‘I think I’ll take...everything.’
She’d been greedy back then as well, and had taken full advantage of the men who courted her. Even when she’d agreed to Gerald’s proposal she had flirted. Now he wondered if it went beyond that.
‘Everythingis the least of what you deserve, Helen.’
‘Ah, that didn’t take long at all—and I thought it would be a fun way to pass the time. Whatever are we to do now?’
He laid thin slices of goose on the trencher and reached for the vegetable medley. ‘About what?’
‘About you coaxing other matters from me.’
She was propositioning him, and by the way her husband had turned his back and was whispering with his new companion it was clear this was sanctioned by their marriage vows.
And all of it was occurring under the watchful eye of the serene Elizabeth and her husband, Mayor of Swaffham. Was this evidence of more approval?
He’d thought the Royal Court brimmed with deception and unchecked lust, but this old town was no better.
‘You have me at a disadvantage,’ he said. ‘How am I to know what tempts you?’
There was a slight brush of her hand against his as she tore off a piece of their trencher. ‘You’re a clever man; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.’
Her lips were at full pout, her eyes knowledgeable, but open to appear guileless, innocent, when she was anything but.
‘You have too much faith in me. I’m afraid I’m not that clever.’
He saw the light dim in her eyes before she returned to her food. She took a few more bites before she gave a tap to her husband’s arm. Oh, she understood the game well enough. He’d been polite, but had fully declined her proposition.
Still, simply the fact that it had happened made him feel sick. She had taken holy vows before God with the man on her right. Ifhewas ever so lucky as to earn a wife, he would fight God and the Devil to keep her faith in him. Naive beliefs, he knew, but nonetheless true for him.
He was a man grown, who had travelled, fought and killed. He shouldn’t be surprised that Swaffham now reflected the insidiousness prevailing over the rest of the country.
He was a twice-made fool. First with the lingering thought that Alice remained untouched, and second that this town he hated had remained the same as well.
He had drunk so much ale before he came here, and now he imbibed the wine. None of it was softening his thoughts. He was on that most hated plain of not being sober and yet not drunk enough.
Eyeing his goblet, but not taking a drink, he signalled to a servant to serve the rest of the feast laid out before them.
Knowing that nothing could make him forget his restless thoughts, he would be better keeping sober in order to perform his futile mission. Fake though it was, the King had ordered him here, and he knew he had to go through the motions.
Appearances were everything in this game.
But by all that was holy, he wanted only one night to forget where and who he was.
Chapter Six
Forcing another smile, Alice worried that she wouldn’t make it through dessert. Her sister never did anything in half-measures and, while Alice would rather give to those more in need of food, Elizabeth, the consummate hostess, would have several desserts set out in an order to highlight the wealth and orderly labour of her kitchens.
Alice wouldn’t normally be ungracious about the role Elizabeth must play as lady of the mayor’s household, but this one time she resented it. Only because by sitting here she was about to break one of God’s commandments. If Lyman pressed his thigh to hers one more time she’d take her knife and stab him with it.
Her duties to the King and her family wouldn’t allow her even to frown at him. Any sign of displeasure at being here would have her sister’s all too observant eyes noticing it. Likely then Elizabeth wouldn’t invite her to any of the upcoming festivities, and she wouldn’t be able to do what she had come to do.
To catch the eye of Lyman and Mitchell and garner invitations to their homes.
Which, it seemed, would occur sooner than she liked. She didn’t know what her sister had said to Lyman and Mitchell, but they were certainly paying her attention. All she had to do was smile and answer every one of their questions.
Unfortunately, the longer she spent in Lyman’s company, the more she wanted to leave, but Mitchell was affable enough.
Invitations hadn’t yet occurred, but perhaps they were waiting till it was more appropriate, or more private. Any woman in her situation would be honoured. After all, she wasn’t young, and they knew of her various charities and projects in the town.
