The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page A

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    male bastion at this ungodly hour? Rosamond gauged that it
    was close to midnight, and she certainly had never before
    been abroad so late.
    Then she saw her. The lady was cloaked, but hadn't bothered
    to cover her hair, so there was no mistaking Alyce de Clare.
    Rosamond
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    heard her rap twice on Rodger de Leyburn's door. It swung
    open immediately and the black-haired vixen disappeared
    inside.

    ******************
Rod smiled down at the slim beauty and removed her cloak.
    "Alyce, I thought you had changed your mind."
    She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. "You know me better than
    that, darling. In fact, I warrant you know everything about me. I
    am more eager tonight than I was five years ago."
    Rod grinned. "Anticipation hardens the pleasure." He snuffed the candles, and heard the tempting rustle of her garments in
    the darkness. As he moved toward the bed, his memory
    winged back to that unforgettable night five long years ago.
    The wedding of Alyce of Angouleme and Gilbert de Clare was
    solemnized at Westminster Palace, where the bride's father
    lived in luxury. The marriage of the king's niece was a glittering
    occasion, with celebrations lasting for an entire week, al at
    the expense of Henry, who was eager to impress and earn the
    admiration of his half-brothers from the Continent.
    The dark-eyed bride received the name of de Clare, the
    noblest in the land, which brought her untold riches and wealth,
    not only in money, but in land and castles. Gilbert, the ten-year-
    old bridegroom, received only a hunting dog as his reward.
    Yet Rod clearly remembered thinking that they had both been
    shortchanged. Al week, Alyce had flirted outrageously with
    him. She was sixteen and overripe for her first sexual
    encounter. It was obvious that she could not be expected to
    wait for Gilbert to grow up and satisfy her, so Rod took it upon
    himself to solve her dilemma and, at the same time, reap his
    own reward.
    He fondly recal ed the details of that first encounter. Alyce
    wore a cream-colored gown of rich lace. They fed each other
    wine and sweetmeats and wedding cake, laughing together
    as the guests became more and more intoxicated. When
    Alyce could no longer keep her hands off him, he pul ed her to
    her feet and led her through the labyrinth of Westminster until
    they reached his bedchamber.
    Rod could stil remember unfastening the lace gown—exactly
    twenty-four buttons—then opening the adjoining door to
    fifteen-year-old Prince Edward's suite of rooms. "My lord, here
    is a bride who has
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    been sorely neglected. She is desperately in need of royal
    succor. As a prince and a gentleman, I know you wil not
    ignore her plight." Rod kissed her hand with gal antry. "Alyce, I promise you a knight you wil never forget."
    Now, as he lay on the bed with his arms folded behind his
    head, Rod smiled into the darkness with satisfaction. The day
    after the two half-cousins had spent the night together, Lord
    Edward had appointed Rod steward of his royal household.

    ******************
Rosamond waited outside the door, giving the couple inside
    enough time to compromise themselves. She would not
    knock; there was nothing polite about her intent. She would
    simply throw open the door and surprise them in each other's
    arms. She gathered her courage for what she was about to do
    and took a deep breath. Her fingers closed about the iron
    ring, and she firmly turned it until the bar lifted. To her complete
    chagrin, the heavy oak door swung open to reveal nothing but
    total darkness and complete silence.
    She let out her breath and took a tentative step inside the
    chamber. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw light
    coming from beneath another door across the room. Realizing
    the couple were in the adjoining chamber, she moved silently
    across the floor, then paused to listen. Rosamond heard a
    woman's sensual laugh, and there was no mistaking to whom
    it belonged.
    Without warning, she felt a powerful hand cover her