Page 57 of Lionheart

"Have you news of Llewellyn?"

"Aye. He has fled to London and signed a peace treaty betweenEngland and Wales. There is talk of a betrothal between him and Simon deMontfort's daughter."

"God's nightgown! So we are at peace with Wales now."

"Aye, but once I am king I am determined to bring both Wales andScotland under English rule. We will speak of that and my plans for the futurelater. I have yet to impart the most exciting, the most wondrous news."

"You had best tell me before you burst," Lionheart laughed.

"I am in love!" Edward crowed.

"That is no news. I cannot count the times you have been inlove."

"Eleanor has arrived from Castile."

"Your wife? You are in love with your wife?"

"You should see her, Lionheart. She is sweet and shy and lovelybeyond words. I have truly lost my heart to her."

Lionheart wanted to laugh at the tall, golden youth but dared not.Apparently, love was a serious business to the boy who would one day be king."Does she return your feelings?"

"Aye, I think so. I am ready to commit myself wholly to my wife. IfEleanor is willing, we will consummateour marriage upon my return to London."

SilentlyLionheart wished Edward luck with his bride. More luck than Lionheart had hadwith his own wife. That thought brought on another. He had yet to appriseEdward of his marriage to Vanora.

He wasstill thinking about how to break the news when Edward said, "Enough of meand serious matters. Are you not curious about the surprise I broughtyou?"

"Ican think of naught that would surprise me."

Grinning,Edward turned in his saddle and raised a hand.

Lionheartpaid scant heed to Edward's words, for he was still considering the nature ofEdward's surprise.

"Lionheart, behold your surprise," Edward saidgleefully.

ChapterEleven

Certainthat nothing Edward had planned for him would surprise him, Lionheart swiveledin the saddle. His grin faded when the last person in the world he expected tosee emerged from within the ranks of warriors and knights. His mouth droppedopen and he turned to glare at Edward.

"God'sblood! What have you done?"

"Ihoped you would be pleased," Edward said, apparently puzzled atLionheart's lack of enthusiasm. "Dunsford was but a few hours out of theway, so 'twas no trouble to fetch your leman."

Lionheartstared at the buxom blonde riding toward him with a coy smile fixed on her rubylips. Althea! He had left her at Dunsford months ago. Why had Edward broughther? Young though he was, Edward had a reason for everything he did. There wasno time to question him, however, as Althea reined in beside Lionheart.

"Lionheart!"she said effusively. " 'Twas so lonely at Dunsford without you. I wasbeside myself with happiness when Prince Edward came to fetch me."

"Welcometo Wales, Althea," Lionheart returned, trying not to show his annoyance.Just what he needed, a leman and a wife under the same roof.

"Ifeared you would be lonely without a woman's comfort," Edward began,"and sought to please you."

"Whatother surprises have you brought?" Lionheart asked in a tone ripe withannoyance.

Edwardsent him a sharp look. "I have other news, but it will keep. I wish toreach Cragdon tonight."

"Thenwe must ride hard," Lionheart said, spurring his steed.

Lionhearttook the lead, riding hard and fast to clear his head. How would Vanora reactto Althea? he wondered. Knowing Vanora as he did, he wouldn't be surprised ifthe vixen challenged Althea to a duel. That image made him smile. Soft as adown pillow and feminine to a fault, Althea would probably swoon if Vanorachallenged her. Althea was made to pleasure men, and he had spent manydelightful hours rutting between her thighs. On the other hand, Vanora's lithe,supple body pleased him so well that he could not recall what it was he hadadmired about Althea.