Lady Thief

by Rizzo Rosko

  He should have warned his men at the gate not to allow Ferdinand entrance, but it had been years since he thought of the man’s wretched existence. Yet it seemed Ferdinand had not forgotten him at all.

  William politely separated himself from his group and inched closer to listen to Marianne’s conversation, and he cocked his head when he heard Ferdinand’s statement of opportunity, and he wondered at the meaning behind it.

  He watched Marianne shift, and the subtle pull of her arm as she tried to back away from the man was very telling indeed. He felt a sympathetic tugging in his chest that he had not experienced in some years. It made him angry to see her beautiful hand in the cruel grip of that hideous man.

  Perhaps Ferdinand was somehow the reason Marianne felt compelled to kidnap a husband. Her continued efforts to pull away from him and disappear into the crowds suggested as much, and such an action seemed almost understandable if that man was her original intended.

  His reputation was known to make even the most experienced of women shudder.

  But no matter, her reasons made no difference. He still planned on enjoying her torture for a few more minutes before he rescued her.

  Ferdinand would never dare attempt anything other than whisper a few lecherous comments in her ear while around so many people. William relaxed with the knowledge that she was perfectly safe.

  Unfortunately, Ferdinand saw him before he could make his gallant entry. His milky eyes lit up with pleasure before he slowly approached him at a pace understandable for his age, though William knew he could move faster, and without the need to put his hand on his lower back while still clinging to Marianne’s hand and forcing her with him with the other.

  “I must say that I am quite insulted that I was never invited to the wedding. It must have been a small event to sneak by so many people.” Ferdinand smirked.

  Anne’s husband John, chose that moment to make himself known. “Aye, quite,” His arms were crossed, his eyes under scruffy eyebrows changed from their sparkling bright color to dark, though he did fail to conceal a quirk of the lips.

  William looked behind him and noted that several other guests were having similar troubles at keeping their expressions under control, though they put more force into their disapproval than John did.

  William had thought of the insult his family and friends would suffer from not receiving an invitation to his wedding while spending all the time alone in his solar. It had not occurred to him while the actual wedding was taking place, but there was naught he could do about that except hope they were pleased with the feast and music he prepared to forget it.

  Marianne yanked her hand from Ferdinand’s. William, recognizing her heated glare, stepped in. He was not sure of her ability to calm a pack of wolves but did not want to risk that she said something unpleasant.

  With a tenderness that surprised him, he slid his arm around her and pulled her possessively close. She did not fight him.

  “‘Twas a hasty decision, aye, and one that my bride and I have both regretted since our first kiss as man and wife.” He brought her hand to his lips to emphasize his point, pleased with her flushed cheeks.

  That color had naught to do with any feelings she might hold for him, but her humiliation worked in his favor regardless. “However, since Marianne was unable to wait on a set date and for invitations to be sent and answered, she talked me into having our wedding in a small chapel sooner than expected. I hope you all accept my apology and be merry with food and drink on this wonderful occasion.”

  Nearly everyone’s face softened. Anne embraced William. “I forgive you, cousin. I am glad you found another wife and will bear ye no grudge.” She embraced Marianne with the same vigor. “You and I shall be the best of friends. We shall have to be if we’re to survive being wed to these men.”

  William had trouble containing his laughter, as did the rest of the men in the room it appeared, including John, who enjoyed his wife’s humor only when it was crude.

  William was warmed from the inside out. When Anne said she bore him no grudge with such a smile on her face William knew she told the truth.

  He looked at Marianne, who gently put her arms around the smaller woman and stared at him, baffled and face alight with pleasure, before turning her attention back to her new cousin.

  He laughed harder at the expression on her face, only to become somber again when he saw that Ferdinand had slipped away without notice.

  ***

  Marianne could hardly believe her ears. Between Lady Anne’s insinuations and Lord Gray’s explanation she would not have been shocked if someone told her that her face matched her hair.

  The nerve of him! To put the blame entirely on her for their hasty wedding and embarrass her in front of all her new relatives. She wanted to claw at him.

  Still, she was aware that he could have said less than respectable things about her. The fact that he was even speaking on her behalf made her angry all over again, but she was a married woman, and he her husband, which meant there was naught she could do but let him. For now.

  If Lady Anne could have so much freedom then Marianne would soon have the same.

  William clapped his hands and stole everyone’s attention. “Now, to the feast! Be merry because tonight we all celebrate!”

  Marianne barely managed to endure the celebration without bursting into tears. Her nerves were so tight that her hands shook with the strain as a new fear laced through her.

  What should she do if an argument broke out? If someone complained about their seating arrangements? She had not planned this event, nor had she ever since her father never found a need to have guests.

  The fear would not leave her once it came, and she could only be grateful that sir Ferdinand was no longer within sight. The dancing, laughing, and music did naught to raise her spirits either, and being forced to dance with every male member of the party had been just as horrifying as each one asked questions she had trouble answering.

  What did she really know about Lord Gray? What could she say to explain a hasty wedding that would not turn her into a deceiver? That her marriage was based on a real contract and not one of her vengeful whims.

  Marianne had yet to be introduced to Blaise. She hardly knew what she would do when she finally came face to face with him. She prayed that event would not be for some time now. In fact, she should have met him already. But there had been no mention of him at all.

  She openly sighed when William finally took her hand and stole her away from everyone. She forgot all about Blaise when his hands clasped her shoulders, kneading the tension in her muscles to a calm warmth with his knuckles.

  With little force, he used this method and turned her about and led her out of the main hall and into the darkness of the castle.

  Though she was far too relaxed and exhausted from her journey to care that the night was still young, she could not help but ask. “Will we not wish the guests a good night?”

  His fingers rubbed her lower neck, his thumbs pressing into her shoulder blades through her gown in a way that had her fully alert again. “Nay, I think not. I want no interruptions tonight.”

  His mouth closed in on her ear. Marianne quivered with his words that filled her with promise, his hands sending a tingle through her gown that was not entirely unpleasant. “No delay, and no one shall bother to look for us as they are so occupied with their dancing and ale.”

  His words were reassuring, but when the heavy oak door to his, nay, their chamber shut and locked behind her, she found herself terrified to immobility.

  She stood in her husband’s chamber, her chamber now as well, one of the few places the lord and lady of the castle could find some privacy, and she was frightened.

  She did not wish for privacy. She knew where it would lead.

  The fire had been prepared for them and the chamber was warm and inviting. He had planned this. He had planned to lure her away from the guests unnoticed so he might have her without any drunken men or snooping wome
n trying to interrupt.

  She supposed she had to be grateful that he offered her at least that.

  Thick, sweet smelling rushes welcomed her feet. The bed was large enough for the two of them and then some. It was naught like her small room back at Holton manor.

  ‘Twas another reminder that she was the mistress of this castle now.

  Naught was the same, nor would anything ever be. This castle even felt different to her. Everything she touched was foreign to her fingers, and it made them itch with longing for her own bed.But this was her bed now, and she was expected to share it.

  The tension melted from her shoulders when William caressed and massaged them, again using his touch to force her guard down. Damn her weak flesh she could not help the useless moan of satisfaction with the way he eased the stress from her shoulders.

  His lips touched her ear. “Thank you,”

  Her eyes snapped open but she did not turn to look at him.

  “For what?”

  “For not making it public knowledge that you forced me to wed you.”

  “You could easily have ruined my reputation today, as well,”

  He sighed, and Marianne could not tell if he thought the idea to be a pleasurable one or not. “‘Tis true, but to do so would have brought me down to ruin with you.”

  She flinched again. So his actions had naught to do with preserving her feelings. So be it. She was in his chamber now, and she knew what was expected of her. Though she was not sure if she could easily give him what he wanted.

  She had feared it from the start of this whole mistake, knowing that she would be required to give her body to her husband. Her nervousness intensified into something far more frightening than she had imagined when the ladies downstairs gathered around her to give their praise and, in the cases of the soon-to-be-wed, awkwardly ask questions on what to expect themselves.

  They thought she had been deflowered already and knew the ways of the bed. And why wouldn’t they? She’d been married for two weeks. What bride went so long without knowing the touch of her husband?

  But she did not know it; the mere thought of it brought a fresh wave of heated embarrassment to her cheeks. When the younger girls asked her questions she could not answer, she could do naught but blush and refrain from answering, claiming it to be too unladylike a topic.

  By the end they had all assumed her to be a prudish shrew.

  Marianne groaned.

  William kissed her neck. She had not realized he had come so close and she shrieked and leapt away from him, bounding across the bed and landing on the other side, using it as a barrier between them.

  His eyes were wide with shock. “What is this?”

  “We can end it,” Marianne said. “we do not have to do this. You can have your freedom from me. Send me home and keep the chest with the money, for all I care.”

  Chapter Four

  “End it? ‘Tis impossible.”

  He was laughing at her! The nerve of him! She was perfectly serious!

  She clenched her hands in his bed sheets and tightened her jaw. She would be taken seriously. “Nay, we could do it. I am not truly your wife until the marriage has been…” she blushed and plowed on. “…consummated. We can petition for an annulment.”

  William stopped his chuckling and folded his arms. Marianne did not know what to make of his stance until he spoke.

  “You are more simple minded than the average female.”

  “What?”

  “We both swore in front of a houseful of guests that you and I have been one already. How would we explain such a thing to them? Without ruining my reputation,” he added when she tried to speak up.

  Marianne chewed her bottom lip. He was right. Everyone on the bottom floor already thought they had consummated the marriage and would likely not believe otherwise even if told so.

  She thought of allowing him to question her virtue, but that would not work either since everyone assumed she had given it to him weeks ago.

  She clutched the bed sheets tighter, wishing for a solution to present itself, but none came.

  He watched her with his piercing eyes, waiting to see what she would do to bring a solution to their problem.

  She pounded the bed. “But can you not see how wrong this is? You would only be using me to disperse of your anger,” she accused, her voice high pitched, hoping to stall what was to come. “You are vengeful and ‘tis disgusting!”

  He shrugged. “Aye, ‘tis true.”

  Marianne gasped and stepped back. “You admit it!”

  “Of course I do!” He roared, coming forth but not passing the bed she hid behind. “Why should I cater to your emotions after you put us into this position? And even if the possibility of an annulment was still available to us, I would not allow you to have one even if you had not been so reckless, and foolish, and stupid as to kidnap the wrong man!”

  A swelling ache built in her chest and rose up painfully, and Marianne put her hand to her throat to ease the building lump.

  This was not what she wanted. She walked away from Ferdinand and into something just as horrible. Why was she such a fool?

  William knew she had naught to give, nor any other excuses, but she would not surrender.

  “I refuse,”

  “Refuse?” His face exploded in red, fists clenched and shook at his sides.

  Marianne watched, mixed fascination and fear as his veins popped up around his forehead and neck. She stepped back.

  “Nonsense! I am your husband and you my wife. ‘Tis my right to demand this of you, and should I wish it I could walk over to where you stand and take you. You would have no one but yourself to blame.”

  Marianne wished he were laughing again. That mockery would have been preferable to the anger she had to deal with now.

  “You should think very carefully, Marianne,”

  She tensed when he used her given name, lacing it with a cold and unforgiving hiss. Whatever patience he had with her had vanished.

  He was still not finished with her. “My reputation would suffer incredibly, that much is true, but who would be forgiven for this should the truth raise its head? Myself or you? You are the culprit here and should I turn you out of my house I doubt very much that your father would welcome you back into his. Not for all the gold in the world, I would say.”

  Marianne fought tears. The fight only worsened her sore throat and she was certain it gave her a red face.

  Why did he have to be so infuriatingly correct? She had no choice in this matter. ‘Twas his right to ask for what was his and sinful that she should deny him, just as it had been sinful for her to disobey her father and Ferdinand and rush behind their backs like that to kidnap herself a husband. And look at the rewards that act bestowed upon her.

  ***

  William took note of the helplessness of her stance as his words sunk in. The loosening of her shoulders and the enlightenment that showed in her face as she realized her defeat.

  He knew she would give him what he wanted, but never before had he been brought so low as to force himself on the unwilling. No matter how much the woman in question richly deserved it.

  His fists clenched at the thought, and the consequences she would suffer if he went through with such a plan were more than he wished to inflict upon her.

  He regretted the anger he displayed to her, his cruel words and the fear he could see in her now. He could not punish her like this.

  He crossed to the other side of the bed in two swift strides and lifted her chin. How strange to see it so low when he was used to having her thrust it in the air in that prim way at him.

  She was nothing at all like Alice.

  Perhaps Marianne’s courage in the church had been an act. A shame, really, since he rather liked her that way. The idea that she could be as mousey as every other woman he had ever met was nearly as infuriating as believing he had been cheated in a dice game without proof.

  But then he recalled, only moments earlier bluntly refusi
ng to give him what was rightfully his to take, and he changed his mind.

  No, she was a courageous woman, bold and daring. She simply had no place to put it all. Right now, however, her pride had suffered a beating.

  Damn if it was not killing him to not take her.

  He could not help himself. He kissed her. He had to. He had not touched her like this since the day of their wedding when he forcefully pulled her mouth to his, and he had to experience it again. This time, however, he was sure to keep his touch light, his fingers threading through her hair unthreatening. He didn’t want her springing away on him again.

  He was shocked when, after a moment, she moved her lips against his, pressed herself closer and clutched his shoulders for balance. Her mouth parted and he groaned and plunged in. His body readily responded to her and he reminded himself that she only did so because she thought it was what he wished her to do, not what she wanted him to do.

  For the second time, he made a decision concerning her that he knew he would likely regret.

  He pulled his lips away from her mouth, pleased to see that they were fuller from his kiss and her cheeks were coloring the same shade as her hair, and he could tell ‘twas only the embarrassment that put the color there, not any fear he had caused.

  He removed his hands from her and stepped back, relishing her confused eyes, and hands that were still held out to him.

  He bowed his head. “Goodnight,”

  He spun on his heel and left the room before his lust commanded him to go through with it, no doubt leaving her very confused in his wake.

  ***

  A week passed, and most of the guests had their fill of food, drink, and music before departing for home with both her and William’s blessings.

  Marianne still spent every night in William’s chamber, in his bed, waiting with shaking anticipation for him to come and take her. And every night he either slept next to her without so much as laying a little finger on her body, or he disappeared for the night to some mysterious place and she did not see him at all.

  It made her strangely angry to think that he was most likely with a mistress, but there was naught she could do to stop or scold him in that respect but to glare at him at the table whenever they took their meals in their chamber.