Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(21)

"What if it's the man who's been cheating?"

His laughter almost echoed off the walls of the castle. "Isabel, I know not the laws in Dumont, but in all other lands of Briton, men are - "

"Held to a different standard. Of course."

He frowned at her. "I am confounded by your sudden aggravation."

"I'm sorry, Arthur. I just find the double standard upsetting. But I should not be surprised. And I should not be taking my irritation out on you. It is what it is."

"Nonetheless, I apologize for upsetting you at all."

Isabel, stop. Make his day. You are one who may teach him another way.

"No, you have been nothing but gracious. It's my fault for feeling so strongly about something that you cannot understand."

He shook his head, chuckling. "But I wish to take up this topic again at a later date. You intrigue me, Isabel. I look forward to many more conversations with you."

"And I, you." She didn't know what drove her to say it, but she added, "Arthur, before we do something that we both might regret, it's time to talk to Gwen. Tell her your feelings."

"She knows naught of my awareness."

Isabel shrugged. "So tell her you know. Ask her to choose. After all, the heart wants what it wants."

"At this moment, I do not know which answer I would prefer, Isabel."

She curtsied, a little better than before. "I look forward to those future conversations, Arthur." And, man, she looked forward to a kiss. And more. But not tonight. His attraction to her was heady, but she wasn't about to kiss a married man if he was only kissing her, or more, to show his wife that he, too, was capable of cheating in the marriage.

Arthur bowed, then straightened and looked her in the eyes. "I wanted you tonight. But I understand your reluctance. And accept your decision."

"I appreciate that, sir. My honest advice? Talk to Gwen."

"I admit to not wanting to hear her answers."

"Man up, King Arthur."

Chapter Nine

ARTHUR entered his bedchamber, and Gwen was already there, waiting for him.

Her dressing gown was open, her auburn hair falling down over her shoulders.

There was a time when the sight of her would have him hard and ready to pick her up and take her straight to the bed furs. The truth was, even with what he had known, he most likely would still have taken her. So it surprised him that for once the sight of her beautiful young body did not make his member hard as a bed post. In fact, his member couldn't have lifted a flea from a dog at the moment.

When had he stopped wanting his wife? When had he stopped desperately loving her? It was not before his suspicions had been confirmed. He had tried to bring her back to him with lovemaking and romantic gestures.

But her response to his love gestures were obvious. She no longer desired him as afore. What was shocking to him was that at this moment, he no longer desired her. The blue eyes and blond hair of a woman with a smart mouth and smart ideas kept running through his mind. He could not get Isabel out of his head.

Gwen headed to him. She smelled of sex already, and he wanted to back away and beg her to bathe. "Where have you been, Arthur?" she asked.

"I was debating with the countess," he said, figuring that was no lie. "We had so much to discuss about our lands."

'Twas true in a sense. He was so very intrigued with her thoughts on matters of laws and realms. He was eager to travel to Dumont at his earliest opportunity to see in practice many of the ways she had mentioned of how she ran her realm.

The lie was that he had wanted to be with the countess, in so many ways. In all of the ways he used to want his wife after a long day. Was not voicing this thought a lie of sorts? 'Twas another question he was eager to bring up to the countess the next time they had the chance to discuss such intriguing matters. He could not wait to delve further into her thoughts. And truth be told, delve into her in other ways, as well.

Arthur began to undress, and Gwen came up behind him. "Shall we call for bath water?" she asked.

Her touch used to bring him so much pleasure. At this moment he would have loved to throw her hand from his body. He thought of Isabel's words and his decision came to him in one blinding flash of clarity. This charade was over. "Gwen, I know."

"I do not ken. What do you know?"

He turned to face her. "About you and Lance."

Her mouth dropped open. "Arthur, please, of what do you speak?"

He stared down at the woman he had once loved with all of his being. "Denying it is sad and futile. His sex scent is on you even now. You would actually invite me to bathe with you? Where is your allegiance, Gwen? Where is your love? Please, if you have even a glimmer of feelings for me left in you, do not lie to me, wife."

Her silver blue eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Arthur, I am so very sorry."

"Sorry that I learned of it?"

"I swear that I never meant for this to happen."

In his mind and heart he truly believed her. Gwen was one of the most caring, loving women he had ever met. She would not, ever, hurt a person, a flower, an animal on purpose. He loved her. He just no longer was in love with her. That passion had slowly withered as first his suspicions and then his absolute knowledge had taken root to choke it. It was the saddest part to this debacle.