The knight shook his head as if he argued with a foolish child and Alienor found the confidence in his smile maddening.
“What other options have you, Alienor?”he asked quietly.The way he uttered her name made Alienor shudder and take another step back.
“I shall stay with Iolande, of course.”
Jordan shook his head sagely as if he well understood the ways of the world and she did not.
“For how long?Until she chooses another for you, or casts you out?You have perhaps a month of peace, perhaps two, before your burden on the household becomes clear, and thus intolerable.”Jordan met Alienor’s gaze, his own eyes glittering with avarice.Alienor was both repulsed and mystified.She had no dowry and no wealth to bring a match.She knew Jordan desired her, but he did not have to wed her to bed her.
Though she would fight him with all her might.
“And who would the noble Iolande choose for you?”he continued.“A wealthy man from within her own domain?A man in his dotage with drool on his chin?You may be certain that she will be thinking of alliance, not your physical pleasure.”He gestured to himself with pride, the slight movement of his hand urging Alienor to survey him.He was overly proud of himself, to be sure, but he was only a little older than her and might have been considered handsome.’Twas his manner that Alienor despised.
“Choose another for yourself, Alienor.”Jordan spoke as if he found encouragement in her expression and he took the last step remaining between them.His hands rose quickly to Alienor’s shoulders before she could move away and he fairly lifted her closer.“Let no one else make choices for you this time, for they would not make the selection best for you.I have adequate wealth, a fine home, a title, a place at the king’s own court.No finer suitor will you find in this backward province, my lady.”He gave her a little shake, his gaze locked upon hers.“You have only to accept me to see the deed done.”
Alienor shook her head, having no doubt of her decision.Her husband had been lost to her for only two days and now this cur expected her to take him in Dagobert’s stead.What travesty of fate would ask her to trade the tender compassion of one man for the cynical selfishness of another?This man had no feelings for her, indeed he knew naught of her.She was but a pawn to him.Even his desire for her would die a quick death when he discerned the rounding of her belly.
She did not need to make this match, for Iolande had ensured her place here at Montsalvat.And perhaps, when the threat against his life was banished, Dagobert would return to her side.
She would dare to hope.
“Nay,” she said with quiet conviction and stepped from beneath the weight of his hands.“I say nay, sir.”
Jordan’s eyes darkened as his jaw tightened in anger.“What say you, woman?”he demanded and Alienor’s anger sparked at his tone.How dare he approach her in her own chambers?How dare he press his suit upon her when she refused?
“I say nay,” Alienor repeated.Fury erupted in the knight’s eyes and suddenly she wondered how much more he would dare.Her heart pounded in her throat as she retreated toward the door.Jordan stalked her, yet no sounds of salvation carried to her ears from the stairs.
“I say I shall convince you,” Jordan vowed in a low voice.“I say I shall change your decision before you leave this chamber.”He reached for his belt and Alienor stared at him in horror.
Did no one note her absence in the hall?Did Giselle not wonder what took her so long to descend?
Fear made her voice rise higher than usual when she protested his advance.“I willnothave another husband, sir!And know this, Jordan de Soissons, I will never ever choose you!”
’Twas undoubtedly the worst thing she could have said.Jordan’s features distorted with rage and Alienor pivoted to flee.She thought briefly of the babe within her and prayed that his attack would not hurt her child.
“Your will is of little import in this matter!”Jordan roared, and lunged across the room after her.“I have chosen and you will obey my will.”
“Never!”Alienor dove for the door, certain she would be safe if she could gain the hallway.She savored a sense of triumph when her fingers brushed against the latch but Jordan’s foot landed on her trailing hem.She was jerked to a halt and her heart sank as the cloth tore.
She twisted desperately as he seized the back of her waist and drew her closer.She managed only another half step before Jordan’s hand closed on her braid.She cried out at the pain in her scalp, certain he would tear the hair from her head.
“There is more than one way to force a match,” he whispered into her ear.
Alienor struggled against him, her worst fears finding confirmation in his words.Despite her desperate struggle, Jordan trapped her with one arm and ripped the remainder of her kirtle aside with the other.He shoved her to the floor and the coldness of the stone pressed through her chemise to her buttocks and bare legs.Alienor rolled in a last attempt to escape, but he fell directly upon her, fumbling with his chausses while his sheer weight held her captive.
No!This could not happen here in her own chamber!Alienor screamed loud enough to bring the very roof down upon them.
Jordan had time to swear, before his weight was suddenly hauled from atop her.Alienor scrambled to sit up even as she watched her attacker land against the wall, like a crumpled missive.
“My wife’s favors are not for hire,” Alaric declared from above her.
Alienor gasped at his words, her gaze flying to him.She barely glimpsed Alaric’s grim expression before he pursued the knight with purpose.
His wife?Clearly she had misunderstood.
But he carried a sword, like a knight not a goatherd.He crossed the room and glared down at Jordan, fairly inviting a fight.The sunlight silhouetted his form, and Alienor’s lips parted with surprise and pleasure.She recalled her husband’s silhouette as he stood between her and the fire each night.She swallowed and rose to her feet, holding the remains of her garments before herself.
Alaric was Dagobert.
