Love and Deception: a Clean Medieval Historical Romance by Emily Woods Read Free Book Online

no such thing.”
    She had felt lightheaded at the table, even before John Churchgate’s appearance. It was because of the rich foods and drink and the excitement of the great hall that she had fallen from her chair. Not because of John.
    Helene’s countenance fell and in an instant Isabella regretted her sharp tone. “Forgive me, Helene. I am merely cross. Everyone is making too much of my falling off my chair.”
    She got up and walked to the open window to stand beside Helene. “I was weary from my travels. Two days on horseback.”
    Helene nodded.
    “And then to have such rich foods at the meal,” Isabella added. “And all the people ...”
    “Of course.”
    “And the mead.”
    “Yes, it was very sweet today.”
    Isabella saw her friend bite back a smile.
    “You must think I am some feeble-minded hen.”
    Helene giggled. “Yes.”
    Her giggle turned into a snorting laugh. Isabella could not help but laugh too.
    “He is quite fair of face,” Helene said, sobering a bit. “I walked into a tree the first time I saw him.”
    “Oh dear me,” Isabella paced to the chaise and slumped across the pillows again. “What am I to do, Helene?”
    “Do? Whatever do you mean?”
    “If you think John Churchgate is fair of face, do you not think every woman will think likewise? What am I to expect as his wife? I am to expect a husband with a wandering eye and an equally wandering hand. That is what. He will be pulled away and enticed by every winking eye.”
    “You do not know that for surety, Isabella. You have not yet met the man. He is quite honorable. Well respected on the estate. A philanderer, he is not. How can you label him as such, having only seen him from afar just this morning?”
    “I know what I have seen in my own sister’s marriage. Men like John Churchgate are all the same. This John Churchgate with a face so fair and manners so happy, I am to expect that he will be in everyone’s bed but our own.”
    Helene gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Isabella had not meant to speak so openly and strongly with her new friend. It was obvious from her reaction that even though they were the same age, they had not been exposed to the same things in life.
    “Forgive me, Helene. I did not mean to be so crass. You must think me a heathen.”
    “All is forgiven.” Helene laid a finger beside her nose. “You must not allow Lady Clarice to hear you speak thusly.”
    “I know. It is most unladylike.” She said the words with a clipped tone in an attempt to mimic Lady Clarice’s manner of speech.
    “I am not a talebearer, dear Isabella. Our lady will never hear of this from me.”
    “My sharp tongue will get me in trouble one day, I think.”
    “You have strong convictions. That is a good thing. Allow Lady Clarice’s tutelage to form them properly. Now, let us join your father and Lady Clarice in the drawing room.”
    Helene picked up Isabella’s cloak from the chaise and shook the wrinkles from it. The book of sonnets fell to the floor.
    Isabella snatched it up and held it behind her back. “You found my book.”
    “Your book of love sonnets. I saw it earlier when you swooned … I mean fell from your chair.”
    “It is my one vice aside from my strong opinions about men.”
    “You have a penchant for romance after all.”
    “Perhaps, true romance is only to be found in a book of sonnets.”
    “I pray not. My Peter is not like your John but I pray every night that some measure of love will grow between us. Even if it is small. It will be enough.”
    Helene held Isabella’s cloak out for her and helped her fasten it around her neck. The girl was so kind and filled with hope. She was full of a beautiful light. Isabella envied her for it.
    “For your sake, Helene. I pray this is true.”
    Helene helped Isabella with her veil. “You have such fine features and lovely coloring.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I cannot imagine John not being taken with you.”
    “I pray you are right,