Here Be Dragons - 1 (97 page)

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"No ... I am not saying that. When I feel confident that Davydj can stave off any challenge to his authority, that he can safeguard what I've won, I'll give
Gruffydd his freedom."
"And you think that should give me comfort? That day will never come! Davydd will never be able to hold his own against Gruffydd!"
Llewelyn was not vulnerable from that quarter. "You are wrong Senena," he said quietly, with such calm certitude that Senena's rage spilled over.
"This is Joanna's doing, all of it! She's set you against your own, scrupled at nothing to get what she wantedthe crown for her son! How could you be so taken in? My God, if you only knew"
"If I only knew what, Senena?"
The coldness of the query brought her up short. What could she tell him? She had nothing but suspicions, needed more than afternoon disappearances, Joanna's obvious unease, and her own instincts. Not only would Llewelyn not believe her, he'd never forgive her.
"I do not mean to offend you, my lord. But I love your son, and who will speak for him if I do not? If you do not free Gruffydd in your lifetime, he will never be freed. If he is still confined at your death, he will remain caged for the rest of his days. Davydd will never let him go. Can you do that to him? Can you condemn him to a life in shadow, away from the sun and the changing seasons? Can you"
Llewelyn had no answer for her. He turned away in silence.
AT Michaelmas, Davydd and his sister Gwladys departed for London, where Davydd was to do homage to Henry. Joanna had decided not to accompany her son, in part because she did not want to take any attention away from Davydd's first diplomatic mission and in part because she did not want to leave Llewelyn for very long. He'd been sleeping badly since his return from Deganwy; all too frequently of late, she would awaken to find him staring into the dark, and she could offer only the most evanescent and ephemeral of comforts, winding her arms around him and holding him close, able to sympathize with his pain but not to share it.
She did agree to meet Davydd in Shrewsbury upon his return, and she arrived at the Benedictine abbey on a mild afternoon in October. Later that day a plainly dressed woman entered a Shrewsbury church, asked the priest to hear her confession. That she was a stranger did no surprise him, for there was a lamentable reluctance even among t"e truly devout to confess their more serious sins to their own pafis priests. She followed him toward the chancel, seated herself on the shriving stool, where she could be seen by all yet not heard, and if

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very low voice confessed to the sin of adultery. Afterward, Joa^ walked back to the abbey with a lighter step, for the first time in a y\ feeling at peace with herself. \
Davydd and Gwladys rode into the abbey precincts the follow morning, laden with gifts and London news. Joanna was delighted* discover they were accompanied by Elen and John the Scot. But } I smile froze at sight of the man riding at Elen's side, at sight of Will'' Braose. \
In accordance with Norman custom, dinner was served in the foi noon. The meal was less stressful, however, than Joanna had expect^' for Will was on his best behavior; even Gwladys thawed toward hi^ enough to laugh heartily at his maliciously accurate imitation of Hub<*' de Burgh at his most pompous. Not surprisingly, the London visit w 'i the focal point of conversation and the talk was easy, often amusing, ^ dinner passing without incident. ''
Afterward, Davydd took Joanna to the stables, where he proudi displayed his
London purchase, a superb red-gold stallion. "I remer/ bered those stories
Papa would tell me of Sul, his first horse, so I name this one Sulwyn. You think Papa will like him?" ^
Joanna was not deceived by Davydd's offhand manner, knew he' gone to great pains to find this particular look-alike for Sul, to give hi father this substitute solace. "Nothing could please him more, darling/ she said, and
Davydd smiled. Linking her arm in his, he led her towan a beckoning sheen of blue, toward the placid waters of the abbet, fishpond.
"Does Will plan to return with us to Aber?" Joanna asked as non chalantly as she could, felt a dizzying rush of relief when Davydd shoot his head. "Davydd
... I'd like to talk to you about Will and the plight troth. How do you feeltrulyabout taking his daughter to wife? Dar< ling, if you'd rather not, it's still not too late. Your father and I made a mistake with Elen, would not"
"Mama, I appreciate your concern, but there's no need. I've no objections to this match. Why should I? How many brides bring their husbands a prize like
Buellt Castle?"
"You are sure, Davydd? The girl's youth does not matter?" Davydd picked up a pebble, sent it skipping across the surface of 'he pool. "I know it'll be years ere Isabella can be a true wife to me, but in all honesty, Mama, I see that as no disadvantage." He gave her a sideways glance, a self-conscious smile. "There is a girl, you see ..." Joanna did see. "Do you love this girl, Davydd?" "I think so," he admitted. "But you need not fret. I've always known mine must be a marriage of state. Mari knows it, too, never exPected more of me than I could give. But I'd not see her hurt if I could

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what you would have me say? But it will avail you naught, for I ^, never act upon it. I will not destroy my marriage for you!"
She'd dropped the honeysuckle on the path and Will picked it UD crushed it between his fingers as he watched her move away. She \va all but running in her haste to put distance between them, did not look back.
11
ABER, NORTH WALES
April 1230
I OANNA and Gwladys were seated at a table in the great hall, making up the guest list for Gwladys's upcoming marriage to
Ralph de Mortimer. This was no less political a match than the other marital alliances Llewelyn had forged with his Norman-French neighbors. Ralph de
Mortimer was an influential Marcher lord, baron of Wigmore, his a family that had long been hostile to Llewelyn. But antagonism had yielded to expediency, and he'd shown himself eager to ally with the Welsh Prince, to wed Llewelyn's eldest daughter. Joanna was not all that impressed with Mortimer, a brash, forceful man, noted both for his candor and his quick temper. Gwladys, however, obviously saw something in him that Joanna did not; she had suggested the match to Llewelyn, after meeting Mortimer during her London visit, and now, with the wedding but weeks away, she gave every indication of looking forward to her new life as Ralph de Mortimer's lady.
"Shall we begin with the Marshals, Gwladys? My sister Nell will attend, of course, but Pembroke will have sailed with Henry for Brittany by then. I think we ought to invite Pembroke's younger brother, though; they are"
"Joanna ... I'd rather we wait. I asked Senena to join us." Although Joanna said nothing, hers was an expressive la ^ Gwladys leaned across the table. "Let us speak plainly. I do not bla Papa for keeping Gruffydd at
Deganwy, for Gruffydd gave him

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choice Nor do I blame you It is only natural that you should try to feguard
Davydd's rights Gruffydd has a man's courage, a man's will, but a child's grasp of the world we live in Yet I still love him, I still feel uis pain, and
I would never forsake him When he asks me for something/ I fry to oblige, and he asked me to include Senena in my wedding plans She needs this, Joanna, needs some pleasure in her life I want to do this for Gruffydd, want you to do it for me Will you7"
Such a question could have but one answer Joanna nodded "I'll fry," she said grudgingly "In all honesty, I cannot promise that she'll not provoke me, but I
will try "
"Fair enough " Gwladys half rose, beckoned to her sister-in-law Ah, there you are, Senena Joanna and I were just discussing those who cannot attend Chester, too will be sailing with the English King and Pembroke I doubt that Gwenlhan and her husband will come from Ireland But at least Marared and her husband will be present What of Elen and John the Scot, Joanna7"
"I think not," Joanna said regretfully "They're visiting the court of John's cousin, the Scots King, will not be back in time But my brother Richard and his wife will come for certes, and mayhap my aunt, the Countess of Salisbury "
"May I assume you do mean to squeeze in a few Welsh midst all these Normans7"
Joanna dropped her pen, splattering the parchment with ink Gwladys said hastily, "The Welsh will be well represented, Senena Here is our list Have you any suggestions to make7"
Senena gave the list only a perfunctory glance "What of Will de Braose and his wife7 Surely you do not mean to overlook them Or have you already given Will an invitation, Madame7"
"No, I have not'" Joanna drew a deliberate breath She could not do this to herself, could not allow her suspicions and her guilt to color the roost innocent of utterances, in that way lay madness "Of course I mean to invite
Will and Eva de Braose, they are Davydd's km now " And, picking up the pen, she inked in the names of her lover and his wife
Gwladys laughed suddenly, none too happily "That man always lc* have a diabolical sense of timing," she said, as Joanna turned with °reboding, saw
Will de Braose being ushered into the hall
He greeted the three women in turn, and then smiled at Joanna "I uPpose I
ought to have sent word ahead, but I took it for granted that y°u could accommodate me "
How long, Joanna wondered in sudden despair, was it to be like is How long ere she could talk to this man and not feel a shamed
Se of intimacy7 "You are ever welcome at my husband's court," she

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said reluctantly, stressing the words "my husband" in the vain hope that Will would understand the emphasis, abandon the chase. "But neither Llewelyn nor
Davydd is here. They are meeting in Bangor with the Bishop, and I do not expect them to return until the morrow. Mayhap you would rather continue on to
Bangor, join them there?"
"Bangor is but six miles," Gwladys chimed in, no more eager than Joanna to have Will at Aber. But he was shaking his head, saying that only a churl would give up an opportunity to pass an evening with three charming women, and
Joanna could only pray that neither Gwladys nor Senena caught the mockery beneath the good manners, that none but she could read the message in those amused grey eyes.
Dinner should have been a festive occasion, freed as they were of the monotonous menus of Lent; the table was bountifully set, and afterward there was music and dancing. But for Joanna, the evening was an ordeal. Will was in recklessly high spirits; he insisted upon dancing with Joanna and Gwladys, even attempted to coax Senena into joining the carole, and he flirted outrageously with Glynis, who seemed both flustered and flattered by his attentions. And all the while Joanna could feel Senena's eyes upon them, upon her and Will.
Joanna was standing alone, watching the dancers. When Will materialized unexpectedly at her side, her nerves betrayed her and she splashed half of her wine into the floor rushes. "Shall I fetch you another cup, Lady Joanna?" Will asked, so solicitously that she yearned to slap him.
"No. You've had enough wine tonight for both of us. You can do something for me, though. You can stop trying to bedazzle Glynis. Let her be, Will. There's no sport in seducing such an innocent."
Will laughed so loudly that he turned several heads in their direction. "
'Jealousy is cruel as the grave,'" he quoted softly. "Do you recognize that, Joanna? The Song of Solomon. Who'd ever expect to find so erotic a love poem in Scriptures? Shall I recite it for you? 'Behold, thou art fair, my love. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet. Thy breasts are like two'"
"Will, hush!" Joanna was truly frightened now. "When the stakes have become life or death, it is no longer a game. Have you not noticed how Senena keeps watching us? She puts me in mind of a stalking cat, makes me feel like a bird with a broken wing."
"The cat eyes are yours, love, not Senena's."
"Will, stop! Listen to me ... please. You must leave me alone, you do not, I'll have no choice but to denounce you, accuse you of ma ing unwelcome advances. Do not make me do that, Will. I do not wa you to come to harm!"
Will grinned. "Nor do I, darling!" But as he studied her face/

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srnil6 changed, became softer, more sympathetic. "I wish I could convince you, Joanna, that you're distressing yourself for naught. Why should you care what
Senena suspects as long as you have Llewelyn's trust? But if it will ease your mind, I'll strive for discretion. Now . . . tell
0ie quickly whilst we're still alone. Where can we meet. . . and when?"
Joanna gave a strained, shaken laugh. "You never hear me, do you? I do not know what else to say to you, how to convince you ..." Shoving her wine cup into his hand, she said, "I do want more wine, after all, Will. Would you mind?" And as soon as he moved away, she turned, crossed the hall to Gwladys.
"I know you like Will's company no more than I do, but I need you to act in my stead for the rest of the evening. Will you do that for me?"
Gwladys gave a mock grimace. "I cannot pretend I'm thrilled at the prospect.
But I do owe you a favor. Go along, then; I'll see to the hall and our guests."
As Joanna hurriedly departed the hall, Senena came to stand at Gwladys's side.
"It is rather early for bed, is it not?"
Gwladys shrugged. "Joanna does not find it easy, being with a de Braose."
Senena laughed; Gwladys did not like the sound of it, and she said with far less friendliness, "I am not asking you to sympathize with her predicament, Senena, merely to understand it."
"But I do." Senena was smiling. "I do understand, Gwladys. I understand very well, indeed."
ONE of the windows in Joanna's bedchamber was unshuttered, and the sounds of laughter and music carried on the quiet April air. Glynis was dutifully brushing out Joanna's hair, but she kept casting such wistful glances toward the window that Joanna at last relented.
"Never mind," she said. "You need not braid my hair into a night plait. Would you like to return to the hall?" "Oh, yes, Madame, thank you!"
"But Glynis ... do take care. Do not pay too much heed to Will de waose's honeyed words. His promises are counterfeit coins; they look genuine until you seek to spend them."
Glynis blushed and then grinned impishly. "I know that, Madame, do. But it's like our trips to the Shrewsbury market; I can enjoy looking ^'thout necessarily meaning to buy!"
Joanna smiled, waved the girl out. Alone now in the bedchamber, e felt calmer, safe both from temptation and exposure. Talking to Will uld do no good whatsoever. The more she said no, the more in-
p*ed he became. She could not trust him, and in all honesty, she was not sure she could trust herself. She and Will must never be alone.