Free Infamous by Virginia Henley Page A

my younger son, Henry.”
    Jory smiled at Humphrey, who sat across from his father, and nodded to Henry on his far side. She was quite used to young men’s stares as they appraised her. “You have traveled a long way to attend Princess Joanna’s wedding.”
    When Humphrey flushed at the mention of Joanna’s name, Jory was amused. Many young lords were infatuated with the royal princess.
    â€œWe didn’t journey from Hereford, Lady Marjory. We were at our castle of Midhurst in Sussex,” the earl explained.
    â€œThe de Bohun land is on the other side of the River Rother, just south of my de Warenne land in Surrey,” her uncle John remarked. “We are neighbors for part of the year.”
    Hereford signaled a server to pour Jory some wine. Then he raised his own goblet and proposed a toast. “Lady Marjory, you are the fairest lady at Windsor tonight. If only I were twenty years younger, I warrant I would seek you for my wife.”
    â€œHow gallant you are, my lord earl. And if I were a mere five years older, I would accept your proposal,” Jory said sweetly.
    Flattered beyond belief, John de Bohun lost his heart and immediately resolved to contract Marjory de Warenne for his son and heir, Humphrey, at any cost.
    It wasn’t until Jory was eating her dessert that she felt eyes upon her and knew someone was watching her. She glanced across the hall and saw immediately that it was Warwick. His intense gaze licked over her like a candle flame, thrilling her to the core. She touched her fingers to her lips and then her heart—two gestures she knew he would understand. When she saw him rise from the table and leave the hall, she was in a fever to follow him. She forced herself to remember her manners and sat politely until all the diners were finished. “My lords, I beg you to excuse me. I must attend Princess Joanna. There are many things that I must see to before the wedding tomorrow.”
    When she arose from the table, all the men stood too. She bade them good night and as Lynx escorted her partway to the dais, she could not suppress her inner excitement. She went up on her toes and impulsively kissed her brother’s cheek.
    â€œYou made a most favorable impression on the constable tonight, Minx. I was very proud of you.”
    Jory’s thoughts were so completely focused on Warwick, she did not heed her brother’s words. Bursting with happiness she squeezed his arm and confided, “Don’t be surprised if you receive an offer for me very soon, Lynx.”
    He grinned down at her. “You conceited little devil…you are convinced you have charmed de Bohun into making an offer, are you?”
    â€œGood heavens no. Guy de Beauchamp is the one I have charmed.” As Jory slipped away from Lynx, she did not see the stunned look on her brother’s face.
    She glanced up at the dais and saw that Joanna was laughing wildly with her brother, Prince Edward. It was quite obvious that the king’s son was drunk, and by the look of her, his sister was well on her way to intoxication. The princess didn’t seem quite ready to retire in spite of the full day she would have to face on the morrow, so Jory impulsively decided to leave the hall to seek a few stolen minutes with Warwick.
    She hurried outside, and her heart sank when she found no trace of Guy de Beauchamp. I waited too long to seek him. I doubt patience is a Warwick virtue. Her eyes probed the torch-lit area, but she saw only guards and a few castle servants. I wonder if he went to the garden? Jory ran lightly through Windsor’s Upper Ward, her heart beating a tattoo of hope and wild anticipation.
    When she did not see him inside the garden, disappointment engulfed her. Then he stepped from the shadows of the willow tree. “Guy! Guy!” she cried with delight as she picked up her skirts and ran into his arms.
    He held her against him possessively for a full minute before he