The White Ship a Story of the Twelfth Century Titanic by KT FANNING

Author:KT FANNING
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: titanic, white ship ship of dreams normandy english channel, henry i maritime disasters middle ages, fanning
Publisher: KT FANNING

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Martin gazed from his window at the stars. The cry of a peacock drew his attention down to the lawn where he saw a ghostly figure slip from the house and steal away into the forest. In the pale moonlight Wandrille’s form was unmistakable. So she and Thomas will have a lover’s tryst by the martyr’s well, he thought. Martin’s eyes stung from drinking too much ale.

CHAPTER XXI

The Year 1120

Lammas Night in the Forest

The forest rustled with the movements of nocturnal creatures. A shadowy fox darted into the moonlit clearing, startled to see Wandrille there. The fox vanished into the greenwood.

Wandrille hummed to herself as she danced in the night. She felt light and happy. Then he was there, leaning against a tree.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “I did not see you. I have been waiting for you.”

“Pray do not stop dancing,” he said softly. “You are so lovely and graceful.”

Wandrille held out her hand. “Dance with me, then, Thomas.”

He took her in his arms and they danced to the rhythm of the music in their hearts. He held her so closely she could feel his chest rise and fall with each breath.

“It is the end of our day, Thomas,” she said.

He whirled her around the clearing until she was dizzy, finally stopping to steal her breath away with a soft, sweet kiss.

“Oh, Thomas, I love you so. I never knew love could be thus.”

“And I love you,” he said. “I need you like I need the air I breathe. You have always been part of my life from my earliest memories. When I behold the woman you have become, I think I will burst from love. It shall be ever thus, for when I leave for England I shall leave part of my very soul behind.” He kissed her again. This was not the kiss of a lustful boy like the prince, but the warm passionate kiss of a man.

“Take me with you,” Wandrille begged.

Thomas turned away, his face in shadow. He lowered his head. “I cannot. Try to understand, my darling. I want you with a desire greater than any I have ever known, but I cannot return to England with you on my arm and flaunt our love in my wife’s face. Even though she wants no part of me or our marriage, I must handle the situation with tact and kindness. And there are the children to consider. Stephen is but a babe, but Ralph is another matter. I must talk to him, prepare him for a new mother and try to make his parting from Alice less painful.”

Wandrille sat on the grass next to the well. “I know you are right, Thomas, but my poor heart beats as if it would break without you near me.”

Thomas sat down beside her, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her hair, her face, his lips lingering longingly when they met hers.

“Thomas, make me yours now,” Wandrille whispered.

He moaned. “If only you knew how I ache to possess you.

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