The Other Woman

by The other woman (NCP) (lit)

  He drew back farther. "She is my wife! I have my duties--," he protested hotly.

  "Then go do them!" she shouted at him, her voice breaking with emotion. Shivering, she drew herself up. Eyes glowing with fury, she informed him with dignity, "You only get one chance to break this heart." She turned to go, and he grabbed her arm.

  "Allyson!" he said harshly

  Patience at an end, she yelled, "Guards!"

  Surprisingly, one materialized from the shadows of the stairwell, startling them both. "Milady?" He looked menacingly at Lord Sardis.

  Recovering, Allyson ordered, "Escort this man to his room and see that he leaves at first light, rain or no rain. Understood?"

  "Aye, milady."

  Out maneuvered, Sardis tried one last time. "My heart--"

  "You never had one." She watched him as he was marched away like a prisoner.

  The look he cast over his shoulder made her shiver.

  Still trembling, she closed the door to her room and bolted it. Sickness churned in her belly, but she fought it, just as she fought the tears, the emotion. Eyes closed, she sank down in front of the door and buried her head in her arms as she fought her private nightmare.

  Chapter 9

  Roland stared stonily at the guard, who had just related his tale. He wanted to rush up and throttle Sardis. Instead he dismissed the guard and went to Allyson’s room.

  There on the threshold, he paused. A dark object was blocking the faint firelight from under her door. "Allyson?"

  "I’m not in the mood, Roland." Her voice lacked its usual strength.

  A chord tightened in his chest at her lackluster response. "Open the door, love. I wish to talk, and I won’t do it through a wall."

  A snort barely traveled through the thick wood. "Love. You men toss that word around so lightly." But she opened the door, left it wide as he entered her room.

  "So talk." She dropped into a chair, her expression unspeakably weary.

  The room was dark except for the fire, so he lit a candle, the better to see her face. "You said Sardis was not a lover." He kept his tone low, careful not to sound accusing. Not then.

  "He wished to be. Never seemed to understand why I balked at his having a wife."

  "Had he always had her?"

  "No. He courted me for a time. When he thought I’d fallen deliriously in love with him, enough that I would accept his terms, he offered for her and then told me of his marriage. I threw him out of my house. This is the first he’s dared return in person."

  "In person?"

  "I burnt the letters, unopened."

  His vision blurred for a moment. Putting it down to weariness, he asked gruffly, "Did you love him?"

  She looked away.

  "I see." And he did. He saw a lonely young woman who was left vulnerable to predators like Sadis, men who called lust love and tried to trap a woman with it. Added to Roland’s perceived sins, it made a snare that had completely entangled the woman before him. She hated and feared love because of men like them.

  But she wanted. The memory of her kiss made his nostrils flare and drove him to delve deeper into her personal shadows. "How did you meet?"

  "I’d heard he bred exceptional horses. It’s true, he does. Unfortunately no one warned me that their master was a horse’s ass."

  A burst of laughter caught him off guard, and she smiled a little. Perhaps she was coming around. "And had they warned you?"

  Bright eyes on the fire, she admitted, "Oh, I’m a fool, I think. I believed in hope, then. Had dreams. Jean taught me well that a woman is a wretched idiot to look for other than lust in this life. But back then, I wanted.…" The words died off. After a moment, she said tightly, "Do you know, he did not even kiss me? I was so blind I believed in his words alone--saw what I wanted to in his eyes. And tonight--," she broke off. Every breath was shallow, as if she’d break at the slightest touch.

  Roland knelt beside her, searching for a way in, but not at the expense of her heart. "Allyson."

  She closed her eyes.

  "We never had a true marriage. Just an arrangement. I never offered you what I’m offering you now. Give me a chance. Set aside the past and see who I am now, what I can be to you now. Let me in."

  No response.

  Doggedly, he went on, "You might not get hurt with the way you’ve chosen, but is it worth it? I’m offering you children, my body. And one day, perhaps, my heart. Isn’t this what you want?"

  A ragged breath was her answer.

  It was enough. Careful not to threaten her, he carefully slid his hand behind her head, under her hair, and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep well, my bride. Think on it."

  * * * *

  She did. Long into the night she lay staring at the ceiling, until her dreams claimed her. Hot, sweet dreams full of suppressed desire, forbidden longing … love.

  In safety of her dreams she cried, and woke to find her pillow wet from tears. As the dawn crept softly through her window, she made her choice.

  Chapter 10

  Ally dressed with care the next morning. The purple velvet with mink trim may have been overkill, but the dress made her feel more like her old self--confident and in command. Of course, it helped to know that Sadis had vacated her property at dawn.

  Roland was nowhere about--Chirr informed her that he’d gone hunting at first light--so she enjoyed her breakfast in blessed solitude. It was just as well that she had a chance to gather her wits, for she had a difficult business appointment that day. He arrived just as she finished her biscuit asparagus in cream.

  "Lord Allonz de Lassitero," Chirr announced, stepping back to admit his lordship.

  He’s outdone himself this time, Ally thought, impressed. Only a man of Allonz’s utterly dramatic nature could get away with wearing a robe of red and gold over a tunic of persimmon and purple hose. The square linked chain at his neck was worth a fortune, but the rainbow of rubies, purple and orange gems left spots dancing before her eyes.

  With a wide smile of amusement and pleasure, she rose from the table and met Lassitero half-way. "Well met, my lord."

  "Ah, in truth, I am met with the dawn," he said, bowing and placing an extravagant kiss on her hand. Lassitero did everything extravagantly. "But what is this? I hear that the horse I have come for has met its end. No, no! This can not be. I must have the steed."

  Tempted to offer to dig it back up for him, she gestured for some wine. A servant hastened to fill a goblet with Riverdell’s best, pressing it into Lassitero’s hand as he paced. A man who came from a long line of vintners, he always thought better with wine nearby.

  "Yes, and as I wrote, I have others of his lineage, equally fine. I will be happy to show them to you."

  "No, no! It must be the stallion."

  Allyson considered him. Lassitero was no fool. He would not have come here in person in this unseasonable weather, even in a well appointed coach, without compelling reason. No doubt he expected to get a generous deal for his trouble.

  He was right--he would. Lassitero was one of her best customers and a buyer for his king. Allyson was certainly willing to reward his trouble with an outstanding deal. But first she had to play his game. "But why this particular horse, my lord? He was fine, but to put yourself to such trouble, in such weather...."

  Faint color rose in his cheeks. "My bride took a particular fancy to the beast. As she grows great with what I hope to be my heir, her temper grows shorter. A man must do what he must in these circumstances." He spread his hands helplessly.

  Ally laughed and toasted him with her wine cup. "Ah, you poor man! Yet congratulations on the babe. Come--let me show you my stable. In honor of your heir, I am prepared to make you an outrageously generous bargain. Come...."

  A short time later, she was no longer laughing. Stone faced, she demanded of the guard who blocked her way into her own stables, "What do you mean I am not permitted to pass?"

  His expression unwavering, the man said, "I’m sorry, milady, but Lord Darchours gave
strict orders. You’re not to set foot in the stables without him."

  "Did he?" Draw and quarter the man, so this was how he meant to punish her for her supposed "indiscretions." It was a heavy blow, for he knew how she loved her horses and how much she presently loathed his company. It was a temporary victory, though. She had ways of getting around obstacles, even ones as dense as Darchours.

  Controlling her expression with an extreme act of will, she gestured to a wary stable boy and ordered him, "Run and get Chirr. Tell him he’s to escort Lord Lassitero to view the Egyptians." To another she said, "Take a horse and find Lord Darchours. Discover his time of arrival and report it to me."

  "Yes, milady. You have no message for him?" The young man cringed, as if dreading what she would make him pass on.

  Oh, but Darchours would have to wait to hear her opinions from her own mouth, she thought darkly. What she had to say was best not aired in public. "No."

  "What is going on, Lady Allyson? You are still permitted to sell the Egyptians, are you not? Or am I to deal with your husband now?" Lassitero demanded with uncharacteristic sternness.

  The very idea made her stomach churn. Lassitero would dearly love to deal with a man instead of herself, as would most of her other buyers. It burned, for she’d fought long and hard to be taken seriously in business matters, and Roland would not take that from her now.

  "No! Lord Darchours and I simply have had a difference of opinion. I’m sure he’ll relent on his stern attitude after we have a little talk." She thought she heard a snort behind her, but in all fairness, it may have been a horse. "Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other business to attend to. Ah, here comes Chirr."

  Leaving Lassitero in her steward’s capable hands, she returned to the house, trying not to stomp. Once there, she discovered another unwelcome surprise.

  "I’m sorry, milady," Chirr’s wife, her head housekeeper, said, practically wringing her hands. "His lordship ordered it done this morning, and I did not dare defy him."

  Allyson stood on the threshold of Roland’s room, staring woodenly at the army of servants carting her things into his room. A small cot had been set up at the foot of his enormous canopy bed, ridiculous in comparison to the large bed’s opulence. From the looks of things he didn’t plan to force her to join him on his mattress, but clearly he’d invaded her space. Or rather, drawn her into his.

  Averting his gaze, a burly footman staggered into the room, carrying her favorite chair.

  Eyes closed, Allyson slowly recited the priest’s favorite prayer. It was a long one, and gave her ample time to calm down and think of a way to retaliate. Countermanding the order would clearly not work--Roland seemed to have completely terrorized her household. Very well. If she couldn’t outright defy him....

  Adopting a very wide, very toothy smile, Allyson informed her housekeeper, "Fine. I’m glad you’re so eager to obey your lord. Now, I think we need to add some homey touches to the place." She rubbed her hands together as the servants in the room watched her warily. "Ah, yes. I have it! There simply isn’t enough airiness to the room. It needs perfume, I think. Plenty of sweet herbs. Madam Chirr, have the garden herbs removed from the storeroom immediately and stacked on your lord’s bed."

  Madam Chirr gulped. "A-all sixteen sacks, my lady?"

  "Oh, at least. Bring the furs while you’re about it and place them by the window. We want to make certain his lordship stays warm, now don’t we?"

  Looking weak, Madam Chirr opened her mouth to give the order.

  "Ooo! And have wood brought for the fire. Three cords should do it, I think. And I’m certain there are some other things his lordship needs for his comfort...."

  By the time she was through late that morning, Roland’s room was so full that no one could fit through the door. Of course most of her things were buried inside the room with Roland’s, but she could care less, for she’d secured the few items she’d need to make herself comfortable for days.

  She only hoped Roland returned too late to undo the damage enough to access his room for the night.

  * * * *

  It was just before dusk when Roland entered the gates, pleasantly contemplating dinner. He nodded and smiled at the people still in the bailey, receiving tentative smiles in return. The people of Riverdell knew and loved Ally--they were still undecided about her lord. It was just one of the many things he planned to change.

  The night before had been long and grim for him, but he’d determined one thing upon awakening. Distance was Ally’s citadel. If he hoped to win her, first he had to breach it. To that end he’d ordered her denied access to her stables without his presence and commanded that the servants move her things into his room.

  The stables were a masterstroke, he knew. No one who loved horses as much as she would be able to hold out there for long. As for the room … he grinned. It would be interesting to see what she’d thought up to thwart him. Knowing Ally, he could expect something creative. In fact, he hoped she’d recovered enough to fight him. Considering her frame of mind last night, it would mean she’d regained her usual spirit.

  A fierce scowl for the man who’d caused her sorrow darkened his expression for a moment. Roland had roused Sadis from bed when it was still dark and had escorted him to the border of his land. But before he had, he’d made Sadis a promise.

  They’d stood together in the dark hall, torchlight reflecting in Sadis’ wary eyes.

  Burning with a dangerous fury of his own, Roland had faced him, one hand caressing the pommel of his sword. "Come near her again, boy, and I will slit your gullet and spill your entrails out like a skirt."

  To his credit, Sadis had not pretended ignorance. "Everyone knew she wasn’t yours, Roland. Why shouldn’t I have claimed her?"

  "She is mine now, pup. Remember it and live."

  A skeptical look appeared on Sadis’ face. Probably he was considering the separate rooms the master and mistress of the house occupied. But in the end, he wisely maintained his silence.

  Grating as that silence had been, for Roland had no rebuttal, Roland had let Sadis go, for the sake of his wife and child, if nothing else. But the next time Sadis crossed Roland, pity for his family would not sway him.

  The long ride had helped Roland clear his head. With a good portion of the gloom chased from his heart, he’d spent his time plotting how best to seduce Ally. Winning her heart he didn’t worry about--every rake knew that a woman’s heart followed where her passions led her. Ally had plenty of passion. She was destined to be his.

  A dimple appeared in his cheek. She just didn’t know it yet.

  A stable lad took his horse and scurried away much faster than usual. Roland frowned. Was it his imagination or did the lad mutter a prayer as he jogged off?

  The stable lad Ally had sent to him had reluctantly admitted to his lady’s displeasure, but he hadn’t mentioned a tantrum. Might she have indulged in a fit after the lad had ridden off? And if so, might he expect to find his drawers carved to ribbons or some such foolishness?

  His expression grim, Roland’s captain of the guards, Alistair, strode toward him and stopped with military precision. "My lord. As you requested, your wife was prevented from entering the stables today." The news should have been delivered with satisfaction, yet he looked wary, as if expecting a rebuke.

  "And?" Roland prompted. Alistair wouldn’t have bothered giving him this news if he didn’t have something more important to impart.

  Shoulders squared, Alistair said blandly, "I suggest that you find someone to take charge inside the keep as well, sire. There are things afoot in there."

  Roland inclined his head questioningly.

  "She suffered her belongings to be moved into your room, and then stuffed it to overflowing with sheep’s wool, flax, firewood and the like. You won’t be able to cross the threshold, let alone empty it before midnight."

  Roland’s mouth twitched. He controlled it with a stern effort for Alistair’s sake. Obviously the man was scandalized. Considering he
’d seen Allyson’s performance at Ironwood castle, Roland was not surprised. His men did not understand Roland’s private war. "I see."

  Ignoring the silent question in Alistair’s eyes, Roland headed for the great hall. He was not about to discuss Allyson’s punishment for this latest defiance. Actually, though he was certain that Ally and his men thought her banishment from the stables was a chastisement--that was not altogether true. Still, if it kept his men respecting him and Ally on her toes, who was he to reveal his strategy? Let them think he was exercising his husbandly rights--it would be true soon enough.

  It was unfortunate for his brightly plumaged guest that Roland was feeling husbandly, for the loquacious Lord Lassitero was leaning rather too intimately forward as he related some bit of gossip. Worse for him, whatever he said made Ally laugh. A joyous, alien sound like the tinkling of silver bells caressed Roland’s ears, bringing a smile to his own face--until he remember who it was who made her laugh. Still, the force of her relaxed smile kept him from striding over and tossing the stranger out on his colorful behind.

  He snorted in disgust. The price a man paid to be romantic!

  As the door shut behind him, both diners looked at Roland. Instantly Ally’s smile turned smug. With a faintly superior look, she gestured to the table. "Do join us, Lord Darchours. We were just finishing a wonderful meal."

  Roland strode to the table and stared down at her until she removed her posterior from his chair at the head of the table.

  With mischief in her eyes, she made a production of handing it over, seating herself at his right hand. "I don’t believe you’ve met our guest, Lord Lassitero. Lassitero, this is Lord Roland Darchours, of course, momentarily of Riverdell."

  With a dark, promising stare for that bit of foolery, Roland neatly quelled her tongue. At least for the moment. The twinkle in her eye as she took a pointed bite of apple tart promised more to come.