The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online Page B

understand my words? If you do not take her, another will. What think you of the idea of another holding her, kissing her ... Ranulf! Unhand me!"
    Geoffrey picked himself up from the dirt at Ranulf's feet. "I go now to clean Sir Tompkin's mail. You will think on my words?"
    He left his silent brother alone.

    * * *
"Lyonene! I have repeated my question four times. Where is your mind?"
    "I am sorry, Father. What did you ask of me?"
    "It does not matter now. What is wrong with you this day?"
    "I think," M elite said, looking at her husband over her sewing, "that the problem with our daughter stands outside on the lists."
    William frowned. "Sir Tompkin?" His voice was incredulous.
    There was disgust in Lyonene's voice. "Hmph! Sir Tompkin indeed! That fat old man!"
    "I'll not have such disrespect in my house, girl."
    "William, it is the Earl of M alvoisin who causes Lyonene so much trouble," M elite whispered.
    "Ranulf de Warbrooke!" He looked at Lyonene's bowed head. "You moon for the king's earl?"
    Lyonene stood before the fire, stretching with a catlike grace. "Is he not handsome? Is he not the kindest, gentlest man? And does not his hair curl most splendidly?"
    William's eyes widened to the fullest possible and his mouth fell open as he looked to his wife, who sat with a satisfied grin on her face.
    "Lyonene," M elite said quietly, "go and comb your hair. Have Lucy build you a nre and stay in your room until dinner."
    Lyonene did not question her mother's highly unusual request, but just obeyed.
    "Now, wife, I pray you to tell me what happens in my
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    own castle. M y daughter is moonstruck for the Black Lion? She cannot expect aught to come of such a dream. She would be as likely to marry an earl as I would to marry the king's daughter."
    "You have yet to ask him."
    "Ask him! Are you daft to think I would do such? He will laugh in my face. It is well enough to tell my friends an earl has visited me, but that I aspired to an earl for a son! Nay, I'll not hear such laughter!"
    "William, have you not also seen that our earl 'moons,' as you say, for our daughter?" When he did not answer, she smiled. "Go and look to the lists. You will see the truth in my words."
    Unbelieving, William walked to the shuttered windows, pulling one of the louvers down so he could see out. Ranulf sat on a bench, his head back against the wall, staring into space. As William watched, a few of the Black Guard turned puzzled stares to their master.
    William returned to the fire and sat down heavily.
    "I do not know that he will accept our daughter in marriage, but we may ask. Was there not an old story that the Earl of M alvoisin was once married to a baron's daughter, a woman he loved?"
    William's face lit. "It is sol When he was a lad, he caused great scandal by marrying the girl. King Henry was said to be greatly angered. There was a child born but five months after the marriage. When the woman and the child died but a few years after the marriage, it is said he near went insane with grief, that his pain was so great that he has never laughed since." He whirled to face his wife.
    "Go on. And what of the rest of the gossip?"
    "That whoever makes him laugh will be ..."
    "His bride, I believe the silly saying goes. I am sure it began as a jest, but, for whatever reason, Lord Ranulf is not a happy man."
    She smiled sweetly at her husband and knew he remembered Ranulf's laughter of the day before. "Shall I send a page to fetch our guest? I do not believe we should prolong our lovers' agony. I do not wish my grandchild born only five months after the wedding."
    They sat in silence until Ranulf sat before them in his training costume, tight hose with a short tunic and tabard that barely reached midthigh. He kept looking about the shadows of the Great Hall and then toward the yawning black stairwell.
    "M y Lord Ranulf," William began. He could not see what his women saw in the massive form of the man before him to cause so much love to be directed toward