Betrayal (Book 2: Time Enough to Love) Read Online Free Page A

physician will arrive shortly and tend to her.”
    Thomas smiled sadly. “Highness, I would ask leave to stay a while. When Lady Alyse awakens, she may have need of comfort. And I promised Sir Geoffrey I would attend her,” he paused and his mouth hardened, “as he no longer can.”
    Joanna nodded at the young man thoughtfully. “You and Sir Geoffrey are good friends.”
    “Aye, Your Highness. And this matter has sorely grieved me, though not as deeply as it has them, I warrant.”
    “And what of Sir Geoffrey? How fares he?”
    “Very ill, Highness. Very...despairing. He and Lady Alyse were…” Braeton stopped, at a sudden loss for words.
    “Aye, my lord, they seemed devoted to one another as few couples are. God must have another scheme for them, of which we are not aware.” She looked carefully at the despondent young man and placed a hand on his arm. “You must be her friend now, Thomas. She will have need of such as you in the coming days.”
    Perhaps more so than you think .
    Hurried feet sounded down the corridor, and Joanna stepped back. Maurya rushed in, followed by John Gaddesden, King Edward’s physician.
    The older man puffed out his breath, sorely winded, and eyed the princess with some distress. “Princess Joanna, your lady said I was to come to you at once, that there was a grave matter. Are you injured, Highness?”
    Joanna sent a stern look toward Maurya. Sounding an alarm was the last thing she wished to do. The fewer people to gossip about something amiss, the better. She gathered herself and addressed the doctor. “Doctor Gaddesden, I myself am well, but my gentlewoman has fainted. She has been insensible for many minutes, and I fear for her. Please see to her as you would to me.”
    “Of course, Your Highness.” Gaddesden pursed his lips, his displeasure clear, though he tried to hide it. He moved toward the form on the bed, and his face grew harsh. “This girl again?” He glared at Lord Braeton and spoke impatiently. “First she suffered a weeping fit on the jousting field, now she swoons. Are you sure she is not simply with child?”
    With a menacing glower, Lord Braeton advanced on Gaddesden, so quickly the physician retreated until he bumped his backside against the wall. Braeton’s brows drew into a deep scowl, and his dark eyes flashed rage that threatened physical violence. “Nay, sir. I will vouch myself that the maid is not with child. Furthermore, I will issue a challenge to any who dares say ’tis true!”
    The doctor shrank back, almost cowering behind the princess. “Of course, Lord Braeton. My apologies for the suggestion.”
    He hurriedly bent over Alyse, busying himself with her care. He felt her pulse, smelled her breath, slipped off her shoes, and made a lengthy examination of her feet. He stood back, drew out a small book of parchment papers and consulted its contents.
    After perusing them for some minutes, he frowned and turned to Joanna. “Did she vomit before she swooned?”
    Joanna looked to Thomas, who shook his head.
    The doctor consulted the book once more. “Did she strike her head as she fell?”
    Again, Lord Braeton shook his head, his face stony.
    The doctor sighed. “The best thing will be to bleed her. She has had an upset, you say?”
    Joanna nodded and wrung her hands. The doctor’s concern troubled her. She prayed whatever ailed Alyse,’twas not enough to take the girl from them.
    “Then the humours are certainly out of alignment. I will fetch the leeches and bring them directly here.”
    Joanna swallowed hard and looked away. She had been leeched several years before for a fever. The memory of the sensation of the creatures wriggling against her arms as they sucked her blood still made her queasy.
    As the doctor turned to go, however, Alyse’s eyes fluttered open. She took a deep breath, sat up, and gazed around as if in a daze.
    Relief washed through Joanna. Thank you, Holy Mother! Mayhap ’twas not as dire as she had feared.
    Alyse’s