Free Midnight Magic by Shari Anton Page A

eyes widened farther. “A sennight? My gown is not yet begun, and there are invitations to send, and food to be purchased and prepared for the feast. Not possible.”
    “Any one of your gowns would do. The storerooms are full. And I will allow no one inside the gate who is not loyal to either Camelen or the king.”
    She huffed. “That does limit attendance, does it not?”
    He knew he’d probably eliminated the whole of her relations, particularly those in Wales, but Camelen’s security must be maintained. Especially with a rogue archer on the loose.
    “Limited attendance means less food to prepare.”
    She tossed a hand in the air. “What of your family? Should you not be more considerate of them?”
    His only “family” likely wouldn’t attend even if invited, so he wouldn’t bother.
    “There is no one to invite.”
    Her hand lowered slowly. “No one?”
    “Not a one. Convenient, is it not? There is nothing to prevent us from exchanging vows one week from today.”
    “Two weeks.”
    “One.”
    Several heartbeats passed before she asked, “Why me?”
    “You have many qualities of a suitable wife. You are young, but not too young. Nor are you sickly, which—”
    “You chose me because I am
healthy
?” she asked, incredulous.
    “Well, that is important, but . . .”
    Gwendolyn flounced out of the bedchamber, not bothering to hear the rest of his answer. Not that his other reasons would make her any happier.
    Alberic splashed wine into the goblet, thinking all had gone well enough, under the circumstances. Emma seemed intrigued with the idea of going to court. Nicole was upset, but she was young and would adjust.
    Gwendolyn wasn’t thrilled with the idea of marrying him and objected to the haste, but surely she would come to accept the marriage. After all, noble females were raised from the cradle to accept the decisions of the men who held authority over them, especially in the matter of marriage. Too, she hadn’t refused outright. Offered excuses, but not refused. A good sign.
    And ’struth, he’d done his best to convey to servants, tenants, and soldiers alike that he planned to make Camelen prosper, calming many fears.
    Aye, he intended Camelen should prosper. Gwendolyn was best equipped to help him. All he had to do was convince her.
    Alberic smiled as he downed the wine, thinking of various persuasions a man could employ to win over a woman. Charm. Flattery. Gifts. Passion.
    ’Twould be a challenge and a joy to discover Gwendolyn de Leon’s weakness, exploit it, then have her melt into his arms.

Chapter Five
    G WENDOLYN FLED ALL THE WAY up to the battlements. She took a deep gulp of brisk spring air to clear Alberic’s absurd demands out of her head, and wipe the loneliness in his eyes from her memory.
    He’d told her yesterday about losing his mother, and she allowed both of his parents might be . . . gone, as were hers. Had he no siblings? No uncle, aunt, or cousin? No friend to whom he wished to show off his new barony? No peer he considered worthy of an invitation?
    Not a one.
    Having grown up in the midst of a loving, boisterous family, Gwendolyn couldn’t imagine her life without them. She had myriad relatives, too, most of whom she hadn’t seen for some time because of the war. Still, she hadn’t felt the lack of their company too greatly because of the castle folk’s and tenants’ kindness to her.
    No matter when and where she wed, she would be surrounded by people who cared for her and wished her well. That Alberic had no one . . .
bah!
    There would be no wedding between Alberic of Chester and Gwendolyn de Leon, and so no cause for him to bemoan his lack. No cause for her to feel sorry for him, a softening toward the enemy that she could ill afford.
    Whether a formal document existed or not, she was betrothed to Madog ap Idwal, the man chosen for her by her father, the man she would wed as soon as could be arranged.
    Father had known the importance of her marrying a man she