Page 48 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
“Then I’d take a lesson from my ancestors,” Harald slurred. “When wives of the old Saxon lords played them false, their children would be slain to keep the bloodline pure. The fruits of sin should be destroyed.”
A sharp pain in Eloise’s hand penetrated her senses. She looked down to see her hand curled into a claw, the fingernails digging into the wood, knuckles white. A warm hand covered hers and squeezed it. Edwin. But rather than draw comfort she snatched her hand away. He might be able to temper Harald’s behavior but she still didn’t trust him.
Harald resumed his attentions on Roswyn. Had she coaxed her way into Harald’s bed? Most likely she serviced Ralph, for she turned her hungry green gaze on him more than once, but as the feast ended Harald was too far in his cups to notice.
Chapter 12
“Isee you have a new best friend, brother.”
Harald frowned as Edwin fixed his breastplate and secured the straps.
“Your assistance may be welcome, brother,” he said, “but your interference is not. Beauvisage is an excellent man. The king thinks highly of him—as do I.”
“Is it wise to take someone so deeply into your confidence after such a short acquaintance?” Edwin asked.
“He’s given me confidences of his own,” Harald replied, “and therefore I trust him.”
“Confidences?”
“He’s told me much of my wife.”
“I thought she seemed out of countenance during the feast.”
“She is a treacherous harlot.”
Edwin’s snarl of disapproval obscured the voices of the other competitors in the surrounding tents. “Must you continue with these accusations?” he said. “No wonder she’s distressed.”
“The rewards of a guilty conscience,” Harald replied, ignoring the voice of doubt in his mind.
“Nonsense!” Edwin cried. “You shouldn’t place such faith in Beauvisage.”
“He has no reason to lie,” Harald said. “He’s acted honorably since he arrived.”
Edwin held the reins of Harald’s horse while Harald mounted. “Look toheractions also, brother.”
“Actions!” Harald scoffed. “Beauvisage showed me the fruits of her actions—tokens from a lover which she conceals in her room—and you ask me to trust her?”
“I ask you to understand her,” Edwin said. “Look at what she does for the people of Wildstorm! Place your trust in that, not the words of a man who, a sennight ago, you’d never even met.”
“You like him not?” Harald asked.
“I dislike the way he speaks to you.”
Harald shook his head, “Beauvisage has been courteous from the moment he arrived, Edwin. He has naught but praise for me, whereasyoucriticize me at every turn.”
“Criticism from a loving brother has greater value than the honeyed words of praise from a stranger,” Edwin said. “The man who befriend a flatterer is a fool. Only a true friend will point out your faults. You’d do well to remember that.”
Harald sighed. “I have no wish to quarrel with you, Edwin. I’d have you cheer for me in front of these Normans. I desire peace and would have them think well of us.”
“Not everyone desires peace,” Edwin said, a note of warning in his voice. “I counsel you to take care because I love you.”
Harald took his brother’s hand. “Wish me well today, little brother,” he said. “Now go to the stand and act as host while I show these Normans what a champion looks like.”
Edwin slapped the horse’s flank and Harald rode onto the tourney field to join the procession. With good fortune, tomorrow should mark him as the victor. He’d show the Normans that though they conquered England, it was not for want of Saxon prowess on the field.
* * *
“Good morning, sister.”
