The Lily and the Lion by Catherine A. Wilson, Catherine T Wilson Page A

You shall receive titles and wealth but above all you shall stay by my side. Armagnac will concede,’ he whispered, lowering his lips to mine, ‘if he ever wants to see his daughter again.’

    The rising of the sun the following morning had not made my future any brighter. The Prince of Wales took his leave and Odette, my new confidante, informed me that Marguerite and Philippe were granted absence to attend to their latest duties. Edward installed his own staff at the inn but Guillaume remained as master of his kitchen domain. Odette was re-assigned as my personal maid.
    She carefully placed a tray upon the table and with the familiarity that had grown between us, slid onto the bed with a giggle.
    â€˜So, how was it? You look suitably bedraggled.’
    I pulled up the covers, hugging my knees to my chin, and shrugged.
    â€˜His kisses were not so bad then.’
    â€˜No,’ I agreed reluctantly, ‘but I did not choose this path. He may use me but he does not possess my heart.’
    â€˜Well,’ she declared, taking on a worldly look as she tugged her skirt to cover her exposed ankle. ‘Not yet, but he intends to. I was chatting to one of the boys in the stable. He said your courier has a dispatch for Edith de Willesford when he gets to London. I daresay the girl will be none too pleased. She is to be discreetly retired to the country.’ She smiled knowledgably. ‘She was Edward’s mistress.’
    â€˜But the Prince is only using me to gain my father’s compliance!’
    â€˜And what a weapon you would be if he won your love, eh?’
    â€˜Well, he shall not! You know I intend to escape soon.’
    Odette shook her head and tutted. ‘Men know more tactics under the sheets than upon the battlefield. You must protect yourself if you do not wish to succumb to his charm. You must deter his advances until your opportunity for escape presents itself. How long shall you wait?’
    â€˜Two weeks. That should give my sister time to hide.’
    â€˜Then tell his Lordship that you are inflicted with your courses. That will occupy one week.’
    â€˜Odette! I cannot say that to a man.’
    My maid snorted and rolled her eyes. ‘You think they don’t know? All you have to say is that you are “indisposed” and most back away as though you have a dose of the crabs.’
    â€˜Oh! And what of the second week?’
    â€˜Hmm.’ She gnawed at her thumbnail as though it were a juicy bone. ‘You must keep the advantage at all times. Ply him with wine and render him off guard, then encourage him to mount. By the finish he will only wish for sleep.’ She caught my arm. ‘Under no circumstances must you let his hands or kisses venture below your waist. This is crucial. To do so will give him the advantage and you will be lost. Meanwhile, I will see what arrangements I can make.’ She slid off the bed and began to tidy the covers. ‘It may bode well that his Highness is much occupied with this treaty thing. If you are able to deny him a week, then he will certainly fulfil his own needs first.’
    Odette’s predictions were surprisingly correct and I tried not to fathom why I felt so dissatisfied. Edward looked less than pleased when I informed him, with head sagaciously bowed, that Madame Nature had played him false. Bitterly he retreated each night alone, but by the end of the week and as surely as a homing pigeon returns to roost, I was re-installed in his coop. I heeded Odette’s warning and his wine cup had been repeatedly filled. Lips and fingers that wandered too far were carefully drawn back and I learned how to arch my hips in a manner that Edward could not resist. Even so, his skill was not wanting and I found myself precariously plunging into deeper waters. I knew the time to leave was nigh when one evening I had very nearly allowed his exploring hands their freedom.
    Edward cupped my face within his palms,