[The Vale of Cedars by Grace Aguilar]@TWC D-Link book
The Vale of Cedars

CHAPTER IX
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Knowest thou that her Grace reproached me with not bringing thee to join the Arragonese festivities?
When Donna Emilie spoke of thee, and thy gentle worth and feminine loveliness, as being such as indeed her Grace would love, my Sovereign banished me her presence as a disloyal cavalier for so deserting thee; and when I marked how pale and thin thou art, I feel that she was right; I should have borne thee with me." "Or not have left me.

Oh, my husband, leave me not again!" she replied, with sudden and involuntary emotion, which caused him to throw his arm round her, and fondly kiss her brow.
"Not for the court, dearest; but that gentle heart must not forget thou art a warrior's wife, and as such, for his honor's sake, must sometimes bear the pang of parting.

Nay, thou tremblest, and art still paler! Ere such summons come, thou wilt have learned to know and love thy Queen, and in her protecting favor find some solace, should I be called to war." "War! talk they of war again?
I thought all was now at peace ?" "Yes, love, in our sovereign's hereditary dominions; but there can be no lasting peace while some of the fairest territory of Spain still dims the supremacy of Castile, and bows down to Moorish masters.

It is towards Grenada King Ferdinand looks, yearning for the day when, all internal commotions healed, he can head a gallant army to compel subjection; and sad as it will be to leave thee, sweet, thou wilt forgive thy soldier if he say, would that the day were come!" "And will not their present extent of kingdom suffice the sovereigns?
When they recall their former petty domains, and compare them with the present, is it not enough ?" Morales smiled.

"Thou speakest as a very woman, gentle one, to whom the actual word 'ambition' is unknown.


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