The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online

suggestive, Alyce."
    "Yes, we 'ave so much in common."
    "We do, chérie." He raised his goblet and winked at her over its rim. "You must behave yourself for just a little while longer."
    She gestured for Sir Rodger's squire, Griffin, to clear the
    table, then tapped long nails in an impatient staccato.
    "Anticipation is said to harden the pleasure, no?"
    "Heighten the pleasure," Rod corrected, "though there is likely more truth in the way you say it."
    Alyce dragged her attention from Rodger's handsome face to
    eye Harry. She slapped his wrist and hissed, "Stop eating, or
    we'l never be able to leave."
    Rod winked at him. "Some of us have other appetites to
    slake."

    ******************
Rosamond had no appetite at al , so it mattered little that she
    would get no dinner tonight. She snatched off the ugly head-
    cloth and paced her chamber, venting the anger she felt
    toward those who had ruined her tranquility. Her mind was
    fil ed with the picture of Alyce de Clare up on the dais, with her
    beautiful black hair, her exquisite clothes, and her potent
    al ure. Rosamond spoke to the empty room. "Why does she
    have to be so bloody attractive? And why did she have to
    come to Kenilworth?" Rosamond answered her own
    questions. "Because al the men are here, and it is
    disgustingly obvious that Alyce loves men!" Wel , she could
    have them. Rosamond had been content enough at Kenilworth
    until Lord Edward and his lecherous steward had arrived to
    swagger about, remind her of her betrothal, and destroy her
    peace of mind.
    The image of Rodger de Leyburn rose up, darkly compel ing
    and undeniably attractive, and suddenly it was crystal clear
    why the maddening Alyce de Clare had come rushing to
    Kenilworth. "Oh my God," she whispered, "the green-eyed devil is dal ying with a married woman while he is pledged to
    me!"
    Slowly, Rosamond realized that here was her opportunity to
    rid herself of the odious de Leyburn. She would go to him and
    ask him
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    straight out to release her. Under the circumstances, he could
    hardly refuse, especial y if she caught him and Alyce together!
    Rosamond wasn't even sure which chambers had been
    assigned to Lord Edward and his companions, but
    unquestionably they would be staying in one of Kenilworth's
    five great towers. The impregnable Caesar Tower was the
    private domain of Eleanor and Simon, while the chamber she
    shared with Demi was in the Lady Tower. Most likely the young
    nobles had been accommodated in the Warwick Tower, which
    was larger than the others and close to the bathhouse.
    Rosamond opened the wardrobe to find a cloak with a hood
    that would cover her pale hair. The passageways of the castle
    late at night were dim, some even unlit, but she didn't want to
    be recognized prowling about the knights' quarters, and her
    golden hair would identify her immediately.
    Rosamond slipped on a dark purple cloak and took great
    pains to tuck every last strand of her long hair inside the hood.
    When she opened the chamber door, she could hear music
    from the Great Hal and knew she would have time to climb to
    the castle ramparts before the evening's entertainment ended.
    By avoiding the gatehouse that looked out over the causeway,
    and by keeping to the shadows, Rosamond evaded the
    soldiers on night patrol. When she came to the Warwick
    Tower, she stationed herself on the parapet, where she could
    keep watch through an arrow slit. Then she wrapped her cloak
    tightly about her and leaned against a stone merlon to wait.
    It was a long time before Lord Edward climbed the tower
    stairs, but within a few minutes, she watched the rest of his
    gentlemen arrive, including Rodger de Leyburn. She noted
    that he occupied the chamber next to Edward's, and schooled
    herself to patience while their own squires and a few of
    Kenilworth's servants took care of the young nobles' needs.
    When the tower fel silent, Rosamond began to doubt her vigil
    would bear fruit. Surely no lady would venture forth to this al