Free Jenna Jaxon - Time Enough to Love 03 by Beleaguered

“But we will now put aside these sad thoughts, for we have before us two whole days to…how did Geoffrey say it?”
    “Take joy in each other.”
    “Aye,” Thomas agreed with a gleam in his eye. “Take joy in each other. I think it an excellent idea. Come, Alyse. Give me joy.”
    Despite sadness and overwhelming fear, she could not deny him. She reached for him to give him what happiness her body could provide and take solace from his in return.
     

Chapter 6
     
    When the end of August drew near with no evidence of the plague appearing in Loremo, the entire court breathed a sigh of relief . The princess decreed a day of celebration followed by a day of fasting and prayer. And, to her surprise, Alyse found she had regained her place of honor with Princess Joanna. Life had taken another turn—for the better, in all aspects save one.
    The morning after the joyous feast, she had risen before dawn, despite the long night of love she and Thomas had shared. As she stood braiding her hair, she stared absently at the sleeping form of her husband. Whenever they joined together in bed, he managed, as he had from the first time, to make her burn solely for him. In the quiet aftermath, however, no matter how hard she tried to stop it, he always slipped from beloved to lover. And, to her shame, thoughts of Geoffrey had begun to creep into her mind once more. She fought against them as never before, renewing her resolve to remain faithful to Thomas alone. How long this struggle would last she knew not. But the ache in her heart grew daily.
    Thomas rolled over in bed , his eyes fluttering open. He gazed at her then a frown rent his face. “Why are you dressed so early, sweet? ’Tis barely light. I thought sure we had some hours left to ourselves?” He held out his hand to her, and she smiled as she moved to him.
    “I am sorry, my love, but the princess bade us all come to her chapel early this morn for special prayers of thanksgiving that the pestilence has seen fit to pass us by. Were it otherwise , I would certainly still be in your bed.” Alyse kissed the hand that entwined hers. “There is nothing short of a royal command would keep me from you.” She leaned over to give him a loving kiss. “When do you meet Geoffrey?”
    “He will come fetch me before breakfast so that we may see to some business in the village before the heat of the day sets in.” Thomas stretched and lay back on the pillows. “’Til then I shall lie abed, remembering the sweetness of our night past.”
    “You are lazy today, my lord.”
    “You have worn me out these last few nights, my lady.”
    Alyse looked askance at him and moved back to stand before her husband, hands on hips. “A complaint, Lord Braeton?”
    He grinned, a wicked glint in his eyes. “A boast on your behalf, Lady Braeton.”
    “Mayhap then tonight we should simply sleep the night away in sweet repose,” she said, with feigned innocence. “I would not have you fatigued and neglect your duties.”
    Thomas chuckled and pulled her down to him. “Not while I have breath in my body, sweet Alyse.” He pressed another, more ardent kiss to her mouth.
    Loath to leave when he heated her passion thus, Alyse sighed and broke the kiss, moving determinedly toward the door. At the moment , her duty lay with the princess, not her husband. “I will return to you as soon as possible, my love,” she said, blowing him another kiss ere she closed the door.
    Determined to contemplate the task at hand and not her longing to return to Thomas, Alyse made her way to Princess Joanna’s private chapel. She opened the door, hoping the service had not yet begun. As she stepped inside, the complete silence of the place gave her pause. Had she mistaken the time the princess had appointed? There was certainly no one in evidence here, not even the priest who had come with them from England as the princess’s spiritual advisor. Frowning, Alyse left the chapel and walked swiftly toward Joanna’s