The Deed by Lynsay Sands Read Free Book Online

whirled to face the bishop as he finished the ceremony.
    Bishop Wykehams voice flowed deep and smooth over her as he pronounced them husband and
     wife, but Emma hardly heard a word of it, and she certainly didnt really see his face as
     she peered at him.
    Instead, her new husbands face swam into view before her, floating there, smiling at her
     as he had done when she had opened her eyes.
    Dark hair. A bit long, perhaps. Even a little shaggy, but perfect for the sun-warmed face
     it surrounded. Kind, dark brown eyes with small wrinkles at each corner that spoke of much
     laughter. A mouth that had been firm yet soft, charming in smile, and sweet against her
     own.
    Emma sighed as the crowd surrounding them suddenly burst out cheering. The ceremony was
     over. They were married now. All was well. They were safe.
    Tis time you two retired.
    Emma flushed brilliant red at the bishops firm announcement. She had spent the last half
     hour in a sort of daze, eating the food placed before her and drinking the wine offered as
     she did her best to avoid staring at her husband. It was most odd being married to a
     stranger. Emma had been through it before, but still found it disconcerting.
    She was aware that Rolfe and the bishop had pulled Lord Amaury aside and spoken to him as
     soon as they had returned to the castle. No doubt they had been informing him of the full
     state of affairs, and no doubt he was now aware of the urgency to consummate their
     marriage, but truly, to order them to bed seemed a bit much. They had not even spent three
     quarters of an hour in celebration.
    Tis not yet dark, Emma protested now, trying to ignore her blush.
    Aye, but the bishop is right, Rolfe announced, rising from his seat beside her. The deed
     must be done.
    Seeing his new brides embarrassment, Amaury frowned at the two men and got to his feet as
     well. Come, my lady, we shall retire. Never let it be said that the bishop and your cousin
     were more eager for us to be bedded than we were ourselves.
    Smiling uncertainly, Emma rose beside him, her gaze flying over everyone else in the hall.
     Her own people had been updated on events this afternoon, not by Emma, but through the
     castle grapevine. They were looking on with obvious relief that the consummation was to
     take place forthwith, ensuring their future safety from the rule of Bertrand and his
     mother. Lord Amaurys men, however, were looking on with confusion. Some even appeared
     suspicious. The one called Blake, for instance, was frowning with great concern at the
     bishop and Rolfes odd behavior.
    Noting this, Amaury put a hand on his friends shoulder. Lord Rolfe will explain, was all
     he said before leading Emma silently away, aware as he did that Rolfe had moved to sit
     beside his friend to do just that. He could almost imagine Blakes consternation when he
     learned the reason behind this sudden rushed wedding. Twas the truth, neither he nor Blake
     cared for Bertrand. He was a greedy, selfish beast, and a coward to boot. Many a man had
     died needlessly in Ireland due to that cowardice and his poor leadership. Worse yet though
     they had no proofboth of them suspected it was Bertrand who had betrayed the king in
     Ireland and smuggled the assassins into camp the night he had almost been killed. But
     perhaps that was simply their own prejudice against the man, Amaury thought now. He
     pondered the incident briefly, before realizing quite suddenly that they were halfway up
     the stairs on the way to...
    Good God! They had reached the time for the bedding. His gaze dropped to the wee woman
     beside him and he swallowed anxiously, all thoughts of Bertrand fleeing.
    Lord Rolfe had taken great pains to stress his cousins innocence. As the rumors had
     suggested, it appeared she had not even been bedded once by her husband. Amaury could
     hardly believe Fulk fool enough to neglect her so, and was not sure that he was pleased at
     the knowledge.