by Allison, Kim
A traitorous wife she had become in the last hour, and Elyssa scorned herself a fool. For in such a short amount of time, she feared her heart was already lost to the dark stranger.
CHAPTER 4
over the past year
"Where have you been?" Percy's booming voice demanded as he flung open the door to Elyssa's bedroom. She'd barely had a chance to catch her breath since rushing back to her room after the disturbing meeting in the gardens. Trying her best to appear innocent of any wrongdoing, Elyssa rose and crossed the room toward Percy, unconsciously holding her wounded hand.
"What is this?" he questioned, noting a drop of blood fall onto Elyssa's dress, then another.
Her face pale, Elyssa replied, "I cut myself and fear I am need of stitches." Realizing his questions would have to wait, Percy had Elyssa lay down on her bed, encouraging her to relax while he went to find Cora.
"We can't have you waiting an hour for a damned physician to arrive. Cora has sewn more than a few stitches in her lifetime. I vow she does a better job than any doctor alive. I will be right back."
Within moments, Percy and Cora returned with the proper necessities. Cora's motherly attentions brought the tears in Elyssa's eyes flowing down her cheeks. "It hurts," Elyssa moaned.
"I know, but it shall be fine very soon. Now lay back and close your eyes. I'll be done in just a moment." Her work sure and precise, Cora was true to her word, and moments later Elyssa was feeling much better, her hand properly stitched and bandaged.
The color slowly came back to her face and Elyssa was grateful the ordeal was over. Until Percy's return once again. He looked impatient to speak with her about something and Elyssa sat up on her bed.
"I came earlier but you were nowhere in sight. So, my dear wife, where were you?"
His penetrating stare making her uncomfortable, Elyssa stuttered, "I...I went for a short walk in the gardens."
"I expressly asked you not to wander downstairs, Elyssa."
"I thought no harm in taking a brief walk outdoors," she replied defmso-style-priority:9g">CHAPTER ensively.
"How did a mere walk turn into bleeding and stitches?"
"I took a vase to put flowers in. It dropped from my hands. When I tried cleaning up the mess, I got cut."
Gently picking her hands up, Percy said, "I am sorry I questioned you so brusquely. It is only your safety I am concerned about." His eyes narrowing as he looked at her hands, Percy continued, "Where is your wedding band?"
Forgetting that her finger was still without her ring, Elyssa feared her husband would find no reason in the world excusable for the absence of the one thing that declared he owned her.
"I was polishing my mother's silver tea set and did not wish to dirty the ring."
"How the devil would polishing silver mess up a sturdy wedding band?" came the gruff rebuttal. "Do you hold your marriage in so little regard that you would openly flaunt a ringless finger?"
Loosing her fingers from his hands, Elyssa said, "Percy, I simply forgot to put it back on after the chore was done. I see no need to make anymore of it than that."
"Put it back on this very moment," he demanded.
Elyssa rose from her seated position, for she did not like Percy towering over her, looking down at her as if she were an unmanageable spoiled brat. She was a grown woman, after all, and there was no need to order her about. She forced an air of bravado, for although Elyssa thought herself ready for a confrontation with her husband, she was likewise nervous about his reaction to her newfound mettle, not to mention still a bit weak from having her hand stitched..
"I shall replace the ring on my finger when I am ready to do so," she said shakily.
Taking a menacing step toward Elyssa, Percy's eyes narrowed in vexation. "I vow you shall put the damned ring back on this very moment or I shall do it for you."; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-hi dow
"That has the distinct sound of a threat," Elyssa replied nervously as she took a step backward.
"Oh, it is," came the low reply. Percy's hands curled into fists as he stared at his young wife. He was hard put to explain her recent bold behavior. Having to deal with that, besides his son's unexpected return, was causing Percy's wrath near the surface. "I find your recent impertinence very annoying, Elyssa. You are certainly not the same creature I fell for on first sight."
Ignoring Percy's insults, Elyssa spoke her thoughts aloud. “Why is it that a man need not wear a wedding ring, but a woman is commanded to as proof that she is owned by a husband, body and soul?"
"You already refused me your body, dear wife," Percy bit out, "your soul shall not be denied me." Elyssa cried out at his condemning words, her future suddenly seeming more hopeless than ever. It was obvious that Percy detested her. Life was a most bleak thing, she mused as Percy reached her with one final step. Picking up the ring from the table, Percy held it in front of Elyssa's face, her eyes brimming with unshed tears of frustration. "Now put it on and never remove it again. Do you understand me?"
"I need no heavy ring of silver upon my finger to remind me I'm in hell."
Of an instinct, Percy's hand came up. With an intense outrage at his young wife's complete disrespect, Percy slapped her face with the back of his hand. The contact was so harsh and unexpected that Elyssa fell back and stumbled to the floor, crying out at the abrupt pain. Percy jerked Elyssa's left hand up and forcibly thrust the ring onto her finger, her sobs going unnoticed and uncared.
"Perhaps you will use more wisdom the next time you think to dishonor me so blatantly." He began to walk away, issuing one last command before leaving her room. "I would advise you to pack your bags. I think tomorrow would be a splendid time for you to visit your parents in London, for I do not wish to see your face for the next several days."
He slammed the door shut so loudly it shook on its hinges. Elyssa lay on the floor still, holding her cheek with her hand, as she cried aloud at the unfairness of life. She had never wanted this, had never asked to marry a man more than twice her age, only to live a miserable and forlorn life.
As the tears slowly began to subside, Elyssa pulled herself up on the edge of the table. She still felt weak, her cheek tender and sore, and her stomach churned in distress of everything that had taken place. She had pushed Percy past the limit, and her face was certain to be a reminder of that fact for the next day or two.
As she sat in the chair and saw her reflection in the mirror, Elyssa's fingers went to her other cheek as she saw the streak of dried blood marring her skin. Her mind returned to the moment it must have been traced there, and she reminisced about the forbidden kiss shared with the stranger. She recalled the shocking way in which he'd purposely cut himself to mix their blood together in unholy alliance. It was his blood on her cheek, Elyssa realized anew, and a shiver went up her spine at that notion.
Exhausted, she fell into bed, the tears fresh on her face and Elyssa settled into a numbness of her own making. Difficult as it would be, she must face what life had cruelly dealt her and simply make the most of it. Any hopes of romanticism or thoughts of a happy marriage must be done away with. Finally, her eyes drifted shut and Elyssa fell into a restless sleep.
________________
It was roughly midnight, Daniel guessed, still reclining in the far recesses of the stables, where he'd been since before ten o'clock. She told him she could not see him again, but Daniel still hoped Revee would come. He could not explain this fierce obsession with the young woman, only knew that his every thought revolved about her.
At that moment, he heard a sound at the other end of the stables. Having long since gone to sleep after more than a few drinks, the stable hand would not be up and about. Daniel knew that for a fact, for he'd seen to it himself that the man had imbibed his share of whiskey during their card game before finally retiring to his humble loft over the stable. Daniel hadn't wished to be disturbed should Revee decide to come, hence his generosity with the man's favorite bottle of spirits.
Fleet of foot, Daniel w
as at the other end the hint of a smile e we of the stables in mere seconds. Stray strands of hair came to rest in front of Daniel's eyes as he skidded to a halt, not wishing to appear as desperate as he felt at the hope it might be her. His lips curved upward when he spotted the lovely sight standing in the doorway staring back at him. She had come after all.
Barely able to contain his pleasure, Daniel felt like a schoolboy elated at the chance his feelings might be returned by the prettiest girl in town. He ran his fingers through his dark locks, removing the hair from in front of his eyes, for Daniel wanted nothing to impede his view of the enchantress.
Elyssa wore an informal riding outfit she'd had for years. The snug brown pants and jacket covering a pale gray blouse were considered quite unladylike and Elyssa rarely wore it. She donned the outfit at the last second before unexpectedly leaving the solace of her bedroom in the dead of night. Her eyes wary, Elyssa appeared almost on the verge of bolting, and Daniel wanted to say nothing to prompt her to do so.
"I knew you would come," his low voice caressed. Elyssa trembled at the sound of his voice, smooth as silk and too seductive by far. It had been a mistake to come, she admonished herself, for the man held some sort of power over her, and she'd been a fool to forget that.
It was obvious by merely looking at him that he was no man to be put off by anyone, male or female. His chest, partially bared to view, tempted Elyssa to flex her fingers across its width. His shirt was halfway unbuttoned and untucked, his dark pants still inside his black boots. His raven hair, left long and loose, gave him the look of a rogue. A beautiful, tempting rogue.
He was a blackguard, pure and simple––making her blush simply by staring at her so. Elyssa had told herself he would be long gone by this time. She’d convinced herself she was merely going for a late night walk to rid her mind of the cobwebs put there by Percy.
In truth, Elyssa was surprised to see him still there, over two hours later than he'd asked her to meet him. And even after all the time he had waited, his reaction to her late appearance prompted not words of aggravation, but a purely male look of admiration and a husky I knew you would come.
Breath indrawn at his alluring voice and the hand outstretched toward her beckoning to join him, Elyssa's mouth spoke of its own accord. "Only to tell you we must never the hint of a smile e we see each other again."
The half smile on Daniel's face disappeared at her words. Hearing the stable hand's restless moving about in his bed of hay, Daniel gently grabbed Elyssa by the hand and pulled her back toward the direction in which he'd been waiting.
It was only a matter of seconds that her fingers were entwined with his, but long enough for Elyssa to fall victim to his easy charm, his utter allure. She glanced down at the sight of their clasped hands as they began to walk the length of the stables, relished the warmth of his fingers holding hers captive. And before she could fully comprehend the incredible connection she felt with the stranger, he loosened his hold.
Her gaze followed his, her eyes widening at the sight that met her. Elyssa was shocked to see not only a lone lantern dimly lit and hanging on the wall, but a soft blanket laid invitingly in the corner, a bottle of wine resting comfortably within its folds. If she'd doubted it before, Elyssa could certainly harbor no misgivings any longer, for the scene was blatantly meant for seduction. Her seduction. And although that tantalizing thought brought a wave of enticement rushing over her, Elyssa was likewise appalled that the man thought her so easy and willing a bed partner.
Daniel was unable to read the expression on her face as she stared at the scene before them. The dim light cast a shadow of her perfect profile against the wall. Daniel was momentarily speechless, for it seemed every time he saw Revee, she was even more lovely than before. He was a man smitten, and the thought startled Daniel. He'd had countless women over the years, but he failed to recall even one female that had ever kept him spellbound for more than a night or two.
Looking at Daniel abruptly, Elyssa said, "This was a mistake. I must leave." She managed to rush past Daniel before he even realized she meant to desert him. Running to catch up with her, Daniel reached the door just before Elyssa, blocking her escape..
"Do not leave," he said urgently. "I have been waiting over two hours for you."
"Why?" she cried desperately, wringing her hands and wishing she was anywhere else in the world but there.
"I told you I have to leave tomorrow on business."
CHAPTER ">"I believe your offer was for a late night ride, not a romp in the hay." Even as she spoke the blunt words, Elyssa felt her face grow red in embarrassment. "It seems a bit late for a ride now, don't you agree?" Daniel had the devilish urge to tell Elyssa it was never too late for a ride, but he doubted she would appreciate the comment. And he would have been shocked to know Elyssa naively wouldn’t have understood the innuendo anyway.
Tentatively lowering his arms, Daniel took a step toward Elyssa. As if speaking softly to a skittish colt, he sought to put her mind at ease. Now that she was here, Daniel refused to let her flee again. "I understand your hesitancy, Revee. A woman needs to be romanced and shown that she is appreciated." His lips curved up into a seductive smile, for although she was presently acting offended at the conjecture he was out to ravish her, Daniel needed only to recall their first encounter in the thunderstorm to remember that this lady was no stranger to the art of seduction.
"I beg your pardon?" she replied shakily.
"I would not pressure you into anything you are not ready for. After all, the fact shockingly comes to mind that you don't even know my name." Bowing from the waist, he humorously but gallantly introduced himself. "My name is Daniel, and I am most pleased to make your lovely acquaintance."
Daniel. The name echoed dreamily in her mind, and Elyssa feared the name would be forever etched across her heart, the sound of it to haunt her dreams. She gave no reply, only continued staring at him with an unreadable expression. Reaching out for her hand, Daniel pulled her fingers up to his mouth, softly kissing the end of each one as he stared into her eyes. The air was charged with barely reined recklessness and Elyssa watched hypnotically as his lips gave expert attention to each and every finger.
Daniel turned her hand over, looking pointedly at the bandage covering her stitches. He slowly glanced up into Elyssa's eyes, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. His hooded gaze dared her to remember their earlier encounter. And remember it she did.
Never would she forget the feel of his hand against hers that day, the wickedness of his actions that had stirred their blood together, binding them for all eternity, if his seductive words were to be believed.
Why did she have to feel this sinful attraction toward a man she could not have? In that moment Elyssa faced the astounding certainty, for it was true, she did want him. How breath drew in sharplythi could her morals and conscience threaten to desert her so easily! For Elyssa's battle against her temptation for the man was slowly being defeated.
When he stared so longingly at her, holding her hand the way he was, it took every ounce of willpower not to crush herself against him and kiss him with the sweet urgency she was near bursting with. As the struggle continued within herself, Elyssa failed to note the change in Daniel's expression. His eyes narrowed and he reached out to cup her chin. Turning her face just so, the faint light from the moon displayed the dark bruise against her cheek. Daniel's jaw clenched in barely suppressed anger.
"You were struck," he stated in shock. Having forgotten about her cheek, Elyssa realized it must be showing a bruise by this time, and she felt humiliated at his knowledge of it.
"No," she denied, turning her face to block the sight of her cheek, "I...I hurt myself when I fell today."
"Who the bloody hell did this to you?" Daniel demanded. "I will kill him."
Stunned at the utter fury in his voice, Elyssa attempted to divert his anger, for it would not do to have Daniel confront her husband over something she herself had caused in a moment of rebellion and f
rustration. His angry steps took him away from the stable hand's range of hearing should he awaken. Elyssa followed Daniel down the corridor.
"You will not murder anyone," Elyssa cried, "for no one struck me." She turned away from Daniel, bracing her hands against the wall as if to gain strength from its solidity. Returning her gaze to him a moment later, Elyssa forced a smile as she fibbed.
"I clumsily hit myself on an open door."
"I thought you said you fell."
"I fell after I ran into the door," she amended.
"Liar," came his soft rebuttal. His eyes softened and he gently grazed the back of his hand over her bruised cheek. Perhaps she was unaware of the purple and black bruise so prominent against her skinmso-style-priority:9g">CHAPTER , for in the dimness of the stables it was not very apparent without the aid of the lantern. Not believing her story one bit, Daniel determined to find out the truth before he allowed her to leave.
"Does it hurt very badly?" he questioned, his fingers still soft upon her cheek. Raising her hand up, hoping her skin was not marred as badly as she feared, Elyssa unthinkingly placed her fingers atop Daniel's, the contact against his skin forcing her indrawn breath. He took note of the wide band of silver about her third finger, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
"You are married?" Daniel asked point blank. Her gaze following his to her wedding ring, Elyssa had no option but to admit what she thought he'd already known.
"Yes, but surely you knew that," came the bleak answer.
"He did this to you," Daniel stated with surety. "Admit it."
"It was my fault," Elyssa finally said.
"How can you say that? No woman deserves to be backhanded by a cowardly bastard, husband or not!"