A Rose for Lancaster (The Tudor Rose Novella series) by Christine Elaine Black Read Free Book Online

business does not take him far.”
    I had no stomach for a clash of wills or swords if my husband caught this young upstart. Giles may not recognize him but Murdo, ever in my husband’s company, missed nothing.
    “Go to the kitchens and take food and ale. Hurry away from here.” As Giles’ wife I should sound the alarm but as a York woman I would put no kinsman in peril without good reason. I prayed no one uncovered my charity to this boy. It may be taken as treason.
    Edmund stared at me in a peculiar way. Giles wore the same look when he contemplated bedding me in the middle of the day, as he had done on occasion.
    “Good day to you, Father Dominic.” My sharp voice brought out the boy’s good sense and he bowed swiftly before retreating to the kitchens.
    ****
    My new sister-in-law visited my rooms and sat comfortably on the couch holding her precious mite. Her laugh proved contagious and my vow to dislike her melted away when she offered me a chance to hold the babe. I gurgled like a fool with a new toy, but the rush of sweet tenderness for the tiny bundle gave me a secret joy.
    “My brother is in a better mood since he returned from the north,” Anne cooed at the baby as she prattled.
    “I understand he was angry with you and Dorset?”
    “He has known I’ve loved Robert for years. I believe he fretted over his marriage to you. They said you were an old woman, but here you are in Somerset, the very picture of beauty.” She giggled. “He’s different now.”
    “Different?”
    “I see the way he looks at you and know he is pleased with the king’s command.”
    “Pleased with my land and goods, I expect.”
    “That too. Our foolish father, though you must never mention it to Giles, wasted much of the family wealth, lavishly entertaining, drinking and gambling. The castle is sound and the lands are fertile but money is scarce.” Anne giggled again. “You must convince Giles and stop him from sending me to Robert’s family. I wish to stay in your company rather than pray and sew all day with my new mother.”
    The idea of her company pleased me. “I will ask your brother to keep you here.” Robert Dorset rode under Giles’ banner and if Anne managed to stay at Somerset castle she gained time with her husband.
    “To please you, he will agree.”
    It warmed me to believe her. “You share the same father?”
    “We are his bastards by different women but we grew up together. Giles is older by a few months. He pulled my hair on many occasions and I’ve bitten him twice but now we understand one another. Our father proved a difficult man when the ale flowed freely, which was often enough.” Anne’s forthright speech comforted me. “Giles is not like him, but I’m afraid I inherited my father’s temper.”
    I witnessed her anger on my first day at Somerset and hoped to be spared in the future.
    We watched the baby doze in her arms and after a moment the door opened and both Giles and Robert sauntered into the room. Robert went straight to Anne and lifted his son into his arms. Giles paused to look at the child. “He takes after you, Robert.”
    Anne pouted, but I suspected she enjoyed the comparison. “Little Henry Robert is finally asleep.” She raised an eyebrow at Giles. “I wish to speak with my husband if we may have your leave, my lord.”
    “Far be it from me to stop a man from speaking with his wife.” He winked at Robert who grinned back in mischief.
    The door closed and Giles drew the bolt across. “I’ve missed you, Blanche.” He loosened his doublet and exposed the shirt underneath; I caught sight of his chest hair curling over the edge.
    “In your bed?”
    “That too. I cannot sleep on the couch much longer, surely.”
    I had kept the pretense up for a week and I knew he’d be angry as soon as he discovered the lie.
    “You need not stay away.” Heat seared my cheeks. He intended to bed me and I thrilled at the knowledge. His shirt landed on the floor at my feet and the sight