He was gone.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up abruptly.She surveyed the chamber, telling herself that she should not be surprised to find the white unicorn present instead of her husband.
The golden rings that had brushed against her skin so many times the night before hung from the beast’s neck, just as they had the night before.A quick glance confirmed that the door remained as securely latched as she had left it.
Was it true that he changed form?
Alienor was still skeptical.She could not have dreamed her husband’s tender lovemaking.A flush rose over her cheeks in recollection of the things they had done, and the pleasure she had experienced beneath his hands.
She certainly felt as though she had barely slept.Alienor lifted the weight of her hair away from her face, noting her own nakedness.The sheer gown was draped over the end of the bed and she remembered Dagobert removing it before he had made love to her the second time.The dull ache between her thighs was evidence of their passion, to be sure.
As was the bloodstain on the bed linens.
There would be no annulment.
Alienor watched the unicorn, the beast returning her look as it calmly chewed.She was skeptical of the tale of his reputed powers, even on this morn.It seemed of greater probability that she had been deceived somehow.Perhaps Dagobert had secrets to hide from prying eyes.Alienor could make no criticism of that, for she, as a Cathar, had secrets of her own.
They were wedded.His secrets were hers to keep.
Her responsibility was to her lord husband.
She rose from the bed and scratched the creature’s ears, surprised at the softness of the white fur.
Guibert must have known the truth.He had not consigned her to a poor situation but an affluent one, well beyond any expectations she might have had.
Alienor was well aware that her marriage had given her a security and position that was rare.She was accustomed to being practical and to recognizing good fortune when it found her.Her husband desired her, despite her common status and her unusual appearance in these parts.He had touched her with kindness and passion.
Should Dagobert respect her privacy, ’twas only fair that she respect his.
She shivered in the morning chill and wrapped her arms about herself.And should her spouse insist on loving her with such breathtaking thoroughness, Alienor decided that she might make a concession to the rigors of her faith and bear him a child to assure his line.
Surely a son and a secret kept was a small thing for him to ask of her.
Surely she had the wits to keep Guibert’s wager and see her own future assured.If she did, there might come a time that she could do more for those of her faith.As the wife of the Count, her influence might prove potent indeed.
“Fool!”
Dagobert spun on his heel at the indignant cry, his eyes narrowing when he saw Eustache’s displeasure.
“Did I not warn you that naught of merit would come of this whimsy?”that knight demanded.
Dagobert spared a glance around the stables to confirm that they were alone before he spoke.“What is this nonsense?”he asked, deliberately keeping his voice low.“And what recklessness prompts you to address me now?”He indicated the morning sun spreading across the stable floor from the courtyard and Eustache had the grace to look sheepish for a moment.Dagobert doubted that the older man would be easily deterred, even so.
“Are you truly not angry with the woman’s folly?”Eustache demanded.
“Of what folly do you speak?”Dagobert asked.He was too tired after his wedding night to be overly concerned with Eustache’s endless worries.“Tell me and be done with it.”
The knight’s eyes narrowed and Dagobert knew his exhaustion had been discerned.“One night of bedding the wench and you cannot see the danger she poses.”He shook his head with disgust.“In truth, I had expected better of you.”
Dagobert thought he could hardly have expected better of his new wife but did not say as much aloud.He fought against his smile of reminiscence.
“Tell me what disturbs you, Eustache,” he offered again, relieved when his old friend’s frown eased.“I vow the woman will not make me soft,” he added, only to see Eustache’s features harden anew.
“Soft would be naught compared to dead,” the older knight replied.Dagobert’s brows rose in surprise.“Surely you did not fail to notice that she refused the meat last night?”
“Aye, she did,” Dagobert acknowledged.“What of it?Even if she is Cathar, she would not be the first in this household.”
“Hardly,” Eustache snorted.“But ’tis rotten luck all the same, and that you cannot deny.”
