Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.

Part 1 is called Betrothal and I’m so excited!  I am now shooting for an early November release date, and I will keep you informed.

The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.

This excerpt is UNEDITED.  Please be kind.

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  After receiving the news that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse is less than happy with her arranged marriage.   I’m skipping ahead to the following night, at dinner, Geoffrey has drawn Alyse over to his table, hoping to talk to her in private.  He is met, however, with his group of friends, led by Thomas who think to make sport of the couple.  Thomas makes the suggestion (in jest) that Alyse should know him before she is wed.  Geoffrey, piqued that Alyse still shows an interest in his friend, gives her leave to answer the lewd statement. But when she acquits herself credibly in wordplay, she draws Geoffrey’s ire–and desire.

I’ve skipped ahead a little.  Alyse has manoevered around Geoffrey’s verbal landmines, and draws him out a little in conversation about their forthcoming departure for Spain.

“But I am deeply sorry you must leave your home, my lord, since it is so dear to you.”

“”Tis not your fault, little maid.” Geoffrey covered her hand with his and the warmth of her skin seemed to burn through him. “A soldier knows he must go where he is called, and though I am not called to fight, still I am in the service of the king and will go where he bids me. Though our fathers decreed we should marry, ‘twas the insistence of the king that I go with you to Spain.  Princess Joanna is loath to part with you.” He meant it as a compliment—that she was highly placed in the princess’s affections—but the dark, wide eyes in the pale, drawn face foretold some ill omen. He had to lean in to hear her low whisper.

“Then it is my fault you will be sent from your home.”

* * * *

Alyse stared at him aghast, disaster looming at the beginning of their marriage.  How much would he ever resent her for wresting him from his home and country? Tears welled up in her eyes, suddenly overwhelmed with tremendous guilt at her part in his pending exile. Had she not served the princess so well, perhaps she would not have been chosen to accompany her to Spain. A great honor, yes, but at what cost? And the fear of him she had begun to dismiss crept back. Would he punish her for his banishment?

The first tears brimmed over and trickled down her cheeks. Alyse raised a hand to shield this weakness from him,tried to turn away. But before she could even shift in her seat, his big hand descended on her shoulder. She stiffened, resisted, though she might as well have tried to fight upstream against a torrent. Relentless, he drew her around the end of the table until she pressed against his hard chest and his free hand guided her head to rest against his shoulder.

“Shhh, do not cry, sweet. ‘Tis not your fault. Our fathers betrothed us; neither of us had choice in the matter.” His gentle tone belied his previous gruff exchange.  Her heart calmed a trifle.

“But, Alyse.” He turned her head and she looked into clear, kind eyes. “For my part, if I must travel hence to Spain, I can think of none other I would have accompany me as my wife.” He brushed the tears away with his thumb.

His compassion stunned her, as sweet as it was unexpected. Was this the same great oaf as yesterday? She blinked back tears and struggled to sit up, but Geoffrey’s unyielding arms held her close. Somehow, his nearness did not frighten her as much now.

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Betrothal.   And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.