Page 71 (2/2)

Such a friend, be they man or woman, was truly a rarity

Henry sighed again Of course, he would have to go to her Jenova would not have asked if she had not needed to see hihorn in four days, assuive him a few hours to tie up any business he had at the court—his trusted second in command, Leon, could keep an eye on matters and report to him if or when it beca free for Henry to visit his current mistress, Christina

He could not expect to find sohorn, nor would he feel co upon Jenova’s women She was always, to hisher ladies—especially when soer to be defiled

He turned the e relationship, the one between Jenova and himself, and yet it was a comfortable one She had loved her husband, Mortred, and had been grieving for hilow had left Jenova’s green eyes As if night had come to her soul

Their son must be five years old Henry tried to remember what he looked like and could not; beyond a pat on the head and a vague greeting, Henry never took much notice of the boy In truth, children were of little interest to hi any children of his own…

Henry shuddered He did not want the responsibility Not after what had happened to him when he was a boy

Shrugging off his dark thoughts, Henry let himself wonder what Jenova could want of him that required his swift attendance upon her Was her

son ill? Was she ill? But she would have said so, surely? Perhaps she needed his advice? But no, Henry shts, to Jenova he was and had always been Henry, whoence and irritation, but never took too seriously

That wasn’t strictly true, Henry chastised hiave Jenova advice on i and defense of her manor, she usually took it—she had always trusted hi Willialand But once, when he had tried to tell her that a red gown suited her better than a yellow one, she had laughed until she’d cried

“Are you a lady’s reen eyes bri “Mayhap I should ask you for reports from the court as to what is in fashion Mayhap you ear a likeness of the latest head-wear forwith mirth

Henry had tried not to take offence They had known each other since they were children, and to Jenova he would always be that boy who followed her about, as to be tolerated in a fond sort of way

He found her attitude frustrating, but at the sa

Jenova was not like other women, and he had never treated her so

“Reynard!” he called suddenly