the rest of her life in a country hostile to England.Blanche fastened Joanna's wimple under her chin, reached for a rose-colored veil. "As soon as I do attach this, my lady, you shall be ready to meet thePrince.""Have you not another veil? With such sallow skin, rose is a color she should ever avoid if possible."Joanna jerked her head around in surprise. There was more than feline spite in that remark, there was venom. She had not realized that Maude de Braose bore her such a grudge. She flushed in spite of herself, had to fight the urge to ask Blanche for another veil. "Rose suits me well, Madame," she said, as steadily as she could, and came to her feet. How unfair life was. Was it not enough that she must wed a stranger, a Welshman? But no, their first meeting must take place before an avid audience, for all the world, she thought bitterly, like the crowds who'd throng to a bearbaiting, hoping for blood.ST Mary's had been founded by the present Earl's grandfather; the PrioressLucy was reputed, in fact, to be his natural daughter. The convent was situated just to the northwest of the castle, and all too soon for Joanna, she found herself passing into the inner bailey, mounting the stairs up into the great hall. So great was her tension that she had begun to suffer a slight queasiness, and she felt a surge of gratitude at sight of her brother, waiting at the door to escort her into the hall."I'm late, am I not?""You are worth waiting for," Richard said loyally. "But no matter. The Earl and Isabelle have given him a right proper welcome, Isabelle ill particular.Indeed, to see them together, you'd swear they'd been friends all their lives long." There was a faint edge to Richard's voice; Joanna was becoming aware that he no longer looked upon their step" mother as he once had, with uncritical, adoring eyes. But she felt only3

183, of envy, at that moment would have bartered her soul for IsaII 's bright, breezy chatter, her insouciant ease of manner."Dearest, at last!" Isabelle was, as ever, encircled by laughing men.held out her hand to Joanna, turning toward the man standing at left. Joanna had a fleeting impression of a sun-browned face, alert , jj eyes, as she sank down in a hasty curtsy. He raised her up at once; ue was thankful when he released her hands as soon as she was on her feet, made no attempt to touch her."Is she not sweet? I told Your Grace you were a fortunate man, did I not?"Isabelle smiled fondly at Joanna, who wanted to go right through the floor.Nor was her embarrassment lessened any when Llewelyn murmured a conventional gallantry in reply. Jesii, what else could the man say? She gave Isabelle a reproachful look, but worse was to come. They would, of course, wish to be alone, Isabelle said gaily, and made a great show of shepherding them into the comparative privacy of the nearest window seat, withdrawing so ostentatiously that she virtually guaranteed they'd be the center of all eyes.Joanna had been relying upon Isabelle to ease the awkwardness of this first encounter, and now she was utterly at a loss, could not think of a single conversational gambit. All she could do was to blurt out her greatest fear."My lord . . . there is a favor I would ask of you, if I may. I do have a pet dog. I am very fond of her, and it would grieve me greatly to have to part with her. May I take her with me into Wales? I have a travel basket for her, and she'd be no trouble, in truth she""Of course you may take your dog. Or whatever else you do desire.""Thank you, my lord!" Joanna's relief was such that she dared look him fully in the face for the first time. What she saw took her breath. His eyes were very dark, a midnight brown, were measuring her in troubled appraisal. In that instant before their eyes met and his face changed, she read quite clearly his dismay.Until now, she'd never given a thought to his expectations, had never thought of him at all, except as a shadowy figure outlined against an alien landscape foreboding and bleak, a stranger mysterious and somewhat sinister. But this man was no phantom threat; he was all too real, and all too disappointed.Color rose in Joanna's face; she quickly looked away, stared down at her clasped hands, at her betrothal ring, ahe need not offer apology to him for what she was ... or was not. She Was the King of England's daughter, and he had wanted this marriage, nad been no less eager than her father to make the match. And yet . . . and yet why should she feel such surprise? She had a inirror, had she ot- Did she truly need to be told once again that beauty was to