Betrayal (Book 2: Time Enough to Love) by Jenna Jaxon Read Free Book Online

’tis not something to be overcome in a few days or even a few weeks. If you marry me, I swear my oath I will not force you to my bed. We are young. There is time.”
    “I do not know that I can ever submit to you.” The idea sent a shiver of dread through her.
    He reached out to stroke her cheek with one long, sensitive finger. “Time heals many things, my dear. Perhaps enough time will allow an affection to grow between us before the heir must be produced. I am willing give you that time, where others would not.”
    She wavered. What he proposed hung temptingly before her, the best outcome of a wretched bargain, but her conscience tugged at her, unrelenting. “I would feel as though I betrayed him.” Her heart ached at the word. “I can never call Geoffrey husband. To call you so would be sacrilege.” Tears oozed down her cheeks once more.
    Thomas waited as she attempted to stem the tide, but her grief would not abate. She could not betray Geoffrey. The black claws of such a thought had sunk into her and would give her no respite.
    “My lady.” He finally spoke, his tone tender, yet firm. “As much as it pains me to remind you, Geoffrey is married to another.”
    She stifled a moan. That wound had yet to begin to heal.
    “You cannot betray him by marrying me.”
    The words sliced her heart like the slash of a knife. She could stand it no more. As if a dam had burst, she redoubled her harsh sobbing. ’Twas true. No use to deny it any longer. Geoffrey was lost to her forever. She laid her head in her hands. Such misery washed over her that she wished once more for death.
    Thomas swore under his breath. He grasped her head and lifted it, forced her to look into his eyes. She shook her head, trying to dislodge his grip, but he held her like a vise, gentle but unyielding. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs and peered into her face, holding it close to his. Her sobs lessened.
    “Better now?”
    She nodded, and her breathing calmed.
    He let her have another moment then continued his explanation. “It has been my honor and privilege to attend and comfort you as friend and champion, for I swore my hand to your service. Now I ask only for the right and privilege to comfort you as befits the duties of a husband.”
    Alyse bowed her head, unable to meet his compassionate gaze. “But, Thomas, I do not…” She paused, unsure how to say what she must. She lifted her gaze and looked earnestly into his eyes. A deep breath, and she was ready. “I hold you in the highest esteem. Your care and concern have made me see your great worth as a gentleman and a true friend. In that respect, I find your company most desirable. Yet,” her cheeks heated at the intimate nature of her confession, “my feelings for you do not... I have not the same regard…” She stopped, unable to continue.
    Thomas glanced down at her hand, still clasped in his. “You do not care for me as you do for Geoffrey. You love Geoffrey.”
    These were not questions, neither were they spoken with regret or sentiment. She supposed Thomas had no illusions about her feelings for him.
    “And would it help, perhaps, to know that while I respect you, I do not love you as Geoffrey does?”
    Alyse raised her head sharply, but after a moment’s thought, she nodded. “Aye. That puts us on equal footing, mayhap.”
    He squeezed her hand and continued. “It is simply an arranged marriage, such as any young woman might hope for. Have you any objection to me as suitor other than your continued affection for Geoffrey?”
    Alyse slowly shook her head. “Nay, Thomas. Had I never met him, I would even now be rejoicing that you would have me to wife.” What cruel irony. “But what of you? You might yet wed one you held in tender regard.”
    He shook his head and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “Fret not for me, Alyse. That day of reckoning has been long past. I have looked many years, yet have not found one I could affect as you do Geoffrey. An you agree to