Her Dark and Dangerous Lord

by Anne Herries

  ‘Your father will see to the arrangements and you will be wed as soon as the banns are called. You must not be tied to the house, Anne. I tried to keep you indoors, because Andrew warned your father that that wicked man might try to harm you. It was Andrew’s men that arrived and stopped De Vere from finishing what he had begun after Stefan was wounded. You have much to thank your brother-in-law for, Anne. Your father doubted the Comte De Vere would do anything unlawful, but it seems that Andrew was right.’

  ‘The Comte was angry because he thought I had slighted him,’ Anne said. ‘I tried to be polite when I refused him, but he was jealous and sought to punish me. If Stefan had not come when he did, he would have raped me.’

  ‘Stefan arrived soon after you left the house. I told him the direction you had taken and he came after you. I thank God he did! Andrew’s men might not have been there in time, for he had told them to be discreet. We did not wish to frighten you.’

  ‘I had no idea they were following me,’ Anne told her. ‘I shall write to my sister and ask her to thank Andrew for me.’

  ‘I am sure they will come for your wedding, my love,’ Melissa said. ‘You must thank him properly then, but you may write and invite them to your wedding just the same.’

  Anne kissed her mother, thanking her warmly for all she had done for Stefan. She asked if there was anything her mother wished her to do in the house, and was given several small tasks to keep her busy.

  When she went to visit Stefan later, she discovered that he had been shaved and was sitting up against the pillows, reading one of her father’s precious books. It was a privilege that Anne had seldom been allowed herself, for they were very expensive and as a child she had been forbidden to touch them.

  ‘I thought your mother had warned you not to visit me here,’ Stefan said and smiled. ‘I was about to see if I was strong enough to rise and come in search of you.’

  ‘Mama is not as strict as you were when I was ill and you stayed away from my chamber. She said that I may visit sometimes, providing I am discreet.’

  ‘Then she saw you last night,’ Stefan said. He smiled. ‘You thought I stayed away from your room, but I came sometimes as you slept, just to see that you were safe and resting.’

  ‘I thought once that I heard the door close and it made me restless. That was the first time I went down to the pool.’

  ‘I saw you bathing,’ Stefan told her. ‘When we are home again I shall teach you to swim so that we may swim together in the river.’

  ‘Yes, I should like that,’ Anne replied. ‘When the nights are hot, it is so good to bathe in the pool.’ She looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Have you decided that we shall go back to Chateau de Montifiori?’

  ‘At least for a time, though we may visit England sometimes to see your family,’ Stefan told her. ‘From what I have heard, Cowper destroyed my father’s house and disposed of its treasures. It would need restoring before we could live there. I think I might sell it if it were returned to me, and buy something nearer to your father’s home…if that would please you?’

  ‘Yes, I should like to stay sometimes in the summer,’ Anne said. ‘Yet I love your home in Normandy, Stefan, and I shall be content there. Shall we go there as soon as we are wed?’

  ‘No, for the King ordered that I should not leave England until he gave me leave.’ Stefan frowned. ‘Henry bid me keep his peace. I think he may not be pleased when he learns that Comte De Vere is dead, for he may have to answer to King Louis of France for it.’

  ‘You were not to blame,’ Anne said and looked anxious. ‘He will not blame you? All you did was stop that man attack ing me.’

  ‘Your father has written to the King, telling him what occurred here,’ Stefan replied. ‘I do not fear that I shall be blamed, for I did not kill De Vere, but I may be kept kicking my heels here for longer than I wish—and we may be summoned to court. We shall not go until we are wed. Lord Melford has arranged for a special dispensation and we shall be wed next week, my love.’

  ‘Are you sure you will be well enough?’

  ‘I shall walk down the church aisle and be there when you come to join me,’ Stefan told her. ‘I may not have the strength for much else, but I am determined we shall be wed as soon as I can get out of this bed and walk the length of the aisle!’

  ‘Yes,’ Anne said and smiled at him. ‘If I am honest, that cannot be soon enough for me, my love.’

  ‘You are beautiful,’ Catherine said as she placed a coronet of white flowers on Anne’s head and attached some veiling to her hair at the back. ‘I am glad that you will be happy at last, dearest.’

  ‘If I am, it is in part due to your husband,’ Anne told her. ‘Andrew’s instinct to protect me from the Comte De Vere was a good one.’

  ‘Yes, he told me what he had done,’ Catherine said. ‘I believe it was because of what happened to me when we were first married. The lady Henrietta tried to murder me in my own chamber. None of us could believe it at first, and Andrew has never forgotten it, even though she has been dead three years or more.’

  ‘I am very grateful to him. I had hoped that he would be here for the wedding, Catherine.’

  ‘His Majesty summoned him to court,’ Catherine said. ‘When the King sends an order like that, there is no choice but to obey. Andrew hopes that he may be here in time for the celebrations. However, he insisted that I came and sent you his good wishes.’

  ‘Your gift was generous,’ Anne said. ‘Such beautiful cloth is expensive, I know, and there is enough for both Stefan and I to have clothes made—and the fur to line my cloak is beautiful and soft.’

  ‘We were not sure what to give you, Anne. Lord de Montfort is a wealthy man and we thought he would have silver and jewels, but cloth is always useful. I am pleased we decided as we did—having seen the jewels he has given you as a wedding gift, I do not know how we should have matched them. I have never seen rubies as fine as the necklace you are wearing.’

  ‘They are beautiful,’ Anne said. ‘I believe they came from an eastern prince’s treasure chest, as payment for some boon that Stefan performed. He said they were uncut and he had them polished and mounted for me.’

  ‘They are certainly lovely,’ Catherine said. ‘You will be spoiled and adored, Anne—and that is as it should be. Andrew tells me that Lord de Montfort is richer than anyone might have guessed.’

  ‘He has many treasures at the chateau, and many trunks that still remain to be unpacked,’ Anne told her. ‘I had just begun the work when I was stolen from the gardens.’

  ‘I know what it is to be abducted,’ Catherine said. ‘I was fortunate for Andrew found me within hours, but you were separated from Stefan for nearly two months.’

  ‘I have been on thorns lest something should occur and prevent the wedding,’ Anne confessed. ‘So much has happened to me this past year, Catherine. I am afraid that something will occur to prevent our marriage.’

  ‘You must not be afraid,’ Catherine said and kissed her. ‘Stefan’s enemy is dead and so is the Comte De Vere—nothing else will go wrong, my dear sister. I am sure of it.’

  ‘I pray that you are right,’ Anne said, but a little shiver went through her and she felt suddenly cold. ‘If anything should part us now, I do not know how I could bear it.’

  Anne was nervous until she saw Stefan waiting for her at the end of the long aisle, but as he turned his head and smiled at her, her anxiety melted. Her love welled up inside her and she seemed to float towards him, almost as if she walked on air and were in a dream—a dream from which she prayed she would never wake.

  Anne answered her vows in a clear voice, her heart racing as the priest asked if any dissented or could show good cause why they should not be joined as man and wife. No one spoke and the ceremony was completed as Stefan turned, looking down at her with love. He bent his head and kissed her so sweetly that she felt the heat radiating through her body like the rays of the sun, and suddenly she was filled with happiness.

  They left chur
ch to the sound of bells and the cheers of their friends and family. Showers of dried rose petals were thrown over them, and they ran hand in hand towards the house, followed by their friends and family.

  The banquet was soon underway, and Anne led the dancing with Stefan. It was a slow, graceful dance and she saw that every movement caused him pain still, though he did his best to hide it from her. However, he was white from the effort when they sat down and she refused when there were calls for her to dance again.

  ‘You may dance with others,’ Stefan whispered to her. His eyes caressed her, thrilled her, warmed her. ‘I shall not be jealous, my love. This is your wedding and I want you to be happy.’

  ‘I am happy,’ she said, and her face was bright with happiness. ‘I have all that I need, and I shall dance with you at home when we have guests and you are truly well again.’

  Stefan lifted her hand and kissed the palm. ‘I shall be well enough to show you how much I love you later,’ he promised, and Anne trembled with delight. It seemed that all her dreams had come true at last.

  The evening wore on and she began to feel a little nervous again, for the guests had drunk deeply of her father’s good wine and had begun to make ribald jests. The bedding ceremony was something that must be endured, though she hoped the guests would accompany Stefan to the door of their chamber and then leave them in peace. Catherine had been spared this ceremony since her marriage took place at court and she left immediately afterwards to journey to her husband’s home, but Anne and Stefan were to stay here for the time being.

  The hour was late when her mother beckoned to her. ‘I think you should slip away now, dearest,’ she said. ‘Catherine will come up with you and help you to—’

  She broke off as there was a disturbance at the far end of the hall and then someone came in. Anne saw that it was her brother-in-law, the Earl of Gifford, and as she saw his face she sensed that something was wrong. Catherine had gone to greet him, and whatever she said made her look grave. She spoke to him again and then came hurriedly to Anne’s side.

  ‘Shall we go up, sister? I have something to tell you and it is best said in private.’

  ‘Yes, of course…’ Anne glanced over her shoulder and saw that the Earl was speaking with Stefan and both men looked grave. ‘What has happened?’

  ‘I shall tell you when we are alone,’ Catherine said. ‘There is news—though Andrew was not sure whether it was good or bad.’

  Anne looked at her impatiently, but Catherine said nothing more until they were in the bridal chamber and she had sent the maidservants away.

  ‘I told you that Andrew was summoned to court to explain what had happened to the Comte De Vere?’

  ‘Yes.’ Anne looked at her fearfully, for she had had an odd feeling at the back of her mind the whole day. ‘Please tell me at once!’

  ‘Lord de Montfort is summoned to court immediately. He will have to leave here at first light.’

  ‘Then I shall go with him,’ Anne said. She saw the doubt in Catherine’s face, but refused to be swayed. ‘Do you think I could sit here while Stefan may be in danger? If he is to be cast in the Tower again, I shall ask to be imprisoned with him.’

  ‘Anne! You could not possibly share his cell. It would not be right, my love. You would sicken and die in that dread place.’

  ‘Stefan’s wound has not healed properly yet. I shall claim my right as his wife to be with him. I would not be the first woman to be imprisoned in such a place, nor the first wife to share her husband’s punishment.’

  ‘Anne—’ Catherine broke off as the door opened and Stefan entered. ‘I shall leave you alone together. You have a few hours before you must leave.’

  ‘Stefan!’ Anne said as her sister went out, closing the heavy door behind her. ‘Is it true that the King has summoned you to London?’

  ‘Yes, my love,’ Stefan said, looking grave. ‘It seems that Henry was not pleased by the news about Comte De Vere. He says that he may be called to answer to France and would have me explain myself.’

  ‘I shall come with you,’ Anne said. ‘I was there. I saw what happened. You are innocent of any crime—and if they shut you in that terrible place, I shall come with you. I refuse to be parted from you again.’

  ‘How fierce and brave you are, my love,’ Stefan said and touched his fingers to her lips as she would have gone on. ‘Hush, my sweet Anne. I agree that you shall come with me to London, but not to the Tower. If Henry wishes to punish me, he must do so, but not you. I will not have you suffer in that place. I love you too much, my darling.’ He hushed her with a kiss as she would have spoken, then took her hand and led her to the bed. His eyes caressed her, heating her with their fire, driving all else but the need to be with him from her mind. ‘You heard what Catherine said, Anne—we have a few hours. We must make the most of them and they will have to sustain us in the days ahead.’

  Anne smiled up at him, her eyes bright with love and longing as he helped her to unfasten her gown and remove the under-dress. He dropped a kiss on her satinsmooth shoulder and then pulled the chemise to one side, letting it slither down over her hips so that her soft, naked flesh was exposed to his view.

  ‘You are so lovely, my darling,’ he breathed, his hand caressing the side of her face, travelling down her throat and stroking her shoulder. He bent his head, flicking at her breasts delicately with his tongue, the sensation so sweet that Anne arched her body, trembling with this new wonder. ‘I want you so very much.’

  ‘Are you sure you are well enough?’ Anne asked, for she knew his side was still painful. She saw the answer in his eyes. He wanted her and he would lie with her no matter what the cost. She felt the heat pooling at the inner core of her and shivered in delightful anticipation. She offered her hand, leading him to the bed, and then lay down, looking up at him with perfect trust. His clothes were soon discarded and he joined her on the bed. For a while they savoured the pleasure of being together, gazing at each other, touching, kissing softly, but the passion mounted swiftly.

  Anne gasped with pleasure as Stefan bent over her, his kisses inflaming her senses past the point of reason. She clung to him, moaning as his hands and lips caressed her, seeking out all the secret places of her body, rousing such hot desire that she writhed with pleasure. As his body covered hers, she felt the hot, hard length of his manhood against her thigh and melted into tingling desire. She cried out once in pain as he thrust into her, but his kisses took the momentary pain away, and she moved to meet him as he plunged deeper and deeper into her welcoming warmth. Moaning, she bucked and arched beneath him, crying out again and again as the wonderful feeling burst through her and she felt almost as if she had died.

  Her tears were wet against his shoulder. He eased to one side, looking at her anxiously.

  ‘You weep, Anne?’

  ‘Tears of happiness,’ she said and snuggled closer to the warmth of his body, her lips tasting the salt of his sweat as she kissed him, burrowing into him like a little kitten. ‘I love you so much, Stefan. I shall love you all my life and no one else.’

  ‘That is as well,’ he said, a fierce glint in his eyes. ‘For if another man tried to take you from me now, I should kill him. You are mine and mine alone.’

  ‘It is all I want of life,’ Anne told him and gasped as he pulled her against him and she felt the burn of his manhood. He wanted her again already, and she knew that after the exquisite pleasure she had found in his arms the first time, she would always be ready for him, always want this wonderful closeness, this content that came from loving. ‘You…only you, Stefan.’

  Anne woke with a start as she felt a hand shaking her shoulder. She looked up at Stefan and saw that he had already dressed. She had not meant to sleep all night, but after their last incredible loving she had fallen into a deep sleep.

  ‘I hate to wake you, my love,’ Stefan said. ‘But we must leave soon. I shall go down and prepare the men your father is sending with us. Get dressed and come down as soon as you are ready.�
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  ‘Yes, of course,’ Anne said and smiled as he bent to kiss her. She felt so warm and comfortable in their bed, and she wished that she might pull him down to join her. After their loving of the night before, she would have stayed here for ever if she could, but she knew they had no choice but to leave at once for London. They would be at least three days on the road, and perhaps they could spend those nights wrapped in each other’s arms, but she knew that whatever happened in the future, she would never forget her wedding night.

  Dressing hurriedly in gown a maid had put ready for her the previous night, she was soon ready to join her husband down in the hall. A maid had brought a cup of ale and a pastry to her while she was dressing, but she had eaten no more than a few morsels and taken but a sip of the ale. They would stop on the road and she might feel like eating then, but for the moment she was too nervous.

  Melissa was waiting down in the hall for her. She embraced her and looked at her for a moment, smiling as she saw her eyes.

  ‘You are happy, my love. I have packed food for the first part of your journey, and you must try to eat. I know you are anxious, but Andrew has decided to come with you. He will speak to the King on Stefan’s behalf if necessary—and you know you are always welcome to come to us should you need to, my love.’

  Anne thanked her mother and hugged her, then went out into the courtyard where perhaps twenty-odd men-at-arms were waiting together with another group of servants. They were a mixture of her father’s retainers and the Earl of Gifford’s train, and they would make a stir as they passed through the countryside.

  Anne went to her husband. He smiled at her and gave her his hand, helping her to mount her palfrey. She saw her father and brother amongst those who had gathered to see them off and she waved, a brave smile on her face.

  ‘Are you ready, Anne?’ Stefan asked and she inclined her head. ‘Then we should leave.’