< previous page page_303 next page >

Page 303
as she had requested. She was surprised that Gervase was not there, having believed it was her sister who reminded Richard of Marie's desire to speak to him, but in this she wronged her brother-by-marriage. He had remembered on his own.
Doubts flashed across Marie's mind; she would be confessing to a great sin. Would Richard change his mind about taking them to Clifford and send them instead back to Pembroke? If so, Gervase would make her life a hell for her. But he looked particularly good-humored, and Marie knew she would not have another opportunity to use this device. The attack on Shrewsbury might take weeks, and Richard might not return to Clifford but go on to some other action in the war. Also, Sybelle was here with Walter and would have to be told.
Clasping her hands nervously, she said in a quavering voice, "I have a great trouble to confess to you."
Richard's expression did not change. "I did suppose so," he said calmly. "I did not think you needed a private talk with me to tell me of a great joy. Well, what is it?" "I . . . I am with child," she whispered.
She expected a roar of rage, but Richard only lifted his brows. "That is no great surprise, either," he sighed. "What other great trouble is a woman likely to need to confess?"
Marie gasped with outrage. "I am no whore," she cried. "He promised me marriage!"
Now for the first time, Richard frowned. Likely, Richard thought, that fool of a woman had become enamored of some penniless but clever popinjay, who had got her with child because he believed that would force Pembroke to give permission for the marriage and then support them both. Any honorable man interested in marriage would have come to him first for permission. Or perhaps it was a young fool, and Marie had convinced him this was the only way to wring a livelihood from her niggardly guardian.
"So? Who is it?" He growled.
"Sir Walter de Clare," Marie snapped defiantly. "And since you would not offer enough, he went elsewhere for more. Now I am shamed and dishonored."
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then Richard got precipitately to his feet. "You lie!" he roared. "Bitch whore! You lie!"

 
< previous page page_303 next page >