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

eyes were frightened as she took in the many faces hovering over her. Paling, she leaned over the bed and was exceedingly sick on the floor.
    Joanna winced. Poor girl .
    With a moan, Alyse sank back onto the bed and closed her eyes.
    Gaddesden removed some of the mess for closer examination as Margaret set about cleaning the floor. “I believe she has brought about her own cure, Highness.” He nodded sagely. “She has righted her humours and now needs rest and some sweet-smelling posies to help her regain her health.”
    “I thank you, doctor.” Joanna smiled at him as she accompanied him to the door. If only that was all it would take to heal her attendant’s spirit. She glanced at the handsome courtier standing near the bed, concern written on every line of his face. Alyse had been partial to him before her betrothal… Mayhap a remedy of a different sort lay at hand. “My ladies and I will attend to the flowers.” She nodded to Alyse’s champion. “Lord Braeton will stand guard lest anyone come to disturb her. And doctor…” She paused, drew herself up to her full height and fixed the physician with a keen eye. “I know I can rely on your discretion in this matter. It need not come to the ears of the court, I trust?” Joanna coaxed in a firm voice.
    “Of course, Your Highness. I am at the service of the royal family in all matters.” With that, the good doctor took his leave, probably as relieved to go as those in the room were for him to be gone, in Joanna’s estimation.
    The princess turned back to the little gathering around Alyse’s bed. Anne stood at the head of the bed, wringing her hands. Margaret finished cleaning the floor. Thomas leaned against the wall, his face a study in anger. “Come, Lady Anne, Lady Maurya, Margaret. We will go to the garden and fetch flowers for Lady Alyse, to sweeten her recovery. Lord Braeton…” She motioned to the young man. “Will you watch Lady Alyse until our return, lest she wake again and find herself alone?”
    “Aye, Your Highness, I will not leave her side.”
    Joanna smiled. “A cool cloth dipped in water might bring her comfort. Margaret, fetch a basin ere we go. Lord Braeton can bathe her brow.” She raised her eyebrows, questioning his willingness to perform such a service.
    Without hesitation, he nodded and drew up a chair beside the bed.
    Margaret returned with the basin, and they left Lady Alyse to the kind ministrations of her new protector.
    Pray God some good might yet come of this disaster.
    * * * *
    The princess and her ladies withdrew, leaving Thomas with the forlorn figure on the great bed. He dipped the cloth in the water, wrung it out, leaned forward and pressed the damp coolness to her near temple, across her brow, and around her face. As he tended her, he peered closely at her. The strain of the grief of Geoffrey’s marriage had marred her features; even in repose, her lovely arched brows furrowed as if in pain. Long lashes fringed her closed eyes. He could not quite remember what color lay beneath the lids. Blue? Not brown, surely.
    Shaking his head, he smiled. He supposed he had never been very observant of her, even after she had been betrothed to Geoffrey. He gazed at her now—taking in the exquisite curve of her cheek, the small, delicate bones giving a sophisticated beauty to the youthful face, the full, winsome mouth.
    “Ten and seven years Geoffrey told me.” He slid his gaze over her form, appraisingly. “I can scarce credit it.” Alyse’s body was well-shaped for a girl of less than twenty years. Even though she lay on the bed, the contours of her ample breasts and rounded hips were clear under the soft green muslin gown. He sighed.
    No wonder Geoffrey had acted pleased as a cat that had gotten to the cream.
    The smile touching his lips died abruptly as he realized Geoffrey no longer had the right to take pride in Alyse. He had wed another.
    Alyse’s sudden stirring on the bed roused him from his reverie. Her eyes were