Chapter 19Winchester, early spring, 721 AD
On his way to the Royal Palace, Aelfhere had to admit that the aetheling's pretty cousin set his pulses racing. But was that not exactly what Sister Cynethryth had warned him against? The unspoken implication by Wynflaed, communicated by smiles and gestures, that she would be his woman when he became King of Dorset, put a spring in his step. To become king and have his father as a subject, imagine that! It would show Guthred and his mother who was the better man between him and Osburh.
The cursory nod and smile from his comrade on guard duty at the hall door was enough to curtail these flights of fancy. What was he thinking? By God, the infirmarian had it right, the Devil knew how to tempt a mere mortal!
With this in mind, Aelfhere strode to th
