He’d already delayed long enough, so he took a deep breath and plunged in. “When I first came to court, I had a small army and experienced some success in battle. King Louis was pleased with my service and granted me Aquis to help me support a larger army. I was feeling quite proud of my progress.
“I had been estranged from my father at an early age, so it was very important that I make my own living. Even if I hadn’t been estranged, I stood to inherit little property as I have two older brothers.
“Before that time, I had been involved with a few women, but nothing serious. I had it in my mind that I didn’t want to marry, so the women I sought out were widows. When Judith took notice of me, I was flattered. She is admired by many men, as you probably know.”
Isabel turned her head away at his words, and he stopped speaking. Chetwynd leaned over her and took her face in his hands to force her to look at him. “I don’t have to tell you about how she operates, Isabel. You met her. She is skilled at making people feel special and using them for her own ends. For a while she made me feel special, but I never loved her. I haven’t loved any woman.”
“Except Theresa,” she replied in a soft voice.
Chetwynd drew back in surprise. “Theresa? How do you know about Theresa?” Then he answered his own question. “Gilda told you, I suppose.”
He stared into space, thinking of his disastrous love for Theresa. “I was very young and thought I loved her. But I didn’t know the real Theresa. When I found out that she had betrayed me, I swore never to marry.”
His eyes met Isabel’s again. “I had just learned about her marriage to my father the summer I first saw you. I believe now that if I hadn’t been so disillusioned by that experience, I might have stayed in Narbonne and convinced your father that you should marry me.”
Isabel’s mouth fell open. “You’re teasing me.”
“No, I’m not. I didn’t stay with you, but I never forgot you, Isabel.”
Emboldened by his words, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. He gathered her into his arms and laughed in her ear. She thought it was a lovely sound.
“It’s true, you know. You were so brave, fighting off those men. Then after you’d been hit, you looked up and called me an angel. There was hair and blood in your eyes. I doubt you could really see me.”
“I saw your beautiful, shining gold hair. I heard your voice and felt your gentle touch.”
Chetwynd kissed her on the scar above her eye and was quiet for a minute. When he spoke, his voice was husky with emotion. “Emma’s mother told me you were betrothed. Early this year when Justin told me you hadn’t wed, I was surprised and eager to see you again.”
“That wasn’t the impression you gave me when we met.”
“No. The circumstance of my first sight of you was a terrible blow to my memory. I wasn’t prepared for how you had matured, and I believed you had a lover. I was disillusioned and angry. Although I know I had no right to be.”
“You know I never had a lover, and we’re married now, my lord,” she whispered into his neck.
“And do you wish to be my wife?” he asked.
When she nodded, his lips found hers. It was the sweetest kiss he had given her, beginning slowly and deepening until she felt lost in it. He was lying with her and she stretched her body against his, hungry to feel the length of him even though they were separated by a blanket and clothing.
When he released her mouth, she clung tighter to make up for the loss of his mouth against hers.
“Isabel?”
She didn’t want to talk anymore, and she tried to kiss him again, but he was holding her face away from him.
“Listen to me, my love. I’m going to ask Justin for permission to be your husband. When we have Justin’s blessing, I’ll make you my wife.”
“No,” she whispered in an urgent tone. “I’m already your wife. Why do we have to wait?”
“I want to do this right, Isabel. I’ve made too many mistakes in my life.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, Chetwynd,” she reasoned.
He chuckled, then groaned when she teased his neck with her tongue. “Sweet lord in heaven. You aren’t making this easy for me.” He pulled away from her. “I respect Justin and want his approval for this marriage. It’s important. He doesn’t think well of me right now, and I need to win back his friendship and respect. It’ll only be a little longer.”
Isabel didn’t want to waste any more time, but she could see it was important to him. “Could you call me your love again?”
“Yes, my love. Now I have to get out of your bed before I lose my resolve.”
When he stood up, Isabel realized he hadn’t answered all her questions. “Just one more thing, Chetwynd. That first night at Narbonne. Why did you tell me you had an attachment if you were not in love with the queen?”
Chetwynd knelt by the bed, afraid to test his resolve by being too close. “There were two reasons. I didn’t think you wanted a real marriage. At that time I thought you had a lover, remember?
“Also, I was involved with the queen, even if I no longer shared her bed. I was determined to be free of that connection before I told you about it. Of course it was foolhardy of me not to realize you would hear of it. I’m truly sorry I wasn’t more honest with you, Isabel.”
“And do you think you’re free of the connection now?”
“Yes. Even if Judith wished nothing more than to separate us, the fact that she tried
