woman who didn’t want him. No sense caring for a woman at all.
Keeping his voice low, he said, “I’ll have the guards bar the gates should you visit any of our holdings.” He raised his voice as they neared the tables. “Farewell, Lady Latimer. I bid you safe journey.”
“Blanche, must you leave? I haven’t had the chance to speak much with you. Or others deemed important enough to be guests at my wedding, unbeknownst to me.”
Eleanor. She looked lovely in a high-waisted, green velvet gown with tight sleeves. A headdress with a turned back brim and sheer veil covered the thick blond hair he’d so enjoyed seeing and touching.
Could he tell her the whole truth about Blanche this soon? She didn’t need another unpleasant surprise. Yet they’d agreed to be honest.
“Lady Latimer was just about to bid us farewell. It’s time for us to move forward now that the festivities are over.”
“I agree,” Eleanor said. “And forging new friendships is one way to do that.”
Blanche smiled one of her cat-has-got-the-cream-now smiles. “Eleanor, I’d enjoy remaining at Middleworth for a day or two. My obligations can wait.”
Arm in arm, the two women strolled into the hall, skirts swishing over the floor, leaving him to follow. Blanche’s trilling laugh grated on his nerves.
She clearly wanted to work her way into Eleanor’s affections and sought a means to remain close to him. What mischief was she up to?
If he told his new bride about his past, she’d likely wish to be rid of him all the sooner. But better that the news come from him than Blanche.
Later today, then, when he and Eleanor were alone.
“You left before I awoke,” Richard began as he sat beside her. He spread butter on a thick slice of the costly manchet bread only served to those at the high table.
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” Eleanor said. “I needed to speak with my sister.”
She didn’t want to be reminded of how handsome Richard was, but couldn’t help noticing. He wore a tunic of fine wool the color of leaves in the deep of the forest, which brought out the green in his eyes. Similar to the shade she’d chosen today. Did they like the same colors? Books? Anything? She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
Best she not find more reasons to esteem him before she obtained an annulment. If only she could stop wondering what their life together would be like.
“This cheese is delicious.” He took a bite, then licked his lips.
Startled by the intriguing memory of his lips on hers, she turned to her own cheese.
“We don’t know very much about each other,” he continued.
Apparently they thought alike. A good quality to have in a spouse…that one planned to keep.
“How could we? We just met yesterday.”
“True. So let’s start with something simple. What are your favorite foods?” he asked.
“ Pain perdu is one of my favorites, and anything fried in butter. I confess to a fondness for crystallized ginger.”
“Ah, so you favor sweet stuffs.”
“What do you like to eat?” The question was out of her mouth before she could call it back.
“Venison stew and roasted meatballs.”
“Very well. I can have Cook prepare roasted meatballs for supper.” Why was she trying to please him? What purpose would getting to know Richard serve? Best not to think of him and how nice it was to converse and think about something other than their awkward situation. Best to focus on her plan.
She worried her bread into a pile of crumbs as she assessed the female guests. Could the potential bride be right in front of her? Most of the women were already married, others wouldn’t suit. Except perhaps for Blanche. The vibrant beauty seemed intelligent. Some men had openly admired her. Perhaps Richard would, too. Eleanor was glad Blanche was staying so she could learn more about her.
“I’d hoped today you’d give me a tour of Middleworth,” Richard said. She couldn’t escape the warmth of his gaze. “Then I thought
Keeping his voice low, he said, “I’ll have the guards bar the gates should you visit any of our holdings.” He raised his voice as they neared the tables. “Farewell, Lady Latimer. I bid you safe journey.”
“Blanche, must you leave? I haven’t had the chance to speak much with you. Or others deemed important enough to be guests at my wedding, unbeknownst to me.”
Eleanor. She looked lovely in a high-waisted, green velvet gown with tight sleeves. A headdress with a turned back brim and sheer veil covered the thick blond hair he’d so enjoyed seeing and touching.
Could he tell her the whole truth about Blanche this soon? She didn’t need another unpleasant surprise. Yet they’d agreed to be honest.
“Lady Latimer was just about to bid us farewell. It’s time for us to move forward now that the festivities are over.”
“I agree,” Eleanor said. “And forging new friendships is one way to do that.”
Blanche smiled one of her cat-has-got-the-cream-now smiles. “Eleanor, I’d enjoy remaining at Middleworth for a day or two. My obligations can wait.”
Arm in arm, the two women strolled into the hall, skirts swishing over the floor, leaving him to follow. Blanche’s trilling laugh grated on his nerves.
She clearly wanted to work her way into Eleanor’s affections and sought a means to remain close to him. What mischief was she up to?
If he told his new bride about his past, she’d likely wish to be rid of him all the sooner. But better that the news come from him than Blanche.
Later today, then, when he and Eleanor were alone.
“You left before I awoke,” Richard began as he sat beside her. He spread butter on a thick slice of the costly manchet bread only served to those at the high table.
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” Eleanor said. “I needed to speak with my sister.”
She didn’t want to be reminded of how handsome Richard was, but couldn’t help noticing. He wore a tunic of fine wool the color of leaves in the deep of the forest, which brought out the green in his eyes. Similar to the shade she’d chosen today. Did they like the same colors? Books? Anything? She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
Best she not find more reasons to esteem him before she obtained an annulment. If only she could stop wondering what their life together would be like.
“This cheese is delicious.” He took a bite, then licked his lips.
Startled by the intriguing memory of his lips on hers, she turned to her own cheese.
“We don’t know very much about each other,” he continued.
Apparently they thought alike. A good quality to have in a spouse…that one planned to keep.
“How could we? We just met yesterday.”
“True. So let’s start with something simple. What are your favorite foods?” he asked.
“ Pain perdu is one of my favorites, and anything fried in butter. I confess to a fondness for crystallized ginger.”
“Ah, so you favor sweet stuffs.”
“What do you like to eat?” The question was out of her mouth before she could call it back.
“Venison stew and roasted meatballs.”
“Very well. I can have Cook prepare roasted meatballs for supper.” Why was she trying to please him? What purpose would getting to know Richard serve? Best not to think of him and how nice it was to converse and think about something other than their awkward situation. Best to focus on her plan.
She worried her bread into a pile of crumbs as she assessed the female guests. Could the potential bride be right in front of her? Most of the women were already married, others wouldn’t suit. Except perhaps for Blanche. The vibrant beauty seemed intelligent. Some men had openly admired her. Perhaps Richard would, too. Eleanor was glad Blanche was staying so she could learn more about her.
“I’d hoped today you’d give me a tour of Middleworth,” Richard said. She couldn’t escape the warmth of his gaze. “Then I thought
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