The Everlasting Covenant by Robyn Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

saying nothing encouraging, smiling shyly. It was beyond Marcella ’ s comprehension. Beside Divina, Anne appeared frail.
    Marcella pinched her eyes closed. Like Daphne. Anne was more like Daphne than she had realized. Perhaps it made men feel powerful and strong when facing frail and timid women.
    She had never looked at Anne as an eligible nobleman might. But she would gladly accept the earl ’ s influence in any case.
    “ I will not stay in this room with her any longer, ” Divina cried. “ I will not! ”
    Marcella ground her teeth. “ Do not make the convent seem a preferable place for you to live, Divina. ”
    “ How could you allow it, madam? You should have refused his offer. Refused it outright. ”
    “ It would have been much as refusing an open chest filled with gold, ” she said, failing to mention that it had also been a favorable match, that the earl would make an exemplary mate, and that he had approached the Giffords, not the other way around.
    “ Madam, tell her not to hate me so, ” Anne entreated. “ Tell her it was not of my doing. I did nothing to entice the -- ”
    “ You have been a great deal of trouble, ” Marcella said. “ Try not to goad the rest of us with your good fortune, which was little of your own making. ” She turned to Divina. “ Find another room if you wish, but do not make me listen to any more of your tantrums. I have a great deal on my mind. ”
    Anne watched as Divina finished dividing her belongings from Anne ’ s.
    “ I would give you this betrothal if I could, ” Anne said quietly.
    Divina glared at her. “ Perhaps that will happen yet, ” Divina replied icily.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Summer came and was gone. The days shortened and grew cold and the candles and torches burned until late at night at Raedelle Castle, for the Giffords were busy with secret meetings, the gathering of arms and funds, and many messages were being sent and received. The Duke of York was preparing to take London by siege, if necessary, and at his right hand would be the Gifford family. Marcella ’ s energy was high and ran rampant through the castle as her demands increased, her temper shortened, and a flush of excitement brightened her cheeks.
    The Gifford sons and the men-at-arms suited daily for possible call to battle, laying out their accouterments and keeping their squires and pages fleet and ready. Horses were curried and exercised with dubious intent. At the first call to arms, they would ride.
    During this time Anne heard nothing from Dylan. Only her memories kept her warm as the days grew colder. Word had come that the deFraynes rode with the forces of Henry ’ s queen, Margaret of Anjou. Anne prayed each night that Dylan was not with them, but she knew he must be. She had waited for over five months to see that twinkling eye emerge from behind a thick-trunked oak, or that playful smile sparkle from within a group of traveling monks. Never before had so many months passed without a surprise appearance. He had promised he would come, yet nothing happened.
    The Earl of Ayliffe journeyed to Raedelle five times in five months. Each visit stretched out longer than the last, and each time Anne pitied him more. His eyes grew velvety soft with desire, his words deep and resonant with longing. And all Anne could accord him was respect and a mien of obedience. For all his claims to have put aside t he impatience of youth, his man nerisms betrayed him as a man who chafed at delay and grew eager for a bride. His extended courtship had won him only a young woman who admired him, but did not want him for a husband.
    Brennan Forbes had stolen a kiss on his last visit. Oh, it was not a theft, as Anne recalled. He desired to be kissed. And so she allowed, closing her eyes and tilting her chin. He had moved over her mouth with hunger, but she met him with indifference. She wept that night for shame, for nothing in her was stirred, and he deserved better. He was a good man. “