Fugitive Countess

by Anne Herries

  Marietta bent down to kiss him on the lips. He caught her hair, tangling his fingers in it to hold her as she would have moved away, deepening the kiss, his tongue demanding entrance to her sweetness.

  When he let her go at last, she shook her head at him. ‘You are not strong enough for such things, Anton. I meant just a sweet kiss to seal our bargain.’

  ‘Tell me you love me,’ he demanded. ‘Tell me you want to be my wife, as I want you.’

  ‘Do you not know it?’ Marietta smiled. ‘I have loved you from the very first time we met…when you held me safe in your arms after you rescued me from the horse’s hooves and looked down at me. I wish that the years between had never happened. I would have come to you untouched, a virgin bride—but fate decreed that our ways should part.’

  Anton’s passionate gaze held her fast. ‘We shall never be parted again. I vow it on all I hold dear. I have done with waiting. We shall be wed as soon as I can walk down the aisle with you.’

  ‘First you must get well and strong again.’ She laughed as she saw the impatience in his face. ‘Do not look so, my beloved. I am as impatient to be your wife as you to have me—but if you do not take care your wound may open again. You might take another fever, and sometimes that leads to death.’

  ‘My grandmother says that you used a method of sealing the wound that she had heard of but never dared to use. She was all admiration for your skill.’

  ‘It is best not to speak of such things. My father taught me the skills of a surgeon, and he studied in Italy and the East—but as a woman I should not know these things. I fear that it would be frowned upon, for the guilds of medicine and healing are the province of men and they guard them jealously. It was my husband’s apothecary who grew jealous of my skill at the castle and began rumours that I used witchcraft. He and others had grown jealous of my influence with my husband.’

  ‘And the Bastard saw his chance to seize what was yours.’ Anton frowned. ‘I thank God that we have seen the last of him, though I do not know what has become of Miguel…’

  ‘Hush, my love. The Earl of Rundle has men searching for the rogue. If he has not already fled to Spain he will be found.’

  ‘You will not be safe while he lives.’ Anton frowned. ‘He tried to kill me and failed. He may try for you next time.’

  Chapter Ten

  Entering the nursery some time later, Marietta saw a child standing next to her son’s cot. As she watched, the little girl reached out and touched Charles’s face, patting him with her hand. This was surely Anton’s daughter, though she had a rather exotic look which must have come from her mother. This little girl would no doubt be beautiful one day.

  ‘Baby…’ she said, and, turning as Marietta came up to her, she smiled. ‘Pretty baby. Maddie like…Maddie want nurse baby…’

  ‘You want to hold Charles?’ Marietta asked, a little surprised that she should speak English rather than Spanish—though perhaps her father had taught her. The little girl nodded and sucked her thumb, her eyes widening. ‘I see no reason why you shouldn’t. Come and sit down on the cushions and I shall give him to you.’

  Maddie did as she was bid, her chubby legs crossed as she perched amongst the pile of cushions on the floor. Her dark eyes were wide with wonder as Marietta lifted her son and brought him to join her on the floor. He was free of his swaddling clothes and beginning to find his balance. For a moment he was content to perch on Maddie’s lap, but then he wriggled off and began to crawl about the floor, with the little girl copying him. Clearly she had fallen for the golden-haired boy, and seemed fascinated by his every move, while Charles, pleased with the attention, lost no time in asserting his place in the nursery hierarchy.

  Maddie seemed to understand his needs, for it was enough for Charles to point at something to send her running after it for him. Marietta laughed as she watched them playing; they might have known each other all their lives!

  She was so intent that she was not immediately aware of someone watching her. She glanced up and saw Lady Gifford standing on the threshold.

  ‘May I come in, madame? I do not wish to disturb you.’

  ‘I was just watching them. They have made friends.’ Marietta smiled down at the children. ‘Charles has been restless, for he is teething, but he seems happy with his new companion…’

  ‘My granddaughter is a charmer. I think she will break hearts one day—but for the moment she seems to have met her match…’ Catherine hesitated as the door opened and a woman entered. ‘Ah, Lily—this is the Comtesse Montcrief. As you see, her son has met your charge. We shall leave them to your care.’ She caught Marietta’s eye. ‘Perhaps we could talk?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Marietta looked at the nurse. ‘I shall return later, Lily.’

  ‘Yes, my lady.’

  ‘I wondered why Maddie spoke such good English, but clearly she has an English nurse.’

  ‘I believe Anton thought it best, as he always meant to return to England.’

  The two women left the nursery, closing the door softly behind them. Marietta looked at Anton’s mother, feeling a little puzzled.

  ‘Is there something I may do for you, my lady?’

  ‘You may begin by calling me Catherine. I fear I did not start well with you. I felt you threatened my son, but he tells me that it was not your enemy that wounded him so sorely, but his. I have wronged you, lady. I am sorry for it.’

  ‘Make me no apology, Catherine. Anton was only in the woods because they were hunting the Bastard of Rouen to protect me. However, I believe Miguel was waiting his time. He would have made his attempt sooner or later—and perhaps it was as well that the Earl was also present.’

  ‘I am sure my brother did all he could to assist Anton. We are a close family and I hope we shall continue so—which is why I would make my peace with you. Am I forgiven?’

  ‘You sought to protect your son. In your place I should have done the same.’ Marietta smiled. ‘I have no wish to quarrel with Anton’s mother. I believe he has told you we are to marry?’

  Catherine nodded. ‘My son tells me that he wishes for the wedding very soon. Can you not persuade him of the need to recover his strength?’

  ‘I have tried, but he is impatient.’

  ‘Anton is much like his grandfather. You will meet Lord Melford when you go to my father’s home. Unfortunately he does not travel often these days, but he is more than three score years and that is a great age—especially for a man who fought so valiantly in the Wars of the Roses.’

  Marietta smiled. ‘Your mother also wears her years lightly.’

  ‘Yes, my mother is as young in spirit as ever, and she will not admit to her years, even though she was unwell in the winter.’ Catherine smiled. ‘We are a fortunate family, Marietta.’

  ‘Indeed, and powerful. The Earl told me that he has doubled the men searching the woods and countryside. I think it cannot be long before Miguel is found.’

  ‘I pray it may be so,’ Catherine said. ‘Now, my dear—what do you plan for your wedding gown? My mother has some lengths of ivory and gold-embroidered silk that might look well on you, and if we all help with the sewing your dress can be ready within two weeks.’

  ‘If Anton will wait so long then I should be glad to wear such a gown, but I may have to be wed in a gown I have, for he grows stronger with every hour. I do not think he will be put off for such an excuse.’

  ‘Your mother and grandmother want me to have a special gown for the wedding, Anton. It will take but two weeks to make…’ Marietta saw the look in his eyes and smiled. ‘Can you not wait that long to please them?’

  ‘Will it please you to wait?’

  ‘Yes, for it will give you a chance to recover your strength. I know that you have healed well, but you are not yet as strong as you were.’

  ‘I know it,’ he growled. ‘But it is too long to wait, Marietta. I burn for you, my love. I want to make love to you.’

  ‘You know I would not deny you,’ she said, and smiled.
‘Say the word and I will lock the door and join you in that bed.’

  She leaned forward, kissing him lightly on the mouth. His hand held her locked to him, their tongues tangling in a sweet dance of delicious play. Marietta moved closer and he placed his lips to her throat, moving down to where the swell of her breasts was revealed by a dipping neckline. His tongue teased between them. He pushed the material lower, seeking the rose nipples that peaked beneath his tongue, sending tingles of pleasure running through her. Then he cursed and leaned back against the pillows, looking rueful as beads of sweat formed on his brow.

  ‘Damn it, you are right. I am weak as a kitten.’

  ‘Your strength will return soon. Tomorrow you can get up and come downstairs. I believe you will soon see an improvement once you are on your feet.’ Marietta got to her own feet and his eyes narrowed.

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘To make a potion that will put iron in your limbs.’

  ‘More of that foul-tasting stuff?’

  Marietta made a wry face at him. ‘Your grandmother advised me to mix it with wine and sweeten it with honey—since you make so much fuss about taking it without.’

  ‘Both of you should try drinking it,’ Anton complained, and then laughed. ‘You are a lot alike, you know. I have always admired my grandmother. Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to you.’

  Marietta smiled. ‘The sooner you regain your strength, the sooner we may be married…’

  She laughed as he pulled a wry face, and went out. He was making huge strides in regaining his health, but he grew bored with lying in bed. She was certain now that his wound would not reopen or take harm. Once he left his bed he would soon feel more himself again.

  Anton found his way to the nursery later that afternoon. The door was open, and he heard the sound of children laughing as he paused outside. That was Maddie, but he had not heard her laugh so freely before.

  Pushing the door open, he paused. Marietta was down on the floor, lying amongst a pile of cushions. Both children were climbing over her, and she was tickling Maddie, making the little girl shriek with laughter.

  His throat caught with emotion and his eyes stung. He could not recall Isabella playing with her daughter once, though she had loved her.

  Something shifted in his mind, the shadows falling away. A part of him wanted to join the children playing with their mother…their mother. Yes, Marietta had already taken Isabella’s place in Maddie’s heart, for the child had hardly known her true mother.

  He smiled, turning away so as not to disturb them. Marietta did not know she was watched. One day he would join them in their play, but not just yet. He had been told that Miguel had been seen in the woods but not yet apprehended. He must save his strength until he was truly well again.

  ‘So, tomorrow we shall be wed,’ Anton said, and reached out to touch Marietta’s cheek. ‘You were right to make me wait until your dress was finished, my love. I am feeling much better. I should not have wanted to come to your bed and find myself unable to consummate our marriage. I am almost back to my full strength, thanks to your disgusting potions.’

  ‘I doubt there was much chance that you would fail to consummate our marriage,’ Marietta teased. ‘You would have performed your duty as a husband if it killed you.’

  ‘Wretch! You have teased me back to health, Marietta. I do not know how I shall manage you once we are wed—am I to be petticoat-led?’ His eyes challenged, and dared her to answer.

  ‘I am not sure,’ she responded in kind, knowing that he enjoyed this banter. He was just as she had seen him in her dreams, the shadows seeming to be banished from his eyes. She felt now as if the years apart had never been. ‘I may demand more than you can give…’

  ‘Witch,’ Anton muttered, drawing her to him. He bent his head, kissing her lips with such hunger that she melted into him. ‘My beautiful, lovely woman…’

  ‘I love you so…’ Marietta lifted her eyes to look at him, melting with desire. She felt the press of his aroused manhood as he held her crushed to him, her heart racing as hot liquid desire built in her. She wanted him, needed him more than words could express. He was her life, her love—her destined lover. ‘I can hardly wait for tomorrow…’

  ‘Nor I, my love—but we shall, now that I have waited so long…’ He slipped the shoulder of her gown down, kissing her soft flesh. ‘You are so beautiful—and you are mine.’

  ‘For ever,’ she murmured, moving her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. ‘I thought when they condemned me as a witch and a murderess that my life was over, but now I have so much to look forward to.’

  Anton caressed the sweet curve of her breast. ‘I envy the babe that sucked at these sweet jewels, and I hope that your son will have a brother or sister one day.’

  ‘I long to hold your babe in my arms.’ Marietta pressed against him, her need to lie with him as great as his to take her. ‘Are you sure that you wish to wait one more night?’

  ‘Temptress!’ Anton smacked her rump. ‘Off with you now. This time I shall let you go, but watch how you tease me in future.’

  Marietta laughed and ran from him. All the shadows of the past seemed to have faded away. There had been no sign of Miguel, at least as far as she knew. The Earl was of the opinion that he had taken himself off back to France to lick his wounds. Perhaps Miguel had decided that honour was satisfied and returned to Spain.

  She could only hope that it was so…

  ‘You make a beautiful bride, Marietta,’ Lady Melford told her. She handed her a small silver casket. ‘I brought this with me just in case. Anton was my first male grandchild, and I saved this for his wife.’

  Marietta gasped as she opened the casket and saw the beautiful cross set with cabochon rubies and pearls.

  ‘This is lovely! I have my own silver cross, but this is magnificent. How can I thank you for such a gift?’

  ‘Be a good wife to Anton.’ Melissa smiled. ‘I know that you will—and I wish you both happiness.’

  Marietta thanked her, then kissed her cheek. ‘You are so good to me—’ She broke off as the door opened and a young girl entered. Marietta had recently employed her to help Rosalind with nursing her son. ‘Eleanor…is something wrong?’

  ‘No, my lady. Lily is to take Mistress Madeline to church—and Rosalind told me to ask if you wished for your son to be present in the church when you are wed?’

  Marietta hesitated. ‘I am not sure. He may cry if his gums hurt, for his teeth are coming through…but I suppose you may take him home if he starts to fret.’ She smiled. ‘Yes, bring him to the church. He should be there.’

  ‘Children often cry in church,’ Lady Melford said as the door closed behind the girl. ‘But I agree that your son should be there to see you wed.’ She looked thoughtful. ‘The girl is very young to have charge of the boy. Have you long employed her?’

  ‘I took her on when Anton was ill. She is from the village. Her brother works for Sir Harry, and she asked Claire for work. Claire thought that I might like her to help with my son. She seems a pleasant, careful girl, and I have been satisfied with her work, but of course Rosalind is always there to keep an eye on things. And there is Lily too. She has had the care of Madeline, and must continue to look after her because it would upset the child to part from her nurse. I want us all to be happy together.’ Marietta smiled. ‘Anton is so good with the children. He says that I am a good mother but he is gentle and patient and they both love him.’

  Anton turned his head to look as Marietta walked up the aisle towards him. He caught his breath as she halted at his side and turned to smile at him. She was so beautiful! Almost regal as she walked, her head held proudly. He could hardly believe that so much happiness was his. After Isabella’s death he had felt that his heart was dead, but Marietta had wakened it, bringing him back from the dark place that had claimed him.

  A ray of weak sunshine had managed to break through the clouds, piercing the stained glass window high above to shower th
e stone flags with a rainbow of colour. As she took her place at his side, Anton looked tenderly on his bride. For a while he had wondered if this day would ever come, fearing more mischief from Miguel, but nothing had been seen of him.

  From somewhere in the church he heard the high, thin wail of a child, and then the sound of movement. Marietta turned her head for a moment to look. He raised his brows as she brought her gaze back to meet his, but she shook her head and smiled.

  Anton reached out to take her hand as the priest began the marriage ceremony. Marietta would be his wife, and tonight he would claim her for his own…

  The bells were ringing joyfully as they came out of church. Marietta stood on the steps with her husband and smiled as the cheers of village people greeted them. Children came forward with tokens of friendship and small gifts for the bride, which she accepted gracefully.

  ‘Are you happy, my love?’ Anton’s voice brought her thoughts back to him. She laughed as he drew her to him and kissed her, in full view of their friends and family. ‘It is too late to change your mind now, for you are mine—my wife.’

  For a moment she saw jealousy and possession in his eyes, and understood his mind. He could not quite rid himself of the fear that she might betray him, as Isabella had.

  ‘It is all I have ever wanted to be,’ she told him, her eyes meeting his. ‘I love you, Anton. I shall never look at another man.’

  ‘We should go, for they will be ready to begin the feasting.’ He took her hand and they ran down the steps together, laughing as they were deluged with dried rose petals and rosemary. ‘Come, for the sooner the feasting begins, the sooner it will be over.’

  A giggle of delight bubbled inside her as she saw his hot eyes. She had made him wait for this day so much longer than he had wished, and she did not doubt that he would make her pay for it that night.

  The Great Hall was filled with people. The Earl and Lady Claire had invited all their friends to this joyous occasion, and they were assembled to greet the bride and groom. Marietta was feted by the other ladies, and given so many gifts and good wishes that she felt she must be dreaming.