Courtly Love by Lynn M. Bartlett Read Free Book Online Page A

shouldered figure drew closer, and Serena found she hadn't the strength to rise from her knees to her feet as she stared, mesmerized, into a pair of dark green eyes. They had not seen each other alone nor spoken more than a formal greeting to each other since their aborted wedding night. Now, suddenly, they were alone with a small boy who would surely sense there was something amiss between them. Even while these thoughts flew through her mind, Serena could not help admiring the rugged handsomeness of Gyles's face and the lithe, animal grace with which he walked. Serena was acutely conscious of her own disheveled appearance; her face was lightly flushed and smudged with dirt, her hair uncombed and her gown plain.
    Gyles, however, found no fault in his wife's appearance. Her hair tumbled about her in riotous curls that trapped the sunlight and reflected it in golden brilliance; her gown—damp with perspiration—clung to the delicate curves of her body, outlining her so well that she could hardly have revealed more had she knelt naked before him. Serena's blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she stared up at him, and Gyles felt his body begin to give in to his starving appetite. If Serena had been some simple serving girl and if Alan hadn't been there, Gyles would have thrown her to the soft grass and eased the ache in his loins. As it was, Gyles imposed an iron will on his passion and greeted her casually, wondering why she hadn't yet attacked him about his son.
    "Serena." He released Alan's hand and the boy scampered off to resume his planting. "I thought you passed the days with Lydia and Mara making tapestries and embroidering linens." Gyles squatted on his heels beside her and examined her handiwork. "You've done quite well. Is it your intent to masquerade as a common lass occasionally?"
    His sarcastic remark went unanswered as Serena asked what was uppermost in her mind. "Alan is your son, m'lord?"
    Gyles glanced at the boy before he replied. "Alan! Tis time you went inside." As the small boy unwillingly trudged back to the castle, Gyles turned to Serena. "He is my son—why ask such an obvious question, Serena? Do you think I would deceive a child?"
    "Why not? You've deceived others!" Serena retorted. Then she continued more softly. "Why did you not tell me you had been married before? I could have understood more easily your desire not to wed again."
    Gyles laughed, but the sound was harsh and there was no amusement in his eyes. "What makes you think I was wed to Alan's mother? One does not need marriage vows in order to make a child!"
    Serena's eyes widened. "B-but, I thought—I mean, the way Alan spoke . . ." Serena cast about for words to conceal her embarrassment. "Did Alan's mother die in childbirth?"
    Gyles sighed and rose to his feet. "What difference does it make? And why should it matter to you, Serena?"
    Serena gained her footing stiffly. "I do not mean to pry, m'lord, and I am sorry if I have offended either you or Alan. You have not answered my questions, so I assume you do not care to discuss the subject further. Why you hid Alan's presence from me I do not know, but I wish you had not. He is a handsome child, bright and intelligent; I should like very much to know him better, but I suppose you will not allow me that small pleasure either. I hope you have a competent nurse for Alan, m'lord, for 'tis obvious even to a blind man that he greatly needs and desires a mother! Good day, m'lord!" Serena whirled to follow Alan, but instead two strong hands came down upon her slender shoulders and she was spun around to face Gyles.
    Serena's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and Gyles regretted his cutting words of a few moments ago. Serena was, after all, his wife and she did deserve answers to her questions—even though Gyles was not in the habit of explaining anything to anyone. "Alan is mine—my bastard son. Do not flinch at the word, Serena, for that is what he is in the eyes of the world. His mother was a