Chapter 1
Amelia Redwood awoke to the sounds of the morning bird song, the pale soft orange light of sunrise trickled in illuminating her beautifully furnished room. Despite the beauty of the morning Amelia could not shake the wave of anxiety that immediately washed over her. As she stretched she suddenly remembered. John. John Redwood was coming home.
John had not been home for several months. Court was the centre of wealth, power and positions and any experienced courtier knew the only way to stay in favour was to stay at the side of the king. Amelia was grateful for this as it kept John away for most of the year.
To everyone they seemed like a happy and loving couple only Amelia and the few servants who waited on her knew that Sir Redwood had a violent temper always made worse with drink and always directed towards his wife. She despised and feared her husband but she knew divorce was impossible. The only hope of escape was widowhood but his cowardice kept him from war and his health never seemed to falter. "Damn him" she thought "God damn him for leaving me in this half life, and God damn this world for leaving me with no choice"
**
After she dressed and attended mass Amelia set the servants to work. Everything had to be perfect for John's arrival he insisted on being entertained like a king himself and to fail in this task... Well it just wasn't an option. The cooks were ordered to prepare a grand feast with three different kinds of meat, after there would be dancing. And throughout it all there would be wine.
At around six o'clock Amelia went to change her gown. She decided on deep red with gold embroidered sleeves and a French hood also in deep red. She looked at herself in the mirror the shade of red complimented her golden hair. Her eyes were a piercing blue, her skin was like porcelain, pale and without flaw. Her neck was slender and long she attached a pair of ruby earrings and admired the scarlett stars that danced over her cheeks as the light caught them. She was a beautiful woman, at the age of 26 she was still in her fertile years. Any man would be glad of her attention. She sighed and turned away from her reflection it didn't matter if she was beautiful. All that mattered was John and he would be here any minute now.
As she turned from the mirror she heard the pounding of horse hooves against the dirt road. Amelia's heart started to race and a flush worked it's way from the base of her neck filling her pale cheeks, the servants smiled on her mistaking her colouring for excitement or desire at seeing her husband after so long. Only Amelia knew it was from fear.
She greeted him at the door and waited as he dismounted from his horse. Her eyes were downcast, she saw first his riding boots. Soft, brown leather raising her eyes slowly she took in his breeches his leg muscles showed easily through them, as she raised her eyes she saw his dark blue riding cloak, so dark it was almost black the velvet material shimmered in the sun it looked as though it was embroidered with sapphires. Finally she looked into his face. John had black hair that curled softly just below his ears, he had a soft black beard perfectly trimmed and warm brown eyes. "yes" Amelia thought "he is a handsome man". As soon as she met his eyes she dropped down into a curtsey fit for a king. John gently raised her up he kissed her cooly on the cheek "good evening to you my wife" he said formally. "my lord husband I am so glad to see you. I hope you are well?" He nodded in reply. "Amelia, I have someone I want you to meet. Her father is a great friend of mine at court, she is to be your companion until he can find a suitable marriage for her."
Before she could reply John snapped his fingers, from behind his armed escort out stepped a young woman. She must have been about 20 years old, she had long auburn hair that fell in tight ringlets beneath her hood like copper coils and her eyes. Her eyes were the brightest of greens. Amelia almost let out an involuntary gasp. This woman had to be the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
"Amelia" John said "this is Constance Greene."
