Free Desired by Virginia Henley Page B

go of her brother’s arm and took hold of Edmund’s.
    The Prince of Wales winked at the Earl of Kent. “Just a moment, Bella. I don’t think I should let you go with this wild man.”
    Isabel’s mouth turned sulky. “Edward, please, just one dance?”
    The Earl of Kent placed his hand over his heart. “One dance, I swear on my honor as a gentleman!”
    As Edward watched the pair walk down the gallery toward the Banqueting Hall, he captured Joan’s hand and pulled her through the gallery doors. They slipped upstairs to the solar, which was deserted at this hour. It was used most in daylight hours, when its long windows let in thesunshine. No candles burned, but the moonlight flooded in, touching Joan’s hair and gown with its pale, ethereal light.
    “You are so unearthly fair,” Edward murmured, tracing a finger along the soft white ermine at her shoulder.
    Joan placed her palms against his broad chest and stroked the hard muscles. The heat from his body spread into her hands and she felt his heart thudding, hard and strong.
    Edward groaned. He threaded his fingers into her hair and cupped her face as if he were holding a chalice. Slowly, he lifted it to his lips. “I’ve waited three hours to do this.” The curve of his lips fit hers perfectly, moving with a slow, deliberate thoroughness. The pressure of his mouth increased and his thumbs moved up to brush their lips where they fused, then parted them so he could plunge inside her.
    Joan gasped as a thrill ran down her entire body and his sleek tongue probed deep, mastering her.
    His powerful arms slid about her body and lifted her to fit his. His thighs were solid as marble and his phallus, which rose up against her soft belly, was rigid with his need.
    She arched against him and slid her arms about his strong neck. His hands went beneath her buttocks to support her and the feel of him was so intense, she tore her mouth away so she could cry out her pleasure.
    “Sweet, sweet,” Edward murmured against her throat. “Jeanette, I cannot let you go from me tonight. I want to make love to you until dawn.”
    “No, Edward, we cannot. I must remain virgin or I will be worthless to your father.”
    He let her feet slip back to the carpet. “You’d wed another?” he demanded incredulously.
    “The king will betroth me and there is naught I can do!”
    The king, at this moment, was pressing Katherine de Montecute to dance. The Countess of Salisbury thought it would occasion gossip. He used the Countess of Pembroke to persuade her. “William will expect me to take good care of her, isn’t that so, Lady Pembroke? Come dance with me, Katherine, I have some news that will hearten you.”
    “Edward, you have no shame,” she whispered.
    “Katherine, where you are concerned, I have not.” Hesqueezed her hand intimately. “I do have news, though. Your husband is in Paris. He’s a guest at the French Court until his ransom is arranged.”
    “He’s a prisoner, not a guest, Edward!”
    “Katherine, he has no doubt dined as sumptuously as we have tonight and at this moment is very likely enjoying some delicious French tart.”
    She laughed at his witticism.
    “That’s better. No tears, beloved. Life’s too short. When this dance is over, I want you to come with me to the solar. Before I go up to the queen, I want to say good night to you in private.”
    Prince Edward and Joan drew apart quickly as the door swung open. The cresset lamps at the entrance revealed the king and the Countess of Salisbury.
    “Father!” Edward said in surprise.
    “Edward? Is that you?” The king took a lamp from its bracket and lifted it high so that it illuminated the occupants of the solar. The two Plantagenets stared at each other in silence. Neither pair of brilliant blue eyes showed the slightest hint of guilt.

T he king said, “We have much to discuss. Has your mother told you our plans?”
    “No. I haven’t seen her yet.”
    “Good, we will go together.” The king turned