The Heart of Darkness

by Odelia Floris

  With that, she gave her leaf-green gown a final smooth, pulled her low-slung belt round to the centre, and moved off down the grand staircase.

  The brightly-lit great hall came into view. The feast had not yet started, but already the high, vaulted hall was buzzing with laughing, chattering guests decked out in their most expensive finery. There were gentlemen carrying intricately engraved daggers and wearing rich furs, fine velvets and rakishly angled caps decorated with magnificent plumes. Ladies paraded about or stood elegantly chatting, dressed in long, trailing gowns of the costliest silks, trimmed with mink and topped by elaborate headdresses with fine gauze veils floating from them.

  Rowena made her way through the glittering throng towards the large table stationed in the middle of the room. It was covered with a white brocade cloth and laid out with many pitchers of wine and a variety of fruits and cold meats for the guests to pick on. She took a handful of grapes and retreated to the edge of the room, preferring to keep to herself rather than mingle with the frighteningly fashionable crowd.

  ‘Greetings, princess.’ Sir Richard’s velvety drawl from close behind took her by surprise.

  She turned to find him grinning down at her. He had swapped his usual armour-reinforced leather doublet for a simple but elegant mid-thigh length one of dusky plum velvet; although he still wore his long riding boots—and yes, the green swan pendant.

  ‘Oh hello, I did not realize you were here already.’

  A thick wave of exotic, spicy scent engulfed her as he stepped forward and took her hand. ‘It does not do to be too predictable.’ He bent forward and gave the small, plump hand a kiss that was a little too lingering for its owners liking in such a public place. ‘When I first saw you I thought for a moment that an elfin queen had flitted in from the forest to join the party.’

  Rowena gave him a playful slap on the wrist. ‘Oh stop it! I know I look more like a cabbage-patch pixie. You are not going to get anywhere with me using flattery.’

  ‘Flattery? My dear lady, you do me a great disservice! I speak only the truth.’

  She laughed, enjoying his charming attentions despite her suspicion that he wanted something. ‘You are frisky tonight. And looking very smart too. On the prowl, are you?’

  He smiled dangerously. ‘Absolutely.’

  She raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘Indeed; and are we after any prey in particular?’

  ‘Yes—you.’

  She had to work hard to keep her expression free of the panic his words unleashed in her heart. ‘I always thought a wolf did not go after a scrawny fawn when there was a freshly killed hind before it already.’

  ‘It might if the meat was more tender…’ he purred, his voice lowered to a dark, velvety drawl.

  When he was like this, Rowena had always found it hard to tell if he was being serious or just teasing her. She regarded him silently for a moment, trying to decide if that really was a hint of a smile playing on the corners of his lips. Yes, it was.

  She tossed her head. ‘If you think you are going to amuse yourself by spending all evening toying with me, you can think again.’

  He turned away with a ruffled air. ‘I try to be civil and all you do is mock me!’

  ‘I believe ’tis you who mock me, Sir Richard.’

  He suddenly laughed. ‘Yes, you are right. You are such a delight to tease I just can’t help myself. I do hope you can forgive me.’

  She cocked her head to one side and placed a thoughtful finger to her pursed lip. ‘Hmmm… I suppose I might forgive you, but it will depend on how you conduct yourself this evening. If you vex me I certainly shall not forgive you.’

  ‘This evening, sweet lady, I shall not leave your side for a single moment. After all...’ He gave her a sly sideways glance. ‘Who would want to be anywhere else except at the side of the most beautiful and admirable damsel at the feast…?’

  Her mind almost went blank with panic for a moment. This was the last thing she wanted or expected to hear from him. She desperately searched for an obstacle to place in his way. Ah yes, that might do it—

  She put her hands on her hips and boldly looked up at him. ‘It will make people think I’m wretchedly desperate if I’m always clinging on to you. I do not want to look like some love-sick girl hanging on a man all evening.’

  He crossed his arms and calmly met her challenging look. ‘That’s alright then. I don’t mind if I look like a love-sick idiot hanging on a girl all evening.’

  Things were complicated enough as they were. Why did he always have to be so damn obstructive! She stamped her foot. ‘If you insist on annoying me by following me around like a shadow I will not stand for it!’

  He smirked like someone who did not doubt he would win and to whom resistance simply provided amusing sport. ‘Indeed…and what are you going to do about it?’

  ‘I—I will be such a shrew that you will not be able to bear being anywhere near me if I do not wish it!’

  He moved in closer and stooped down to her ear. ‘I shall be stuck to you all evening like pine-sap regardless, so don’t think you will get rid of me, sweet mistress of my heart,’ he whispered, his hair brushing against her cheek.

  She looked down at the floor uneasily. ‘Oh really, and why is that?’

  He stepped in front of her. ‘Because—’ He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up so she could no longer avoid looking him in the eyes. ‘You are planning some hare-brained attempt to steal the letters from Lord Cunningham this evening, while everybody is distracted by the feast.’

  Her eyes widened. ‘How did you know that?’ she whispered back furiously. ‘I haven’t told anyone about my plan!’

  ‘I guessed,’ he replied, still keeping his voice low. ‘You’ve been looking very shifty these last few days. I could tell something was brewing in that charming little head of yours.’

  She felt like slapping him. So that was why he had turned up. The bastard! Why did he always have to be such a pain?

  ‘Sir Richard!’ cried Lady Sabina as she swept up to them, with Anne following along at her heels like a faithful lapdog. ‘How delightful to see you!’ She held a hand out to be kissed.

  He took the offered hand and gave it a squeeze as he made a slight bow. ‘My lady.’

  She gave a piqued sniff at his reserved greeting, then glared coldly at Rowena, as if to say how dare you be so intimate with him? Lady Sabina turned her attention back to Sir Richard, bestowing her most coquettish smile on him. ‘So then, what are you whispering about so secretively with Rowena?’

  He looked at Lady Sabina in a less than flattering manner. ‘If I wanted everyone to know that I wouldn’t be whispering, would I?’

  Lady Sabina looked up at him through seductively lowered eyelashes. ‘But I am not everyone…’

  ‘No, you are not, but you would tell everyone in less time than it takes for a fly to flap its wings twice.’

  Anne squinted as she looked quizzically at the swan pendant displayed on top of his doublet. ‘I have not seen you wearing that pendant before, but yet for some reason it seems strangely familiar…’

  ‘No, I’m sure you’re just imagining—’ Rowena began, but was interrupted by Sir Richard.

  ‘Yes, you have seen this before: hanging around Rowena’s neck.’

  Anne’s normally round eyes became rounder still. ‘Oh. Oh. OH.’

  Standing so close to Sir Richard that her gown brushed against his leg, Lady Sabina twirled a lock of pale hair between her fingers and looked at him with slanted eyes. ‘So, how much did you pay her for it?’

  ‘I got a good price—’ Rowena said quickly, but again he interrupted.

  ‘She did get a good price; I got the pendant and she got a devoted knight.’

  ‘You promised to be her knight? How romantic!’ cried Anne, but she was quickly frozen into an awkward silence by a poisonous glance from Lady Sabina.

  Lady Sabina looked like she had just bitten into a bad apple, but after a moment’s stunned silen
ce, she suddenly laughed and squeezed Sir Richard’s upper arm. ‘Really, darling, you are such a tease. You must think I came down in the last rain shower, telling a tale like that!’

  ‘I assure my lady that it is perfectly true.’

  Lady Sabina slid her hand under his arm, smooth as a snake. ‘Really… And why on earth would you want to do a thing like that?’ The long white hand slid onto his chest. ‘There are so many other ladies you could have asked…’

  He took a step backwards. ‘Because I like her the most, that is why.’

  Lady Sabina took a step forward. ‘You like her more than any other lady you know? Surely not. I simply refuse to believe that any knight could possibly want as his lady-love such a—’ Lady Sabina leaned into him conspiratorially, ‘well, to be perfectly honest, such a tramp of a girl. I mean, look at her.’ She gave her cousin a look of scathing contempt. ‘Is she fashionably dressed? Is she beautiful or elegant?’

  Rowena felt her cheeks grow hot. What had she ever done to Sabina to make her torment her in this way? Was it too much to ask for a moment’s peace?

  Sir Richard’s lips hardened into a thin, steely line. He plucked Lady Sabina’s hand off his chest, his thumb and forefinger extended like a squeamish lady picking up something vile the cat had just brought in, and with a face to match.

  If a man had done that to Rowena, she would have seriously considered becoming a nun.

  He put a protective arm around Rowena. ‘I do like her more than any other lady I know. Yes, there are times when she does look a little dishevelled, but that is because she is not afraid to exert herself when it is needed. Rowena has spirit and a keen wit; that is what I like about her. I can’t bear these painted high-class ladies who sit around all day talking drivel, wasting time on trivial pursuits and primping themselves into the latest ridiculous fashion. As for her form and countenance, there is none more captivating in my eyes.’

  Lady Sabina swallowed hard and gave a nervous laugh. ‘Well, there really is no accounting for taste, I suppose!’

  Her cousin looked so bewildered Rowena almost felt sorry for her. Almost, but not quite.

  ‘Darling Sabina, do come over,’ called Lady Cunningham. ‘I think all the guests are here. Shall we tell everyone your wonderful news now?’

  ‘Yes Mother, I’m coming!’ answered Lady Sabina, looking very relieved at the interruption. She turned to go, but as she did so there was a loud rip. She stopped with a jerk and glared at the sheriff. ‘Sir Richard, you are standing on my dress!’

  He looked down unconcernedly. ‘God’s bones, so I am.’ He removed his boot from the hem of her white silk gown. ‘So sorry, dear lady. Do accept my humble apologies.’

  Rowena had to work hard to keep a straight face.

  Lady Sabina snatched the hem of her gown out of harm’s way. ‘You’ve ripped it!’

  ‘Oh dear, so I have. You were standing so close to me that I did not realize my foot was on your skirt.’

  Lady Sabina scrunched up her face like a baby that was about to cry. ‘I won’t look my best now!’

  He gave a slight bow. ‘Please accept my condolences.’

  After throwing him a poisonous glare, she swept off furiously.

  Now that Lady Sabina was out of earshot, Rowena burst out laughing. ‘Oh Sir Richard, that was evil!’

  He smiled modestly. ‘Being a ruthless bastard has its moments...’

  ‘If I may have your attention, everyone!’ Lord Cunningham’s voice sounded above the guests’ laughter and chatter.

  There was a mass move towards the front of the room. Rowena moved forward too, with Sir Richard close behind.

  ‘Have you any idea what they are going to announce?’ asked the sheriff.

  ‘No, it is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you,’ she replied, making her way to the front of the crowd so her view would not be obscured by the other guests, most of whom were much taller than she was.

  Lord and Lady Cunningham stood in front of the great hall’s grand fireplace, which was still the focal point of the room even though the fire was not lit on this mild evening. Standing next to them was Lady Sabina, and to Rowena’s surprise, also Lord Shrewsbury. The four of them were all looking very pleased with themselves, especially Lady Sabina.

  Rowena gave Sir Richard a nudge. ‘What is that slimy knave doing up there?’

  ‘God knows…’

  Lord Cunningham raised a hand to silence the still-murmuring throng. After waiting a few moments for the noise to die out, he cleared his throat. ‘Honoured guests, I thank you all for gracing Stoatley Manor with your presence this fine evening.’ He raised a goblet. ‘I would like to propose a toast to great friends!’

  All the guests who had goblets in their hands raised them and chorused, ‘To great friends!’

  ‘When is the pompous scoundrel going to get to the point?’ Rowena heard Sir Richard mutter crossly from close behind her.

  Lord Cunningham clasped his hands together in front of himself and bowed. ‘I thank you, I thank you, most noble guests. Now, you all will, I am sure, be waiting expectantly to hear the news I wish to convey to you, which is after all the reason I have brought all you fine people together this evening.’

  Sir Richard sighed. ‘If he doesn’t hurry it up I think I shall be gracing the halls of Hell before we find out…’

  ‘Shush, someone will hear you,’ Rowena whispered, moving her foot back and pressing it down as hard as she could on the toe of his boot.

  She felt his large hands close around her and squeeze her ribs hard in response. She almost jumped forward in shock and barely managed to stifle a scream.

  ‘Stop fooling around!’ she hissed under her breath, knowing she would have a fit of giggles if he did not stop now.

  The commotion earned them quite a few icy glares and ‘Shhhs’ from the guests around them, and the attention of Lady Cunningham, who shot Rowena a furious, disapproving look and shook her head vigorously.

  ‘Silence, if you please!’ Lord Cunningham called.

  ‘Do carry on, my lord,’ the sheriff said smoothly. ‘I was merely amusing myself while I waited for you to get to the point.’

  Lord Cunningham gave Sir Richard a disdainful glare before continuing to talk, rubbing his large potbelly with a small, podgy hand decked with golden gem-encrusted rings as he did. ‘I would appreciate the attention of you all. Lady Cunningham and I are proud, most proud and deeply honoured,’ Lord Shrewsbury gave a self-satisfied smirk; ‘to announce the betrothal of our beloved only daughter, Lady Sabina Cunningham, to—’ he gave a dramatic pause, ‘Lord Theobald Shrewsbury, the firstborn son of the Earl of Compton!’

  There was an instant outbreak of applause in the hall, and many cries of congratulation, and exclamations of wonder and admiration.

  Rowena was almost speechless. Lady Sabina betrothed to Lord Shrewsbury! She had not seen that coming. Certainly, they got on like a haystack on fire, but he never looked like he was actually wooing Lady Sabina.

  She turned to Sir Richard. ‘What do you make of that?’

  But Rowena got her answer sooner than she expected. Sir Richard had his handkerchief clapped over his mouth and was trying so hard not to laugh that he was almost choking.

  ‘Sir Richard, what is so funny?’

  He managed to compose himself enough to speak. ‘Don’t you know Lord Shrewsbury prefers the company of other men?’

  ‘No, he doesn’t! He spends all his time with women. He hardly ever does anything with other men.’

  This only made Sir Richard laugh harder.

  She frowned at him. ‘What is wrong with you? You really are puzzling me. Please try to make some sense!’

  ‘God, you’re naïve!’ he gasped, shaking his head.

  She put her hands on her hips and glared crossly up at him. ‘Enlighten me.’

  ‘You are not entirely correct when you say he does not do anything with other men.’

  ‘Really?’ She was completely mystified now.


  ‘Yes. When I was sixteen, I became the squire of a knight at the royal court. Lord Shrewsbury’s family was at court too; his mother was lady-in-waiting to the queen, you see. He was five years older than me and already quite the young dandy. I never knew him personally, thank God, but I did hear about him—there was always a lot of gossip going around at court. He developed an inappropriate attachment to Lord March’s thirteen-year-old ward. The object of his affections became a laughingstock among the squires and pages, and was taunted most cruelly.’

  She shook her head sadly. ‘How terrible. You, I hope, did not join in with this heartless bullying?’

  ‘Of course I did! Don’t you know me at all?’

  ‘Oh Sir Richard, what a nasty way to treat a poor young girl!’

  ‘You mean a poor young boy.’

  Comprehension slowly dawned on her. ‘Oh, I see…’

  ‘The unfortunate youth shared none of Lord Shrewsbury’s inclinations, and even if he had, his age would have still rendered the relationship indecent. But Lord March just told him to shut up and put up. No one wanted to incur the rage of the Earl of Compton’s overindulged favourite child—especially not for the sake of a mere ward.’

  ‘How horrible…’

  ‘Yes. Secretly, we did feel bad for the page. But we were just too relieved that we were not the object of Lord Shrewsbury’s desire in his stead. Luckily for the boy, it wasn’t too long before Shrewsbury’s eye was caught by another plaything and he lost interest.’

  ‘Was this new infatuation any more willing?’

  ‘Much more willing. It was the Duke of Huntley’s son. Their interests were, well, very similar.’

  ‘Thank goodness for that. But if he is not interested in ladies in that way, why does Lord Shrewsbury want to marry Lady Sabina?’

  ‘His father would want an heir.’

  ‘That makes sense. But why not marry one of the ladies at court? The Cunninghams are a much less exalted bloodline than the Shrewsburys.’