Infamous by Virginia Henley Page B

the chance for himself, but he was completely unsure about condemning the exquisitely lovely Lady Marjory to a life of unhappiness. As the beautiful voices of the young choirboys filled the air, Warwick slipped unnoticed from Windsor’s chapel.
    Guy saddled Caesar, and with Brutus loping before him, he galloped north until he came to the edge of the Chiltern Hills, then turned east, riding through verdant Hertfordshire in deep contemplation. When he became aware of his surroundings, he realized that he was more than halfway to his castle of Flamstead. Warwick suspected that the sanctuary had unwittingly drawn him so that he could make his decision in the peaceful solitude of the lush meadows he used to crossbreed his distinctive and much sought after horses, renowned for their speed and strength.
    Guy decided to spend the night at Flamstead, make a firm decision about his future, and return to Windsor on the morrow. He knew what was in his heart, but he needed to come to terms with the cautionary thoughts that filled his head.

Chapter 6
    T he new Countess of Gloucester had not been nimble enough for a quick escape when she emerged from the chapel on Gilbert’s arm. Noble females of every age to whom weddings held a special fascination quickly surrounded her.
    Sylvia de Warenne joined the ladies showering the bride with rice, and their feminine shrieks of laughter filled the Lower Ward.
    John de Warenne joined his nephew. “I expected that Warwick would approach me. Has he spoken to you yet?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t seen him. My wife insisted we go to the chapel early so we would get a seat close to the front. I warrant that weddings don’t hold the same fascination for Warwick as they do for most noble ladies,” Lynx said dryly.
    The two men walked apart from the revelers, where their conversation would not be overheard. “I’ve been toying with the idea of deliberately mistaking Warwick’s offer to be on his son’s behalf when he approaches me. That way I could inform him that we consider Rickard far too young for Jory.”
    The earl was not amused. “As a man of mature years, I can assure you that nothing would offend him quite as much as being considered too old for Lady Marjory, or any other lady.”
    â€œYou are right, of course. Warwick is in his prime. His pride would be insulted by such an insinuation.”
    â€œI believe the best approach is to tell him we have had other offers and since any issue of a union between him and Marjory could never become his heir, she has chosen to wed Humphrey de Bohun, the Constable of England’s son and heir.”
    â€œYou know how willful she is. What if Jory chooses Guy de Beauchamp over Humphrey de Bohun?”
    â€œShe mustn’t be allowed to choose. We will inform her only of de Bohun’s offer of marriage.”
    Lynx was taken aback. “I cannot lie to my sister, John.”
    â€œWe won’t be lying. We simply won’t tell her that Warwick has offered for her. If any lies are necessary, as her legal guardian, I’ll be the one to tell them. A small sin, surely, to keep our beloved Jory from ruining her life?”
    Lynx thought it over and conceded. “Her happiness and well-being must take precedence over my conscience.”
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    The timing of the wedding banquet, which would not begin until late afternoon, helped Jory accomplish many of the last-minute tasks that must be completed before the Earl and Countess of Gloucester could depart for their country mansion at Clerkenwell the next morning. She supervised the servants as they crated up all the wedding presents that Joanna and Gilbert had received. Among the gifts were forty golden cups, forty silver forks, and twenty zones of vibrantly colored silk, many of which were shot through with real silver threads. There were so many hampers, coffers, baskets, and bags, it was difficult to keep track of them all, and Jory made a list,