The Everlasting Covenant by Robyn Carr

sister sitting before the fire. They were laughing together when they looked her way, and she was instantly envious. “ I see you have learned your lesson well, ” Divina said with sarcasm. “ If you wear your poorest threads, perhaps the earl will flog us all and purchase you even more. ”
    “ That is not why she dresses in threadbare working tunics, ” Marcella explained. “ It is because she knows her place when the earl is not present to chastise us for her appearance. Even though I lend to his cause a husband, three sons, and their knights, it is only to bed my youngest that stirs his blood. ”
    Anne felt the diamond marriage ring as she clenched her fists. “ I thought to promote York was your cause as well, madam. ”
    “ Indeed, daughter, and my cause would be better served if the earl reckoned with all that this family can do to aid him. We send one hundred knights, a number to be proud of, but he hungers mostly for your proper attire, making no mention of our strong arms. ”
    “ He is more concerned with the condition of poor Anne ’ s gown than with the men who might be killed in the fighting, ” Divina said angrily, as if Anne were responsible for this war.
    “ Then why did the men go? ” Anne asked. “ Surely not because the earl wishes to marry me and clothe me well. ”
    “ Surely not, ” Marcella said. “ Yet his gratitude and gifts fall to you, as though you have performed some great task just by passing before his eyes. How did you manage to trap him? ”
    “ I never met him before he asked for me, ” Anne cried defen sively. “ Please, I did nothing to slight either of you. ”
    “ Perhaps the wench did no more than smile at him from Father ’ s pavilion .. . just before she bared her bosom. ”
    Divina ’ s remark cut like a knife. Anne glanced at her sister. Divina wore a costly gown that had been specially sewn to draw the eyes of eligible men to her generous bosom and narrow waist, for those were her most enviable assets. Divina, but a younger version of their mother, had a narrow face, sharp nose, weak chin, and pale, thin hair. Her voluptuous shape drew attention away from plain looks, but soon Divina would be worse than plain -- her mouth had already begun to turn down in disappointment and anger as their mother ’ s did.
    “ Shhh, ” Marcella cautioned. “ We mustn ’ t upset the future countess by calling her a wench. Please do not complain to the earl, my dear. Another lashing is not my desire. ”
    Anne knew the moment had come. Brennan had warned her. Though she could not understand their reasons, the fact was simple -- her mother and sister resented her, possibly hated her. And they would victimize her and use her until she refused to allow it.
    “ It is a pity you hate me so well, ” she said, her eyes dry and her posture proud. “ You can be so cruel to me when Lord Forbes is absent that it will be impossible to be tricked by your courtesy when he returns. I thought I had a generous and forgiving heart until today, but I cannot find leniency now. I doubt I shall be able to forgive you. ” She turned away and took two steps toward the stair. She turned back. “ And you are correct – Lord Forbes treasures me far more than I deserve. I shall be the Countess of Ayliffe. I do hope you have no needs, or a desire to visit. I will find it difficult to succor this family that so despises me. ”
    They were silent as she slowly climbed the stairs. A young castlemaid was descending, and as she passed, Anne requested a tray of food and wine brought to her room. She had never before asked for any special treatment. It was plain that the only way she could exist among them was to play this role that had been assigned to her, a role she had never wanted.
    She heard their whisperings as she approached her chamber. She pulled off her old gown and searched through her trunks for a new bedgown and chamber robe. She found satin slippers for her feet. And, although she had no