Always by Lynsay Sands Read Free Book Online Page A

drew her bemused gaze to her father. He turned her away from the priest and ushered her out of the chapel.
    â€œAll will be well.”
    Rosamunde’s eyebrows rose at the anxiety belying her father’s assurance as he led her down the dim hall. “Of course it will,” she agreed, trying to soothe him even though she wasn’t at all sure what she was referring to. Frowning slightly, she glanced over her shoulder to see that the bishop, her new husband, and his friend were following. They were trailed by the abbess, Sister Eustice, Father Abernott, and every single one of the nuns.
    Rosamunde peered back at her father, surprised to see the concern on his face as he urged her down the corridor that led to the private cells. He appeared hardly aware of her presence, despite the firm hold he had on her arm. Also, it seemed to her that he was trying to reassure himself more than her.
    â€œI always preferred Burkhart. I weeded out dozens of men, hundreds of them over the years, and he was always the best option for you. He is strong, wealthy, and honorable. He will be able to protect you, yet treat you with the care you deserve. I am sure he will. All will be well.”
    â€œOf course it will,” Rosamunde repeated, trying to ease his obviously troubled mind. Lord knew her father had enough to worry about without concerning himself with her welfare.
    Seeming almost startled by her voice, he stopped suddenly and glanced at her anxiously. “You are not too angry with me over spoiling your plans to take the veil, are you? You—”
    â€œOf course not, Father,” Rosamunde interrupted quickly, her heart aching at his uncertainty. She had never seem him thus. He had always been strong and commanding. “I could never hate you.”
    â€œNay. Of course not,” he said, and found a smile. “I am sorry about this, daughter.”
    â€œSorry?” Rosamunde frowned. “About what?”
    â€œI wish there were more time. You deserve more time. You deserve all the care and consideration in the world, and I would pay my entire treasury if it would give you that time, but—” Shaking his head when he noticed her confused expression, he kissed her quickly on the forehead, opened the door they stood beside, and urged her through it. “I promise he shall be as gentle as time will allow…. Else I shall have him drawn and quartered.” He said the last rather loudly, to ensure that her husband heard, she suspected.
    It was terribly confusing, but not nearly as much as the fact that she now found herself back in her cell, the small chamber that had been her bedroom since she was a child. Confusion plain on her face, she turned quickly back, forestalling her father when he would have closed her door. “What are we doing here?”
    Much to Rosamunde’s amazement, her father, His Royal Highness, the king of England, actually blushed. He mumbled a response that was wholly incoherent except for one word that seemed to leap out at her like a snake from beneath a rock.
    â€œBedding!” she cried out in shock. “Now?”
    Her father actually reddened further, looking about as embarrassed as she was shocked. “Aye.”
    â€œBut, ’tis still daylight! Sister Eustice’s list said ’twas a sin to”—she paused briefly, then whispered the word fornicate before continuing in her normal voice—“while ’tis light out.”
    Her father straightened abruptly, his embarrassment fleeing before his irritation. “Aye? Well Sister Eustice be damned! I will see this marriage consummated ere I leave. I’ll not risk an annulment or some other such thing once I am out of the way. I want you protected should I die, and so you shall be.”
    â€œAye, but could we not at least wait until dark and—”
    â€œNay. I do not have time for that. I must return to Chinon as soon as possible. So…” He gestured vaguely