The Velvet Promise (Montgomery/Taggert 2)

Judith sneered at him. “Look at her!” she spat. “The rushes were nearly set on fire.”

He looked down at his wife in wonder. “Are you jealous?” he asked quietly.

“Of that blonde who lusts for my husband? No! I would find a worthier candidate if I were to feel jealousy.”

Gavin’s eyes flared for a moment. He had never before allowed anyone to say anything against Alice. “Your anger says you lie.”

“Anger!” she said, then quieted. “Yes, I am angry because you display your passion for everyone to see. You have embarrassed me before the king. Didn’t you see how the people stared and whispered?” She wanted to hurt him. “As for jealousy, one must love another for that emotion to occur.”

“And you bear me no love?” he asked coldly.

“I have never said so, have I?” She couldn’t read his expression. She didn’t know whether she hurt Gavin or not; but even if she had, her cruel words gave her no pleasure.

“Come, then,” he said, taking her arm. “The king waits supper for us, and you will not insult him with your absence. If it is indeed your wish to stop the gossip, you must play the loving wife.”

Judith followed him docilely, her rage strangely gone.

As newly arrived guests and ones to be especially honored, Gavin and Judith were seated by the king and queen; Judith to the king’s right, Gavin to the queen’s left and beside Gavin, Alice.

“You seem distraught,” King Henry said to Judith.

She smiled. “No, it’s only the journey and the child that weary me.”

“A child, so soon? I’m sure Lord Gavin is especially pleased with that.”

She smiled but could give no answer.

“Gavin,” Alice said softly so no other ears would hear her words, “it has been so long since I’ve seen you.” She was cautious with him, for she sensed things had changed between them. He had obviously not forgotten his love for her or he couldn’t have looked at her as he had earlier. But he had only just finished kissing her hand when his eyes drew away from her and searched the hall. They settled when he saw his wife’s retreating back. Moments later, he had deserted Alice and followed Judith.

“My condolences on your husband’s early demise,” Gavin said coldly.

“You will think I’m heartless, but I grieve very little for the man,” Alice murmured sadly. “He was…unkind to me.”

Gavin looked at her sharply. “But wasn’t he your choice?”

“How can you say that? I was forced into the marriage. Oh Gavin, if you had only waited, we could have been together now. But I’m sure the king would allow us to marry.” She put her hand on his arm.

r /> He looked at her hand, so thin and pale, then back at her eyes. “Do you forget that I’m married? That I have a wife?”

“The king is a sympathetic man. He would listen. Your marriage could be annulled.”

Gavin turned back to his food. “Don’t speak to me of annulment. I have heard the word enough to last me a lifetime. She carries a child. Even the king wouldn’t dissolve such a marriage.” Gavin gave his attention to the queen and began asking questions about the forthcoming marriage of Prince Arthur to the Spanish Catherine.

Alice sat quietly, thinking of Gavin’s words. She meant to find out why he was sick of the word “annulment” and why he referred to his wife’s baby as “a child”—almost as if he hadn’t fathered it.

An hour later, the tables were cleared and stacked against the wall, making room for any who cared to dance. “Would you dance with me?” Gavin asked his wife.

“Should I ask permission?” she asked, looking at Alice where she sat amid several young male admirers.

Gavin’s fingers bit into Judith’s arm. “You are unfair to me. I didn’t arrange the seating for supper. I’m doing all in my power to pacify you, but there are some things I cannot control.”

Maybe I am unreasonable, she thought. “Yes, I will dance with you.”

“Or perhaps a walk in the garden,” he smiled. “It’s a warm night.”

She hesitated.

“Come with me, Judith.” They had no more stepped through the gate when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her hungrily. She clung to him desperately. “My sweet Judith,” he whispered. “I don’t know that I can bear any more of your anger. It hurts me deeply when you look at me with hatred.”