She was seven kinds of fool to have fallen in love with her husband.
She was yet more a fool to hope that one day, he might return her affection.
What would happen to them now?Would his rescue be for naught?She knew he held his vows in high esteem and one made to his own father could not be readily abandoned.She suspected he had taken the opportunity to escape solely that he might pursue the battle another day, to muster his forces, create a new plan, and attempt to regain his birthright once more.As much as she admired his resolve, Alienor wished they might have lived their lives together.
She had violated the tenets of her faith for this man, and though she could not regret the child that grew in her womb, she did question her own wits.
Perhaps she should take theconsolamentumvows after the child’s birth.
Perhaps she should leave her lord husband, her duty to him rendered by the birth of a child, and retreat from worldly life.Alienor already knew that she would never desire another, and she could not bear to stand beside him, suspecting that he did not desire her.
Another horse drew up alongside her own and Alienor did not need to look to know ’twas her spouse.She ignored him, staring straight ahead at the shadowy thread of the road.She doubted she could survive a casual conversation at this moment without her tears falling.
“Alienor?”
She pretended not to hear, surreptitiously touching her heel to her horse’s flanks to increase its speed.
To her dismay, Dagobert’s mount matched the pace of her own easily.Alienor watched as her husband’s gloved hand landed on the pommel of her saddle but did not slow the horse’s pace.Dagobert muttered a curse under his breath as he reached for her waist.Alienor tugged her horse’s reins hard to one side, abruptly putting a chasm between the two steeds.
Dagobert swore now with an eloquence that so astonished Alienor that she risked a glance toward him.She sensed that he was fighting for control of his temper when he glanced toward her.Even the helmet he wore did not disguise the silver flash of his eyes.
Instinctively, she recoiled, but she was not quick enough to evade him from laying claim to her horse’s reins.He pulled her destrier to a halt, his movements curt and sure as he murmured to the steed.Then he dismounted and lifted her down from her saddle with a gentleness unexpected.
Before Alienor could argue, Dagobert had carried her to his own saddle.She thought to jump down but he stayed her with a hot glance.He fastened her mount’s reins to the back of his saddle with an abrupt snap.
By the time Iolande had slowed her own horse and begun to canter back in their direction, Dagobert had swung up behind Alienor and pulled her against him, his arm locked around her waist.As when they had ridden from Montsalvat, she was seated sideways before him.
Alienor ignored Iolande’s smile and held herself stiffly before her husband, fighting the temptation to lean against him.Oh, she was a fool.The mere warmth of his presence could undermine her determination but she reminded herself that he meant only to assert his claim.
She was his wife.She carried his son.He would defend and honor her, he would pleasure her abed, but she knew better than to expect more.He would not confide in her, unless he believed he had no choice.
’Twas clear that Dagobert was not in the mood for discussion at this moment.When Iolande matched her horse’s pace to that of his and rode alongside, he did not even initiate a conversation with his mother.
But then, he had to be exhausted.And hungry.Alienor’s resolve faded before her compassion for what he had endured.
“There is bread and cheese in your pack,” Iolande said finally.The road narrowed ahead and she took the lead, leaving Dagobert and Alienor behind.
Silence hung heavily between them, long moments dragging by before Alienor sighed and reached around her husband.She fetched the food from the satchel hanging behind his saddle.’Twas too easy to see the tightening of Dagobert’s flesh over his bones.There was little point in saving him if he were to subsequently starve.
When she was settled before him again, he removed his helmet.The way he shook his head as if loosening his hair drew Alienor’s attention to the sacrifice of his hair.He noted her inquiring expression and smiled ruefully.
The change in his expression made her heart leap.
“How does it look?”
Alienor could not help but respond to his teasing smile.She tilted her head to consider his appearance.There was already new stubble casting a faint shadow over the skin.
“’Tis not so bad,” she said.“I did like your hair long.”
“Then I shall grow it again.”
“In truth, I think your beard grows faster,” she noted.
Dagobert chuckled, running a hand over the growth on his chin.
“I am relieved that you do not find the sight of me offensive, my lady.”He spoke in a low voice, his gaze slipping to hers, such warmth in his expression that Alienor did not know what to think.He accepted a chunk of bread from her, closing his eyes briefly with pleasure as he chewed.That alone made her wish she had better fare to offer him.
Alienor took the opportunity to survey him, studying the square strength of his jaw, the noble line of his cheekbones and nose.Even without his hair, Dagobert had a regal bearing and a graceful assurance in his every move that she found most attractive.
