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shoulders as he moved. An enamel-link belt rode low on his lean hips. Black
hose revealed a length of sinewy legs before disappearing into soft, leather
slippers--without the curled points that were popular at Rufus's court, she
noted approvingly. He was easily the handsomest man there--even more so than
Henry, who was certainly well-favored.
Ranulf was ushered above the salt, past the knights and half a dozen
beautiful, splendidly dressed ladies to the high table and to a carved wooden
chair to the right of Prince Henry. The place next to that was empty, also.
Aldyth allowed herself a brief moment of longing, wishing she could shed her
disguise and sit at his side, gorgeously arrayed, as his lady. But that was
not to be, she reminded herself. "Ah, Ranulf.
Now we can sup. But first, I must tell you I was devastated on your behalf
when I learned you had so generously given up your mistress--Vivienne, wasn't
that her name--to the joys of wedded bliss. I would not have you bereft at
my court in this festive time of year, my Ranulf.
Therefore I have a little reward for your service in my cause. "
He snapped his fingers in the direction of a tapestry behind the dais.
What emerged from the alcove hidden behind the tapestry would have made
Aldyth gasp if she hadn't practiced dissembling so much of late.
A woman lifted the heavy fabric and emerged from the shadows, gliding forward
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so smoothly that she seemed to float rather than walk to Ranulf's side.
"Lord Ranulf of Kingsclere, may I present the Lady Desiderata,"
intoned Prince Henry next to him.
"Desiderata-it means 'to be desired," of course. I'm certain you'll agree
the name suits her admirably, hein? " The prince gave a low chuckle as he
watched Ranulf stare at her. Lady Desiderata was blessed with a
spectacularly pale countenance that set off her fiery red cloud of hair to
perfection.
She parted full, lush lips in a seductive smile that revealed perfect, pearly
teeth. Her eyes were topaz. Cat's eyes, Aldyth thought, even as her heart
sank.
Ranulf would not be able to resist the invitation inherent in the woman's
swaying hips. She was dressed in a bliaut of silver samite that might have
been painted on her, so lovingly did it cling to every one of her
considerable curves.
"Twas as if she had known that Ranulf would dress in gray and had chosen her
silver gown to complement his choice.
"Lord Ranulf, I would welcome you to the Cotentin," she said. Her voice was
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low-pitched and throaty and cares seA his name as she said it.
"My lord has bid me see to your every need. I'm sure you'll be quite
comfortable here."
Could Ranulf find nothing to say. 9 Aldyth found her hands clenched around
the platter of meat she carried as, all around them, Henry's knights whistled
and catcalled.
Ranulf continued to stare up at the woman standing before him, his lean face
impassive.
"I--I'm sure I shall," he said, which set off new hoots from the lower
tables. Lady Desiderata continued to stand next to him, smiling her
untroubled, secret smile. "Well, don't just sit there, man! Have you been
at my brother's court so long you've forgotten what to do? Invite the lady
to sup with you?
It was as if Rannlf came out of a deep trance then and got to his feet.
"Certainly, my lord.
"Twas just that I could not believe my eyes. Lady Desiderata, would you
honor me by your presence?" he asked, bowing and indicating the chair beside
him. The woman inclined her head in gracious assent and slid into her seat.
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A black curtain of misery dropped around Aldyth, numbing her fingers, and she
dropped the platter full of roast capon.
It landed with a thunk on the rushes below. It was not a loud noise, but the
resultant stampede of snarling, yapping hounds that rushed from their places
beneath the table to partake of the unexpected bounty was a cacophony of
noise that ensured that all eyes fell on her as she attempted to at least
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