Devil's Consort Read Online Free

crystal, decorated with gold filigree work, inset with pearls. The crystal shone with inner fire in the sunlight.
    Louis touched it with one finger, his face solemn. ‘It is beautiful, but no more beautiful than you, lady.’
    And that was it. He neither touched it nor lookedat it again. Was it not to his taste? How could such a thing of exquisite workmanship not please? It cried out to be handled, the crystal facets stroked and warmed between palms and fingers. I felt a frown gathering and struggled to smooth it out.
    He does not look at it because he cannot take his eyes from your own face! You should be gratified indeed.
    True enough.
    Louis took my hand again, holding it strongly between his as if he needed to urge me. ‘We’ll wed immediately. I must return home to Paris—as soon as we can settle our affairs.’
    Oh! So soon! My days in Aquitaine were fewer than I had supposed. ‘I had hoped to show you the hospitality of Aquitaine, my lord,’ I suggested. ‘We can take our time. Do you not wish to know your new land, your new subjects? What need to hurry so?’
    Louis leaned forward so that his face was close to mine, lowering his voice. For one brief moment I thought he was actually going to kiss me, and stiffened at his boldness. No such thing.
    ‘Are your lords so peaceful and welcoming, then, to a Frankish prince?’ he asked, his breath warm on my cheek. ‘I do not think so. Abbot Suger is wary of staying longer than necessary.’
    ‘My lords are not hostile,’ I remarked carefully, unsettled by his openness, reluctant to admit to the lukewarm acceptance he would receive. ‘It is just that they don’t know you.’
    Louis smiled immediately. ‘Then I’ll speak with them and win them over. I’ll be a fair ruler. I know they’ll accept that.’
    Was he quite so innocent? So guileless?
    ‘They’ll come and swear fealty to you,’ I assured him. ‘They have been summoned.’
    And pray God they buried their sour temper and bent the knee or we’d have trouble on our hands. How would this gentle, unassuming man deal with open defiance?
    ‘Then we’ll await their coming. Two weeks, my lady, but no longer. My father is ill. I am instructed to return by Abbot Suger.’
    I chose my reply carefully. Soft acquiescence until I knew him better. ‘Then we will leave in two weeks, my lord, as you wish.’
    Louis rose to his feet, drawing me with him with a hand to my arm. ‘There’s no need for concern, lady.’
    ‘Concern?’
    ‘I can understand your trepidation at being taken so far from your home. Neither have you your mother to give you advice.’
    ‘I don’t fear it, sir.’ My voice had more of an edge than I had intended.
    ‘We’ll make you welcome in Paris. My own lady mother is keen to meet you. I trust you’ll not be lonely there. I wouldn’t want you to be unhappy in any degree.’
    My reaction at what I had considered to be a slightto my maturity softened. Here was care for my well-being, where I had not expected it. It wrapped around my heart, a warm hand, that the Prince should even consider my isolation in a foreign land, in an unfamiliar court.
    ‘I would bring my women with me, sir. My sister.’
    ‘Of course. It’s my wish that you be comfortable,’
    Whatever else this prince was, he was kind, generous. I curtsied deeply. ‘Tonight we hold a feast in your name, my lord.’
    He placed his hand on his heart and bowed. ‘It will be my pleasure.’
    And then as the Prince departed, surrounded by his bodyguard, I was left to sort through those first impressions. A mixed bag, for sure.
    He had great charm, a winning smile. He was good to look at—but Prince Louis was not his own man, his actions, even his choice of gift under the thumb of his father. How … disappointing! I had expected a more forceful personality from a Frank, with their reputation for drawing swords first and asking questions later. Louis had not even worn a sword.
    I ate one of the neglected sugarplums, licking