Page 115 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
The household lined up to welcome the party, the only notable absences being Wulfstan and his wife. Flanked by the two children, Jeanette dropped a curtsey. Violette looked at him with large, sorrowful eyes. The child had been taken from that dull, dreary convent. Why wasn’t she happy?
Harald instructed Collin to oversee the arrival of the guests, then he drew Violette aside.
“Aren’t you happy to be here?” he asked.
“Mama isn’t happy,” the child replied. “She won’t tell me why but I think you’ve made her sad.”
He knelt before her and took her hands in his. “Aye, I have, little lambling. I’ve made her very sad.
“Can’t we go home?” she asked. “I think she’d like to go home.”
“Thisis your home now,” he said, “and I’m the lord here, so you must do as I say.”
“Why?”
“It’s the way of the world, child. And I want your Mama to be happy again. I value her happiness more than my own life.”
He pointed towards the royal party. “See that man over there? The tall one with the elegant lady beside him? That’s the king. He’s most upset that your Mama has been unwell, but we have a plan to make her better, and will need your help. Will you help us?”
The child nodded. “Of course, my Lord.”
“Then let me introduce you to him first, then I’ll tell you what to do. But hush—not a word to your Mama.”
Violette slipped her hand in his and together they entered the hall.
* * *
“My lady!”
Eloise woke to the sound of Jeanette’s voice.
“What is it?”
“There’s a woman outside who insists on speaking with you.” Jeanette’s nose wrinkled in disgust. “I don’t know what she wants. The likes of her should stay away, particularly now the king is here! What would he think if he knew we welcome whores into our home?”
“Enough, Jeanette!” Eloise said. “Wasn’t William’s own mother branded a whore?”
“Aye, but unfairly so. The woman awaiting youisa whore—she’s well known in the village for selling her body. Why, she even…”
Jeanette broke off abruptly, her face reddening.
So—the servants knew that Harald had spent the night with a whore.
Why had she come to visit Eloise? To taunt her?
Two days had passed since Harald had arrived with the king and queen, yet still he did not visit her at night. Two nights she’d spent alone in her chamber, yearning for, but also fearing, his touch—praying that he’d send for her.
But, other than a casual greeting where he brushed his hand against hers before withdrawing it, he barely came near her, favoring the queen with his attention when they dined. Even the king, once so attentive, kept his distance. An invisible wall seemed to surround her, preventing everyone, save Jeanette and Wulfstan, from approaching her.
Did she disgust them all? Was that why Harald had turned to another?
She caressed her belly, taking comfort from the child’s movement.
“Help me dress, Jeanette,” she said. “I want to know who has secured my husband’s affections.
A woman of about thirty summers waited in the courtyard. As Eloise approached her, she dipped into a curtsey, then held out her hands.
“Do not presume to touch my lady!” Jeanette hissed.
