Desired by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page B

Lower Ward where Katherine de Montecute was lodged while her husband, the Earl of Salisbury, was fighting in France.
    When she saw that the king had come openly to her apartments, her hand flew to her throat. “You have news of William, Your Majesty.” She saw pain in his blue eyes and knew the news was not good. She dismissed her servants and searched his face with growing alarm. Her head veil slipped to the carpet through nerveless fingers.
    Her beauty took his breath away. She was exquisitely fine-boned, her hair a rippling golden glory. “William has been taken prisoner,” he said gently.
    A cry escaped her lips, then the king’s arms enfolded her, trying to take her hurt into himself. She sobbed against his powerful shoulder, her tears ruining the fine double-piled velvet of his surcoat.
    “Hush, Katherine, I will do all in my power to obtain his release.”
    She pulled slightly away from him to raise tear-drenched eyes to his. Her lips trembled. “Truly?” She felt so guilty, she wanted to die. She saw no sign of guilt, however, in Edward’s deep blue eyes.
    “Katherine, he is my friend. I will pay whatever ransom Philip demands.”
    Relief swept through her. Relief that William was not dead; relief that Edward was ever chivalrous. Though they both deeply loved their spouses, this attraction between them had been instantaneous. The raging desire between them was uncontrollable. Neither of them had ever strayed from their marriage bed until they had beheld each other that fateful day almost a year ago.
    When he felt her go limp, his arm slipped beneath her knees and he lifted her against his chest, cradling her. “Ihunger for you, Katherine. I cannot live another hour without you.”
    Dear God, they had no conscience. Their carnal need for each other had destroyed it. Consumed by a hot, raging fire, the king carried her to the bed.
    When Adele opened the door to an imperious knock, the king’s own messenger handed her a note addressed to Lady Bedford.
    Brianna broke the king’s seal with her thumbnail and scanned the bold writing. It read: “Kindly attend me in the Presence Chamber at the hour of vespers. Edward Plantagenet.”
    “Yes, please inform His Majesty I am honored to attend him.”
    The first thing that came to mind was that Dame Marjorie had reported her. Brianna sank down upon a stool with watery knees. “Adele, will you come with me?”
    “Of course I shall attend you, it is only proper that I do so. Perhaps he has chosen someone for you at long last.”
    Brianna’s heart raced. “Oh, do you think it may be so?” She acknowledged to herself it was a possibility. Brianna was suddenly breathless. “By Our Lady, I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
    “Of course you are, my lamb. Most ladies are betrothed at fifteen.”
    “Whatever shall I wear? I must look my best.” Her mind raced as erratically as her pulse. She felt more excited than she could ever recall. “Something green, I think.”
    “Green is the color of true love,” Adele said, smiling.
    “Oh, please don’t tease me, Adele. Green brings out the red highlights in my hair. We must hurry. I need time to go into the chapel for a special prayer.”
    Brianna sank to her knees before the statue of St. Agnes. Like every other girl, she had prayed on the night of January 20 when it was traditionally thought possible a young woman could receive a revelation of her future husband. She had seen no vision, of course, but fervently hoped St. Agnes would help her today. Brianna hesitated. Young women were taught not to expect too much of their husbands. Men’s ways must be accepted, like stormy weatheror the pain of childbirth. She decided not to ask for too much, lest Heaven think her greedy. “Please let him be honorable, brave, and strong.” She crossed herself. “And if it isn’t asking too much, let him be noble.”
    Her father had been an earl, and though she knew she couldn’t look that high, she dreaded the scorn of