(Medieval Plantagenet, #3) The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley

Author:Virginia Henley [Henley, Virginia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, General
ISBN: 9780307567901
Google: GUQAd-X7jOsC
Amazon: B002IPZJTC
Publisher: Island Books
Published: 2009-07-22T04:00:00+00:00

the bare-

160

breasted bawds, he thought wistful y of Rosamond awaiting

him at Windsor. When he did not arrive, her trust in him would

evaporate. It was not the twenty-mile ride that deterred him, it

was his duty to Edward. Amusement fil ed his eyes as he

watched two sisters having a cat fight over the prince. The

buxom blondes were pul ing each other's hair and trading vile

curses.

"You fawning, fat-arsed strumpet! 'E saw me first!"

"You pox-marked, whey-faced harpy! You can kiss my fat

arse!"

"And you can suck my duck til it quacks!"

Edward roared with laughter. "Fanny, Fancy, there is no need

to fight. I have a solution that wil keep peace in the family." He arose, forced them apart, then, taking the sisters by the hand,

led them upstairs to a bedchamber.

Rod watched them disappear, then drained his wine cup,

wondering if he could slip away. Then, like a miracle, Edward

rejoined him. "This was an unqualified success, as are most

of your ideas, Rod. But you and I have far lovelier damsels

awaiting us at Windsor."

Rod flashed him an appreciative grin. "What the hel did you

do with Fanny and Fancy? "

"Led them into Harry's chamber, of course!"

161

Fifteen

It was wel past midnight when Edward and Rodger entered

Windsor Castle's new tower. Both men had drunk enough

wine to make them overbold, but luckily both had hard heads

for drink and neither was completely intoxicated.

"Your task is a hel of a lot simpler than mine," Edward

complained. "Your wife wil be waiting in your bed. Mine wil be

surrounded by a fire-breathing dragon and a horde of

dragonettes."

Rod flashed him a grin. "Your sword is stout; my money is on

you, Saint George!" He watched Edward ascend the stairs

before he opened the door to his own apartments. Chirk

displayed frenzied delight by pawing at his leg and wagging

her entire bottom.

"Sssh, I want to surprise her."

Rosamond, lying awake, was indeed surprised; she had given

up on him long ago. Her trust in him slowly returned while she

listened to the rustle of garments as he undressed in the dark,

then felt the mattress dip as he joined her in the bed. He

smel ed of cheap perfume and expensive wine, and her trust

evaporated instantly.

"Don't you dare touch me!"

Rod laughed. "Dare? Do you know how many miles I've

ridden?"

"Don't you mean how many whores you've ridden?"

Her words mauled his pride. This was the thanks he got for

being faithful. "I don't need to pay my women."

"Wel , you'l have to pay this one a king's ransom to al ow you

to share even my chamber, let alone my bed!"

"Al ow?" His voice held a dangerous note. "This is my

chamber, my bed .. .my wife."

162

Chirk took heed of the danger, if Rosamond did not. A loud

pounding on the outer door sent her scooting beneath the

bed.

A foul oath fel from Rod's lips as he flung back the covers and

strode naked to the door. "What the devil do you want? "

"I want to come in."

Rod recognized Edward's voice. It sounded as annoyed as he

himself felt. He opened the door and lifted down a lit torch

from its wal bracket to light the chamber.

"The bird has flown! The bloody royal apartments are

deserted.

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