Henry smiled fondly at his wife. She was a wise woman. “I will indeed take a long time before I send a message to the pope. Where are you going?” he asked as she stood.
“I would like to talk to Sir Alan Fairfax. I wonder if he would be willing to help a lady in distress.”
Henry gave her a puzzled look, then picked up his manuscript. “Yes, my dear. I am sure you will handle all of this without me.”
Two hours later the door to Judith’s chamber was thrown open. Gavin stalked into the room, his face blackened with fury.
Judith glanced up from the book in her lap.
“You asked the king for a divorce!” he bellowed.
“Yes, I have,” she replied firmly.
“Do you plan to tell the world of our differences?”
“If that is what it takes to rid myself of you.”
He glared at her. “You are a stubborn woman! Do you ever see anything but one side? Do you ever listen to reason?”
“Your idea of reason is not the same as mine. You want me to forgive you for adultery time and again. I have done so many times, yet now I can no more. I plan to rid myself of you and enter a convent, as I should have done long ago.”
“A convent!” he said in disbelief, then smiled mockingly. He took one swift step toward her and threw an arm around her shoulders. He lifted her from the bed and his mouth covered hers. He was not gentle, but even his harshness set Judith afire. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him to her violently. Abruptly, he released her, letting her fall onto the feather mattress. The sides of the soft mattress rose around her.
“Make up your mind that you’ll never be rid of me. When you are ready to admit that I’m the man you need, come to me. Perhaps I’ll take you back.” He turned and stalked from the room before Judith could say a word.
Joan stood in the open doorway, a look of adoration on her face.
“How dare he—” Judith began then stopped at Joan’s look. “Why do you look at me so?” she demanded.
“Because you are wrong. That man loves you, has told you so, yet you won’t listen to him. I have been on your side throughout your marriage, but now I’m not.”
“But that woman—” Judith said in a strange, pleading voice.
“Can’t you forgive him? He thought he loved her once. He would be less of a man if he were willing to forget her when he first saw his beautiful wife. You make great demands of him.”
“But my baby!” Judith said, tears in her voice.
“I told you of Alice’s treachery. How can you hold him responsible?”
Judith was silent for a while. The loss of the child hurt her so badly. Perhaps she wanted someone to blame and Gavin was a convenient person to inflict it on. She knew what Joan said of Alice was true. That night, things had happened so quickly; but now, days later, she knew that Gavin’s body on Alice’s had been too inert.
“He says he loves you,” Joan continued in a quieter voice.
“Do you do anything besides listen at doors?” Judith snapped.
Joan smiled. “I like to know what happens to those I care for. He loves you. What do you feel for him?”
“I…I don’t know.”
Joan uttered an oath that made Judith’s eyes widen. “Your mother should have taught you something besides accounts. I don’t believe I have seen a woman love a man as you love Lord Gavin. Your eyes have not left him since he lifted you from that white horse at your wedding. Yet you have fought him on every count…as he has you,” she added before Judith could interrupt. “Why don’t the two of you stop fighting and make some more babies? I should like one near me.”
Judith smiled even as her eyes filled with tears. “But he doesn?
??t love me, not truly. Even if he did, he is furious with me. Should I go to him and tell him that I don’t want a divorce, that I…I…?”
Joan laughed. “You can’t even say it. You love him, don’t you?”
Judith was very serious before she answered. “Yes, I do.”