She looked out over her homeland and absorbed the totality of it all. Though she felt a new era began for Dandelion and its people, and she was thankful there was a nagging sense it all seemed surreal.
Too good to be true.
Not to be cliché, but Saxby couldn’t help thinking the stillness that settled over the land a message, perhaps a warning, of things to come, the quiet before the storm.
As if her belief materialized her thoughts, a sudden movement caught Saxby’s attention. She put her hand above her eyebrows to shield against the sun’s glare, and focused to the south.
The landscape filled, as men on horseback converged on Dandelion. Their numbers weren’t great, though numerous enough they created a patch of dark splotches against the emerald countryside until they stood out like black stones in a field of heather.
A flag flapped in the wind, waving blue and gold with a distinguishable crest, a beastly looking head of a bear and crisscrossed swords, announced the arrival of Lord Drackett. By the time Saxby made her way below stairs, to the door, and arrived on the footsteps of the holding, Borg the Gatekeeper shuffled up. His expression was concerned, causing the deep pits and crevices that made up the surface of his cagey features exaggerated. The wiry assembly of white hair, more sparse than present, on his head fluttered in the wind. His eyes wide, and etched with worry, as he shifted from foot to foot. He removed a tattered cloth from his pocket and ran the rag down his face before he stuffed it away.
Borg looked over his shoulder as if he expected the devil himself to be there, before turning back to Saxby. “Milady, Lord Drackett sent a messenger who is demanding to enter.”
“No.” Juden sudden voice boomed behind Saxby. She whirled around, wondering how someone so large could walk so silently.
Saxby put a feigned smile on her face, gritting her teeth. “Juden I do believe since my husband is indisposed, as mistress of Dandelion I should handle matters. Don’t you think?”
Juden looked Saxby up and down. He said, “No.” Then turned about face and strolled down the pebbled-line passageway that led from the holding to the gates without giving her so much as a second glance.
Saxby put her hands on her hips, watched the broad expanse of Juden’s back, muscular stride, as he moved in one powerful fluid motion of authority. His sheer size, attitude, bespoke confidence, and she feared dangerous if he was riled.
She studied Juden and added his audacity was unbound.
His pace great, Saxby skipped to catch up to Juden. She was perspiring by the time she reached his side. She called his name, Juden didn’t respond, so she gently caught his shirtsleeve and gave it a tug. He stopped abruptly. Saxby nearly bumped her nose on his arm. She stepped back, stretched her neck and met his unwavering stare with an equally bold challenge.
“Might I have a word with you?”
“Can it not wait?”
“No.”
“Very well.” Juden put his arms behind his back, clasped his fingers together, and tilted his head forward to listen.
Saxby appreciated his attentiveness. Perhaps he wasn’t as sinfully arrogant as she first believed. “I do believe you should allow me to speak with the messenger and see what Lord Drackett request. Then, if necessary…I mean, if there is a need for you to interfere,” she said, speaking rapidly. She ignored Juden’s sudden lift of his eyebrow or he seemed entertained by her comment. “I assure you I will seek you out for council.”
“I appreciate your consideration. Is there anything else, Lady Saxby?”
Saxby thought about it. There was more she wanted to say, like he shouldn’t step in to handle matters when she was capable, she’d leave that for a later discussion. She nodded.
“I have no problem with your wishes, and we can discuss the matter at length. If ‘tis what you want.” Saxby perceived his response as positive. She nodded, appreciative Juden showed signs of cooperation. Then Juden added, “We will talk this evening after I have dealt with Lord Drackett. You should return to the dwelling.”
Juden was almost to the gate when Saxby realized not only had he ignored her request. He dismissed her.
Saxby stood in the distance and watched as Juden stepped up to the gate where Lord Drackett waited.
She heard Juden’s tone, low and impatient. Although, his exact words inaudible, due to the distance between them, she couldn’t make out what he said. Whatever he spoke, it was obvious it did not sit well with Lord Drackett. The man looked about to blow. He waved his hands about, signifying each word with body movements, bloated his chest while he blustered. When Lord Drackett finished protesting, he was two shades of red.
Juden stood undeterred by Lord Drackett’s ranting. He stood there calmly, indifference settled over his expression, as he listened. His mannerism cool and uninterested, she could tell whatever Lord Drackett said didn’t affect Juden. He remained stoic, staring at Lord Drackett as if he was some affront that personally irritated as much as a pesky gnat. She wished to eavesdrop on their conversation. Then she could know why Juden looked as if he might swipe Lord Drackett away with a flick of his hand and be done with him.
Better Juden’s hand than his sword, Saxby thought, watching as Lord Drackett furthered his argument that obviously fell on Juden’s deaf ears. Matters bubbled dangerously close to explosive. She noticed the way Juden held his body controlled. His speech succinct and slow, working to throttle his temper, as he responded to what Lord Drackett said. No matter what Lord Drackett droned on about it had little impact on Juden’s disposition. She could tell this. Juden was not backing down.
Saxby feared the two men would butt heads, as the horned beast of the mountains did when a pissing contest ensured over territory rights. She watched, chewing her bottom lip, glued to Lord Drackett and Juden, as they continued to disagree.
At one point, she feared Lord Drackett might do something foolish when she saw his hand slip to the hilt of his sword. It was a silent threat, but offensive. Things were bound to get ugly. Saxby braced herself expecting Juden to retaliate.
The air stiffened with tension.
Seconds passed as the men faced off.
Saxby held air in her lungs until she felt faint.
Juden spoke in a clipped tone, turned on the balls of his feet, and walked away. He showed Lord Drackett his back, an obvious dismissal and a cold slap in the face. For what Juden did, he may as well call Lord Drackett a bitch.
As Juden walked by Saxby called out to him. “Shall we expect Lord Drackett’s men to attempt to seize my home? Whatever your discussion he clearly acted displeased.”
Juden stopped and faced her. “On the contrary, what you can expect is the buffoon for dinner this evening.”
Saxby tried to hide her surprise. “Dinner?”
“Aye.” Juden continued up the incline with Saxby on his heels.
Juden stopped when he reached the steps that lead up to the manor double door. She noticed he waited on her, and she quickly reached him. “And why does he care to sit at the table with us?” She asked. “Because he has no choice if he wishes to converse with me,” Juden said.
“About?”
“Carline,” Juden said, and she saw his attention stayed on Lord Drackett and his men. He followed their movements, as the horses they rode, were steered away from Dandelion gates.
“I don’t understand. What did his visit have to do with Carline?” Saxby said, following Juden’s gaze. She sighed with relief that Lord Drackett didn’t appear as foolish as she believed. He brought a liege of warriors to Dandelion, as if he came to battle. The action was an affront in itself, and looked upon unkindly, so it shocked her that she stood on the landing talking to Juden and was not in the middle of a battle.
Juden handled the matter diplomatically. She gave thanks to Oslei.
Lord Drackett came to discuss Carline? The thought distressed her. She couldn’t fathom why.
“We shall see,” Juden said, noncommittal.
Saxby wasn’t about to let him get away w
ith ambiguity. She started to prod him when Carline appeared in the doorway and distracted her from making further inquiries.
“Was that Lord Drackett?” Carline asked.
“In the flesh,” Juden said cynicism heavy in his tone.
“Juden seems to think he came for you. Why is this?” Saxby asked.
Carline dropped her head and studied her slippers. “I don’t know.” She spoke quietly, refusing to face her or Juden.
In Saxby’s mind, it was a telling motion, and she sought to question Carline further but Juden intervened.
Without saying a word, he took Carline’s elbow, and led her inside. When she made to follow, Juden made it clear he intended to discuss matters with Carline alone. It was on the tip of her tongue to protest had Juden didn’t give her the opportunity. Before she could utter a word, he whisked Carline away and left her standing on the landing to ponder what happened.
Chapter 16
Juden was the last person to enter the hall. By the time he arrived, he had an audience which included Saxby, Faison, Megatha, Carline, and Lord Drackett. The room was eerily quiet; apprehension settled heavily and heightened his emotional energy that someone reeked of fear. With his acute hearing, he heard a heartbeat racing, as if his presence brought dangerous awareness and put someone on alert.
Lord Drackett could be a likely candidate. Because of their past, he knew of his unique empathic senses and either didn’t give a damn or wasn’t worried—or both, which was irritating. The man reeked of self-importance more than anything did, and he crossed the pompous ass off the list.
The perfume Megatha wore kept him from getting a true reading, and even if he could, he doubted she’d reveal anything. She knew about his empathic intuition and would have the brains to control herself. He ignored her.
There was no need to bother with Faison who sat emotionless beside Carline portraying a calm demeanor even though he seethed inwardly.
Saxby wasn’t a suspect—she had nothing to fear from him—the familiar scent of aroused femininity caught his attention. The alluring fragrance present stimulated something inside him activated every nerve ending in his body. The rush was euphoric and damned disconcerting. Accustomed to having control of his libido, the reaction was unnatural and made him anxious and wary at the same time she could cause the event by merely being there. It was an interesting notion. One he decided to tuck away for later when he could privately interrogate Saxby about the sudden heat that consumed his body but made her cheeks rosy. Interesting.
Then there was his niece Carline who sat in her normal poise, hands folded in her lap, and eyes downcast and centered on the tabletop. He found the source of trepidation. No surprise there, after their earlier conversation, which he conducted in private, furthered his belief Carline lied to him. Now, he would find out why.
Directing his question at Lord Drackett, he asked. “What do you want?”
“As I said earlier this matter should be addressed with Lord DeCapri.”
“You will deal with me or leave.”
Lord Drackett shifted in his chair. He extended his chest and lifted up his chin. “You dare disrespect my title and offend me?”
“Your arrival at Dandelion with many warriors could be perceived as an insult. However, I decided to let your lack of judgment pass without retaliation, for old time sake. Don’t…make me reconsider my decision.” His point clear, Juden eyed Lord Drackett, challenging him to refute his allegation. When he did not, it was no shock to Juden.
He and Horatio shared an unsavory history. Because he was involved with his sister Isla, they managed an acceptable tolerance of each other. A measure of decency was required when he dealt with Lord Drackett because Isla requested it of him. She pleaded at every opportunity for him to show some semblance of kinship with her brother, and because he aimed to please her, he extended himself to be personable in Horatio’s presence. Over the years, as Lord Drackett’s dark side emerged and became more visible, his sense of lenience waned. After Isla’s death, Juden tossed all pretenses aside.
Lord Drackett waved his hand in the air with a dramatic flair, dismissing Juden’s threat. “We go to battle after my visit. It is why I bring my men along.”
Juden didn’t respond to the blatant lie. He leaned forward, face to face with Lord Drackett, and allowed his impatience to show. “Again, I ask you want it is you want. I would advise you to be brief, as my tolerance grows short. You have five minutes to speak or find yourself tossed from Dandelion on your ass.”
It wasn’t difficult to see the idiot was itching for a fight. His entire body locked as Lord Drackett glowered at Juden, flexed his fingers open and closed, making an aggressive signal.
Unconcerned, he leaned back in his chair, folded his arms over his chest, and stretched his long legs at an angle and crossed his ankles. “You now have four minutes.”
Lord Drackett held out his hand in what Juden perceived as a conciliatory gesture. “Let us put our past behind us and be civil.” Juden looked at the offered hand as if it burst into flames. Lord Drackett dropped his arm. “I can see you have not changed after all these years and still carry a chip on your shoulder.”
Intentionally, he smiled with all the warmth of a snake about to bite. He raised his arms and entwined them behind his head, the very picture of indolence.
“Three minutes.”
The friction in the room spiked. “He comes for me,” Carline said. Her voice was barely above a whisper resonated in Juden’s ears.
Megatha coughed, choking on the wine she swallowed. She whirled around and stared at Carline. Her mouth flew open and hung in disbelief. “What do you say?”
“I suspect he is here to ask for my hand in marriage,” Carline said.
“Absolutely not,” he said, finality in his tone. His statement directed at all three.
Before Megatha intervened, he raised his hand for silence, not intending to go through the motion of listening to anyone’s reasoning, bickering, or protest he witnessed in Lord Drackett who he saw was on the verge of another childish tantrum.
“You are not in a position to make decisions, and besides if you were, by law Carline is of age. She is allowed to accept or decline my proposal if that is what she wishes.” He eyed Carline. “Carline?”
“I wa-want to do what is right.”
A preening peacock couldn’t have inflated his chest more victoriously. “The girl knows what ‘tis best.”
“I beg to differ,” Juden said. “There will be no joining between you and Carline.”
Lord Drackett seethed with fury. Eyes blazing, hands balled into fist, he shook from head to toe. He shoved his finger in Juden’s face. “You have no right to deny Carline’s wishes.”
Juden leveled his stare. He shifted his attention from the finger in his face to Lord Drackett’s eyes. His tone lethal, he spoke between clenched teeth. “That is your opinion. Now, if you have no other business you may go.”
Angrily, Lord Drackett stomped his foot like a child throwing a fit. “On what grounds do you deny me? What gives you the authority to refuse my offer?”
His movement was swift. Juden grabbed Lord Drackett’s fist, squeezed, and twisted until he winced in pain. Slowly, Juden rose to his full height, and hovered over Lord Drackett who started to bend under the pressure of his hold. He forced him to kneel down, and breathed in his face, saying, “I have my reasons and don’t feel inclined to share them with you. I believe you understand why I wouldn’t allow Carline anywhere near the likes of you. If you want to I can divulge the disturbing reasons for all to hear. However, I think that is unnecessary. It would be uncouth of me.” Juden shoved him away. Lord Drackett stumbled backwards, almost falling, until he managed to catch himself on the end of the table. “This is not over, Juden. I promise you,” Lord Drackett swore. “I will not be treated like a leper from the likes of you. You bastardous murderer!”
Megatha gasped, made the sign of the cross over her chest and clutched the crucifix dangling arou
nd her neck.
Faison reached for his sword.
Carline broke out in sobs.
Juden’s entire body turned to stone. He snarled savagely, his fangs protruded, and his eyes turned limpid. Maybe Lord Drackett realized he went too far or he was just stupid, probably both. Hands shaking, clumsily, he went for his weapon. His fingers encircled the hilt, but before he could withdraw the blade, Juden slammed into his chest, wrapped his hands around the idiot’s neck, and sunk his teeth into his throat.
Alarmed, Saxby jumped to her feet. “Juden, there will be no bloodshed in my home!”
Balancing on the brink between compliance and not giving a damn, he wavered—his pupils contracted, in a flash his fangs punctured deeper, sinking into Lord Drackett’s neck until he released a blood-curling howl. Blood seeped and ran down his neck and stained his shirt, the bastard’s features contorted in pain, as he increased the pressure and threatened to sever his windpipe.
“Juden VanZandt, don’t you dare.’” Saxby fumed.
Saxby looked mortified. Fuck it. He wasn’t worth it. He jerked back and swiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “Because I don’t care to distress the lady further you will live to die another day. I promise.” He whirled around and faced Carline, saying, “Lady, I will have a word with you. Now, and I swear if you lie to me this time Carline the consequences won’t be pleasant.”
Sniveling, Carline dabbed at her eyes and nodded.
Juden looked at Faison. “Escort this bastard off the property, and then inform the men if he returns, no matter the reason, he is to be killed.”
“Aye, Juden, with pleasure.”
Chapter 17
Saxby stopped pacing when she heard movement outside her door. She walked over and opened it to find Juden standing there. She tried to gage his disposition, sense what he was thinking, an impossible feat since one could read Juden as well as a rock. After the altercation with Lord Drackett, she would have thought him furious or agitated. Seeing him standing there, he appeared unfazed by the fiasco Lord Drackett tried to enact while she was a fit of nerves about Carline’s fate, and seriously concerned for her welfare.
Barbour, Carolina - Watch Me, Desire Me (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 10