Page 34 of Betrothal

He grunted at the familiar address. So it had begun. “Alyse?”

“She asked, Geoffrey.”

“I know. I heard. I was standing right there, in case you did not notice.”

“Aye, I noticed. As did she. Though she is piqued at your behavior today, she is willing for us all to be friends, which could prove quite interesting, since your jealousy is showing even now.” He sighed. “Well, ’tis for a short time only. You sail for Spain in under two months?”

“Aye. ‘Twill be a trying journey at best. You are well out of it.”

“Aye.” Thomas shrugged. “I have begged off and the king has finally agreed. I am the Earl of Braeton and there is no one left of my line but me. I must marry, and soon, to get an heir then settle on the estate in Sussex.” The set of his face said the prospect did not excite him.

“Have you begun to search for a wife?”

“Nay, not seriously. Although now I do regret not offering for Lady Alyse when I had the chance.”

Geoffrey fisted his hands until his nails dug into his palms.

“Peace, Geoffrey!” His friend chuckled and shook his head. “’Twas spoken in jest. But I see why you value her so.” His smile became a grin. “I will treasure our dance this evening immeasurably.”

“Thomas! You will not—”

“’Twas the lady’s specific request. And ’tis only a dance.”

Geoffrey stopped before they reached the threshold. “I know, but…she favors you.” The words came from between clenched jaws. Despite his resolve to try to free himself from Alyse, he could not control himself whenever he thought of her with another man.

“Do you doubt the lady so much, then?” Thomas raised an eyebrow.

“By God, Thomas.” Geoffrey took a step toward his friend. “How dare you say such a thing?”

“Because you are acting an utter fool, my friend. You wrong the lady, not I.” Thomas shook his head. “You cannot see her when she looks at you, Geoffrey. Her eyes drink you in, as though she is parched and you are the fountain of life. If she favored me once, it is no more. I would put my oath on that.”

Geoffrey’s heart ached at the words. Would to God they were true.

He looked around. They were about to enter the Great Hall. He pulled himself to his full height and affected the courtier’s face he had practiced for so long. A glance at Thomas showed he had also assumed an air of studied indifference. It did not, however, fool him. The man was angry.

He sighed. “Thomas, I beg your—.”

“Forget it, my friend. To control your jealousy may be another labor of Hercules. But I meant what I said. I give Lady Alyse my service, my loyalty, my friendship. ’Tis all.” Thomas sought his gaze and held it. “I would not serve you so ill, Geoffrey. To believe I would does me a dishonor.”

Geoffrey glanced away, chastened. Mayhap he had done his friend a grave disservice. In ten years of friendship, he had never had cause to doubt him.

“Go to your betrothed with a happy heart, as I go to Lady Carlyle, who will tend my wounds tonight. Among other things.” Thomas rolled his eyes and sighed, affecting the role of the pining lover.

His display drew a chuckle from Geoffrey, and he relaxed. He had to attempt to curb his jealous nature, though God knew Thomas was right—’twould be another Herculean task. He would put aside his distrust of Alyse and Thomas for tonight. It seemed his friend’s interests currently lay elsewhere, and it was just one dance.

But he would have a reckoning with Alyse ere the evening was done. Her outburst this afternoon lay heavily on his mind. Despite Thomas’s words, she seemed to still harbor feelings for him. ‘Twas time he knew for certain.

Reminding himself of the coming dance with Alyse on his arm, he entered the Hall with Thomas to join Guy de Valere for the assembly.

Chapter 14

When Alyse entered the Hall, she raced to the dais where the princess and Lady Carlyle had already taken their places. As the presentation of prizes had been held on the field, the first dance would begin the assembly this evening. Alyse’s tardiness would have been grievous had not two of the joust’s winners also been conspicuously absent. She mounted the platform and assumed her place beside the princess. Princess Joanna glanced at her—a slight shake of her head her only rebuke—as they awaited the champions.

Sir Guy stood at the far end of the Hall, brilliantly attired in a silver and blue cotehardie, cut in the latest style. His swarthy, handsome face, as attractive as she remembered it, turned toward her. And, though she could not tell for certain at that distance, she believed he watched her as they waited. The imagined examination made her shift uncomfortably, and she fought not to squirm before the assembled court.

At last, Geoffrey and Thomas hurried to join him, and she sighed with relief. Perhaps now she could focus her attention on the highlight of the evening for her: the dance. The entrance of her two knights created a splendid a picture, though each wore more sober colors than Guy. Geoffrey had dressed in a light brocade of his favorite blue, the color exactly matching his eyes at their darkest. Thomas appeared as a stunning contrast to him, in dark gold tones that complimented his coloring. Alyse could not have hoped to see three men more handsome, and she smiled with pleasure at the prospect of dancing with two of them.

As the champions met at the end of the Great Hall, the trumpeters sounded the fanfare once again. Alyse flanked Princess Joanna as she stepped forward, Lady Carlyle on her other side. The gentlemen came forward to claim their ladies and lead them into the middle of the Hall. The musicians struck up a stately carole, and the three couples formed pairs, one following the other, creating a line that moved gradually around the Hall. She and Geoffrey were the center pair and slowly trailed behind the princess and her partner.