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your life,” I said. “I will be your duchess.”
    My light tone hid the elation I felt. I had learned to lie as a child, so that now, when my blood was pounding in my throat, I did it easily. But for the first time in my life, the effort of a lie cost me something. I breathed deep, keeping my hand back from his, touching only his fingertips with my own.
    â€œI would see you again tonight,” he said, his gaze hot, his flesh warm on mine.
    I drank in his scent, the hint of some unknown spice on his skin. My heart pounded so loudly that I thought Rancon might be able to hear it.
    I raised my eyes to his, and took in the sight of him. He was a man of the world with many mistresses; he had sung their praises before he ever sang mine. But in that moment, as my green eyes cradled him, I saw the Baron Rancon falter.
    â€œMy lady, you are the most beautiful woman in the world.” I stood on the slippery slope of a man’s desire. The choice and the power of this moment were mine. I might slide into Rancon’s bed, and seal the promise of the heat that rose between us.
    I drew my hand from his as the music ended. “My lord,” I said, “you flatter me.”
    I spoke as if I were a modest maid, but my eyes held the same heat as his own. I watched him pause, searching my face, before he turned to lead me back to the dais.
    As we walked, I tripped, catching myself on his arm, as if I feared that I might fall. I bent to adjust the dyed leather slipper on my foot, and he leaned down to balance me.
    â€œMeet me behind the curved staircase on the second level three hours before dawn,” I said, my voice low so that only he would hear. When I stood again, still clinging to him, Rancon’s breath was as short as mine.
    He said not a word and did not meet my eyes again, but delivered me to my father.
    I danced every dance, the fire of new-discovered lust mounting in my belly. As I whirled and touched hands with each young man in turn, one after the other, I felt Baron Rancon’s eyes on me. I did not look at him. Instead I wove a spell over each man I danced with, so that they all began to love me, at least a little. What else is beauty for, if not to hold all men in your sway?

Chapter 4
    Palace of Poitiers
    County of Poitou
Easter 1136
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    WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT, WHILE ALIX SLEPT SOUNDLY ON HER pallet, Amaria helped me dress to meet Rancon in the hallway of my father’s keep. Her dark blond hair lay neatly across her forehead. Her clear blue gaze met mine without judgment. She said not a word, knowing that any warning she might give me would fall on barren ground.
    Amaria had been with me for more than three years, and she knew me well. I would never injure my chances to be Queen of France by losing my maidenhead to the Baron Rancon. But I would have my will, or why else be queen at all?
    At the appointed time, hours before dawn, I slipped out into the corridor, carrying no lamp. I knew my father’s palace at Poitiers so well that had I been struck blind, I would still have found my way. So I moved along the corridor toward the curved staircase, my hand trailing along the damp stone, until I felt warm flesh beneath my fingertips, and the Baron Rancon’s hand closed over mine.
    He whispered low, “My lady, I have waited for you.”
    He drew me close, retreating with me beneath the curved staircase. There was a little space for both of us to stand upright. He turned his back to the corridor, pressing me against the stone. My heart leaped in my chest. I had thought him biddable, completely my own creature, but here, alone, without my father’s court between us, he was a man, and I, a girl.
    My heart thundered in my breast, and my breath came short as my lust rose, a great tide that almost swamped my reason. Rancon pulled me to him, his hands on my waist beneath my cloak, his breath hot on my cheek.
    â€œI did not mean to keep you waiting,” I said.
    The sound of