Page 59 of Lionheart

"Ihad hoped for a better welcome than this," Althea whined. She touched histhigh beneath the table and smiled up at him. "Are you not happy to seeme, Lionheart? I have missed you dreadfully."

SomehowLionheart doubted that. Althea was not a woman content with long spells ofcelibacy. She had doubtless opened her thighs to another love less than asennight after he'd left her.

"Yourpresence complicates matters," Lionheart returned. "I cannotunderstand why Edward brought you here when we are to leave soon."

Althea'sblue eyes widened in disbelief. "Has he not told you?"

"Toldme what?"

"Mayhaphe wants to tell you himself. Forgive me for speaking out of turn."

Lionheart could not wait for the meal to end to learn Edward'splans for him. For all his meager years, the prince was a man who did not makedecisions lightly, or without good reason.

* * *

Vanoracould not help liking the young prince. Longshanks, as he was fondly called,looked every bit the future king: a golden man with a golden future. But healso appeared to be the kind of man who knew what he wanted and was not afraidto seize it. She feared Wales was doomed should Edward decide to bring hercountry under English rule.

"Areyou Lord Rhys's heir?" Edward asked, chewing thoughtfully on a piece ofsucculent braised veal in cream sauce.

"Aye,I have no brothers." Her chin tilted upward. "Cragdon is mine."

Edwardchose not to reply as he returned his attention to his trencher. Vanora picked ather food, her gaze straying to Lionheart and his leman. Althea was a beauty—shecould not blame Lionheart for claiming her—but why had Edward brought her?Surely he did not intend to leave the woman at Cragdon, did he? Althea'spresence did not make sense.

Everforthright, Vanora swallowed hard and asked, "Why did you bringLionheart's leman to Cragdon? I thought you intended to fetch Lionheart andyour army and return to England."

Edwardsent her an appraising look. "Have you grown fond of Lionheart?"

Vanoraflushed and looked away. "I am merely curious."

"Sois Lionheart, I'll wager." He arose. "Shall we retire to my chamber,Lionheart? We have much to discuss."

"Thenorth tower has been made ready for you," Vanora said. "I will showyou the way."

"Nay,stay and entertain Althea," Edward commanded. "Lionheart can show methe way."

Vanoraglanced at Althea, her ire rising when she saw the woman staringadoringly at Lionheart. She turned away and would have left the hall but Altheastopped her.

"I amweary, mistress. Show me to Lionheart's chamber so that I may ready myself forhim. We have been apart many months."

"Iwill show you to a chamber, but it will not be Lionheart's," Vanoraretorted.

Altheasent Vanora a venomous glare. "How dare you! I have traveled a longdistance to be with Lionheart and will not be denied by a woman who has playedthe whore for him."

"How,pray tell, does that make you better than me?" Vanora charged.

She wanteddesperately to tell Althea she was Lionheart's wife but decided to wait untilEdward had been informed.

"Youhave a sharp tongue for a woman in your position," Althea said.

"Whatposition is that?"

"Awoman whose home is no longer hers, and will soon be evicted."

"Areyou so sure of that?"

Altheasent her a smug smile. "Aye. I know why Edward brought me here and you donot."

"Nor do I care. Excuse me, I will have a servant show you toyour chamber. Rest well, Althea," she threw over her shoulder as shestomped off.