Infamous by Virginia Henley Page B

of Warwick as he escorted the young maid through Windsor’s Upper Ward. With his wolfhound Brutus stalking beside him, none dared.
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    When Jory arose, she did not rush to attend Joanna. The royal princess had plenty of ladies to help her dress and make sure she looked resplendent for the planned hawking party. Jory had her own appearance to see to today. She had an overwhelming desire to look beautiful in Guy de Beauchamp’s eyes. She put on a soft white underdress with full sleeves gathered at the wrists, then donned a vivid emerald surcoat embroidered with white roses. Rather than cover her hair with a jeweled caul, she braided it with silver ribbon and wound the long plaits about her head to form a regal coronet. Soft green leather boots and gloves completed her outfit.
    Jory joined the princess and her other ladies and together they made their way down to the courtyard adjacent to the stables, where grooms waited with their saddled mounts. Since the queen was no longer robust enough to ride, Joanna and King Edward were to host the hawking party, and Gilbert de Clare stepped forward and aided his bride to mount.
    The courtyard was crowded, not only with noble lords and ladies, but with attendants, grooms, and falconers. Cadge boys, with wooden frames suspended from their shoulders, held the birds that had been brought down from the mews for today’s hunt.
    Jory saw her brother and pushed through the throng to greet him. “Good morning, Lynx. Your tawny hair and great height make you easy to spot in a crowd. Oh hello, Sylvia. I didn’t see you.”
    Her sister-in-law, adorned in a drab brown surcoat, stared at Jory’s outfit. “You are dressed most impractically for a hunt.”
    Lynx gave his sister an irreverent wink. “That depends upon what quarry she is after.”
    Jory threw him a grateful smile, and then her eyes dilated with pleasure as Guy de Beauchamp joined her brother.
    â€œLady de Warenne.” Warwick bowed gallantly to Sylvia and addressed Lynx. “You are surrounded by beautiful ladies. How does an ugly devil like you manage it?”
    De Warenne grinned. “This is my sister, Lady Marjory. Allow me to present the Earl of Warwick.”
    â€œNot the infamous Earl of Warwick?” Jory asked as wicked amusement danced in her eyes. “I already know you by reputation.”
    Lynx shot her a warning glance. “Lady Marjory has an impertinent tongue and a knack for causing mayhem. I ask that you excuse my young sister, Warwick.”
    â€œAnd I ask that you excuse us both. It would be my pleasure to take her off your hands.” He held out his arm. “May I help you choose a falcon, my lady?”
    Jory gave him a radiant smile and placed her hand on his arm. “I can think of only one thing I would enjoy more, my lord.” As they moved away, she heard Sylvia hiss, “She’s incorrigible!”
    â€œGod, I hope so,” Warwick murmured as he maneuvered them to a less crowded part of the courtyard. When they stopped walking, his black eyes roamed over her, devouring her. “You are a feast for the eyes.” He held out his large, closed hand, palm up.
    Jory opened his long, shapely fingers one by one and saw that he was offering her a perfect white rose. It filled her with delight to think he compared her with its delicate beauty. As she lifted the fragrant flower to tuck it into her hair, she perceived that its petals had been hiding a small brooch. With a joyous gasp she saw it was a carved onyx wolfhound with an amber eye. “It’s Brutus!” Jory immediately tried to pin it to her surcoat.
    He grinned down at her. “Let me do that. Are you sure you want everyone to see? It will be like wearing my brand.”
    â€œThat is what makes it so exciting. It fills me with pride that a powerful earl like Warwick is courting my favor. I want to shout it to the world.”
    â€œSo it is the power of Warwick that