Infamous by Virginia Henley Page A

heart yearned for him. Surely she was the luckiest female alive to have captured Guy de Beauchamp’s interest. He was a prize beyond her wildest dreams.
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    The next morning Joanna summoned her four ladies. It was obvious to each of them that she was in an expansive and generous mood. “I truly appreciate your friendship, loyalty, and hard work on my behalf. I have suddenly come to realize my own good fortune that you are in my service. You are all at an age when marriage will take you from me, so before that happens I would like to reward each of you with a token of my affection.”
    The countess gave a signal, and Gloucester foot-men wearing livery carried in the bolts of vivid silk woven with silver thread that she had received as a wedding gift. “The choice is yours.”
    As the other three ladies pondered indecisively, Jory unerringly chose the bolt of silk that would be most flattering to her delicate coloring. The pale jade green was the exact color of her eyes. “It’s the loveliest cloth I’ve ever seen. I thank you with all my heart!”
    The Earl of Gloucester came into the chamber. “Good morning, ladies.” When each curtsied to him, he quickly shook his head. “Be at ease—such formality makes a soldier uncomfortable.” His friendly eyes brimmed with secret amusement as they sought out Jory. “Lady Marjory, you have a visitor.”
    She hurried downstairs to the reception hall, thinking perhaps someone had brought a message from her brother. She almost missed a step as she saw Warwick pacing the room, slapping his riding gloves against his thigh. “Guy…I didn’t expect…Guy!”
    He held out his hand to her. “I wanted it to be a surprise. Come, see what I’ve brought you.”
    She slipped her hand into his, trying not to feel self-conscious that the servants might see, and matched her steps to his as he swept her from the hall into the courtyard. There stood a beautiful white palfrey with a long silken mane and tail.
    â€œI rode all the way to Flamstead for a mount that is worthy of you, chéri . That’s why you didn’t see me yesterday.”
    â€œSuch a costly gift…Are you sure it is permissible to come and visit me like this, my lord?” she asked breathlessly.
    â€œCertes! Gloucester invited me. He cannot stop laughing that such a jaded swine as myself has finally lost his heart.”
    â€œOh, Guy, I love you so much!” She raised her mouth to his.

Chapter 7
    W arwick lifted Jory into the saddle, then mounted Caesar. “Come on, let’s go for a wild gallop.”
    â€œI will have to ask Joanna to excuse me.”
    â€œNonsense,” Warwick said firmly. “You won’t be in her service much longer. She knows what’s in the wind, and if she doesn’t, Gilbert will soon explain matters.”
    Her white palfrey took a couple of steps, sidling away from the huge black Caesar. Tiny silver bells attached to her harness tinkled prettily and Jory was delighted with the effect. “None would ever guess to look at you that you are an incurable romantic, Monsieur de Beauchamp.”
    â€œYou are in grave danger if you reveal my secret, chéri .”
    The corners of her mouth went up. “Will you beat me to a jelly? I shudder at the thought. You’ll have to catch me first.” She touched her knees to the palfrey and it surged forward.
    â€œI’ll make you shudder,” he vowed, plunging after her.
    Seemingly from out of nowhere, Brutus appeared and loped ahead of them as they rode through the flower-strewn meadows down to the river. They drew rein to view the foreign vessels that lay at anchor on the broad Thames.
    â€œI wonder what cargoes they carry?” she mused.
    â€œThat one yonder is a Flemish merchantman. Likely it will carry fine English fleeces to Bruges and Antwerp in Flanders.”
    â€œWe breed many sheep on de Warenne lands. Do