Defy Not The Heart by Johanna Lindsey

Author:Johanna Lindsey
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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He could at least try to be as she would like. Therewere those comforts Walter had mentioned as a reward. And she had given him so much, more than hehad ever expected to have. He would try.

Chapter Twenty-four

Reina's good spirits had returned somewhat by thetime they crossed over Clydon's first drawbridge. Herguests had enjoyed good sport, even if she had not.They were still quite merry. They had returned earlyenough to refresh themselves ere they sat down toanother feast that was awaiting them.

And most wouldbe leaving after that, to take advantage of the rest of the afternoon to get back to their own homes. Cly doncould then return to normal, at least by the morrow,which would be a welcome relief.

As much as Reina usually enjoyed company, in-sisting her guests stay as long as they liked, this time she did not. She needed some time alone to acclimate herself to this drastic change in her life. She had even thought of a way to get rid of her husband for a while,if he would only agree.

But she was not to get rid of all the guests, did infact have a new one, as she saw when she entered the hall with the hunting party. John de Lascelles rosefrom the bench by the hearth, where Lady Elaine had been having a conversation with him, and crossed thehall to meet Reina halfway.

Her own step had slowed. She felt raw anger at firstsight of him, for at the moment she was none too pleased with her choice of husband, and John couldhave changed all that if he had just arrived one week sooner. One cursed week! Then she felt contrition.

He had his own troubles in taking over his brother's lands. She could not blame hers on him, no matter how much she wanted to blame them on someone.And she was forgetting that Ranulf was her choice,and for all the reasons that were important. It wasjust her misfortune that she was beginning to dislike him personally.

Aside from those feelings, Reina was glad to see herold friend, for it had been more than a year since he had visited Clydon. He had lost weight in that time he couldill afford to lose, and looked a bit pale, but otherwisethe same. His green eyes still revealed a tenderheartednature, his expression warm with delight to see her. Shesummoned a warm smile for him, too, and returned hisbrief embrace of greeting.

"Lady Elaine tells me good wishes are in order,Reina. Was this the urgency implied in your letter, a summons to witness your marriage?"

Reina accepted this excuse gladly. "Indeed. I hadso wished you could have attended the wedding."

She immediately regretted the choice of thosewords and their double meaning, which she had not intended, but which was apparent when she heard hersteward smother a snort. She noticed Theo leaning nonchalantly against the wall and saw him roll hiseyes. Simon and Guiot turned quickly away to hidetheir expressions.

But what else could she have said? John might havebeen

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