The Lord Bishop's Clerk Read Free Page B

be so close, my sweet?’
    The lady sniffed, unimpressed. ‘It would have been better if you had mastered that desire.’
    The smile broadened and his voice dropped. ‘But, you see, you are so very … desirable, and I dream of “mastering” you.’
    She shot him a sideways glance through long, lowered lashes. The wolfish smile excited her. Flirting with de Grismont still had an element of danger to it that was quite irresistible after Hamo’s uninspiring veneration. Deep within there was a warning voice that urged caution. As a suitor he was bewitching, but as a husband? Would … could … such a man be bothered to even appear faithful once the prize was won? The voice of caution thought not, but in his presence caution could be ignored.
    ‘Besides, in times like these it is not wise for a lady to travel unescorted.’
    ‘You have not noticed the four horses in the stables, then, my lord, nor the d’Achelie men-at-arms?’
    ‘Men-at-arms should be led.’ His eyes glittered, both amused and irritated. ‘Could you trust them else to stand firm in an emergency?’
    ‘Would they risk their lives for me?’ She turned to him with an arch look and knowing smile. ‘Oh yes,’ she purred. ‘I rather think they would, my lord. Men so often “stand firm” for me.’ Her eyes stared boldly; she need have no pretence of maidenly ignorance.
    It occurred to de Grismont that his lady love was acquiring a dangerously independent turn of mind. That was something he would have to curb once they were wed.
    ‘But without a leader their … self-sacrifice … might well prove in vain.’
    ‘Nevertheless, I need no escort to the king, unless you fear that some other man should distract me from my purpose.’
    There was a brittle edge to her voice, and de Grismont sought to smooth her ruffled feathers with flattering words. As they turned the corner of the cloisters by the monks’ door into the church, he cast a swift glance around. Nobody was watching. He grasped her gently at the elbow, and, as the pair of them passed the chapter house door, he lifted the latch with a heavy click and whisked them both into the cool light within. As he had expected, there was nobody there, and there was room in one of the shallow embrasures, where an obedientary sat during Chapter, for a man to hold a woman on his knee and whisper things which would have made the usual occupant blench and then blush.
    He had hoped to distract her, and for a while was most successful, but her mind was tenacious, and eventually she returned to the point of their conversation, though a little breathlessly.
    ‘This is all very well, Waleran, but you should, truly, not have come here. Your escort to the king may sound a good idea but might be harmful to our cause. King Stephen always likes to think ideas his own, and dislikes having his hand forced.’ She grasped her suitor’s hand and imprisoned it between her own. ‘No. Stop that. You must attend to me. Return to your estates and let me do this alone. Be patient, my love, and all will be well.’
    De Grismont’s opinion of leaving such an important mission in the hands, however pretty they might be, of a woman, was not likely to please her. He chose therefore, the route of blandishment.
    ‘You ask patience, sweet. How can I be patient any longer? How could I remain at Defford, knowing you were so close?’ His voice was husky, and his lips close to her ear. ‘You ask too much of me, Isabelle. We have waited, and the waiting is so nearly over.’ His arm round her tightened, possessively.
    ‘All the more reason to take care now.’
    ‘You do not cool towards me, lady?’ He did not fear her reply.
    ‘I would not be here like this if I was, nor would my heart beat so fast.’ She laid his hand over her breast once more, and sighed.
    Waleran de Grismont laughed very softly. He was sure of her now. There was much to be said for a beautiful bride, with a passionate nature that had lain dormant all too long,