Free The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley

blackness for almost two hours before he felt her hands totally relax into hisand knew she was asleep. Very gently he lifted her from the wardrobe and tenderly placed her in his bed.
    He was wildly curious about her, needing to know the color of her eyes, the feel of her skin, the size of her breasts. He had entered a sublime state where her image pushed all other thoughts out of his head. Being as quiet as he could, he lighted a bedside candle and sat down to gaze at her. She was so unearthly fair. Her silvery hair spread across the pillows was the most beautiful he’d ever seen. Of their own volition his fingers stole out to feel a silken tendril, then carefully he opened her white velvet bedgown to see what lay beneath. His breath caught in his throat. She was extremely slender and fragile, yet her breasts rose high and pointed, her tiny waist emphasizing their fullness. Her legs were slim and pretty and her tiny mound of Venus was covered with delicious golden ringlets.
    His maleness throbbed with need. Lord God, he was hard. He wanted her, but knew that if he let his hands have their way she would awaken and scream. He could not dishonor Salisbury’s daughter, yet he refused to give up the idea of possessing her. As he gazed at her he felt linked to her by an invisible thread. This was the one he would choose! Gently he drew up the furs to cover her nakedness and sat down in the chair to daydream of her becoming his bride.
    When Falcon awoke it was full daylight and the huge bed was empty. For a moment he feared it had been only a dream, then with relief he realized that he would have awakened in bed if he had been dreaming.
    He called for hot water to bathe and shave. He took great care in his dressing that morning, then with great deliberation he sought a private audience with William.
    He waited until William’s squire withdrew and even made sure the young pages were on the other side of the closed door before he spoke.
    “William, perhaps my timing is poor when you are so worried about Richard, but I feel I must speak.”
    A slight frown creased William’s brow at the young knight’s serious tone. “What is amiss?”
    “Nothing … I hope,” said Falcon, gathering his courage. “William, I want to formally request the hand of your daughter in marriage.”
    William’s face lit up. “My boy, it is exactly what I hoped for. Is it to be Ela or Isobel?” He beamed.
    “William, I want to marry your daughter Jasmine.”
    William’s brows drew together again. “Jasmine?” he said incredulously. “My boy, that is impossible. Jasmine will not inherit my lands or my castles—”
    Falcon stopped him. “I don’t want your lands or your castles, William, they are as nothing compared to my desire to have Jasmine.”
    William sighed. “You don’t understand, my boy. She has not been trained to be a wife. Both Ela and Isobel have been in training all their lives to run many castles. Jasmine knows only music and painting and how to grow pretty flowers.”
    “I care naught for any of that. I will have stewards and castellans to run my households. I want Jasmine and no other for my wife,” Falcon insisted.
    William shook his head sadly. “She could never bear you strong sons … she is far too delicate. Let me tell you about her mother. I fell in love with her because of her fragile beauty, but my seed killed her! The baby was so puny she would have died also had it not been for the superhuman efforts of Dame Estelle, her grandmother.”
    As Falcon listened he realized incredulously that William was going to refuse him! This was a totally new experience for de Burgh and one that was just as totally unacceptable. He would have her!
    He waited with quiet patience while William explained in detail why marriage to Jasmine was impossible, thenhe said straight out, “Jasmine came to me last night in the storm. She spent the night in my bed. I … comforted … her. I am sorry, William, but she is compromised beyond