Seduction at the Christmas Court by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2016-12-02T22:00:00+00:00

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Turning this way and that before the mirror, Alyse admired the circlet of gold that adorned her head, the gift Geoffrey had given her that morning after they had finally risen. The gold band, carved with flowers including a lavender flower in the front, held her dark hair in place perfectly. A beautiful as well as practical present.

Attired in his best blue coathardie, Geoffrey appeared at the door to take her down to the Christmas feast. The deep blue velvet darkened his eyes to an even more striking shade of sapphire. Those eyes were now trained on her, taking in her finery with such intensity that Alyse feared she might burst into flame.

“Am I not dressed correctly, my lord? I assure you, ‘tis the very fashion of the court.” She twirled about the chamber, the scarlet red gown belling out around her.

“You are a vision of heaven, my love. Did I not fear the wrath of the king, I would undress you right now—oh so slowly—lay you on yon bed and make a feast of you.” He cocked an eyebrow. “With or without honeyed pears.”

Alyse shivered, the remembrance of those pears intensifying her yearning to be with him as well. Still, their duty lay elsewhere. “Mayhap ‘tis better to attend the king for now and satisfy his need for witty courtiers at his table. While there we can stoke the fire of our need for one another and seek that satisfaction later.” She gazed at him, lowering her eyelids to mere slits. “An we are lucky, there will be pears at dinner.”

Offering his arm, Geoffrey groaned and shook his head. “Best pray instead for a lively dance that keeps you occupied elsewhere, away from me, my love.” They started down the corridor toward the Great Hall. “‘Twill take much resolve not to spirit you away ‘ere the evening is well started.”

“’Tis the price we pay for the good company of their gracious Majesties.” Alyse nodded to another couple, also heading in to dinner. She leaned closer to Geoffrey. “Who was that with Lord Hastings?”

Geoffrey shrugged. “As I hear the tale, she was a serving wench at his castle who survived the pestilence. Now she is Lady Hastings.” He shook his head. “Pippa may well be the only unmarried lady attending the queen or Princess Isabella. Men who survived the scourge have hastened to marry and produce an heir. To do that requires a woman, no matter her pedigree.”

They began their descent down the great stairs of Havering, tall and much narrower than Alyse would have liked.

“But a kitchen wench?” Alyse clutched his arm and raised her skirts. She would hate having to use these stairs on a regular basis. Heights had ever frightened her.

“Few these days are so picky. The story I heard in the king’s chambers is that many a man has taken a lusty peasant as his wife an she prove fertile.”

A sigh escaped Alyse. “Mayhap you had done better to do so as well, my lord.

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