I Am the Chosen King by Helen Hollick

Author:Helen Hollick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Fiction, Fiction
ISBN: 9781402240669
Publisher: SOURCEBOOK TRADE
Published: 2000-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

10

St. Omer—April 1057

Rome! Edyth could not fully believe that she had actually visited that magnificent city. Closing her eyes, she allowed her head to rest against the high back of her chair. Now that they were returned to St. Omer after their months of travelling and the children were settled into their beds, she could afford the luxury of a moment’s idleness. Her body ached and her head swam, but it was not all from travel fatigue—excitement still tumbled in her heart and mind.

“If you allow that grin to spread any the wider.” Harold said, bending down to place a lingering kiss on her lips, “your face will split in two.”

Lazily, Edyth opened her eyes. “I am blissfully content,” she answered. “I have accumulated so many wondrous memories that never again shall I want for something to think about.” She linked her arms round Harold’s neck, pulling him down closer to return his kiss. “I have not yet decided whether the best part was attending the lavish splendour of the court of the Holy Roman Empire in Cologne, spending Christmas at Regensburg with the Imperial party, or accompanying the Pope back to Rome.” Her smile was a fixed sickle shape. Once, she had never expected to travel further than her own local villages along the river Lea, now she had seen the splendours of these great foreign cities. She stroked her finger across the stubble that was forming across Harold’s chin, her smile fading, “stay with me and our children, Harold, We have such a great need of you.”

Perplexed at this sudden change of mood, Harold set her on to his lap, his arms winding around her waist. She was with child again, had missed her second flux; an especial son or daughter this one would be, for its making had been in Rome, Was this perhaps a reason for the unexpected distress?

“I have no intention of leaving you. What sets you thinking as such?”

Edyth laid her head against his, her own arms going about his shoulders. He was strong and dependable, Harold. Oh, he strayed to other women occasionally, when matters of official business kept him away from her bed…what vigorous man did not? The passing use of a whore, however, was different from sharing the pleasures of love. She held him tight. “I am tired.”

This would have nothing to do with that suggestion of marriage made to me by the Empress of Germany, would it? With her husband in his grave and a young son crowned in his stead, she perhaps has need of another man.”

Edyth pouted. “I have always known that one day you must make a marriage of alliance…”

Harold laughed. “She is fat, fifty, and has the temper and character of a fishwife. I have no ambition to become her bed-mate or her son’s tilting post.” Setting her to her feet, Harold patted Edyth’s backside. This guest room within the abbey was both comfortable and private, but it was Friday and the physical union of a man and woman on this fasting day was discouraged by the Church.

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