The Woman Inside (31 page)

Ceylon nodded sympathetically, enraptured by the tale.

“On our wedding night he stained the sheets with his blood and later slipped
away to be with his real wife, as the three of us now thought of her.” She
closed her eyes for a moment. Even the shadows couldn’t mask her tension, and
when she opened them her expression was bleak. “I planned to travel, see the
world, but was too frightened to see it on my own. I was little more than a
child at the time. It was probably a wise choice. Before I could grow up,
Roland’s mistress cuckolded him. He tossed her out and went off to war, leaving
me behind to care for the estates.”

“How long was he gone?” Ceylon whispered. Her heart ached for her friend.

Allyson’s jaw tightened. “Ten years. The first I saw him was when I met up
with you as the mistral and came here to get my annulment.”

“But that was a year ago!”

“Yes. The buffoon stood before the queen and said he would be willing to
consummate the marriage if I would. Her Majesty thought it a grand idea and
ordered us to spend a year under the same roof that he might try his luck.” Pure
anger flashed in her eyes. “Well, his luck has run out, and here I am again--and
this time I will be free.”

Ceylon didn’t know what to say. All this time she had thought well of Roland,
and now ... Anger flared in her as well. How could Uric call Roland a
friend?

* * * *

“You know nothing about him,” Uric said coolly. He still couldn’t believe
Ceylon had confronted him as if he were in the wrong. He looked longingly at the
bed he wouldn’t lie on for a good while yet as he joined Ceylon before the
fire.

“He made her stay married to him! After abandoning her! What kind of man does
that?”

“A man in love?” Uric sighed, shook his head. “Even he doesn’t know what
prompted him to say the words, Ceylon, but he’s determined to make his marriage
work. He does care, and he has one month left to win Allyson before the
annulment is granted.” He took her hands, looked at her steadily. “It’s
important that we don’t try to interfere here. We don’t know their hearts, and
we need to let them work out their own problems. Taking sides will only ruin our
friendship.”

“But....”

“It could turn out well, you know. Just think how romantic it would be if
they solved all their problems and lived happily ever after. And at the worst at
least they will both have the freedom to start over. What is a month?” He could
hardly believe he was spouting such womanly nonsense--he personally didn’t think
they had the chance of a cat in a sack in a ragging river--but anything to cheer
his wife.

Troubled, she stared at the rug. “It just doesn’t seem fair.”

Aw. His heart always broke when she wore that look. Women always wanted a
happily ever after. “No.” He knelt before her and ducked into her line of
vision. “It’s not fair, but such is love. Aren’t you glad you took a chance on
me?”

A ghost of a smile curved her lips. “I suppose.”

Mischief sparkled in his eyes. He slipped her pinkie into his hot wet mouth.
“You suppose?” he said around the finger.

She giggled. “Very well. I’m glad.”

Uric released her, turned serious. “I do love you. Always will,” he said
solemnly.

Pleasure and love burst in Ceylon’s heart. She felt as if she’d just pocketed
the moon. “Show me,” she whispered.

And he did.