Free The Dumont Bride by Terri Brisbin Page B

of the demesne and those who depended on it.
    He smiled as he remembered the disgruntled look she had worn when he laughed out loud at their first meeting. So intent on his discussions with Eleanor in the solar was he that he never considered that it was the countess standing in attendance on the queen. Emalie had witnessed his every reaction and word to the news that he would wed and never did she betray herself. She could not, however, contain her feelings when he had laughed as he was formally presented to her by the queen. A breach of protocol, but one that he could not control.
    The reaction that had given him hope was the one that had coursed through his body when he saw her standing by the fire in her chambers. The flames once again revealed her womanly curves through the gown she wore and once he had lifted her hair from the entrapment of the woolen shawl she held like a shield around her, its silky feel encouraged him to touch it and her. Barely grazing his knuckles over her skin had caused a blush to spread up her neck and over her cheeks. As he watched her respond to his touch, Christian had hoped that all would proceed as it should, but it had not.
    He was blessed and cursed with a wife who seemed to be all the things a noblewoman should be—capable, efficient, demure in public and passionate in private. He could understand after watching her for just oneday how a woman like Emalie, with her titles and riches, her accomplishments and abilities, and her subtle sexual charisma, could become the center of a plot by John and his cronies. The man who controlled her gained a large portion of England—well-maintained, productive estates that would provide for those attached to them. The man who took her got her riches, as well, and titles with which to earn even more. The man who married her had a wife whose earthy allure and health promised many heirs to carry on his name and honor.
    Emalie Montgomerie was the perfect wife for a man like him—suitably titled, wealthy and of marriageable age. All the things that had made her the perfect target for John’s plans. For now, he had her, controlled her and her wealth and lands. And he would continue to do so at Richard’s command until the truth was known.
    Controlled as long as they both kept secret their delay of the consummation of their vows. Her request had canceled his need to explain his physical difficulties and had saved him an incredible amount of embarrassment. But it had also given her a true reason for repudiation in spite of Eleanor’s demand that there be none. Mayhap his temporary difficulty was not the blessing he called it?
    Another thought troubled him. If his wife was involved with John’s attempts to wrest control of England from Richard, he had just provided her with an escape from this union. What would Richard say to that? However, had he the need to extricate himself from this union, he could do so now in good faith. He would be able to swear on his honor that he had not consummated the marriage.
    It was a possibility, although a narrow one, that he would need this later, and bloody sheets could be explained and the physician appointed to treat him by the king could attest to his physical limitations. Not that he would want that known, of course, since it would put a doubt on his ability to produce an heir for his estates and titles. But it was good to have an escape route planned when one went into battle.
    And he felt as though this was the battle of his life, even more important than his daily struggles to stay alive while in prison, for the life he had saved was nothing without his honor. And fulfilling this task set before him would regain his honor.
    Christian stood and stretched once more before snuffing out the candles left burning around his chamber. Of necessity he would leave his door closed this night, since anyone passing could glance in and see that he did not sleep with his bride. Taking a few deep breaths in and forcing them out,