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

that John could be so reckless, so unforgivably ill-mannered as to debauch one of Aymer's womenfolk on the very eve of his marriage to Aymer's daughter. What if it had been Aymer who'd come upon them? he thought, and strode forward, a warning hot on his lips, only to stop, dumbfounded, at sight of Isabelle.Isabelle gave a little gasp of dismay, flushed bright red. It was one thing to tell herself that John had every right to fondle and caress her as he chose, that it was proper to allow him such intimacies. It was quite another for his brother, the Earl of Salisbury, to discover her sitting on John's lap, her hair in telling disarray and her bodice partially undone.She came hastily to her feet, jerking at her gown, so flustered she might have fled had John not reached out, caught her hand. Rising unhurriedly, he said soothingly, "You've no cause for embarrassment/ love. It is not for Willor any otherto pass judgment upon you."

325And with that, Isabella suddenly and fully comprehended just what marriage toJohn would mean. That she would get to wear a crown and nj0y unknown luxury, that a son of hers would one day be King of cnglandall of that she'd already grasped, though it was not quite real to her, not yet. The awareness that came to her now was more immediate, and therefore more easily understood. All of her life she'd been taught it was her duty to obey, to please others, first and foremost the father whose expectations she could never quite satisfy. But no more. She need not ever worry again about her father's anger. Nor about her mother's sharp-tongued reprimands, or Hugh de Lusignan's hot rages, or the jealousy and spite of girls less favored than she. She had only to please one man and one man alone, and as long as she was secure in his approval and affections, no one else's disapproval mattered.Isabella drew a deep breath, giddy with the realization that she who'd had so little power would now have so much. When I am Queen of the English, she thought in awe, it will be Papa who'll have to please meme! And she looked atJohn in wonderment, Will all but forgotten.They could hear other voices in the gardens now, women's voices. Isabelle cocked her head, listening. "My mother . . . she's calling for me." But she did not move, looked to John for guidance. "Would you have me go to her?"John nodded, bringing her hand up to his mouth and kissing her palm. "It is late; you'd best be in." Watching as she gathered up her skirts and ran lightly up the garden path, he said admiringly, "Lord God, what a beauty she's going to be, Will! To think she almost ended up in Hugh de Lusignan's bed;talk about casting pearls before swine!"He was turning to follow after Isabelle when Will grasped his arm. "John, wait. I want you to tell me I misinterpreted what I just saw. I want you to tell me that you do not mean to bed that little girl."John's eyes narrowed, took on sudden green glints. "Are you worrying that Ishall dishonor her ere the wedding? How quaint. But you can put your mind at ease. I do intend to wait till the morrow . . . though that be no small sacrifice!""Christ Jesus, John, she is but twelve years olda child! You do not think I'd have touched Ela, do you? Nor will I, not till she's of a proper age for bedding. As you must wait with Isabelle. Her father would exPect no less; he's entrusting her to your care, your keeping. If he even suspected you"John gave an angry, incredulous laugh. "There are times when your innocence truly defies all belief! Who do you think sent us out into *he gardens? You fool, I could lay with Isabelle at high noon atop a table ln trie great hall, and Aymer would cheer us on!"But John did not truly want to quarrel with Will. Those very ele-

126ments of Will's nature that made him champion Isabelle so stubborn! were also those that made him the only man John had ever been able t trust. He paused, then said impatiently, "Will, you are my brother, m companion, even my confidant. But my conscience you are not, and thank God for it. I suspect you'd put a saint to shame! Good Christ man, what do you think I mean to do, go after her like a stag in rut? Yon know me better than that, Will, or you bloody well should! I admit I've forced a woman or two in my life, but you name me a man who has not I'm no Will de Braose, and you know it. I prefer a willing bedmate prefer a woman who wants what she's getting."He grinned suddenly. "I assure you, Isabelle will be in good hands. I had my first woman at fourteen, have long since lost count. You think! did not learn from all those couplings? That I'd not make Isabelle's deflowering as easy for her as I could? She's more woman than you know; I'd wager it'll take no more than a fortnight ere she's not only willing, but eager.""John, you must not""Sweet glory of God, enough! Better me than de Lusignan. Now let that be an end to it."Will knew his brother well enough to read the danger signals, but he felt honor-bound to persevere. "I do not doubt that de Lusignan would have wasted no time dragging the lass into bed. But you know better, John. The very fact that you feel the need to justify yourself proves that. It would be wrong to bed a twelve-year-old girl, no matter how fair she is. It's not . . . not decent. And it's dangerous, as well. What if you get her with child? I need not tell you how many women die in childbirth . . . and the