The Winter Love by Munday April

Author:Munday, April [Munday, April]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

She spoke to Edward that evening before his guests arrived, since she saw no reason not to confront him.

“Isabelle says you intend to marry me.”

Edward laughed. “Does she? What gave her that idea?”

“You have been very attentive to me.”

“I learned the lesson that my brother taught me with his fist.” He became serious. “Do not pretend that you didn’t hear us.”

“I heard,” she admitted. “You have decided to pay me attentions because Henry hit you?”

“No. I have decided to pay you the respect due to you. You have been out of the world for a long time, Sister Margaret. I have merely been showing you respect, nothing more.”

“Why does Isabelle think it is more than that?”

“I don’t know. She has a good imagination. Because she is looking for a husband, she thinks that I am looking for a wife.” Edward smiled. “If you, on the other hand, are the one who wishes to marry me...”

Eleanor shook her head and smiled. “I shall return to my nunnery. Henry will take me back.”

Edward opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Eleanor waited and Edward reconsidered.

“If that is what he told you, he will do so. He is a man of his word.” His tone implied the opposite of his words and she wondered what Henry had done to lose his honour in his brother’s eyes. Her short experience of the brothers had shown her that Henry was the more truthful of the two and she would continue to believe what he had told her until something happened to show her that she was wrong. Doubt, real or pretended, on Edward’s part would not convince her.

There was some noise in the passage outside.

“My guests,” said Edward. “Wait here and I will bring them to you.”

Edward brought five people with him, two couples and a lone man. All three men were merchants like Edward. Robert traded in wool, Alonso in spices and John in furs. Robert was the unmarried man and was the youngest and best dressed of the three. Eleanor suspected that he was also the richest. Isabelle came down and was introduced to the guests. She smiled at them and talked easily with them. Eleanor was surprised and pleased; it meant that there would be less for her to say. She had dreaded this meal; although they all ate together at the convent, she never had to eat with strangers and had certainly never had to talk to so many at one time.

Isabelle knew exactly how to behave and Eleanor followed her lead, although she was quieter. The women showed some interest in her life in the convent and she told them some of things that had happened there, but she preferred to sit and listen to the men discussing the war with France, the politics of the town and trade. Both Edward and his sister encouraged Robert to speak and Eleanor was not sorry. He had a pleasant voice and knew how to put forward his argument. He had travelled a great deal and seen much and Eleanor found herself caught up in his stories.

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