Margaret Moore - [Warrior 13] by A Warrior's Lady Page A

needed to be rational.
    He walked toward the king’s chair, away from her and her shining eyes and luscious body. When he was sure his passing excitement had been conquered, he faced her again.
    “Given the king’s insistence, we must go through with the ceremony,” he began as calmly as he could.
    “Yes.”
    She sounded as composed as he wanted to be.
    “However, there is no need to stay married.”
    Her shrewd, intelligent eyes remained fixed upon him as she patiently waited for him to explain.
    This was torture, but he had to speak if he wanted to reveal his plan. He would not think of her as a beautiful woman, but one of the soldiers under his command.
    Might as well try to believe he was the king of France.
    “After a time,” he said, not meeting her gaze, “when tempers have had a chance to cool, especially the king’s, we can seek an annulment.”
    “How? On what grounds?” she asked, the only indication of surprise the slight rise of her shapely brows—or perhaps she was hopeful that he had found a solution to their mutual problem. Or was her tranquillity as shallow as his, a mere gloss upon more turbulent waters? “Will you bribe some clergyman to discover that we are, in fact, related and thus the marriage forbidden by consanguinity?”
    What she felt, or did not feel, was unimportant, so long as she agreed to his plan. “I would have no relationship between our families of any kind, real or false, so the dissolution must be for another reason.”
    Her expression darkened. “What other reason?”
    “Nonconsummation.”
    This time he was sure it was surprise that flashed across her face. “So we must marry but not make love?”
    Resolutely determined, he nodded.
    “You think the church will grant an annulment although we wed at the king’s behest?”
    “I see no reason they should not.”
    “Except that the king may not wish it.”
    “Yes, that is the greatest hurdle,” he replied. “However, while my father may lack power and influence at court, he has powerful and influential friends. I’m sure Henry can be brought to realize that it would not be good to have them upset with one of his decisions. That may persuade the king to see that this was not his wisest idea. I’m sure your half brothers will agree. They’re probably as angry about this marriage as we are, even if they don’t have to provide a dowry. Therefore, Henry may not be spared the conflict he so evidently wishes to avoid. He should come to understand that it would be best if our marriage was dissolved. In the meantime, all we need do is obey his command, and have patience.”
    “And not make love.”
    “Yes.”
    “A clever plan.”
    Clever or not, it was the one he had come up with.
    “For how long must we resist temptation?” she asked softly.
    “For as long as we must,” he answered. “I think it would be best if we leave for Bridgeford Wells at dawn the day after we are wed.”
    “Bridgeford Wells?”
    “My family’s home.”
    “Ah. Of course.”
    “We should not stay at court, under Henry’s watchful eye, or those of prying courtiers, either.”
    “Very well, Sir Reece,” she murmured, lightly laying her hand on his forearm. “I shall tell my brother to be ready, too.”
    He had forgotten about Piers Delasaine, and something of his curiosity about her petition regarding him must have shown on Reece’s face, for she said, “I care a great deal for my brother, Sir Reece. I’ve been a mother to him since our own died giving birth to him. I want only the best for Piers. That’s why I asked the king to let him come with us. Damon and the others are no fit teachers or examples for him. I would have him learn from the best of men, not the worst.”
    Pleased by her compliment to his father, he covered her slender hand, so light upon him, with his own. He owed it to her to have her sure of the truth. “Yet what your brother said was true, my lady. My father was born a bastard. I am but one generation removed