When Love Awaits by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page A

Leonie said, setting the mirror down. “I thought he had broken my nose, but now I think it will mend—along with the rest of me.”
    “How can you jest, my lady?”
    “Because it is better than crying, and that is what I will do if I think of what this beating accomplished.”
    “You will marry him then?”
    “You know about it?”
    “My lady, the horses are saddled and waiting. Everything is prepared and ready…except you.”
    Leonie would have given anything to stop this, but now that she had given her word, sworn on all that was holy as well as her mother’s grave, she would have to marry Rolfe d’Ambert. It did not matter that the vow had been beaten out of her—she had said the words and she would have to abide by them.
    Oh, how she wanted to cry. She had been so sure she could withstand Richer’s hands, but she was wrong. He had slapped her again and again, and when, her cheeks scarlet, she did not cower or beg, he began using his fists. She had borne as much as she could, believing that the beating could not be worse than whatever the Black Wolf planned for her. But when she realized that Richer would kill her if he was not stopped, and that there was no one to stop him, she had given up. If her father could let this happen, he would not save her.
    No one interfered. No one came, even when she screamed. She knew then that there would be no help, and so she did what she had to do.
    Sir Guibert would kill Richer for her, but what goodwas that? The scum was only following her father’s orders. And although she was choking in sorrow and hatred for her father, she did not wish for more violence. Therefore, she would have to conceal what had been done to her.
    “Bring me my medicines, Wilda, then find me a suitable gown to be married in. I care not if my husband knows I was forced to wed him, but no one else is to know. Do you understand? Find me a veil, a dark one, and gloves, I think. I have had a recurrence of my childhood rashes, and there is no time to make the ointment to relieve it. Do you hear? That is what you will go and tell my aunt and Sir Guibert.”
    “But you outgrew those rashes.”
    “I know, but it is not impossible that I became so nervous about meeting my future husband that the rash reappeared. And it is also understandable that I would wish to hide it. Just make sure Sir Guibert believes the story. Do that now, then return and help me dress. And carry my medicines along to Crewel. I will have more need of them later.”
    Alone, Leonie put her head in her hands and sobbed. This day was going to be one horror after another.
    For the swelling and bruises she applied a mixture of the marsh mallow root and oil of roses. For her nerves and the overall aching she drank a sedating syrup made from chamomile flowers. She would have taken a mixture of white poppy, but she didn’t think she should fall asleep during the wedding ceremony.
    By the time Wilda returned, Leonie was already feeling the effects of the sedative.
    “You told Sir Guibert what I bid you?”
    “Aye. He was most sympathetic and said he would himself explain to your husband the reason why you will be veiled. And your aunt began to cry. She wantedto come to you now but Lady Judith has kept her busy through the night and all morning. Why, I don’t believe she has had any sleep.”
    “It is just as well. I do not want her to see me like this.” Looking at her young maid squarely, she said, “Tell me something, Wilda. Have you ever had a man?”
    “My lady! I—”
    “I will not scold you, Wilda,” Leonie quickly assured her. “My mother died without preparing me, thinking she would have time for it later. And I could not ask Aunt Beatrix about these things. I want to know what I will face today. Tell me.”
    Wilda lowered her eyes, speaking softly. “It will be painful the first time, my lady. It is the tearing of your maidenhead that causes the pain and the bleeding that will be displayed on your sheets the next