“She doesn’t look to be unhappy,” he repeated as he watched the object of his affections look up at her husband with great warmth.
“I have known her a long time and she is indeed miserable. Only yesterday she was crying to me that she desperately needed someone to love, someone who would be sweet and gentle with her.”
“Her husband is not?” Alan was concerned.
“It’s not common knowledge”—Alice lowered her voice—“but he beats her often.”
Alan looked back at Judith. “I don’t believe you.”
Alice shrugged. “I didn’t mean to spread gossip. She is my friend and I would like to help her. They won’t stay at court for long, and I’d hoped that before they left dear Judith could find just a few moments of pleasure.”
It was true that Lady Judith was lovely; her radiant coloring saw to that. Her auburn hair was visible beneath a veil of transparent gauze. The silver tissue of her dress hugged lush curves. But what Alan thought was even more striking than her beauty was the vitality she seemed to emanate. She looked at everyone, from king to serf, with a calm level look that said she cared. She never giggled or flirted or played the coy maiden. Alan was truly fascinated by her. He would give a lot to have her once turn those warm golden eyes on him.
“Would you like to see her alone?”
Alan’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, I would.”
“Then I will arrange it. Go to the garden and I’ll send her to you. We’re great friends and she knows she can trust me.” Alice stopped and put a hand on Alan’s arm. “She’ll worry that she is safe from her husband’s finding her. Tell her he is with me—then she’ll know that she has no fear of being discovered.”
Alan nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to spend some time with the lady, and since her husband rarely let her out of his sight, Alan would use this opportunity.
Judith stood close to Gavin, drinking a mug of cool cider. She was warm from the dancing, and it was pleasant to lean against the cool stone and watch the others. A man came with a message for Gavin, which he repeated quietly, for Gavin’s ears alone. Gavin frowned.
“Have you had bad
news?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Someone says I must meet them.”
“No name?”
“No. I asked a horse merchant about a mare—perhaps it’s only that.” He turned and caressed her cheek. “There is Stephen. Go and stay by him. This won’t take long.”
“If I can find a way through the women around Stephen!” she laughed.
“You will do as I say.”
“Yes, my lord,” she said mockingly.
He shook his head at Judith, but smiled, then turned and left.
She went to stand by Stephen who strummed on a lute and sang for a group of pretty and adoring young women. Stephen had told her that he meant to use his last days of freedom to advantage.
“Lady Judith?”
“Yes.” She turned to a maid, one she did not recognize.
“There is a man waiting for you in the garden.”
“A man? My husband?”
“I don’t know, my lady.”
Judith began to smile. No doubt Gavin planned some moonlight tryst. “Thank you,” she said, leaving the hall to go to the garden. The garden was dark and cool, with many secret shadows that told of several couples locked together in each other’s arms.
“Lady Judith?”
“Yes.” It wasn’t possible to see clearly but she saw a tall, slim young man with bright eyes, a prominent nose and lips a little too full.