Page 99 of Her Dark Seduction
She released my hand as if it burned her, dropping a curtsey to her husband. As she passed him, she whispered into his ear, and his lips curled into a slight smile before he turned his stern gaze upon me once again.
“May I sit?”
I nodded, gesturing to a chair.
Sitting down, he stretched his long legs and looked me up and down. I waited for him to break the silence but he did not. Eventually he leaned back. Though his body appeared relaxed, his eyes told me he was anything but. Observant and insightful, he could penetrate my thoughts from a mere glance, let alone such careful scrutiny.
I almost burst with the need to speak, to ask him what he wanted with me. But I was determined not to show weakness. I lifted my head, forcing myself to maintain eye contact.
“I trust you are recovered.”
It was a statement, not a question. I nodded.
“…and Adelia has not failed in her duties to be hospitable?”
“No!” I burst out, unwilling for him to find fault with his wife. “She has been most attentive. She could not have been kinder—”
I broke off, smoothing my face back into its emotionless mask.
The ghost of a smile played on his lips, and he leaned forward.
“I must decide what is to be done with you.”
“With me?”
“Aye. If you’re able to convince me of your loyalty to King Henry, you are free to remain a member of my household.”
“I have explained to Adelia…”
“I would have you explain tome.”
“Your preventing my execution would imply you need no explanation.”
“I was persuaded by another to stop the execution. Butyoumust still convince me of your worth.”
Wearied by the continual accusations of treachery, I could barely control my anger.
“What can any woman say or do to convince a man of anything? I’ve been branded a traitor merely by association with the men who held power over me. A woman’s worth is measured only in relation to the men who control her. I have no desire to be subjected to that again.”
“God’s bones, woman, have you no sense?” he said, his calm demeanor dissolving. “Have you no interest in knowing who spoke to me on your behalf—or why I risked my men and my reputation to drag you from the pyre?”
“Forgive me if I seem ungrateful, my lord, but I had accepted my fate. I was ready to welcome the death you prevented.”
“Would you not wish for the protection and respectability a husband can give you?”
I shook my head. “I have no wish to marry again. I’d rather enter a convent.”
“I am not minded to procure the funds to secure a place for you. Even if I was, no convent would accept you.”
I bit my lip at the insult but said nothing. Why should I not be surprised he thought me a whore?
He sighed. “You are young and healthy. One of my knights has requested an audience with you. If, as you say, the world judges you by the men in whose power you place yourself, then as his wife you would be free from any suspicion.”
I gritted my teeth in frustration. Once again I would be given to a man against my will. I closed my eyes and rubbed my aching forehead.
“Have you nothing to say, madam?”
“Nay.”
