Chapter 11 chapter Ten
Alex was lounging on Ryan's bed, one bare foot hanging from the edge of the bed, and a soft leather slipper dangling from two happy toes.From her toes to the root of her hair, there is nothing in her body that is not happy and relaxed.Ryan really fulfilled his promise.He was insatiable throughout the night, and he didn't let her close her eyes for half a second, and manipulated her around like a rag doll.
For a while she was on top, for a while she was pressed down by him, and for a while he pulled her to lie on her side, trapped between his legs.He was sweet and tender at one moment, rough and domineering at another moment, and seemed to become boring in an instant, as if he had forgotten her existence.That's when Alex would pull out all the stops to get his attention back.His sexy husky laugh told her that it was all fake, that he wasn't boring at all.
The sun comes out and she finally begs him to spare her.He kissed the tip of her nose, got up with a crooked smile, cleaned up, dressed and left the tent.Alex was able to rest his aching and bruised body and sleep for a few hours.
At this moment she finally woke up, and she lazily lay on the bed humming to herself, while recalling the bits and pieces of last night.
"It seems that you have finally learned how to deal with men." Joanne slipped into the tent quietly, "I don't know if their brothers are as good as Miles? It seems that you agree. You know, you can't even sleep Are you all laughing?"
"Quiet, contemptuous woman." Alex reprimanded playfully, and Joanne just laughed when she heard that.
"You'd better get up quickly. Steve got word from Scotland and is leaving in a moment."
"No bad news, right?" Alex sat up reluctantly, but her swollen buttocks made her face crooked in pain.
Sometimes Ryan seemed to treat her like a piece of cloth, wrapping her around him at will, one leg here, the other there, one arm twisted the other way.There was a sprain in her neck, and she couldn't help but chuckle to herself remembering how Ryan had hurt that part.
Joanne has been looking at her with interest, "My four men can't make me like you now. Is Master Wren really a great lover?"
Alex gave her a warning look, "If you dare to glance at him, you will break your heart."
Joanne just grinned, "I tried many times, but he is still not interested. What are you going to wear today?"
Alex chose a navy suit trimmed with rabbit fur dyed burgundy.
"Ha," Steve's eyes lit up immediately when he saw her, "There is such a beauty hidden in the wilderness," he took her hand and kissed it.
Alex seized the opportunity to grab his hand and check his knuckles.There were many bruises and cuts there, and she hadn't started to shut up yet, "If you dare to beat my husband again, be careful that I will chop off your hands." She lowered her voice and warned.
Steve blinked, and then chuckled, "My brother is still doubting your loyalty. You must come and meet my Brianna, she will like you."
"I heard you received a message."
Steve's face darkened, "Rogier Chotels found Miles and Elizabeth when they were together, and pierced Miles' arm with a sword. Now Elizabeth has returned to Scotland with his brother."
"Perhaps this enmity will soon be resolved, Rogier has safely returned to his sister, and now only the king forgives Wren."
"Maybe," Steve laughed, "now I have to go back and help my people. And my little brother is so mad that he wants to attack Chotersburg."
"Go and stop him!"
He kissed her hand again, "I will do my best. I will leave it to you, Ren, he is stubborn, so don't spoil him too much."
Alex giggled when he heard this, "Did you mention Bliger when you were talking yesterday? Now that Rogier hurt Miles again, will Ryan find out about Bliger?"
"I don't think so. Ryan had a long talk with Bly this morning, and it seems his heart has been touched by the boy. Now that they are on the training ground, I don't think there will be any more problems. I have to Gone. My people are still waiting for me."
"Your person?" Alex was stunned, "I didn't see anyone, didn't you come here alone?"
Steve seemed very happy to hear that, "I brought a total of six people from the McAllen tribe, and they all hid in the forest to guard."
"We have guards, too. You should let them in to keep warm by the fire and have some hot food. They will freeze to death in the woods."
Steve couldn't straighten up laughing, "The weather in Scotland is not good enough, our summer is colder than your winter, you really have to go to the Highlands someday, Douglas also said that the songs you sing will teach his brothers crying bitterly."
Alex had a ton of questions to ask, but didn't know where to start.Her shield appeared on her face.
"You've got to come," Steve laughs, kissing her cheek and disappearing into the woods, the plaid skirt dangling on his lap.
The next three days were as peaceful as heaven.Wren seems to have grown fond of the crippled Bly and is very pleased with his attitude towards learning.
"Hatred tortured him," Wren told Alex while lying in bed. "He seemed to think he could beat his brother if he studied hard. Oh, Rogier is such a simple character. Could split Bligh in half."
"Brother reading the wall, why bother?" Alex shuddered.
Alex always felt sorry for Bligh. Not only did he not talk and laugh, but he even slept away from the people in the camp.
"I don't trust him," Joanne said. "He talks too little and doesn't talk to anybody."
"He was hit, and he will return to normal after a while." Alex also defended the child.
"He's planning something. He's been collecting thistle fluff, and yesterday he paid a fellow to deliver a letter to somebody for him."
"To whom?" Alex asked immediately.Maybe Bligh was actually still loyal to his brother, planning to lure Rogier to Wren, or worse, the king's army.
"I have no idea."
"We have to tell Ren about this." Alex grabbed the maid's wrist.Drag her to the training ground.
"I know about it," Lane said after hearing this. "Bly wants to know about his sister."
"Is there an echo?"
Ren took the gun and stabbed it at the target, "Elizabeth is pregnant with my little brother."
Alex couldn't help thinking of Elizabeth—and her sharp mouth, "She will not be happy. She will never allow any man to abandon her."
Ren glared at her, "You seem to blame my brother for all the crimes. Maybe this woman is dishonest, seducing Miles on her own initiative, and abandoning him after he falls in love with her. Logically speaking, if Choate Miles attacked Miles, it must be Miles trying to keep the woman."
"Perhaps, but Miles—" the sound of a distant horn interrupted her, "what's going on here?"
Ren turned to several retired warriors nearby, "Go and have a look."
Several men rode their horses into the forest and came back after a while, "Rogier Chotels is here to accept your challenge, my lord."
"Ren." Alex yelled in horror.
"I didn't challenge him at all, maybe Jotels wanted to make a move first."
"No, my lord. He—"
"It was I who sent the challenge letter." Brad Chottles said behind them, and everyone turned to him immediately, "I knew my brother would never take my challenge, so I borrowed Ryan Montag In the name of profit."
"You can go and explain your intentions to him." Alex said as if dealing with a child.
The horn sounded again in the distance.
"Go ahead," said Alex, "go and explain."
"Alex," Ryan whispered, "Go back to the tent! Women don't want to interfere in this matter."
She looked up at his still swollen face, his expression frightened her, "Ren, don't you want to accept the challenge? You didn't challenge him, you wouldn't be so stupid as to—"
"Jose," Ryan ordered, "take Alex away."
Alex paced impatiently in the tent waiting for her husband, taking out on Joanne, so that the maid simply left her and went out.
When Renn finally appeared and his eyes met, Alex gasped in horror.
"No! Ren," she rushed to hug his waist tightly, "you didn't send a letter of challenge."
He took her arm with both hands and pushed her away. "You must understand that this is a matter of honor, and it has its own reasons. After Chotels is dead, maybe my family can live in peace again. If I now If you don't kill him, he will have to settle with Miles for his sister's pregnancy. He is convinced that Miles raped her."
"Then let Miles and Chotels fight!" Alex shouted in confusion, "I don't care, let all your brothers fight, as long as you don't."
"Alex," Ryan said softly, "I know you are a woman and have a different view of honor than I do, but now I must ask you to stop insulting me. Help me dress."
"'Help' you! Honor! How can you say such things to me, the person I love is dying, how can I care about honor? I have gone through all kinds of hardships to keep you safe, and now you are going to fight for a boy Giving everything for playing tricks. Let Bligh fight his brother."
Ren's neck turned red, "Blay can't compete with Rogier at all. The Montgomery family is insulted. Have you forgotten how Mary died? I went out to fight not for Bliger, but for Mary , for Querce, and for future peace."
After Ren sat down on the edge of the bed, she knelt down in front of him, "Please don't go. Even if you are not killed, you will be seriously injured."
"Alex," he stroked her hair and almost smiled at her, "maybe you don't know, but all my properties were bought with money I won from tournaments over the years. I'm safe Have survived this type of challenge hundreds of times. Don't worry too much about me, okay?"
"No," she said excitedly, "this time it's different. Your mutual hatred will intervene, and you won't let it go until one dies. Please, Rain."
He stood up. "I don't want to hear any more of this. Now, will you help me put on my armor, or shall I call Jos?"
She had to stand up, "You want me to help you prepare for your death? Should I also do my duty as a wife and talk about honor? Or do you want me to talk about Mary and how she died and incite your hatred? If Mary were alive, would she have asked you to fight for her? Hasn't her life been devoted to peace?"
"I don't want us to break up in anger. I have to do this?"
She was shaking with anger, "If we break up now because you are facing a challenge that is not yours, don't expect me to sweet talk you - and if you go, don't come back .”
They stared at each other for a long time.
"Think carefully about what you said." Ren said quietly, "We have quarreled about this kind of thing before."
"Ren, can't you see how much this hate has done to you? Even Steve can see how much you've changed. Forget about Roger Chotels. Go to King Henry for forgiveness , let us live a good life and stop talking about death and hatred."
"I am a samurai. I have sworn to eradicate injustice."
"Then don't be a hero and accept a challenge that is not yours." She screamed. "Stop hating Rogier Chotels blindly. His sister is pregnant with Montgomery's offspring, which is tantamount to It's the rebirth of Mary. What more could you ask for?"
The horn sounded outside again, resounding through the sky and penetrating every nerve of Alex.
"I gotta hurry," Wren said. "Would you help?"
"No, I can't."
"That's all there is to it," he said softly.After taking one last look at her, he turned to his armor.
"Today you're choosing between me and Roger Chottles," she said.
He didn't answer, just stared at his armor.Alex turned around and stepped out of the tent sadly.
"He needs you, Joss," she said as soon as she was out of the tent. "Joanne, you come with me. Gotta start packing. I'm going home to my daughter."
Alex made up his mind to get out of the forest before the duel started.She was sure that Ren would win, but how could she stand aside and watch the flesh and blood peeled off from him?She believed that Rogier, like him, was filled with hatred.
Two hours later, she heard the first clatter of metal in the forest.Slowly, she put down the clothes she was folding and stepped out of the tent.No matter what he did, whom he dueled, or for whatever reason, he was hers.
She was almost at the clearing where they were fighting when Joanne suddenly grabbed her.
"Don't look," said Joanne, "Jottles is too vicious."
Alex stared at her for a while, then moved forward.
"Jos," Joanne called, "stop her."
Joss grabbed Alex's arms and trapped her there, "There is a massacre there," he stared into her eyes, "Maybe Rogier's hatred is deeper, so he gave him more strength. But no matter what The reason is that Rennes lost badly."
Alex pushed Jos away with all his might, "Regardless of life or death, Ren is mine. Let me go!"
Glancing at Joanne, Joss let her go.
No matter how hard Alex was, he never expected to see such a scene.The two men fought on foot, and Rain's armor was covered with blood, which almost covered up Montgomery's golden leopard. His left arm was badly wounded, and he hung powerlessly by his side, but he fought bravely. Waving his right arm.Roger Chotels seemed to be playing with a weak and badly wounded man, circling and teasing him.
"He's dying," Alex said.
Ren has always believed in honor so firmly, but now he is about to die like a trapped beast, to be slaughtered by Chotels.
She tried to rush forward, but Joss grabbed her just in time, "Rain!" she yelled.
Roger Chotels turned to look at her, but no one could see his expression clearly through the helmet.As if understanding her pain, he circled around again and sent the tomahawk into Ren's lower back.
Ren paused, then fell face down, and Rogier stood beside him silently.
Alex immediately broke away from Joss's hand and ran over.Slowly, she knelt down beside Ryan's mutilated body, resting his head on her lap.There were no tears, only deep numbness, a feeling that her blood was spilled all over the place.
Biting her lip, she lifted his head and removed the helmet.
Her gasp made Roger Chottles turn.After a lengthy, stunned pause, he raised his head and let out a howling cry—just like Ryan's howling when he heard Mary's death for the first time.
"A life for a life," Bligh leaned on Alex's lap and struggled angrily. "Now Mary can rest in peace."
With trembling hands, Alex gently stroked Blairhan's wet cheek, watching him take his last breath and die in her arms.
"Don't touch him," said Rogier, bending over and picking up his brother's body. "He's mine now."
Alex was stained with blood and watched as Rogier carried Bligh to the waiting Jotersburg warriors and horses.
"Alex." Joss whispered beside her, "What's going on? Why did Chotels take away Ryan's body?"
She trembled violently and could hardly speak, "Blay wore Rain's armor, and Rogier killed his brother."
"how come--"
Joanne picked up the fur of thistle, whose tail was soaked in blood. "He must have planned it a long time ago. He obviously used the fur as a cushion, so Ser Wren's armor fit him well."
Alex turned to them with wide-eyed eyes, "Where are the Renners? He will never obediently let Bligh wear his armor."
It took them a while to find Ryan.He was sleeping soundly under a big tree, his armor gone and only his leather pads on.Joanne couldn't help laughing out loud when she saw him, but Alex couldn't.The unnatural posture in which he was lying down made her feel wary.
"Poisoned!" Alex screamed, running to her husband.
His body temperature is normal, he is not dead, but no matter how much she screams, she can't wake him up.
"Come to Rosamund quickly." Joss ordered Joanne.
Couldn't wake him up, so Alex started slapping him, "Help me to get him up."
Joss and Alex managed to prop him up with all their strength, but he was still asleep.
Rosamund rushed over, and after taking a closer look at Ren, she looked at Joss in fear.
"I hope I'm wrong. My opium was stolen two days ago. I only hope the thief knows how to use it."
"Opioids? Isn't that a sleep aid? My sister-in-law uses it occasionally."
"It's very common," Rosamond said, "but most people don't know that an overdose can cause the user to sleep for a long time until they die."
Alex opened his eyes wide in fright, "You don't mean to think of Brad Chottles, who gave Ryan a lot of opium?"
"Less or less is too much. We must assume Sir Wren has taken too much. Come, there is too much to do."
It took them all day to clean all of Lane's organs.Rosamon gulped him down with a bowel cleanser, which made him vomit.The men took turns supporting him and kept walking.
"I want to sleep. Let me sleep." Ren could only mutter these two sentences from beginning to end.His eyes were closed, and his legs dragged limply.
Alex wouldn't let anyone stop leading him around, or dodging the pills that were being poured into his mouth.After a few hours, he was able to control his steps somewhat, using more or less his own strength to walk.After all the solid food in his body was removed, Rosamon forced him to drink several large buckets of water, hoping to completely remove the poison.While Ren gradually regained his strength as he kept walking, he protested louder and louder.
"You didn't leave me," he once said to Alex.
"I should, but I didn't." She snorted, "Hmph!"
At noon the next day, Rosamon finally allowed Ren to sleep, and she and Joss went back to rest gratefully.Although exhausted beyond words, Alex personally thanked everyone for their help.
"You should go to sleep yourself," the grunt Alex recognized from one of the men who had accused her of stealing. "We don't want to save one and lose the other."
She smiled at him gratefully, and he blushed embarrassedly and looked away.Still smiling, she dragged her tired body into Ren's tent, fell beside him and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Alex stayed with Ryan for another week, until he found her holding someone else's baby, crying secretly. "Go back to Gavin." Ren told her. "I can't leave you." He raised his eyebrows slightly, "You saw it yourself, you can't stop things from happening here. Jotels will bury his brother, and then we'll see what happens. Go home and take care of our precious daughter." .” "Maybe go back and have a look," her eyes lit up, "maybe just go for a week or so, and then I'll come back to accompany you." "I didn't think I could bear being without you for so long. Go ask Joanne to help you pack. You can go back and see my daughter for three days." Overjoyed, Alex ran into Rain's arms, and her kiss soon led them his way.At some point, they fell to the floor and rolled, with their clothes thrown everywhere. Afterwards, Ren held her tightly in his arms, "Alex, you stayed and did not leave during the duel, which means a lot to me. Whether you admit it or not, you have your own sense of honor, you Just ignore it because you love me. For that, I want to thank you." He smiled when he felt her tears wet his clothes. "You're going back to see our daughter, and all I got was tears." "Wouldn't it be selfish of me to want it all? I want you to go back and see our daughter. I want the three of us to be together." "I'll be back soon. Give me a smile now. Do you want me to remember you crying like a tear, or your unique mischievous smile?" Now she finally burst into laughter, and Ren kissed her lovingly. "Come on, hurry up and get ready, go early and return early." Alex told them again and again that this time they would be separated for at most a month, but she had a sad premonition in her heart that she would never return to this forest camp.And those in the camp seemed to feel the same way. "For your child." A man pushed her a doll carved from oak.There were many more presents for Catherine, all homemade and unpretentious, and each one brought Alex to tears of gratitude. When it was time to break up, Ren stood quietly behind her, with one hand on her shoulder, unabashedly proud of her, "Don't go too long," he whispered softly, kissed her again, and then Only then reluctantly hugged her into the saddle. Alex rode forward slowly, looking back at the people who said goodbye to her all the way until the forest covered them.
For two weeks Alex contentedly played with her children, composing lullabies for Judith's son and Catherine.She often sits for a long time, writing eloquently in letters to Ryan describing how perfect their daughter is, and sending people to deliver medicine to Rosamon from time to time. A messenger came back to report that the people in the camp said that Blanche had been stolen and lost, and had been driven out of the forest.However, Alex did not feel happy at all when he heard the news. After two weeks of bliss, she began to miss Ryan and left the nursery to find his family. "I heard you came back to live with us," Gavin teased, "but I'm not so sure. Come with me. Judith is at the Eagle House, and I'm going to find her." "Simon, do you think King Henry would like this eagle?" Judith asked the old falconer. "Hey, ma'am. You can't find a better eagle around here than this one." Judith stretched her arms, frowning at the falcon perched on her gloved hand. "Are you going to give King Henry a gift?" Alex asked. "I'll try anything and everything," she said passionately. "Ever since Bray Chottles died and Elizabeth was pregnant again, King Henry has been furious at the word Montgomery." "Especially now that the queen is dead too—" Gavin said. "Queen Elizabeth is dead!" Alex yelled, startling the falcon to run away, and it took Judith a long time to calm it down. I didn't know anything, "I didn't hear that the queen died." "He lost his eldest son and his wife in just one year, and his wife's family is threatening to take back her dowry. Now he's depressed and can't do much. I was going to talk to him .” "If you go, what will you talk to him about?" Alex asked expectantly. "I want this feud to end," Gavin said. "One of Montgoley and Chottles died. If I could talk to King Henry, maybe I could convince him to forgive Wren?" "What about Miles?" Alex asked. "He used Elizabeth. I don't think her brother will let him go." Pawen and Judith looked at each other, and then Judith said, "We have contacted Miles, and if the king approves, he is willing to marry Elizabeth." "There is no doubt that Rogier will open his arms and welcome the people of Montgomery into his family." Alex smiled. "So, you are planning to use the falcon as a marriage to convince the king to nod. He likes to release falcons." ?" Pawen and Judith looked at each other again. "Alex," Gavin said hesitantly, "we've been waiting to talk to you. We know you like spending more time with Catherine, but things are so urgent that there's really not much time to waste." For no reason, Alex suddenly felt fear come to his heart.Of course this was pure absurdity, but she shuddered nonetheless. "What do you want to talk to me about?" "Let's go inside and talk," Judith said, handing the falcon to Simon. As soon as the eagle man entered the stone eagle house, Alex immediately stood firm. "Tell me everything I need to know," she said flatly. "Gavin!" said Judith, "let me tell her. Alex, the king is not a fan of falconry. He's not interested in anything at the moment—except for one thing." She paused. "music." Alex stood still for a while, "You want me to go to the King of England, sing for him, and at the same time ask him to forgive my husband, and marry a vain heiress to her sworn enemy," she laughed, "I never Didn't say I was a magician." "Alex, you can do it," encouraged Judith. "There is no one in England who can match your voice or your talent. If you make him forget for an hour or so, he'll give half of it to you." for you." "King?" Alex said. "What do I care about him? I don't mind playing music and singing for him, but it's Wren who cares. He's spent a whole year making me understand his so-called sense of honor, and now I do." —at least I know he will never appreciate me asking the king." "But if you can ask for forgiveness for Ryan—" Judith said. Alex turned to Gavin, "If you were Ryan, would you ask Judith to beg the king for you, or would you rather fight your own war?" Pa Wen's face was dignified and solemn, "It's really not easy for me to swallow this kind of humiliation." "Shame! If Ryan is free, he can go home, and our family can be reunited again." "And our estrangement has spread throughout the country," Gavin said. "I can understand Alex's point of view. I don't think she should disobey her husband. We will fight our own wars without involving the king. " Judith opened her mouth to speak, but after carefully looking at Gavin and Alex, she decided not to speak. But it was Rogier's growing anger that changed Alex's mind.The spies sent by Gavin came back to report that Rogier swore to kill Miles and Ryan in order to avenge the death of his brother and the loss of his sister's chastity. "No one in Rennes can defend against Chotels," Alex said. "Can Miles defend against a well-trained warrior like Rogier?" "They have all the warriors in Montgomery backing them up," Gavin said calmly. "War you speak of!" she cried. "A private war that cost you all your lands, king—" She stopped abruptly.Everything seemed to belong to the King of England again. With tears in her eyes, she ran out of the room.Can she alone stop this private war?She once told Joss that she would do anything for Ryan as long as she could keep him alive. She would rather send him into the arms of another woman than watch him die.But after she did what she thought she should do, he felt so angry.He didn't want her to interfere with his life, especially his so-called honor. What would happen if she didn't take action to meet the king now and let a war unfold?Would she be happy knowing that Ryan had died a heroic death?Or is she going to curse herself forever? Standing proudly and smoothing her dress, she went downstairs to find Judith and Gavin in the hallway. "I'm going to the king," Alex declared calmly, "and I'll sing for him as best I can. I'll ask, plead, even beg, and do whatever it takes to make him forgive Wren and arrange Elizabeth and Miles' marriage." And she did—though it wasn't easy at all.
A week after King Henry's request passed, and Alex stayed in the palace for another two weeks before he obtained Wren's amnesty and the decree ordering the marriage of Miles and Elizabeth.Both Gavin and Judith are happy to finally be able to go home, but Alex is extremely worried about seeing Ryan again. How would he react to her intervention? It took them a few days to pack their bags and a few more days to get back to Fort Montegoley.With a racing heart, Alex dismounted and waited, hoping that Ryan would be at home. But in his absence, there was a letter waiting for them.Roger Chotels refused to release Elizabeth, but Miles wrote that he had found her.Gavin couldn't help groaning loudly when he saw it, regretting that his little brother ignored the law.They were married in a church near Chottersburg, but Elizabeth returned to her brother as soon as the ceremony was over.This made everyone quite confused, but Myers did not explain it in the letter. A week passed, and there was still no news from Ryan.After the second week, Gavin sent several messengers into the forest. They came back and reported that they were not greeted by the guards as usual. They searched the area for two days but still did not find anyone. Gavin took his men out of the castle the next day and returned a week later. "Wren is on his own property now," Gavin reported, "and he's brought back all the people in the forest. He has at least five farmers on each plot, and he insists on paying them heavily. If this goes on like this, he will have to go out to beg in less than two years." "Gavin—" Alex hesitated to speak. Pa Wen raised his hand to touch her cheek, "He's still angry now, and he'll be fine after a while." Alex quietly turned and walked out of the room, Gavin and Judith could only watch her go. "Take it seriously," Judith said. "That little brother of mine is damned!" Gavin yelled, slamming his fist on the table. "Ren said that this was the last time Alex insulted him, and he wouldn't allow any more. He said he warned her repeatedly, and she Just don't listen, and he knows she never will." "Maybe Steve can talk him into—" "Steve tried, he still won't listen. He spends all his time on those criminals—" He paused, then burst out laughing, "The strangest thing happened. Alex kept complaining that she never Pay off the debts of those in the forest. But there was a singer named Joss there, I believe he was wandering with Alex, and he met a man who was also in the palace on the day Alex sang in front of the king for the first time. I I don’t know what happened that day, but according to eyewitnesses, Alex was so intoxicated that everyone present was intoxicated, and one of the things she asked for was to guarantee the safety of those under Ryan.” "I don't recall Alex ever saying that." "I don't think she said it outright. But she did mention afterwards that she told the king all about her life in the forest. I also heard that King Henry ordered her to change into men's clothes specifically, which proves that she did." "Do you think Alex told the king how some people are accused of nothing?" Pawen smiled, "Sometimes Alex is so naive. With her background, I wonder if she knows how much power she holds in her hands. So many courtiers killed each other just to catch the ear of the king for a while, but She makes him listen every day. If she has an enemy, she has the power to hang him." Judith looked sideways at her husband. "Maybe she could save hundreds of lives. Any other amnesties that come with it?" Pawen grinned, "Wren is granted the right to forgive anyone he deems worthy of forgiveness." According to Joss, Alex kept singing about Wren's loyalty and sense of honor until King Henry was about to canonize him. She played with words In the game, it seems that Renn's attack on Jotels is doing the king a big favor." "Smart girl! Her singing voice is so useful. Do those people know that she won amnesty for them?" "That fellow Joss would never let them know. He's probably as thieves as Alex when it comes to singing hymns. They're all grateful and bless her. Quite a few of them are as good as Steve's Scot Just as bad—the world is running out of room for good people." Judith laughed bluntly, "We have to tell Alex that she has done a lot of good things. Now we can start to find ways to deal with Ryan's bullish temper." "I hope you can reason with him." "I hope so too."
A month has passed and there is still no news from Ren, and all letters sent to him have disappeared.For the first few weeks, Alex was grieved, but her emotions quickly turned to anger.If his pride was more important than their love and their daughter, then she didn't want him either. Her anger lasted for a whole summer.She watched Catherine grow and realized that the little girl had indeed inherited her father's size. "I don't have a chance to be a slender and elegant lady." Alex sighed, watching Catherine take her first step on her chubby calf. "All babies are chubby," laughed Judith, tossing her son into the air. "Katherine is looking more and more like her father, it's a pity he can't see her. Just look at her big violet Eyes and dimples, he'd melt. Wren has never been able to resist a child." Judith's words lingered in her mind for many days, and on the evening of the fourth day she finally made a decision, "I'm going to send Catherine to her father." Alex announced after dinner. "What did you say?" "He may not forgive me, but there's no reason Catherine should be punished. She's almost a year old now, and he's never seen her." "What if Ryan doesn't send her back? Can you afford to lose your husband and your child?" "I just said I'll just send her there until Christmas, and then Gavin will pick her up. Ryan won't break his word." "If he agrees." Alex didn't answer.She hopes with all her heart that Catherine will win her father's heart and melt it. A few days later, when Catherine left, Alex almost changed her mind. It was Judith who grabbed her shoulders to give her strength. She waved her daughter goodbye and watched Catherine set off under the escort of twenty warriors and two nannies. . 亚历屏息等了几个礼拜，雷恩依旧了无讯息，只有一名保母利用盖文和乔斯串连的复杂网络，定期写信回来报告情况。 那名保母于信中描述凯瑟琳小姐的抵达，造成多大的骚动，以及小女孩有多勇敢。起初她以为雷恩会漠视凯瑟琳存在，然一天在花园里玩时，雷恩不但替凯瑟琳捡球，而且还在一旁坐下凝视她良久。后来凯瑟琳开始把球往她父亲那方向滚，结果他陪她足足玩了一个多小时。 保母的来信描述的意外事件愈来愈多。雷恩爵士带凯瑟琳骑马。雷恩爵士送他女儿上床。雷恩爵士发誓他女儿会说话，而且是全英格兰最聪明的孩子。 亚历很高兴听到这些消息，但孤独亦使她不快乐。她要和她丈夫一同分享女儿成长的喜悦。 十一月中旬来信突然中止，直到近圣诞节时她才又接到消息。盖文跑去找她，说凯瑟琳回来了，正在冬廊等地。 亚历飞奔下楼，望见她女儿穿着金黄色丝质衣裙乖乖站在壁炉前时，她不觉泪眼模糊了，由于数月不见，凯瑟琳怯怯地后退一步，躲开她妈妈。 “不记得我了吗，甜心？”亚历恳求地轻声说道。 小女孩又后退一步，当亚历移上前时，凯瑟琳转身就跑，紧紧抱住她父亲的腿。 亚历讶然抬首迎上雷恩的蓝眸，“我——我没看见你，”她结巴道，“我以为凯瑟琳一个人在这里。” 雷恩没吭一声。 亚历的一颗心跳到喉咙口，威胁着几要呛死她，“你的气色不错嘛。”她尽可能镇定地说。 他弯腰抱起凯瑟琳，眼见自己女儿紧攀着他的模样，亚历情不自禁地吃醋。 “我要你见见你的女儿。”她轻声说道。 “为什么？”乍闻他深沈雄浑的声音，她几欲垂泪。 但是亚历拒绝哭，“为什么？你从来没见过你的女儿，你还问我为什么要送她去找你？” “你为什么要把她送去给一个弃你不顾，任由你只身去替他打仗的男人？” 亚历瞠目结舌。 雷恩抚着他女儿的头发，“她是个漂亮的孩子，仁慈友善，宽大为怀，就像她妈妈一样。” “可是我没有——”亚历张口欲言，见雷恩朝她行来便又打住了。但他径自走过她，拉开房门将凯瑟琳交给等在外头的保母，“我们可以谈谈吗？” 亚历默默地颌首应允。 雷恩踱到壁炉前，凝神注视火焰半晌，“你去见国王时，我真恨不得杀了你，”他激动地说，“你那么做无异于是在对全世界宣布，雷恩·蒙特格利无法应付自己的问题。” “我从来无意——” 他抬手制止她说下去，“要把话说出口并不容易，但我还是得说。在森林里的时候，我很容易便看出他们为什么不喜欢你。你自视比他们高贵，处处瞧不起他们，所以他们才会恨你入骨。当你明白自己的错误时，你便设法弥补。你变了，亚历。” 他停顿半晌，“但是反观自己。评判自己，却不是件——舒服的事。” 他背对着她，头低垂着，她忍不住为他心酸。 “雷恩，”她轻声唤道，“我了解。你不必再说什么了。” “可是我必须说出来！”他转身面对她，“你以为我一个大男人，发觉连像你这样的小东西也能做我做不到的事，是件容易接受的事实吗？” “我做了什么？”她愕然反问。 此时他笑了，眸中漾着无尽的爱意，“也许我真是认为我为那些低下的乞丐们牺牲一切，理当能为所欲为，或者我还真的喜欢做罪犯之首。” “雷恩。”她伸手试探地轻触他的衣袖。 他抓住她的手，亲吻每一根指尖，“你为什么要去见亨利王？” “要求他宽恕你。说服他应允伊丽莎白和迈尔斯的婚事。” “那伤了我的自尊，亚历，”他轻语道，“我本来打算穿着银甲胄，全副武装地冲进亨利王的寝宫，平等地和他说话。”一个酒窝在他颊上出现，“然而我老婆却代我前去为我求情。这实在伤人太重。” “我无意要——喔，雷恩，只要能救你，我会恳求任何人。” 他似乎没注意到他几乎快捏碎她的手了，“我一直被骄傲冲昏了头。我要——恳求你的原谅。” 亚历直想大叫她什么都原谅他，然此时不是轻率而为的时候，“我相信往后的日子里，我还会做其它事伤到你的骄傲。” "I believe." 她傲然抬起下巴，“我冒犯你的时候，你打算怎么样？” “跟你大吼大叫，非常非常生气。威胁要宰了你。” “哦，”亚历几乎没声音，眨着眼硬压住奔流欲出的泪水，“那么也许——” “亚历，我要你，不要那些对我唯唯诺诺奉为天神的人。”他扮了个鬼脸，“你去见国王是对的。” “罗吉尔。乔特耳斯呢？” 有那么一刹那，雷恩的眼中冒了火，“你看错他了。当初我若杀了他，遭尔斯也不会——” “如果你杀了他，亨利王就要杀你！”亚历对他吼了回去。 “我可以把他的尸体处理掉。没有人——” “别真以为世人都是瞎子、傻瓜，”她嫌恶地说，“不，我做的没错。” 雷恩欲言又止，“也许你真的是对的。” “我什么？”亚历错愕地叫道，旋即看见他的酒窝，“你逗我。”她绷起了下颚。 雷恩咯笑着拥她入怀，“看来我们似乎意见永远不会一致，但也许我们会同意一起合作。你是否能在付诸行动之前，先把计划说出来大家讨论？” 她思索半晌，“如果你阻止我呢？我想我还是照老样子行事的好。” “亚历，”他几乎在呻吟，继而笑了起来，“亚历，亚历，亚历。”笑着，他将她抛入空中再接住，“我想咱们永远吵不休。你愿意过这样的生活吗？” “如果你偶尔肯三思而后行的话，我们也没事可吵。你应该时时考虑到明天，那样就不会再莽撞行事触怒国王——”她没声音了，是因为雷恩在吸吮她的颈项。 “我是个热血男儿，”他咕哝道，“你希望我改变吗？” “我也许还能忍受你的热情。雷恩！”她抽身离开，一本正经地审视他，“你会再离开我吗？如果我又做了什么你不喜欢的事，你是否会再次抛弃我和我们的孩子？” 他的眸子变得十分严肃，“我现在就对你——亚历丝珊德·蒙特格利——发誓，我永远不会再在愤怒中离开你。” 她定定地审视他良久，然后展颜笑了，抬起双臂圈住他的颈项，“我好爱好爱你哟。” “当然我可能会把你锁在房间里，派人看守。但我再也不会把你丢给我哥哥，让他来应我的麻烦。” “麻烦！”她对着他的耳朵大叫，“我是你家的欢乐泉源。让他们心碎的人是你。你是个冥顽不灵又——” 雷恩拚命搓揉他的耳朵，“喔，女人的声音真精致，柔若春天的早晨，温存如——” 他倏地打住，因为亚历的吻又使他忘却一切言语。
Alex stayed with Ryan for another week, until he found her holding someone else's baby, crying secretly. "Go back to Gavin." Ren told her. "I can't leave you." He raised his eyebrows slightly, "You saw it yourself, you can't stop things from happening here. Jotels will bury his brother, and then we'll see what happens. Go home and take care of our precious daughter." .” "Maybe go back and have a look," her eyes lit up, "maybe just go for a week or so, and then I'll come back to accompany you." "I didn't think I could bear being without you for so long. Go ask Joanne to help you pack. You can go back and see my daughter for three days." Overjoyed, Alex ran into Rain's arms, and her kiss soon led them his way.At some point, they fell to the floor and rolled, with their clothes thrown everywhere. Afterwards, Ren held her tightly in his arms, "Alex, you stayed and did not leave during the duel, which means a lot to me. Whether you admit it or not, you have your own sense of honor, you Just ignore it because you love me. For that, I want to thank you." He smiled when he felt her tears wet his clothes. "You're going back to see our daughter, and all I got was tears." "Wouldn't it be selfish of me to want it all? I want you to go back and see our daughter. I want the three of us to be together." "I'll be back soon. Give me a smile now. Do you want me to remember you crying like a tear, or your unique mischievous smile?" Now she finally burst into laughter, and Ren kissed her lovingly. "Come on, hurry up and get ready, go early and return early." Alex told them again and again that this time they would be separated for at most a month, but she had a sad premonition in her heart that she would never return to this forest camp.And those in the camp seemed to feel the same way. "For your child." A man pushed her a doll carved from oak.There were many more presents for Catherine, all homemade and unpretentious, and each one brought Alex to tears of gratitude. When it was time to break up, Ren stood quietly behind her, with one hand on her shoulder, unabashedly proud of her, "Don't go too long," he whispered softly, kissed her again, and then Only then reluctantly hugged her into the saddle. Alex rode forward slowly, looking back at the people who said goodbye to her all the way until the forest covered them.
For two weeks Alex contentedly played with her children, composing lullabies for Judith's son and Catherine.She often sits for a long time, writing eloquently in letters to Ryan describing how perfect their daughter is, and sending people to deliver medicine to Rosamon from time to time. A messenger came back to report that the people in the camp said that Blanche had been stolen and lost, and had been driven out of the forest.However, Alex did not feel happy at all when he heard the news. After two weeks of bliss, she began to miss Ryan and left the nursery to find his family. "I heard you came back to live with us," Gavin teased, "but I'm not so sure. Come with me. Judith is at the Eagle House, and I'm going to find her." "Simon, do you think King Henry would like this eagle?" Judith asked the old falconer. "Hey, ma'am. You can't find a better eagle around here than this one." Judith stretched her arms, frowning at the falcon perched on her gloved hand. "Are you going to give King Henry a gift?" Alex asked. "I'll try anything and everything," she said passionately. "Ever since Bray Chottles died and Elizabeth was pregnant again, King Henry has been furious at the word Montgomery." "Especially now that the queen is dead too—" Gavin said. "Queen Elizabeth is dead!" Alex yelled, startling the falcon to run away, and it took Judith a long time to calm it down. I didn't know anything, "I didn't hear that the queen died." "He lost his eldest son and his wife in just one year, and his wife's family is threatening to take back her dowry. Now he's depressed and can't do much. I was going to talk to him .” "If you go, what will you talk to him about?" Alex asked expectantly. "I want this feud to end," Gavin said. "One of Montgoley and Chottles died. If I could talk to King Henry, maybe I could convince him to forgive Wren?" "What about Miles?" Alex asked. "He used Elizabeth. I don't think her brother will let him go." Pawen and Judith looked at each other, and then Judith said, "We have contacted Miles, and if the king approves, he is willing to marry Elizabeth." "There is no doubt that Rogier will open his arms and welcome the people of Montgomery into his family." Alex smiled. "So, you are planning to use the falcon as a marriage to convince the king to nod. He likes to release falcons." ?" Pawen and Judith looked at each other again. "Alex," Gavin said hesitantly, "we've been waiting to talk to you. We know you like spending more time with Catherine, but things are so urgent that there's really not much time to waste." For no reason, Alex suddenly felt fear come to his heart.Of course this was pure absurdity, but she shuddered nonetheless. "What do you want to talk to me about?" "Let's go inside and talk," Judith said, handing the falcon to Simon. As soon as the eagle man entered the stone eagle house, Alex immediately stood firm. "Tell me everything I need to know," she said flatly. "Gavin!" said Judith, "let me tell her. Alex, the king is not a fan of falconry. He's not interested in anything at the moment—except for one thing." She paused. "music." Alex stood still for a while, "You want me to go to the King of England, sing for him, and at the same time ask him to forgive my husband, and marry a vain heiress to her sworn enemy," she laughed, "I never Didn't say I was a magician." "Alex, you can do it," encouraged Judith. "There is no one in England who can match your voice or your talent. If you make him forget for an hour or so, he'll give half of it to you." for you." "King?" Alex said. "What do I care about him? I don't mind playing music and singing for him, but it's Wren who cares. He's spent a whole year making me understand his so-called sense of honor, and now I do." —at least I know he will never appreciate me asking the king." "But if you can ask for forgiveness for Ryan—" Judith said. Alex turned to Gavin, "If you were Ryan, would you ask Judith to beg the king for you, or would you rather fight your own war?" Pa Wen's face was dignified and solemn, "It's really not easy for me to swallow this kind of humiliation." "Shame! If Ryan is free, he can go home, and our family can be reunited again." "And our estrangement has spread throughout the country," Gavin said. "I can understand Alex's point of view. I don't think she should disobey her husband. We will fight our own wars without involving the king. " Judith opened her mouth to speak, but after carefully looking at Gavin and Alex, she decided not to speak. But it was Rogier's growing anger that changed Alex's mind.The spies sent by Gavin came back to report that Rogier swore to kill Miles and Ryan in order to avenge the death of his brother and the loss of his sister's chastity. "No one in Rennes can defend against Chotels," Alex said. "Can Miles defend against a well-trained warrior like Rogier?" "They have all the warriors in Montgomery backing them up," Gavin said calmly. "War you speak of!" she cried. "A private war that cost you all your lands, king—" She stopped abruptly.Everything seemed to belong to the King of England again. With tears in her eyes, she ran out of the room.Can she alone stop this private war?She once told Joss that she would do anything for Ryan as long as she could keep him alive. She would rather send him into the arms of another woman than watch him die.But after she did what she thought she should do, he felt so angry.He didn't want her to interfere with his life, especially his so-called honor. What would happen if she didn't take action to meet the king now and let a war unfold?Would she be happy knowing that Ryan had died a heroic death?Or is she going to curse herself forever? Standing proudly and smoothing her dress, she went downstairs to find Judith and Gavin in the hallway. "I'm going to the king," Alex declared calmly, "and I'll sing for him as best I can. I'll ask, plead, even beg, and do whatever it takes to make him forgive Wren and arrange Elizabeth and Miles' marriage." And she did—though it wasn't easy at all.
A week after King Henry's request passed, and Alex stayed in the palace for another two weeks before he obtained Wren's amnesty and the decree ordering the marriage of Miles and Elizabeth.Both Gavin and Judith are happy to finally be able to go home, but Alex is extremely worried about seeing Ryan again. How would he react to her intervention? It took them a few days to pack their bags and a few more days to get back to Fort Montegoley.With a racing heart, Alex dismounted and waited, hoping that Ryan would be at home. But in his absence, there was a letter waiting for them.Roger Chotels refused to release Elizabeth, but Miles wrote that he had found her.Gavin couldn't help groaning loudly when he saw it, regretting that his little brother ignored the law.They were married in a church near Chottersburg, but Elizabeth returned to her brother as soon as the ceremony was over.This made everyone quite confused, but Myers did not explain it in the letter. A week passed, and there was still no news from Ryan.After the second week, Gavin sent several messengers into the forest. They came back and reported that they were not greeted by the guards as usual. They searched the area for two days but still did not find anyone. Gavin took his men out of the castle the next day and returned a week later. "Wren is on his own property now," Gavin reported, "and he's brought back all the people in the forest. He has at least five farmers on each plot, and he insists on paying them heavily. If this goes on like this, he will have to go out to beg in less than two years." "Gavin—" Alex hesitated to speak. Pa Wen raised his hand to touch her cheek, "He's still angry now, and he'll be fine after a while." Alex quietly turned and walked out of the room, Gavin and Judith could only watch her go. "Take it seriously," Judith said. "That little brother of mine is damned!" Gavin yelled, slamming his fist on the table. "Ren said that this was the last time Alex insulted him, and he wouldn't allow any more. He said he warned her repeatedly, and she Just don't listen, and he knows she never will." "Maybe Steve can talk him into—" "Steve tried, he still won't listen. He spends all his time on those criminals—" He paused, then burst out laughing, "The strangest thing happened. Alex kept complaining that she never Pay off the debts of those in the forest. But there was a singer named Joss there, I believe he was wandering with Alex, and he met a man who was also in the palace on the day Alex sang in front of the king for the first time. I I don’t know what happened that day, but according to eyewitnesses, Alex was so intoxicated that everyone present was intoxicated, and one of the things she asked for was to guarantee the safety of those under Ryan.” "I don't recall Alex ever saying that." "I don't think she said it outright. But she did mention afterwards that she told the king all about her life in the forest. I also heard that King Henry ordered her to change into men's clothes specifically, which proves that she did." "Do you think Alex told the king how some people are accused of nothing?" Pawen smiled, "Sometimes Alex is so naive. With her background, I wonder if she knows how much power she holds in her hands. So many courtiers killed each other just to catch the ear of the king for a while, but She makes him listen every day. If she has an enemy, she has the power to hang him." Judith looked sideways at her husband. "Maybe she could save hundreds of lives. Any other amnesties that come with it?" Pawen grinned, "Wren is granted the right to forgive anyone he deems worthy of forgiveness." According to Joss, Alex kept singing about Wren's loyalty and sense of honor until King Henry was about to canonize him. She played with words In the game, it seems that Renn's attack on Jotels is doing the king a big favor." "Smart girl! Her singing voice is so useful. Do those people know that she won amnesty for them?" "That fellow Joss would never let them know. He's probably as thieves as Alex when it comes to singing hymns. They're all grateful and bless her. Quite a few of them are as good as Steve's Scot Just as bad—the world is running out of room for good people." Judith laughed bluntly, "We have to tell Alex that she has done a lot of good things. Now we can start to find ways to deal with Ryan's bullish temper." "I hope you can reason with him." "I hope so too."
A month has passed and there is still no news from Ren, and all letters sent to him have disappeared.For the first few weeks, Alex was grieved, but her emotions quickly turned to anger.If his pride was more important than their love and their daughter, then she didn't want him either. Her anger lasted for a whole summer.She watched Catherine grow and realized that the little girl had indeed inherited her father's size. "I don't have a chance to be a slender and elegant lady." Alex sighed, watching Catherine take her first step on her chubby calf. "All babies are chubby," laughed Judith, tossing her son into the air. "Katherine is looking more and more like her father, it's a pity he can't see her. Just look at her big violet Eyes and dimples, he'd melt. Wren has never been able to resist a child." Judith's words lingered in her mind for many days, and on the evening of the fourth day she finally made a decision, "I'm going to send Catherine to her father." Alex announced after dinner. "What did you say?" "He may not forgive me, but there's no reason Catherine should be punished. She's almost a year old now, and he's never seen her." "What if Ryan doesn't send her back? Can you afford to lose your husband and your child?" "I just said I'll just send her there until Christmas, and then Gavin will pick her up. Ryan won't break his word." "If he agrees." Alex didn't answer.She hopes with all her heart that Catherine will win her father's heart and melt it. A few days later, when Catherine left, Alex almost changed her mind. It was Judith who grabbed her shoulders to give her strength. She waved her daughter goodbye and watched Catherine set off under the escort of twenty warriors and two nannies. . 亚历屏息等了几个礼拜，雷恩依旧了无讯息，只有一名保母利用盖文和乔斯串连的复杂网络，定期写信回来报告情况。 那名保母于信中描述凯瑟琳小姐的抵达，造成多大的骚动，以及小女孩有多勇敢。起初她以为雷恩会漠视凯瑟琳存在，然一天在花园里玩时，雷恩不但替凯瑟琳捡球，而且还在一旁坐下凝视她良久。后来凯瑟琳开始把球往她父亲那方向滚，结果他陪她足足玩了一个多小时。 保母的来信描述的意外事件愈来愈多。雷恩爵士带凯瑟琳骑马。雷恩爵士送他女儿上床。雷恩爵士发誓他女儿会说话，而且是全英格兰最聪明的孩子。 亚历很高兴听到这些消息，但孤独亦使她不快乐。她要和她丈夫一同分享女儿成长的喜悦。 十一月中旬来信突然中止，直到近圣诞节时她才又接到消息。盖文跑去找她，说凯瑟琳回来了，正在冬廊等地。 亚历飞奔下楼，望见她女儿穿着金黄色丝质衣裙乖乖站在壁炉前时，她不觉泪眼模糊了，由于数月不见，凯瑟琳怯怯地后退一步，躲开她妈妈。 “不记得我了吗，甜心？”亚历恳求地轻声说道。 小女孩又后退一步，当亚历移上前时，凯瑟琳转身就跑，紧紧抱住她父亲的腿。 亚历讶然抬首迎上雷恩的蓝眸，“我——我没看见你，”她结巴道，“我以为凯瑟琳一个人在这里。” 雷恩没吭一声。 亚历的一颗心跳到喉咙口，威胁着几要呛死她，“你的气色不错嘛。”她尽可能镇定地说。 他弯腰抱起凯瑟琳，眼见自己女儿紧攀着他的模样，亚历情不自禁地吃醋。 “我要你见见你的女儿。”她轻声说道。 “为什么？”乍闻他深沈雄浑的声音，她几欲垂泪。 但是亚历拒绝哭，“为什么？你从来没见过你的女儿，你还问我为什么要送她去找你？” “你为什么要把她送去给一个弃你不顾，任由你只身去替他打仗的男人？” 亚历瞠目结舌。 雷恩抚着他女儿的头发，“她是个漂亮的孩子，仁慈友善，宽大为怀，就像她妈妈一样。” “可是我没有——”亚历张口欲言，见雷恩朝她行来便又打住了。但他径自走过她，拉开房门将凯瑟琳交给等在外头的保母，“我们可以谈谈吗？” 亚历默默地颌首应允。 雷恩踱到壁炉前，凝神注视火焰半晌，“你去见国王时，我真恨不得杀了你，”他激动地说，“你那么做无异于是在对全世界宣布，雷恩·蒙特格利无法应付自己的问题。” “我从来无意——” 他抬手制止她说下去，“要把话说出口并不容易，但我还是得说。在森林里的时候，我很容易便看出他们为什么不喜欢你。你自视比他们高贵，处处瞧不起他们，所以他们才会恨你入骨。当你明白自己的错误时，你便设法弥补。你变了，亚历。” 他停顿半晌，“但是反观自己。评判自己，却不是件——舒服的事。” 他背对着她，头低垂着，她忍不住为他心酸。 “雷恩，”她轻声唤道，“我了解。你不必再说什么了。” “可是我必须说出来！”他转身面对她，“你以为我一个大男人，发觉连像你这样的小东西也能做我做不到的事，是件容易接受的事实吗？” “我做了什么？”她愕然反问。 此时他笑了，眸中漾着无尽的爱意，“也许我真是认为我为那些低下的乞丐们牺牲一切，理当能为所欲为，或者我还真的喜欢做罪犯之首。” “雷恩。”她伸手试探地轻触他的衣袖。 他抓住她的手，亲吻每一根指尖，“你为什么要去见亨利王？” “要求他宽恕你。说服他应允伊丽莎白和迈尔斯的婚事。” “那伤了我的自尊，亚历，”他轻语道，“我本来打算穿着银甲胄，全副武装地冲进亨利王的寝宫，平等地和他说话。”一个酒窝在他颊上出现，“然而我老婆却代我前去为我求情。这实在伤人太重。” “我无意要——喔，雷恩，只要能救你，我会恳求任何人。” 他似乎没注意到他几乎快捏碎她的手了，“我一直被骄傲冲昏了头。我要——恳求你的原谅。” 亚历直想大叫她什么都原谅他，然此时不是轻率而为的时候，“我相信往后的日子里，我还会做其它事伤到你的骄傲。” "I believe." 她傲然抬起下巴，“我冒犯你的时候，你打算怎么样？” “跟你大吼大叫，非常非常生气。威胁要宰了你。” “哦，”亚历几乎没声音，眨着眼硬压住奔流欲出的泪水，“那么也许——” “亚历，我要你，不要那些对我唯唯诺诺奉为天神的人。”他扮了个鬼脸，“你去见国王是对的。” “罗吉尔。乔特耳斯呢？” 有那么一刹那，雷恩的眼中冒了火，“你看错他了。当初我若杀了他，遭尔斯也不会——” “如果你杀了他，亨利王就要杀你！”亚历对他吼了回去。 “我可以把他的尸体处理掉。没有人——” “别真以为世人都是瞎子、傻瓜，”她嫌恶地说，“不，我做的没错。” 雷恩欲言又止，“也许你真的是对的。” “我什么？”亚历错愕地叫道，旋即看见他的酒窝，“你逗我。”她绷起了下颚。 雷恩咯笑着拥她入怀，“看来我们似乎意见永远不会一致，但也许我们会同意一起合作。你是否能在付诸行动之前，先把计划说出来大家讨论？” 她思索半晌，“如果你阻止我呢？我想我还是照老样子行事的好。” “亚历，”他几乎在呻吟，继而笑了起来，“亚历，亚历，亚历。”笑着，他将她抛入空中再接住，“我想咱们永远吵不休。你愿意过这样的生活吗？” “如果你偶尔肯三思而后行的话，我们也没事可吵。你应该时时考虑到明天，那样就不会再莽撞行事触怒国王——”她没声音了，是因为雷恩在吸吮她的颈项。 “我是个热血男儿，”他咕哝道，“你希望我改变吗？” “我也许还能忍受你的热情。雷恩！”她抽身离开，一本正经地审视他，“你会再离开我吗？如果我又做了什么你不喜欢的事，你是否会再次抛弃我和我们的孩子？” 他的眸子变得十分严肃，“我现在就对你——亚历丝珊德·蒙特格利——发誓，我永远不会再在愤怒中离开你。” 她定定地审视他良久，然后展颜笑了，抬起双臂圈住他的颈项，“我好爱好爱你哟。” “当然我可能会把你锁在房间里，派人看守。但我再也不会把你丢给我哥哥，让他来应我的麻烦。” “麻烦！”她对着他的耳朵大叫，“我是你家的欢乐泉源。让他们心碎的人是你。你是个冥顽不灵又——” 雷恩拚命搓揉他的耳朵，“喔，女人的声音真精致，柔若春天的早晨，温存如——” 他倏地打住，因为亚历的吻又使他忘却一切言语。