Avelynn Read Online Free

had set up a small iron cauldron on a tripod, and I ladled out two steaming helpings of pottage. I offered Ealhswith a loaf of bread, the blackened bottom cut away and discarded.
    When we were younger, marriage had had a luster of promise and excitement about it. Getting married was what all respectable ladies did, and it was something we looked forward to. Ealhswith and I had spent so many days daydreaming and discussing the various details of marriage—what it would be like, what our husbands would be like, what the marriage bed would be like—that we anticipated the event with innocent enthusiasm. Of course, I had my parents to provide daily examples of what a loving marriage looked like. But one day, while accompanying my father on a visit to the smith’s cottage, I witnessed the man beating his wife with an iron pan. When she could no longer raise a hand to try to stop him, he dropped the frying pan in the dirt. It landed with a hollow thud. He gestured to my father to step outside to finish their business and left her in a pool of blood—all because she burned his bread.
    I looked down at the half-eaten loaf in my hand. A few smudges of black were still evident along the sides. A lump hardened in my throat, and I coughed hard, trying to swallow it.
    Ealhswith rose to help me, but I raised my hand. “I’m fine,” I said between breaths, my eyes watering fiercely. I had lost my appetite, and set the bread down on the table.
    The worst part of that visit was that my father was powerless to stop it. The smith was entitled to beat her, for she was negligent in her duties. And when it was clear that she would never recover from her injuries, he tossed her like refuse and married another.
    That was what marriage could look like when it was a match brokered by disinterested parties, and it was not to be my fate.
    Despite being arranged, Ealhswith’s marriage was a happy one. “You’re lucky,” I said, and tilted my cup in a toast. “Alfred adores you.”
    â€œYes, he does.” She smiled broadly and raised her cup in answer.
    â€œWhat’s it like being married to the king’s brother?”
    â€œWell, there are definite advantages. I have an entire household at my command, I’m privy to council secrets, and best of all, I get to tell my dearest friend that I am with child.”
    â€œHow?!”
    Ealhswith laughed so hard pottage came out her nose. She dabbed her face with the sleeve of her gown. “Avelynn, don’t you know where babies come from?”
    My face flushed in embarrassment. “No. I mean, yes. I know where babies come from.”
    I knew what went on behind the bed curtain. I had seen plenty of couplings amongst the animals scattered about the village, though I was thoroughly horrified at the notion of a man doing that to me. “I meant, how did this happen? You’ve only just been married. When is the baby due?”
    â€œMy sweet, virtuous friend, I’ve been married a full year.” She set the bowl of pottage down. “But as to how—I can’t wait till we can discuss in more graphic detail what the man does with his—”
    â€œEalhswith, you are positively lewd. I assure you, I have no interest in hearing the finer details, really.”
    â€œOh, Avelynn, how I miss you.” She wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes. “To answer your real question, then, the baby is due next spring.”
    I leapt up and embraced her. “I’m so happy for you. Alfred must be overjoyed.”
    â€œYes, he is, though I told him he was sworn to secrecy until I spoke with you; then he may tell the whole world there will be a new addition to the royal house of Ecgberht!”
    A rap at the door interrupted our celebration. “Come in,” I answered.
    The door opened and Bertram escorted Edward in. “Avelynn, Lady Ealhswith.” He nodded in deference. “I’m sorry, Avelynn, but I must