The Winter Promise Read Online Free Page B

discussed, so he had come to the lesser hall with Michael for that purpose. After some minutes’ struggle, unable to concentrate, and tired of hearing Michael’s put-upon sighs, he dismissed his steward and now found himself staring out the window at the fog.
    He had folded open the shutter, letting the cold wind blow across his face, making the fire in the center of the room hiss and sputter. His aunt, the renowned (and much-feared, even by Robert) Lady Elizabeth, had effected his household’s move from Glastonbury to their winter quarters at Athelney with her usual efficiency — which he appreciated all the more because he knew how much she disliked the isolated keep. Usually the wild beauty of this land pleased him more than the tamed and orderly city of Glastonbury, but not today. Today, the view through the window was gray and bleak and did nothing to improve his mood.
    He was tired and his ribs ached from the bludgeoning he had taken during his last battle. He did not mend as quickly these days as he once had. He looked out the narrow window and wondered how many more years —
    “There is a — woman to see you, my lord,” his chamber-thane Kenneth announced.
    Robert turned away from the window. Kenneth, stout, bald-headed and more correct than Robert could ever imagine being, seemed somewhat daunted, which meant Elizabeth had been badgering him.
    “And?” Robert flicked a glance at his plans, scattered across the table in the corner. Receive the woman or do his work? Neither prospect appealed to him. Yet he could hardly stand here, staring out the window, dreaming of peace, for the rest of the winter.
    “She has abided with us for some days, under my lady’s protection. My lady says you must speak with her — the woman — right away.”
    Robert’s aged aunt was not easily denied. If he declined to receive the woman, Elizabeth would demand to know the reason why. Clearly Kenneth doubted whatever story the woman told, while Elizabeth believed it. Now Robert must be consulted so the woman’s problem could be resolved. That a problem existed went without saying.
    When Robert had been charged with ruling Wessex in the absence of his brother, gone to play Norman lord, he had known the duty would require an iron fist and long hours in the saddle against the soldiers of the Welsh king. He had not been told of the necessity of making sense of more documents than he’d ever realized existed, nor of the numberless days he would spend mediating squabbles among the quick-tempered, fiercely independent West Saxons, nor of the sheer effort required to prevent every scheming thief from disrupting the alliances he and the king’s other men must hold together if they hoped this England to maintain its fragile unity.
    Kenneth stood waiting for his answer, the flickering torchlight from the wall sconce reflecting off his shiny bald head. If Robert had been able to retain his sense of humor, he might have found the sight amusing. But it had been a long year, and it had succeeded in chasing away his ability to be amused by anything.
    Robert sighed. “Send her in.”
    Kenneth nodded and withdrew. The wind from the narrow window blew on Robert’s neck and the candle on the table guttered but did not go out.
    When Kenneth ushered the slender dark-haired young woman in, the smell of lilac floated into the room with her, making Robert think of spring — spring and the promise of it. But the coming spring would only bring more bloodshed and pain, more anger and loss. Spring had not fulfilled its promise in many years.
    The painful stirrings of a headache began to throb behind his temples. He knew he was about to hear a story. He hoped it would at least be entertaining. He very much doubted it would be true.
    The foreigner stared at his face with wide violet eyes. He narrowed his own gray eyes at her. He knew he was not the most attractive man to women, but she needn’t gawp at him in such a rude way.
    He acknowledged her with