Goddess of Legend by P. C. Cast Page A

be annulled. So that the partners are free to remarry.”
    “Without cause? Does not one partner have to admit to wrongdoing?”
    She wasn’t certain how to word it, but then just went for the big one. “It’s called irreconcilable differences. No one is to blame, it just . . . is. The marriage is no longer palatable to either partner.”
    He seemed to ponder that for quite a while. “I have not heard of this. When there are grievances within the bonds, I am of course faced with the task of assigning blame. The aggrieved man will then—”
    “Hold it. Don’t tell me it’s always the man who has been aggrieved.”
    “Should the woman lie with another, there is cause—”
    “What if it’s the man who’s been cheating?”
    His laughter almost echoed off the walls of the castle. “Isabel, I know not the laws in Dumont, but in all other lands of Briton, men are—”
    “Held to a different standard. Of course.”
    He frowned at her. “I am confounded by your sudden aggravation.”
    “I’m sorry, Arthur. I just find the double standard upsetting. But I should not be surprised. And I should not be taking my irritation out on you. It is what it is.”
    “Nonetheless, I apologize for upsetting you at all.”
    Isabel, stop. Make his day. You are one who may teach him another way.
    “No, you have been nothing but gracious. It’s my fault for feeling so strongly about something that you cannot understand.”
    He shook his head, chuckling. “But I wish to take up this topic again at a later date. You intrigue me, Isabel. I look forward to many more conversations with you.”
    “And I, you.” She didn’t know what drove her to say it, but she added, “Arthur, before we do something that we both might regret, it’s time to talk to Gwen. Tell her your feelings.”
    “She knows naught of my awareness.”
    Isabel shrugged. “So tell her you know. Ask her to choose. After all, the heart wants what it wants.”
    “At this moment, I do not know which answer I would prefer, Isabel.”
    She curtsied, a little better than before. “I look forward to those future conversations, Arthur.” And, man, she looked forward to a kiss. And more. But not tonight. His attraction to her was heady, but she wasn’t about to kiss a married man if he was only kissing her, or more, to show his wife that he, too, was capable of cheating in the marriage.
    Arthur bowed, then straightened and looked her in the eyes. “I wanted you tonight. But I understand your reluctance. And accept your decision.”
    “I appreciate that, sir. My honest advice? Talk to Gwen.”
    “I admit to not wanting to hear her answers.”
    “Man up, King Arthur.”

CHAPTER NINE
    ARTHUR entered his bedchamber, and Gwen was already there, waiting for him.
    Her dressing gown was open, her auburn hair falling down over her shoulders.
    There was a time when the sight of her would have him hard and ready to pick her up and take her straight to the bed furs. The truth was, even with what he had known, he most likely would still have taken her. So it surprised him that for once the sight of her beautiful young body did not make his member hard as a bed post. In fact, his member couldn’t have lifted a flea from a dog at the moment.
    When had he stopped wanting his wife? When had he stopped desperately loving her? It was not before his suspicions had been confirmed. He had tried to bring her back to him with lovemaking and romantic gestures.
    But her response to his love gestures were obvious. She no longer desired him as afore. What was shocking to him was that at this moment, he no longer desired her. The blue eyes and blond hair of a woman with a smart mouth and smart ideas kept running through his mind. He could not get Isabel out of his head.
    Gwen headed to him. She smelled of sex already, and he wanted to back away and beg her to bathe. “Where have you been, Arthur?” she asked.
    “I was debating with the countess,” he said, figuring that was no lie. “We