Queen Eleanor's Court at Poitiers—May
1171radmin viewer key
In the three months she'd been at Queen Eleanor's
court, men had called her many things—the least
unpleasant, and familiar, had something to do with
ice and frost. She'd heard that complaint more times
than not.radmin viewer key
Yet now, each article of clothing seemed to evaporate
like the morning mists. Her gown fell from her body,
leaving the evening air free to whisper across her
quivering flesh. With nothing more than a smoldering
stare, he undressed her slowly, one agonizing layer
at a time.radmin viewer key
Adrienna of Hallison trembled with anticipation,
fear and a longing so intense she was certain she'd
die. She wanted more than just his gaze. She wanted
his breath on her neck, his lips against hers. Her
breasts strained against the bodice of her gown, seeking
his caress, aching for the touch of his hands.radmin viewer key
Beneath the tight layers of linen and silk that concealed
her body, her skin tingled. Fire and ice coursed through
her veins. She prayed she'd not reveal her desire
by blushing. To her utter dismay, heat filled her
cheeks. She studied the richly laden table before
her, hoping to hide her flaming face from him.radmin viewer key
Men were the same everywhere. Fortified keep or lush
palace mattered not. They had fought for the right
to thaw her composure. All had failed.radmin viewer key
Their false, near-fawning attention held little interest.
At times, when it wasn't downright tiresome, it bordered
on the ridiculous.radmin viewer key
If they could perceive her thoughts at this moment
they would be shocked. No man had ever caused her
blood to rush in this manner. Never had anyone conjured
this unbidden state of desire from her. They would
be appalled by the heat coursing through her body
at the mere stare of a stranger. A dark and dangerous
stranger dressed in the deepest shade of blue she'd
ever seen. The near-black attire made him even more
noticeable than the brightly adorned peacocks that
filled Eleanor's court.radmin viewer key
Yet, those peacocks had been correct. Her body, as
well as her heart, had been frozen for what seemed
a lifetime.radmin viewer key
Until now.radmin viewer key
The stranger's stare bore through her, forcing her
attention back to him. His eyes stripped away her
clothing and laid her body bare.radmin viewer key
With a quick ragged breath she yearned for his touch.
Would his fingers be rough against her soft flesh?
Would his hands carry the same flame that burned from
his eyes?radmin viewer key
Adrienna tore her gaze away and stared at the ornate
tapestries hanging on the walls. His unwanted attention
would do naught but give lie to her carefully built
reputation. He would peel away the cloak she'd so
carefully wrapped around herself in an attempt to
shield her heart from pain.radmin viewer key
Nay. No matter how extreme the temptation, she'd
not let any man, especially this unknown one, break
through. She'd cared about one man and he'd deserted
her, leaving her alone and a maiden still in her father's
keep.radmin viewer key
Never again would she be drawn into any man's promises
or lies. No. This time she would do the choosing.
Her life, her future, would be laid out by her own
hand alone.radmin viewer key
"Adrienna."radmin viewer key
Torn from her thoughts, Adrienna leaned toward her
dinner partner.radmin viewer key
Elise of Fairway nodded toward the stranger. "Who
do you think he is? I've not seen him here before."radmin viewer key
With feigned indifference, Adrienna glanced about
the crowded hall. "Who? There are so many strangers
here this night."radmin viewer key
Her friend lowered her voice to a whisper. "The
one staring at you as if he'd like to dine on your
body for his supper."radmin viewer key
There was little she could hide from Elise. They'd
been friends since the moment they'd both arrived
at the queen's court. Two not-quite-young widows with
little to offer except the power inherent in land
and men. They shared a common bond—both had been
sent to court to find a husband.radmin viewer key
Not just any husband, but someone who could advance
their fathers'ambitions.A goal neither of them cherished.radmin viewer key
When faced with the options her father dangled before
her, Adrienna chose marriage. It had been an easy
choice. Her sire had offered to find her a position
with the court, or to remove her from his keep and
allow her to fend for herself. Marriage, or certain
death.radmin viewer key
Adrienna was not ready to die. But neither was she
ready to become some man's chattel.radmin viewer key
"Oh, him. Hopefully he finds someone else to
play the gallant with this night." She studied
those seated at the high table. "Ah, no worry.
Sarah has spied him."radmin viewer key
Elise's unladylike chortle drew the attention of
several nearby diners. She covered her lapse in manners
with a cough, managing to hide her mirth. "The
poor man. Shall we pray for him?"radmin viewer key
Adrienna did her best not to imitate her friend's
reaction. "What and spoil Sarah's fun?"radmin viewer key
"Lady Adrienna?"radmin viewer key
Startled by the queen's page standing at her elbow,
Adrienna hastily swallowed. She wiped the amusement
from her voice. "Yes?"radmin viewer key
The youth looked down his nose at her. "Queen
Eleanor requests your presence." His voice cracked,
giving lie to his manly attitude.radmin viewer key
Elise asked, " Would you care to guess who is
with her?, The question required little thought. Adrienna
knew the answer before she looked toward the queen,
and the stranger beside her. He caught Adrienna's
perusal and nodded in a knowing, near-intimate manner.
Dear God, could he read her thoughts? Did he know
of her desire? Her stomach fluttered. Her pulse raced.
She silently cursed her body's reaction, the queen
and the stranger all in one thought.radmin viewer key
The page held out his arm and announced, " Milady,
I am here to escort you."radmin viewer key
She rose and placed a hand on his arm. Before leaving,
she looked down at her friend. "My pardon, Elise,
I will return anon."radmin viewer key
Elise pointedly looked across the hall and back to
Adrienna. "Do not make any wagers on that. I
would hazard to say you will be occupied elsewhere
for the rest of this evening."radmin viewer key
Adrienna ignored the sudden racing of her heart.
She gritted her teeth and shot her friend a look that
sent the other girl into a fit of laughter.radmin viewer key
"Milady?, The page's voice held a note of impatience.
She nodded at the young man. "Let us go."radmin viewer key
While holding her head erect, she forced her legs
to carry her across the floor. It proved a hard task
to clear the distance between her table and the queen's
dais at the end of the hall. Her knees shook. She
could barely draw in a steady breath. What was it
about this man that caused her to react in such a
manner?radmin viewer key
Lord, this stranger was a sight to behold. When the
troubadours composed their tales of mighty heroes,
surely they'd sung of him. Had she ever seen anyone
as tall? Was there any other man present who appeared
as strong? The breadth of his shoulders bespoke of
someone accustomed to the grueling tasks of war. Surely
he would wield a broadsword as if it were a feather.
She doubted if he needed more than one mighty swing
to cleave an enemy in two.radmin viewer key
Gem-studded blue eyes from his sun-darkened face
pierced her with a knowing gaze. She felt as if she
could hide nothing from him.radmin viewer key
Her footsteps faltered under his hypnotic stare.
A laughing countenance flashed through her memory.
Did she know this man? Had she seen him before? She
shook her head slightly. No, it was just a passing
thought easily pushed aside. The memory lingering
in her mind was of a boy. Not the confident, self-assured
man she now faced.radmin viewer key
As she knelt in obeisance, Adrienna was startled
by a firm touch on her arm. With a large, callused
hand, the stranger helped her rise.radmin viewer key
"Lady Adrienna, may I present the Earl of Wynnedom."
Queen Eleanor smiled and then nodded toward the earl.radmin viewer key
"He has graciously requested your company for
the meal."radmin viewer key
Hugh, Earl of Wynnedom, looked down at his wife in
amazement. Lord, how she'd grown. The pale hair of
childhood had darkened to a burnished gold. The slight
figure had blossomed into a lushness that beckoned
a man's touch.radmin viewer key
Like a beautiful and rare lotus flower blooming amongst
roses, she stood out from most of the women at court.
His wife had not grown into a pale, frail beauty of
legend. Instead, she'd developed into a woman whose
very appearance bespoke of untold nights of passion.radmin viewer key
When last he'd laid eyes upon her, she'd been nothing
more than a girl. A child sitting atop their marriage
bed dressed in wedding finery and playing with a cloth
doll. A sight that twelve years ago had amused and
confused him.radmin viewer key
Quickly, the image of the child fell from his mind.
Just as quickly, the anger and thirst for revenge
rushed forward to fill him. Do not be led by pride
and revenge alone. Words learned long ago echoed in
his ears. With great effort, he quelled his thirst—for
now. Eventually, he would let her experience the soul
rending taste of heartache, lies and deceit.radmin viewer key
"Lady Adrienna, will you join me?, The look
she turned on him made him want to laugh. he'd been
correct. She knew him not. He held back a smile. This
would prove all too easy.radmin viewer key
When she hesitated, Hugh prompted, " You've
no husband or lover awaiting your return?"radmin viewer key
The queen interceded. "No. LadyAdrienna is a
widow." He bit back another smile. Not only did
Adrienna not know him, it was obvious that King Henry
had not informed the queen what was afoot. Good. He
mentally thanked the king for his silence. Then he
wondered how much it would cost him.radmin viewer key
Adrienna shook her head at the queen's statement.
"You can hardly call me a widow when there was
nothing worth calling a marriage."radmin viewer key
And whose fault was that? He swallowed his question
before it left the recesses of his mind. Instead,
he offered her his arm. "Ah, milady, you whet
my curiosity. Such a contradictory turn of events
must be explained. Perhaps your regaling of the incident
will keep us amused during our meal."radmin viewer key
Hugh led her to one of the private tables tucked
away in a shadowed alcove. These small chambers permitted
more private conversation. Subdued light from the
well-placed wall sconces added a measure of intimacy.radmin viewer key
