Read His Lady Bride (Brothers in Arms) for Free Online Page B

Lancastrian intrigue swirling about the Yorkist crown, and that is why we travel, but who cares when there is so much entertainment to enjoy?” She laughed.
    Gwenyth did her best to smile. While she wished good fortune for her cousin, she could not deny she wanted some of it for herself.
    “But you—” Nellwyn broke into her thoughts. “Father tells me you have a new husband. Where, pray tell is he?
    Reeling with the news that her cousin would take a coveted journey to London, Gwenyth merely shrugged. How she had always longed to visit that place of excitement, see the mass of people, take in the court intrigues. Perhaps Sir Penley would take her someday—if she could become his wife.
    “Is he not here?” Nellwyn asked, wearing a puzzled frown.
    “Nay, he often…” Disappears would have been the truth, though she was loath to say it. Nellwyn’s life was so clearly perfect, while her own might never be more than misery. “He often hunts.”
    “Oh, a sporting man, I see. Well, I shall probably come back to Penhurst on our journey home. Perhaps I will meet him then. What manner of man is he?”
    Though she felt certain her uncle had told her cousin all the details of this ridiculous marriage, she refused to admit Bardrick had bartered her to a sorcerer to ease the drought. Gwenyth hated her embarrassment and vowed Nellwyn would never see it.
    “He is a…quiet man. And so far, a kind one.”
    “Wonderful! You shall do all the speaking and be allowed anything you desire.” Nellwyn giggled.
    Despite her melancholy, Gwenyth could not help but laugh in return. “Exactly as I plan.”
    After seating her cousin on the room’s lone chair, Gwenyth sat atop the bed. Outside, she heard Aric’s footsteps and prayed he had not heard her conversation. She prayed even harder he would leave again. She did not want Nellwyn to meet her silent husband. Though he was disturbingly handsome, gruffly gentle, and well spoken, his position was a lowly one. This marriage was but one more reason for Nellwyn to pity her.
    Thankfully, her cousin remained oblivious to Aric’s presence under the eaves.
    “Well, as you can see”—Nellwyn’s hands cupped her rounding stomach—“the babe is growing. I’m certain it will be a son, and my dear Sir Rankin is beside himself. He’s been the most indulgent husband during this time. I fear I shall grow quite used to it and become spoiled. What kind of wife will I be to him then? Certainly not a useful one!” Nellwyn smiled cheerfully.
    “Indeed. But should you grow useless and fat, he will have no one to blame but himself,” Gwenyth teased.
    “You are right!” Nellwyn giggled, then grabbed Gwenyth’s hands in a rush of excitement. “Though we have oft discussed names for the babe, we have not decided upon one. I feel so fortunate that Sir Rankin allows for my opinion. Indeed, he even seeks it in this matter.”
    Holding in a sigh, Gwenyth regarded her cousin. She yearned so deeply for a caring husband and the return of the world into which she was born that an ache pulsed within her.
    “Of course,” Nellwyn continued, “we shall have to determine a name all too soon. By the saints, I can hardly let Sir Rankin’s heir go nameless, at least not for too long.”
    “That is true,” Gwenyth agreed as her cousin smiled widely.
    “And I did not tell you of the king’s gift,” Nellwyn said, changing subjects. “King Richard himself gave my husband another castle! Is that not exciting? ’Tis our third one now, and I know not how we will keep up with everything. As it is, we already have more land than Sir Rankin can oversee. I should be thankful, I suppose, for that means we shall never go hungry—though certainly I have more servants than I can direct in a day. I can scarcely remember their names, much less all their duties. And with this growing babe, I have felt naught but weariness. I am overwrought, I tell you.”
    Gwenyth struggled to hide her envy at Nellwyn’s good