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

to find excuses for the other woman, remind^ wife and y* ,,' t,ro... g herself that Gwenllian's husband was missing, too. Yet no matter hov she tried to mitigate Gwenllian's malice, she knew the woman hari meant for her to overhear; she'd spoken in French.Soon after midnight, a courier from Llewelyn had ridden in. After that first surge of relief, Joanna blessed her husband's good manners for he'd addressed the message to her, and she had the satisfaction of telling Gwenllian and the others that he was safe. There'd been a mishap, as feared, but the trouble had befallen one of Llewelyn's men; he'd taken a fall, broken a leg, had to be carried on a makeshift horse litter to the nearest shelter, the mountain priory at Beddgelert.Remembering that now, Joanna was remembering, too, how she'd once hoped most fervently for Llewelyn's death. Not that she'd actually prayed for it; such sinful prayers were all too likely to rebound upon the one seeking them. But she had wished for his death, would willingly have bought her freedom with his blood. Yet during the past four days, she had felt only anxiety. Not once had it even crossed her mind that with Llewelyn's death, she would be a widow, free to return to her world, her people. Why had it not? She found herself watching Llewelyn's fingers move nimbly over the harp strings; he did, asIsabelle noted, have beautiful hands. Was the answer truly so difficult? She had not known Llewelyn before; it was easy enough to wish for the death of a stranger. But now . . . now he was very real to her, a flesh-and-blood man with a passionate love for life, a man who'd shown her only kindness, a man she liked, liked very much.No, she did not want Llewelyn to die, most assuredly not. She was not even sure she wanted to end their marriage. This alliance was no less important toPapa now than it had been nigh on two years ago. Nor was it likely that she'd be so fortunate in her father's selection of a second husband. Moreover, in the eyes of Holy Church, she was Llewelyn's wife, for better or worse. Mayhap if she were not wife in name only . . . mayhap then she would not be so unhappy, would not feel so utterly alone. It was not the first time this thought had occurred to her. And why not? She was old enough to be a wife, in just a month would be fifteen. Nor had she any reason to shun Llewelyn's bed.Isabelle said a woman's pleasure depended upon the man. Watching her husband, Joanna felt color creeping into her cheeks. Llewelyn was not a man to abuse a woman, in bed or not. She had nothing to fear from him, was sure he'd be gentle, tender even.But what did it matter that she was now willing to be a true wife to Llewelyn, when he showed no desire to take her to his bed? She could n8 " ,,2hter, not truly belonging there, either.n,. dau&EVVELYN put aside the harp, studied his friends with exasperated musement."Jesii, to hear you all talk, I'm in need of a keeper! What did you think, that I'd go blundering into Powys like some green stripline? You should only see the day dawn, Rhys, when I do get lost in Gwynedd!"

"Not lost," Morgan interjected dryly. "It did cross our minds that you might have deliberately sought to lure Gwenwynwyn into breaking the truce.""Well, what better bait? That is a thought well worth exploring. But you should have known I'd not have been such a fool as to try it with only ten men.""How many have you in mind?" Adda asked laconically, and Llewelyn laughed."It'll not take as many as I once thought. . . thanks to my father-inlaw, theEnglish King. If Gwenwynwyn expects John to pull his chestnuts from the fire, they'll be well roasted, in truth."Rhys's eyes kindled with sudden interest. He knew that Llewelyn's dislike of the Powys Prince was as much personal as political; Gwenwynwyn was responsible for the murder of Llewelyn's uncle Owain at Carreghova, and a blood debt demanded blood payment. "Are you sure that John will not interfere?""As sure as any man can be when dealing with a snake. John and I came to an understanding at Worcester; it was that which he used to sweeten his offer of marriage. He gets what he wants, me as ally . . . expecting, I daresay, that a son-in-law will be easier to keep on a short leash. I get what I wantPowys.And Gwenwynwyn gets . . . trouble."They all laughed at that, but Ednyved could not help cautioning, Assuming, of course, that John can be trusted."Llewelyn grinned. "I know what you're thinking, that it's risky indeed to sup with the Devil. But rest assured, I do plan to use a very long spoon!"Glancing across the hall, Llewelyn's gaze was drawn to his girlwife. Such an innocent-looking lass, a sweet bird in the hand, so unlikely an instrument ofGwenwynwyn's downfall. But there was a sadness about her that he'd never before noticed; how forlorn she seemed, a flower put down in alien soil.Rising, he crossed to her, leaned over to murmur, "It occurs to me, lass, that you've yet to see much of my home-

208w land. What say you we remedy that? On the morrow, should yOu i, me to take you into the Eryri Mountains, to show you those sights cl * est to my heart?" He'd spoken on impulse, and it was an offer H?~ would cause him no small inconvenience, would result in the utter d ruption of his plans for the week, but he thought himself more th repaid now by the delighted smile that lit upJoanna's face.IT was to be one of the happiest days Joanna had known in months Although bothEdnyved and Rhys opted to accompany them, Llewelyn rode at her side, devoted his attentions