Tyrant of the Mind by Priscilla Royal Read Free Book Online

well,” he said to Robert, nodding in the direction of the lady in question. “Although why she would have such a dull maid is beyond me.” He waved his hand with a dismissive gesture toward the other woman in the more dreary dress. “Surely a woman blessed with such lush and welcoming curves would have no reason to fear competition for her lord’s affections.”
    Robert chuckled. “That dull maid, good monk, is my intended bride.”
    Thomas felt the heat in his cheeks burning with mortal embarrassment. “’S blood, good Robert, forgive my churlish tongue! She would have charms, but the modest cloak she wears hides them from the common gaze. You are fortunate she saves her beauty for her intended husband instead of displaying them to the crude stares of such rude men as I.”
    Robert grinned at Thomas, then threw his head back with uncontrolled laughter. “Not long in the monastery are you, brother? Your words sing of both the court and the world, however hoarse your voice may be from lack of practice.” He gave Thomas a friendly jab in the ribs. “Perhaps you will favor me with tales of your conversion to the contemplative life over a goblet or two of good wine someday?” He laughed again. “You owe me that as penance for insulting the woman who will soon be my betrothed, assuming the families can ever come to agreement.”
    “You have a generous heart to forgive this boorish monk, Robert. The wine and your company I’ll happily accept, but let us talk of things more interesting than my entry to the priesthood. It is but a dull story and the telling is not worth wasting a fine Gascony red just off the boat.”
    Thomas glanced up through the increasing mist as the clouds that now effaced the sky began to envelop the earth. Dull the story was not, but he had no wish to recount his days in prison to this or to any man. Nor did he want to discuss the price he had paid for an act of sodomy, an act and a love he could never regret.
    Robert tugged at the sleeve of his new friend’s habit as the monk remained silent, his eyes turned to the heavens. “Have you left this world, Thomas, or have you just had a vision?”
    “Neither. I was just thinking that we might be in for quite the storm. Those clouds will surely bring more snow. But let me return to my question. Am I right that the woman with the Lady Juliana is Sir Geoffrey’s wife?”
    The lady in question was now walking toward the main hall. His lusty jesting aside, Thomas did wonder why a happily wedded wife would look around with such suggestive boldness and walk with hips swinging so that men of any station could watch, then imagine how wildly those hips might shake the winnowing basket in the marital bed. In contrast, Robert’s soon-to-be-betrothed followed with great modesty, head bowed, some steps behind the wife.
    “You assume correctly. That is the Lady Isabelle, Sir Geoffrey’s much younger second wife. As you would surely conclude from seeing the Lady Juliana and the Lord Henry, all his children are from his prior marriage.”
    “Not long wed, I would guess.”
    “More than a year.”
    “Then I am surprised the new mare has not yet bred.”
    “Aye, she has, but it came long before term. Or so she said.”
    Thomas raised an eyebrow. “I hear the hint of a tale there.”
    Robert’s face flushed. “My father has always said I was too plainspoken.”
    “And I might say your speech is frank, as suits an honest man.” Thomas smiled. “Tell me the story. I would know more of this family, for what you’ve told already is a sad but most compelling tale.”
    Robert shrugged. “I’ll not pretend I believe all is thriving in this second marriage. You see, Sir Geoffrey’s first wife was a woman well known for her sweet nature and godly heart. I remember her from the days when the lady and her family visited us, and the memory is a fond one.” Robert’s eyes glazed with sadness. “My own mother was still alive then and was good friends with the