Tributary (River of Time 3.2 Novella) by Lisa T. Bergren Read Free Book Online Page B

something that did not agree with me this morning. Mayhap it was Cook’s porridge?”
    He smiled, plainly relieved. “Better not allow her to hear such words, so near the kitchen’s door,” he warned, with a nod.
    “Agreed. Come,” she said, turning to Alessandra and Evangelia. “Let us resume our stroll.” They resumed their easy pace, and the knight fell back behind them.
    “It is not possible,” she whispered.
    “It’s not?” Evangelia asked, pacing ahead, turning to walk backward. Anger made her eyes stormy. “Really, Gabi? Do you not share a bed with your husband?”
    Why was Evangelia acting so oddly? Was this not welcome news? Were not babies always welcome? Heaven knew death stole so many of them away…’Twas best to have as many as one could.
    “I thought you were taking precautions,” Evangelia said, cold fury building in her pretty face.
    Alessandra’s mouth dropped open, utterly confused.
    Gabriella’s hands were on either side of her face now, massaging her temples. “I was…but there was one night…” She began to blush furiously.
    “Gabi!” Evangelia rubbed her face in agony. “You were going to wait…Just a few more years…”
    “I know, Lia!” Gabriella bit out, now turning angry eyes upon her sister. “You think I forgot?” She stepped forward again, leaving Alessandra behind, pushing past Lia.
    A few years …What were they talking about? Why would they wish to wait?
    They both seemed to remember her presence again, as one. Gabriella looked down, took a deep breath, and then turned toward Alessandra, taking her hands in hers, while sending a reassuring smile over her shoulder to the guard. “I know we’ve only just met,” she whispered. “But please. I beg you. Speak of this to no one.”
    Numbly, Alessandra nodded. Never in her life had she been with women who did anything but celebrate new life, budding within. Did not every married woman pray for babies? Certainly every woman she knew. Again, mayhap it was an oddity of the noble class…or the Sienese.
    “I think it best if we get you back to your quarters,” Gabriella said, “and I to mine.”
     

 
    Lord Rodolfo Greco entered the library after a quick knock and Alessandra guiltily shut the lambskin-bound book and slid it back on the shelf. His dark eyes, lined with thick lashes, went from her hand on the shelf to her and back again. “They are there for us all to read,” he said, pulling a cloth from his waistband and wiping the sweat from his brow. He turned a chair backward, and straddling it, sat down. “Do you read, signorina?”
    “Nay,” she said, aware that he was looking her over now, undoubtedly admiring her in her borrowed finery. “Evangelia and Gabriella…they spoke of teaching me, but there’s not time.”
    “You could always return for lessons,” he said. Was that the hint of a smile in his eyes?
    “I hardly think that would be advisable.”
    “You’re likely right. Please,” he said, giving way to a crooked smile, gesturing to the settee. “Sit, if you’d like.”
    It was more a command then a request, and Alessandra did as he asked, fighting the urge to chew her lip. It would have been far easier, loathing him, if the man weren’t so dreadfully handsome. And… winsome . There was something about him that drew her. A quiet ache, deep within him, she longed to relieve. An itch she longed to soothe. Was it being here, being part of the Sienese, when he was…not?
    “You must feel better today, signorina. You look…well.”
    She folded her hands in her lap in an effort to keep from wringing them, every nerve on edge with him so close. It was different, today. His attentions. More as a man with his eyes on a maid, rather than a guardian keeping watch. “I am better. A slight ache, behind the eyes, an ongoing weariness, but much improved over the last several days.”
    He studied her a moment longer, then rose, went to the desk, drew out a piece of parchment, uncorked the ink, and