Carol Townend [Wessex Wedding Her Banished Lord [HHS 296, MHR

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.Stop thinking about Hugh! Give this knight your full attention.If he is indeed malleable, he might be useful.When Aude had set her appearance to rights, Sir Olivier was leaning against the tree, biting into an apple.‘My lady, it is your brother’s wish that we marry.’‘Yes, I know, but—’Sir Olivier tossed the apple aside and reached her in two strides.‘It is my wish also.’‘Sir, my dowry is not large, but nevertheless I think you are more interested in my lands than my person.’‘Not so!’ He took her hands, kissing each in turn.‘I admit that was the case before I met you, but now that I have met you…’Aude pulled free.‘You are very glib, sir.You know I have a manor near Crèvecoeur?’‘Yes.’‘And my grandfather left a chest of money with the Abbot here.That is my dowry.’‘I know about that, but—’‘I also,’ Aude swept on, ‘have been gifted a small estate in Wessex.Did you know of that?’Sir Olivier’s handsome face crinkled into a frown.‘Where the devil is Wessex?’‘It is in England, sir.’‘Your brother gave you this estate?’‘No, my fiancé gave it to me.’‘Count Martin? I was not aware he had lands in England.’‘No, Sir Olivier, it is Count Richard I am referring to.’The Abbot’s knight tipped his head to one side.‘The man who stepped into Martin’s shoes? I never realised you were promised to him too.’‘Only briefly.We soon agreed that we should not suit, and as a parting gift Count Richard granted me this estate in England.’Sir Olivier looked puzzled.‘Well, that is all to the good, my lady, but I meant it when I said I wished to marry you and not your lands.’‘I am telling you this,’ Aude softened her voice, ‘because I want you to under stand my intentions.I am currently on my way to Wessex.’His eyes widened.‘I see.’‘I hope that you do.I wish to tour my estate there and ensure that it is in good order.And whatever my brother may say, I am not going to make any decisions regarding my future until my return.’‘And when might that be?’Aude shrugged.‘That will largely depend on what I find in England.’ She gave him a straight look.‘My brother thinks to sway me, Sir Olivier, but—’‘You cannot be swayed.’ He grinned.Not by you, Aude thought, which, oddly, was the very reason she might consider marrying him in the future.If she had to… ‘No, sir.I shall tour my estate; there are matters there that need my attention.With luck I will be back at Crèvecoeur by Advent.’‘You will risk a winter crossing? Is that wise?’Aude made an impatient movement.‘I will not travel if the weather is inclement.What I am saying, Sir Olivier, is—’‘No.You are saying no.You will not have me.’Aude was startled to see disappointment written so clearly on the handsome face.And she would swear it was more than the loss of her dowry; this man appeared to genuinely want her for his wife.Malleable indeed.‘Yes, Sir Olivier,’ she spoke gently but firmly.‘I am afraid that I am.’His nostrils flared and she found herself at the receiving end of another of those charming smiles.‘When do you leave?’ he asked, politely offering her his arm.As they started walking back to the church, tension seeped out of her, and Aude realised she had been braced for a churlish reaction.Her heart warmed to him.There were not many knights who would accept her decision so well.Charmer he might be, but Sir Olivier was genuinely likeable, which was all to the good.Particularly since Edouard would be more agreeable about her visiting England if she went in the company of the knight he had chosen for her husband…‘I had planned to take a barge to Honfleur this afternoon, but another passenger took my place and had my baggage thrown off the ship.’He missed a step.‘Surely not?’‘Really.’ They resumed their slow progress towards St Peter’s church where Edouard was waiting for them.‘What will you do, my lady?’‘Find another ship.’‘Does Lord Edouard know what you have in mind?’‘Yes, but I fear he may try to delay my departure.’ Aude gave him a straight look.‘I should like to trust you, sir.May I?’Brown eyes looked earnestly into hers.‘It would be my honour to assist you, my lady.’‘There is no need to feel compelled.’‘Lady Aude, it will be no trouble.’ His smile broadened.‘I want to help.You see, I hope to prove myself worthy of you.’Firmly, Aude shook her head.‘My mind is made up, Sir Olivier.I will not marry you.’ Unless I have to…‘You will forgive a man for hoping.’The brown eyes held hers steadily, and after a moment Aude nodded.‘I will not change my mind, but I will accept your help.I am told that another river barge is due to set out tomorrow.In order to avoid an argument with Edouard—he wishes me to delay, and I am for leaving as soon as possible—I shall be needing new travel ling chests.’She was sent another of those charming smiles.‘My lady, I know the very place where they might be found.’Chapter ThreeOwing to the need for discretion, Hugh Duclair had three horses stabled at one of the quieter inns a little down stream from Jumièges.The inn was small and in need of repair, daylight was visible through the stable roof.It was not a place in which he would choose to stable horses in winter, but since it was summer and a hot one at that, he had known the animals would be snug enough.Having paid their accounting with the inn keeper, Hugh and his squire, Gil, were riding back along the river bank towards the port.The river was almost at the full, and swifts screeched across the sky, fast as arrows.Hugh was thinking about Aude de Crèvecoeur.Great God, it had knocked him back seeing her this morning.Edouard, Hugh had been half-expecting to see, but his sister… No, seeing Aude had been a surprise.Each time Hugh saw Aude it seemed that she was becoming more and more beautiful [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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