The Velvet Promise (Montgomery/Taggert 2)

He didn’t look at her but stared across the green countryside. “Is the idea so repulsive to you?”

Judith could contain herself no longer. She started laughing and he stared at her in wonder. “You say you love me, that you will keep me apart from everyone but you, locking me in a tower room where we spend nights of passion. You admit the woman you swore you loved has played you false. You say all these things to me and ask if I am repulsed. You have given me what I have most wanted since I first saw you at the church.”

He continued staring at her. “Judith…” he began, hesitating.

“I love you, Gavin,” she smiled. “Is that so difficult to understand?”

“But three days ago—the divorce—”

This time she put her fingers to his lips. “You ask for forgiveness from me. Can’t you forgive me?”

“Yes,” he whispered as he bent and kissed her. He drew away abruptly. “And what of that man who kissed you? I will kill him!”

“No! It was but a token of friendship.”

“It didn’t look—!”

“Are you getting angry again?” she demanded, her eyes shooting sparks. “I have stood by for several days and watched woman after woman paw you.”

He chuckled. “I should have enjoyed it, but I didn’t. You have ruined me for all time.”

“I don’t understand you.”

“The women talked of nothing but clothing and”—Gavin’s eyes twinkled—“face creams. I had more trouble with the ledgers, and not one woman could I find who could help me!”

Judith was instantly concerned. “Do you again allow some baker to rob us?” She started to push away from him. “Come on, let’s go. I must see to this straightaway.”

Gavin tightened his arms about her. “You will not leave me now! Damn the ledgers! Can’t you think of anything else to do with that sweet mouth of yours but talk?”

She smiled at him innocently. “I had thought I was but your property and you the master.”

He ignored her jibe. “Come then, slave, and let’s find a secret den in this dark wood.”

“Aye, my master. Most willingly.” They walked hand in hand into the forest.

But Judith and Gavin were not alone. Their words of love, their play, had been witnessed by Alice. She watched them with feverish blue eyes.

“Come, love,” Ela said as she forcibly steered her mistress away. She looked with hate at the couple who walked through the trees, their arms and bodies intertwined. Those devils played with Alice! she thought. They teased and laughed at her until the sweet and lovely child nearly lost her mind. But they would pay, she vowed.

“Good morning,” Judith whispered and snuggled closer to her husband. He kissed the top of her head but didn’t speak. “Are we really going today?”

“If you wish.”

“Oh yes, I do. I’ve had enough of gossip and sly looks and men asking me improper questions.”

“What men?” Gavin frowned.

“Do not bait me,” she answered, then suddenly sat up in the bed, the covers falling away. “I must speak to the king! Now! He cannot keep believing that I want the divorce when I don’t. Perhaps the messenger can be overtaken.”

Gavin pulled her down in the bed beside him. He ran his teeth along the cord of her neck. He’d made love to her in the forest yesterday and most of last night, but he wasn’t anywhere near satiated. “There’s no need for such haste. No message will reach the pope.”

“No message?” Judith asked as she moved away from Gavin. “What are you saying? It’s been days since I talked to the king about a divorce.”

“No message was ever sent.”

Judith pushed forcibly away from him. “Gavin! I demand an answer. You speak in riddles.”

He sat up in the bed. “King Henry told me first of your request and asked if I wanted a divorce. I told him it was an absurdity you had dreamed of while you were so angry with me. I told him you would repent it in a short while.”