by Jackie Ivie
“You are not!”
“I might as well be,” the woman mumbled.
“Perhaps you’d best explain your words. Whose side are you on, anyway?”
“There are no sides in this madness. There’s barely a middle that I can tell.”
“Roberta.”
“All right. He told his brother about you. He wants to return to Stansbury so he can find you...I mean, her. He longs to convince her to leave a beastly husband for him. He obviously doesn’t know the beastly husband is himself. It boggles the mind, Bess, if you think on it. I don’t know what game you’re playing, I truly don’t.”
“How do you know this?”
“The walls have a way of passing words, especially if one leaves doors open.”
“You listened at his door?”
“We weren’t at his door, and no, I didn’t. He was speaking while he walked. Augusta and I couldn’t help but hear him. I’m surprised he didn’t note us. Augusta barely hid her laughter. She thinks this is a grand charade. I don’t.”
“He talks of the redhead? Oh! This complicates things worse, if there is such a thing! Why would you hide such a thing from me?”
“I’m hoping you’ll tell the man the truth. You’ll not do it as long as your plan is working. Drat my loose tongue, again.”
“I did tell him the truth, Roberta.”
“Like as not, he doesn’t believe it, now.”
“How do you know?”
“Lies beget more lies, my lady. You’re too old not to know that and I’m too old to teach it to you. Unless you show the man the proof before his nose, he’ll not believe a thing you say.”
“I don’t need a conscience.”
“Your need list is longer than that, to be sure. You need another chance at this marriage. That’s what you need. Perhaps if you’d lifted your veil from the first, your man wouldn’t be mooning over a stranger he thinks he can’t have, that just happens to be you.”
“He moons over me, too?”
“Drat, and double-drat my loose tongue! I’ll slice it off, yet.”
“What did he say? What were his exact words? Come on, Roberta, give over.”
“I can’t believe my own mouth! I made Augusta promise she’d not tell you.”
“Tell me.”
The maid sighed. “Oh, very well. He can’t sleep anymore. His dreams are filled with the redhead.”
“Did he mention me?”
“I just told you he did.”
“Not the me from the joust. The me that he’s wed to.”
“How am I supposed to keep it straight when you can’t?”
“You’re avoiding answering me. That usually means I’ll not like the answer.”
“Will you be wearing the plain garters, then?”
“I think I’ll surprise you and wear the lace and ribbon ones. How does that sound to you?”
“Like a woman. How else?”
“Did he mention me, or didn’t he?”
Bessie caught the garter that Roberta tossed her way. Then she stood, hitched up her skirt and put a foot on her stool.
“He moons over the redhead. That’s all he spoke on. His brother, James, told him he wasn’t the only one.”
“James?” Bessie was choking on the name.
“Does that satisfy you?”
“I want Devon to want me. That’s all I was looking for.”
“Well, your plan must be working, then. He does want you.”
“No. He doesn’t. He wants the redhead. Oh. This is terrible. It’s also wondrous, at the same time. Are you sure he never mentioned me? The wife me?”
“He may, but we didn’t hear it, if he did.”
“Not even once?”
“Put the man out of his misery, my lady. It would be so easy. Just lift that accursed veil. He’d be yours in a moment.”
“He’ll never be mine, Roberta. It’s too much to expect. The man hasn’t a bit of honor to his name. He’s already proved it.”
“You’ve not given him a chance! The poor man is damned in your eyes before he even wakes up.”
“He betrayed the queen, Roberta.” Bessie said in as noncommittal tone as she could manage.
“I hardly blame him. Look at her. She’s an old goat.”
“Roberta!” Bessie was laughing as she said it. Then, she sobered. “He betrayed me, too.”
“So? You’re a young goat, and one covered in ugly brown satin, with an old bed-linen about her head. I don’t blame him there, either. Give me one good reason why he should stay steadfast to you. You push him away every chance you get.”
“I have to. You don’t understand. There are too many other women willing to please him. They are everywhere.”
“And what do you do about it, I ask? You give them the clear field. What kind of plan is that?”
“He truly does moon over her? I mean, over me?”
“So, he says.”
“Give me the other. Hurry. I’ve a family to meet.”
“You’ll show him the truth?”
“And lose the upper hand? What sort of move is that?”
“Perhaps it would be better if Augusta serves you, rather than me. As I mentioned, she thinks this is grand fun. I don’t. I’ll just go and fetch her for you.”
“You wound me to the quick, Roberta.”
Bessie was smiling as she said it. It sounded in her voice. She knew the maid was teasing. Roberta may be unable to keep a secret, but she hadn’t a mean bone in her body.
She heard the door opening and closing as Roberta left. It felt an awful lot like a desertion. The garter was tight about her thigh. It had to be to keep tightly woven cotton stockings up. She started on her other leg. The door opened and closed again.
“They don’t make these things for comfort, do they? More like they’re sewn to make one miserable. That’s the purpose behind this design, I’ve decided.”
There wasn’t any answer, but she didn’t expect one.
Bessie smoothed the lace down, twirled it to put the bow in front, and looked up into Devon’s face. He was leaning against the door jamb with one leg crossed in front of the other. He had both eyebrows raised, and Roberta wasn’t anywhere in sight.
Bessie dropped her foot and smoothed the front of her gown as best she could. The veil didn’t hide her blush. She didn’t need the amused curve of Devon’s mouth to tell her of it.
“I would say they are designed to arouse a man’s interest. That would be my first thought.”
“No one asked you to think.”
“Are you surprised I can?”
He moved away from the wall and started walking toward her. Bessie didn’t back from him, which was a major victory, but he was causing the same reaction to her skin that he had in the stable. The neckline of her dress was probably showing it, too. There was nothing she could do short of covering herself with the bedding, just as Roberta had said.
Devon stopped on the other side of the stool and ran his gaze from the top of her head to her feet, and back to her face. He stopped at several spots. First, at her cleavage, next at where her hands still held to her skirt, and again when he reached her feet. It felt like a caress. It didn’t help that her breath was catching and moving again in rhythm with his.
“What...do you want?”
“You are missing the festivities held in your honor. I didn’t know it was because you couldn’t decide why garters were frivolous.”
“That wasn’t why.”
“Really?”
He pushed the stool from his path with one foot, and took up the space directly in front of her. He had access to his own wardrobe now, and it showed. Bessie couldn’t find anything to look at that wasn’t meant for that very thing. His jacket fit perfectly about his doublet, the sleeves ending at his fingers. Lace fell about them as he lifted his hand toward her. Bessie told herself to turn aside, but nothing on her body obeyed.
“Why do you still cover yourself?” he asked softly when his hand caught and held h
er chin.
Bessie’s heart skipped at the warm quality of his tone. Her breath caught. It surprised her. She had no reason for such a reaction. She already knew how wonderful his voice could be.
“I think it’s because...what are you doing?”
He closed the distance with a step. Bessie would have matched it, but her feet weren’t obeying, either.
“You’re not a widow. You’re a wife again. I think I’ve shown more longevity than your prior spouses, too. I survived a wedding night. My family applauds me.”
“Are you trying...to be amusing?”
Bessie was amazed she had a voice. Devon was nearly touching her. The air between them seemed alive with allure. Tempting. Dangerous.
“I’m not trying to do anything I don’t fully intend to do.”
“You don’t know what...you do.” She was stuttering, giggling, out-of-breath, and frightened all at the same time. Her voice carried all of it, too.
“I know very well what I’m about. It’s you that’s worried.”
“Worried? Me? Never.”
“So you say, but your voice gives away the lie. As does the flush in your skin.”
Damn this dress!
“That is a very lovely dress. I think the lace matches your garter. Did you choose it for that effect?”
“The garter? No. I—what?”
“You’ve lost a bit of your haughtiness, Bess.”
“Haughtiness?”
“Aye, haughtiness. You’re less prickly. I think you’ll fit well in my arms, too.”
“I will?”
She put her hands out and connected with his doublet. And gasped at the sensation of velvet on her palms. Each finger. He was so hard. Strong.
Real.
“Why...are you here?” she asked.
“I was sent to fetch you.”
“Oh. Consider it done then.”
He smiled down at her. Everything stilled. Went heated. Exhilaratingly hot. Devon was too handsome by too bloody far. It was so unfair. Nothing was fair.
“I believe I’ve a changed mind, now that I’m here.”
Bessie’s eyes widened. “In...what way?”
“I’m a man, not a statue, dearest. Surely you can decipher it?”
Her answer was garbled. Unintelligible. His smile widened as he brought his other arm about her back.
Bessie’s heart was hammering so hard and fast he had to feel it. Devon pulled her to him. She went readily. Her hands were the only things between them, pushing her breasts into even deeper cleavage than before. He glanced there. His eyes slammed shut for a moment. A tremor scored him, and then he groaned. All of it mystifying. Entrancing.
She was watching as he opened his eyes again. His next words were whispered. Low-toned.
“This veiling of yours...is unneeded, Bess. Remove it. Please?”
“I...will remove it when I wish.” The words were breathless. Throaty. Foreign. She didn’t know where the strength to say them came from.
“Make this a time you wish it removed, then.”
“No.”
“When we kiss, I want to touch skin.”
He was whispering the words against the side of her cheek. His breath reached through the material of her head covering to her ear. The exposed portion of her throat. It started a sliver of something deep within her. Something raw. Needy. Passionate. She wavered, her legs refusing to support her. If Devon wasn’t holding her, she’d have collapsed.
She tried to send another denial, but all that came out was a moan of sound. He chuckled in reply. His chest moved. Her hands with it. Oh! Devon had too many attributes. She hadn’t any experience with dealing with any of them.
It wasn’t just unfair.
It was worse.
“Please me this once, Bess. Take the blasted thing off and allow a kiss. Nothing more. I promise. I’ll not do more unless you wish it.”
Her heart stopped. Her entire form might as well be dunked in iced water. His wording was almost exactly what he’d told her in the stable, when he’d thought her another woman.
And another easy conquest.
She pulled her head back, although nothing could be done about his arm around her, pinning her against him. She refused to acknowledge the feeling from where he’d pressed his legs against hers.
“What is it, love? What have I said?”
Love?
Her eyes narrowed. Her lips thinned. She had to clear her throat to speak. Even then, the words had a hint of a croak. “I will not stand for endearments, Devon. Use them...with your other women, but not with me.”
“What other women?”
“Every other woman that wants you and piques your interest. Whom else could I be referring to?” Her voice was returning. As was her sense of time. Place. Reality.
“Is that what you think of me?”
“Of course. And not without good reasoning. Unhand me and allow me to see to any damage before we join your family.”
“There are no other women, Bess. You had them banished, remember?”
“I did poor work of it. It is an impossible task. There are too many of them, and you are far too handsome. It’s like keeping mead from a thirsty battalion.”
He looked down at her and grinned. Bess pressed against his chest.
“Ah. You do find me handsome, then?”
She sighed, and it was with an exasperated tone. “The entire world finds you that, Devon, not just me.”
“But, that does include you?”
Bessie frowned. Why would it matter what she thought of him? “I’m sorry I mentioned anything. I exaggerated. I rarely turn my mind to you at all, my lord. Now, unhand me.”
“Will you remove your veil? This once? I’ve a family to impress, you know.”
“Impress them with my lands and the castles you’ve gained. That should be enough. You’ve wealthy properties now to divide amongst them if you wish.”
“If only—”
He cut off his words, but did loosen his arm. Bess waited a moment before stepping back. Her legs were giving her trouble over it. She had to lock her knees to make the movement. She pulled her hands away last. She dropped them from contact. Everything felt instantly chilled. Bereft. Lonely.
She couldn’t meet his eyes. She shied away from looking at him, at all. “We can go now. I’m ready.”
“James should get the castle in the sky.”
“Gift him a real one.”
“I’d rather not part with Hampton Court.”
“I don’t own Hampton Court.”
“I know.”
“You think this a game?”
“No, I think it a lie. One of many.”
“I tell no lies.”
“Remove your veil and prove it to me.”
“Not until you give up your wenching. Promise me that, and I’ll give you whatever you wish.”
“I’ve not touched another women save you, since we wed. Actually, it was well before that. I swear to it.”
He sounded so sincere as he vowed it! Bessie’s heart fell, her throat closed off, her eyes burned. She didn’t know how to absorb such a mix of emotion. She felt out-of-kilter. Dizzy. Ill.
She already knew he was a lying, cheating, smooth-tongued devil.
It shouldn’t hurt when he proved it.
And that wasn’t fair, either.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Bessie held to Devon as he escorted her. She felt every nuance of his arm beneath her fingertips and knew every stride he made. He was taking deliberately small steps to accommodate the size of hers. She wondered if that came naturally, or if it was something he’d practiced. Then, she decided she’d rather not know.
“The family has already supped. I noticed you hadn’t. You aren’t in need of sustenance, are you?”
“What?”
“Your tray was sitting untouched in your chamber. I saw it.”
“I am not hungry if that is your question,” she finally answered.
“That’s a r
elief. You probably lift your veil in order to eat. I rather like my family. I wouldn’t wish them turned to stone, or anything as suspect.”
Bessie glanced up to catch his wink, as if he were joshing. And the words shouldn’t sting. She quickly looked away. Hardened her voice. “I have a very good reason for still wearing a veil, Devon.”
“And I keep asking myself what it might be. Are you scarred? You’ve marks from pox? Perhaps you were born with a harelip? Deformed nose? Or perhaps – and this is really worrisome – perhaps you are riddled with...leprosy? Is that it?”
“My. Your imagination is surprising,” she answered.
“I know.”
He stopped, turned, and looked down at her. Bessie was hooked. Unable to tear her gaze away. If only his expression as he regarded her meant something! His emerald green eyes didn’t remotely resemble hard jewels. She could swear they held warmth. Interest. He looked away first, breaking the contact. She watched him turn his head to his left and then right before looking up, as if checking walls and ceiling. Then he cleared his throat and returned his attention to her. She’d watched him the entire time. She hadn’t even blinked. This was impossible. It was obvious even to a casual observer. She wasn’t just in danger of becoming another rapt female in his cadre of them. She’d already joined. Nothing seemed to stop it, or even slow it down.
She was in love. Fully. Completely. Overwhelmingly.
It was gloriously horrible. And terribly wonderful.
The feeling she’d experienced when she’d watched him after their marriage hadn’t dissipated one bit. It anything, it had swelled. Enlarged. Broadened. Despite his heartless, faithless character.
Oh! Why did it have to be him?
“What do you think of Hilde?”
Bessie blinked. Shook her head slightly. Came back to the present with a jolt. “Hilde...Castle?”
“Yes.”
He started walking again, taking short strides that matched hers. It didn’t look practiced. He looked more like he wanted to be at her side and was making certain that happened.
Stop it, Bessie!
“You want the truth?” she asked.
“Of course.”
She pulled in a breath. “Very well. I think the castle was constructed hastily, and with what I assume was a shortage of funds.”