Here Be Dragons - 1 Sharon Penman (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📖

allaying suspicions, he said, with equal nonchalance, "As it happens, we were talking of you Catnn was taking me to task for having forgotten your birthday ""Oh," Joanna said, much relieved She was not sure what she'd feared, for even had Catherine repeated verbatim every one of their conversations this month past, would that have been so dreadful, after all? Actually, she was glad thatCatherine had told him about the missed hrthday, she wanted him to know"I expect it's best that you find out the truth about me early on " Llewelyn's smile was wry "You see, love, I do have an appalling mem-

2301ory for dates, be they birthdays, name days, saints' days, whateve Tangwystl finally resorted to laying out tally sticks in our bedchambe to remind me of the days remaining until her birthday. And my chi](jre' do take no chances, talk of nothing else for fully a month beforehand ""Alas, and I thought you were without flaw," Joanna said lightlv She was suddenly very happy. They'd often sat and talked, but thi conversation was somehow different; Llewelyn was somehow different She could not have articulated the change, knew only that there was an intimacy between them that she'd never felt before."I take it I'm forgiven? I should like to make amends, though, so you may ask of me what you will.""Anything? Anything at all?""Well, anything within reason," Llewelyn hedged, but then laughed, realizing she was teasing.Joanna laughed, too. "I shall have to give it some thought. An opportunity such as this is not to be wasted, must be . . ." And then her eyes fell upon the letter in her lap. Very much in earnest now, she put a hand imploringly upon his arm. "Did you truly mean it, Llewelyn? For there is something I do want, more than you could ever know. My father wrote that he expects to land at Portsmouth within the fortnight. I've not seen him for nigh on seven months, and . . . and it would mean so much to me to be there on the docks, waiting for him. May I, Llewelyn? May I go home for a visit?"She did not, Llewelyn saw, even catch her slip of the tongue, the use of"home." Catrin had been right; he'd not done all he could for the lass. "Of course you may go to Portsmouth, Joanna, if that be your wish.""Thank you, oh, thank you!" For a moment he thought she was about to fling her arms around him; she made an indecisive movement, and then jumped to her feet."May I go now? Today? It'll take a week to reach London, after all, and I know not when he's sailing. I could stay with my Aunt Ela, and we could travel together to Portsmouth. And .. and if you'd not mind, I could remain forPapa's Christmas court?""I'd not mind in the least. What could be more natural than that you'd miss your father, your family? Now, if you truly want to depart this noon, you'd best set your maids to packing. Meanwhile, I'll see about getting you a proper escort."Joanna had begun to thank him again, and he rose, put his arm around her waist. "Why do you not," he suggested, "ask Catrin to help you pack? You did look rather . . . taken aback at sight of her earlier, and I'm sure you'd not want her to think she'd somehow displeased you. She's a good friend, Joanna;they do come no better. You need never fear that she'd betray a confidence, share your secrets."

233"Was I so obvious as that7" Joanna asked softly, and Llewelyn ndded, gave her waist a gentle squeeze n"go you admit, then, that you have secrets from me7" he mured andJoanna's eyes widened On the surface, it could have sed for his usual banter, but the undercurrent earned an altogether H fferent message He was, she thought in utterly amazed delight, flirtmg with her"That," she said impishly, "is for me to know and you to find out " Llewelyn burst out laughing, more than a little intrigued It was a child's answer, the sort of flippancy that any of his daughters might have uttered, but there was nothing at all childlike in the look she gave him, a look impossible to misread, for he'd had it from too many women in the past not to recognize it on sight for what it wasan invitation to further intimaciesBLANCHE was even more excited than Joanna at the prospect of returning toEngland, and she completed the packing in record if disordered haste Within the hour, Joanna found herself out in the bailey, watching as her coffers were loaded onto pack horses Enid came forward, made a quick curtsy, and retreated as if she feared Joanna might change her mind, make her accompany them to theEnglish King's court, after all But Joanna merely smiled, and then startledEnid by giving her an utterly inappropriate hug Embracing Catherine next, she waited until Sugar was safely settled into her traveling basket, and then moved toward LlewelynHe was standing with her seneschal, turned at her approach 'Dylan and I have just been determining your route You'll be ferried across the strait atAbermenai, Dylan will swim the horses across Ordinarily, I'd have you pass the night with the monks at Aberconwy, but you're getting a late start, and I'd as soon you crossed Penmaenmawr in full light So you'd best halt at Aber tonight"He drew her away from the others then, put something into her hand "Here, this is a gift for your father I had it looped upon a chain so you could wear it around your neck, for safety's sake "It was, Joanna saw, a square-cut ruby ring, set in heavy gold "I shall present it to Papa with your compliments," she promised, and LleWelyn shook his head"No, Joanna I've arranged for a falcon from Ramsey Island as my^evv Year's gift This will be from you, and you alone " He