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.The breeze chilled her tear-dampened face and lifted the edges of her wimple like air under a dove's wings.Would that she could soar into infinity."Lady Rochelle." Becket said her name with the same gentleness as the caress of the wind.She swiped at her tears and straightened her spine.A boulder blocked her throat and prevented a response.Becket stepped up to the wall, beside her."Lady Rochelle, I." His breath hissed, then he stilled.She dared a glance at his face.He stared at the vista beyond the wall, rapture in his eyes."I'd forgotten how magnificent.In truth, I'd remembered the beauty, how much I loved this land, but I'd forgotten how incredible the sight from this vantage point.I used to come here as a lad.I had a stool upon which I stood so that I could see over the wall into the valley.Sacre Dieu.I had moments when I feared I'd never see this land again.And now."A shudder shivered his body and she knew his soul bore the brand of DuBois as deeply as did her own.He released a sigh and lowered his gaze to hers."Is loyalty too much for a husband to ask of his wife?""I.I." She closed her eyes and forced her mind into a coherent thought."'Tis all so overwhelming."Unable to handle the warring emotion that threatened whenever she looked at Becket, an emotion she could neither explain nor understand, she focused on the Pyrenees that thrust snow-capped heads toward the opalescent heavens."Ever since my father's injury during the hunt this morn, I've felt as if torn asunder by vicious dogs that must first devour me to get to the prize kill of DuBois.I need time to.to reconcile my fate.""And time to plot how to oust me from DuBois?"She froze, then dared meet his gaze."I don't deny the accusation."He cocked a brow in apparent surprise."I tell you true, Sire, at this moment, even though I know 'tis impossible, I'd give all for an annulment.""'Tis possible."Rochelle's hope soared like the bird she had hoped to become such a short moment ago.She studied his face, his posture, struck by how much he blended with the jewels of DuBois---his eyes and hair of jet, his armor of silver, his jupon of ruby and gold.As if he belonged.Her hope faltered.Becket clasped his hands behind him and widened his stance, the confident warrior."Before I honor your request, I'd best explain the direction the water flows, which, by the way, is always downhill."Not certain she could handle more ill tidings, Rochelle held her breath, her hands fisted at her sides with nervous apprehension.She felt alone and unprotected as he towered over her, all muscle and armor."I came this day to take DuBois by battle or by guile.I had determined that before the sun sank below the Pyrenees, I'd slay Reynaurd and reclaim what is mine.Then I would plan how to take back Moreau."Fingernails of foreboding rasped along Rochelle's nerves.Her lungs constricted and refused to breathe."I never dreamt I'd be given DuBois by the devil's own hands.I never imagined I'd wed the enemy's daughter, but I saw an opportunity to accomplish my goal without bloodshed, without the destruction of DuBois.And then to have Moreau become mine with such ease."She could only stare at him, in wait for what she felt most certain she didn't wish to hear.Becket tilted his head downward and returned her studied examination as if he watched to see her reaction to his next revelation."I will honor your request about an annulment, Lady Rochelle, in fact I insist.But I warn you.I refuse to relinquish DuBois."Dread oozed over her raised flesh.What did he mean by such opposites? Becket's gaze drifted out over the valley and she could sense his unease, yet why, she couldn't imagine; he had risen from pauper to lord within mere moments.A breeze ruffled the black curls of his hair, swirled the hem of his blood-red jupon."All this day while the land sifted into my hands like manna from heaven, I have been tortured with my oath to Reynaurd, the man who slew my father.Do I honor the vows, or do I not? Do I bed his daughter? Do I send her away?"A cry rent from her heart."Send me away? You make no sense! You insisted upon the vows.You flirted, you teased, you almost.almost." Remembrance aroused her fury."If you never meant to retain me as wife, then what purpose did you intend with that rude inspection in my father's chamber as if I was but livestock, and then later with that threatening scene on my bed where you pretended to take me by force, only to turn away in revulsion? To portray me as a fool? Did you believe that to steal my land wasn't enough, you felt urged to humiliate me as much as possible?”She saw him wince, but he stared beyond the stone walls as if unwilling to face her with his perfidy."At first I had decided to do aught in order to take what belongs to me.And then in your chamber, I realized that once I thrust into you, I accomplished more than the mere joining of our bodies.I would thrust into a permanent bond with all I hate.Your obvious dislike for me, for any man---or, so you claim---solved my dilemma."An uncontrollable shiver radiated from the center of her bones and all through her body."Now I understand why your display of humor as my father lay dying; 'twas the overflow of your uproarious laughter you kept hidden lest we discover your treachery before you accomplished the theft."His chest rose with a deep sigh, then he turned his gaze to hers.The unbendable determination she saw in his eyes intensified her shiver."Lady Rochelle, I understand your hurt, but I doubt another man would have been as generous as I.You are still alive and unravished.""How magnanimous.You merely think to shove me into oblivion while you take all.I remind you, Sire.You made an unbreakable knight's bargain with my father.You signed the papers.The deed is official.""Cherie, your desires spin so quickly from one opposite to another I grow dizzy.You are the one who wanted an annulment, n'est-ce pas? You hated the thought of my bedding you so much that you said you would give all to be rid of me.How like a female; I accept your request and now you protest."And how like a male to throw her words back at her for his own argument.Rochelle turned her back to the valley and lifted her sight to the peaks of the Pyrenees that rose from behind the square towers and round turrets like lofty extensions of the castle."Sire Becket, see how the mountains reign like royalty, crowned with snow, robed in purple shadows trimmed with ermine clouds, unaffected by human tragedy, there long before us, long after us.And yet like DuBois, I am dependent upon their existence, for I couldn't bear not to be blessed by the sight of them, not to stand upon a windswept cleft and heal my bruised spirits." With her pulse as loud as a death-knell, she turned and threw him a pleading gaze."Sire, I am as in need of the DuBois air as the fish in the river is of water.DuBois wine flows in my veins.My soul is of the fertile earth, with roots that reach deep into the soil.Uprooted, I will surely die.""Ah, so 'tis not the loss of my charms that brings such distress to your eyes the hue of blue gentian flowers.Honesty is a sharp weapon." He shook his head."And yet you know me not.What if I decided to beat you, to torture you for your father's sins? Would you still wish to remain?"Her mind screamed in silent panic."I.I.please don't, Sire, I---""Or will you suffer that which you fear most in the world, the sharing of our bodies? However, to reveal a secret, I think your virginal protests hide a temptation to taste the fruit forbidden."Pride leapt to her defense."Non! But---"Becket laughed as he shook his head."You don't pant with eagerness to share my bed, Lady Rochelle? You've stabbed my self-esteem a most brutal blow
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