Free Infamous by Virginia Henley Page B

dipped his head to speak to her. “It’s too soon to give me your answer, Jory. You promised me you’d think long and hard about it.”
    â€œYou came to the garden hoping I’d come to you. How can you deny it?” she whispered joyfully.
    â€œI’ve learned how impulsive you are, chéri . If you had been foolish enough to approach me in the hall, it would have aroused great speculation, so I went outside. Then I realized the garden was the only place that would give us privacy from prying eyes.”
    â€œI want you to court me openly, Guy.”
    â€œI cannot do that until I get permission from your guardian, John de Warenne, and your brother, Lynx.”
    Her fingers sought the badge on his velvet doublet. “Not without right…you live according to your Warwick motto.”
    â€œI try. I do not always succeed, sweetheart.”
    â€œI’ve thought about it quite long enough. If I thought about it for a lifetime, my answer would be the same. With all my heart, I want to be your wife, Guy de Beauchamp.” She tossed her hair about her shoulders. “I’ve quite made up my mind! Will you offer for me?” Will you offer for me soon? she begged silently.
    He placed his fingers beneath her chin, raised her face, and smiled down at her. “So impetuous…so impatient. I will offer for you Jory, my love.” He sealed his pledge with a tender kiss.
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    â€œI’ve imbibed more than my fair share of wine tonight. Can’t this wait, Lynx?” John de Warenne held on to his chamber door to steady his balance.
    â€œNo, it cannot wait. I have learned something most disquieting. We are about to receive an offer for Jory that is abhorrent.” He closed the door firmly and led John to a chair before the fire.
    The earl’s brow furrowed. “You are mistaken. There is nothing abhorrent about the offer we have received from de Bohun. I assure you the constable is an honorable man, and I am certain I can bring him to a more generous settlement on Jory’s behalf.”
    â€œI’m not concerned about de Bohun’s offer,” Lynx said shortly.
    â€œWell surely you’re not worried about Jory’s reaction. You saw how charming she was tonight. I am almost certain she will be amenable to the match.”
    Lynx de Warenne gathered his patience. “Where Jory is concerned, I have learned never to be certain . The little minx told me tonight we could expect an offer from Guy de Beauchamp.”
    â€œWarwick!” John de Warenne sobered immediately.
    â€œIt is unthinkable—absolutely out of the question that Jory become the wife of Warwick,” Lynx declared.
    â€œI agree wholeheartedly. His reputation with women stinks to high heaven!”
    Lynx ran his hand through his tawny mane. “If, or rather when, he comes with his offer, we must be ready. We will have to devise a plausible excuse that will not give offense to the noble earl.”
    â€œAbsolutely. Under no circumstances must we give offense to such a staunch ally. Christ Almighty, we don’t want Warwick for an enemy!”
    â€œPersonally, I have always liked de Beauchamp. I’ve never given a tinker’s damn about the dark rumors concerning the death of his wives. What happens in a man’s marriage is his own private affair. That is until he proposes to marry my sister. Then it suddenly becomes very much my business.”
    â€œIt is our duty to protect Jory from a marriage that would prove disastrous to her future happiness. The age difference alone would be insurmountable. Guy de Beauchamp must be at least fifteen years her senior.”
    â€œThat is not the greatest impediment. Warwick already has a son and heir. Any child he had by Marjory would receive neither his lands, castles, nor his noble title of Earl of Warwick.”
    â€œMarjory would never entertain such a match!”
    â€œWe must not give her any choice in the