by Wood, Lynn
Melissa didn’t need to approach her savior and one-time lover any closer to be aware of the waves of barely suppressed rage radiating off of his elegantly clad form, hidden beneath the slightly amused and sardonic expression he habitually regarded the world with. Somehow she needed to figure out a plausible excuse to get him alone, to try to explain before he did anything rash. Like announce to the company and the king she was his wife, and since they had already shared a wedding night, it was probably a prudent course of action to summon a priest to make their marriage official in the eyes of the church.
It was the possessiveness with which he watched her that worried Melissa the most, as if she was already his, as if it was his right to take what she once so willingly offered him. He wasn’t thinking clearly, she reminded herself, even as her heart raced at his brash perusal of her feminine curves. Righteous pride and male indignation filled his glance and his stance. She needed to reach him before he gave voice to it and bound them in a bigger tangle than they were already engulfed in.
Melissa sighed audibly in anticipation of the unpleasant confrontation ahead, and Rhiann immediately turned to regard her pale face. “Melissa, are you all right? Are you certain this isn’t too much for you?”
There it was, dangling in the space right in front of her – the chance to escape the coming, no doubt disagreeable scene that was about to be thrust upon her. She could simply tell Rhiann she was not feeling up to an evening of company and flee back to the relative safety of her room. A quick glance in Luke’s direction told her he knew exactly what she was contemplating and that he would not hesitate to take advantage of her absence. No, she regretfully concluded she would just have to brazen through her embarrassment at Luke’s unexpected arrival. She would simply find a way to get him alone and explain why she left, that she had not meant to deceive him. Her motives were honorable. She was as surprised as he no doubt was when she’d woken in the morning following their night together to discover she was still a living, breathing member of the human race.
At the time she knew he wouldn’t be reasonable about keeping what happened between them a secret. Being the honorable man he was he would insist on an immediate marriage. Well, she possessed as much honor as he did. A promise stood between them. Her vow he wouldn’t be stuck with her when dawn arrived on a new day. So she followed the only course of action open to her at the time. He needed a safe distance and enough time to consider his true inclination in the matter rather than what his honor demanded before insisting on a rash marriage neither of them wanted. She still believed she did the right thing. So why was her heart hammering frantically in her chest at the thought of explaining herself to Luke?
Chapter Thirteen
Luke was having difficulty catching his breath. Stunned astonishment slammed through him the moment he saw her. Followed close on the heels of his initial shock were the memories of caressing the alabaster skin and full breasts only hinted at by the modest cut of the luxurious burgundy gown she wore. Her long dark curls were both piled on top of her head and left to trail down her back in a carefully arranged fashion that was at once both a promise of womanly refinement and feminine surrender to a man’s lust. Resting proudly on the curve of the soft breasts he could still remember beneath his lips was the Salusian stone, its blood red color in sharp contrast to the emerald it radiated when it was worn by the woman at her side.
Their eyes met across the distance separating them, over the heads of the king’s guests gathered in his hall. Luke took vicious satisfaction at the sight of Melissa’s stunned expression, the way the color drained from her already pale face, and how she glanced back over her shoulder as if contemplating her next escape route. She reluctantly allowed herself to be tugged along by her sister’s gentle pull on her arm. Smiling wickedly, Luke watched her cautious descent. Melissa’s astonishment at his appearance turned to cautious anxiety. She kept her eyes focused on his face, wondering no doubt at his mood at finding her alive and well, a guest of the king, while he spent the past few weeks dragging his brother’s corpse across the Saxon countryside in search of her.
Luke was enjoying her obvious anxiety, finding it some small consolation for his feelings of guilt and regret at the thought of abandoning her unprotected in the wilderness. Obviously she was in no need of his protection. His fury at finding her alive and unhurt, and enjoying the king’s hospitality built inside him until it ran as red as the stone around his lover’s neck. It was only with great effort he concealed his foul mood beneath the easy camaraderie of his reunion with his close friend.
“Nathan, you seem to be collecting beautiful women lately. It seems incredibly unfair. Care to share?”
“Luke!” Nathan and William echoed in delighted surprise at his unexpected appearance. Nathan turned to smile at his friend, momentarily dragging his gaze from the lovely sight of his wife. “Arden arrived a few weeks ago with Lady Melissa. I have to confess I am beginning to re-evaluate my doubts surrounding the truth of the legend of Lord Patrick’s demise at the hands of his vengeful mount.”
Luke and the king laughed at Nathan’s mockery and then the conversation turned to more serious matters. “Did you find your brother?”
Luke nodded. “Yes, he apparently overestimated his hunting ability and went up against a stronger and quicker opponent. We found his dead body at the bottom of a cliff.”
As both men expressed the expected condolences, Luke met Nathan’s searching glance. Nathan was aware of the true state of his relationship with his half-brother and was no doubt wondering if Luke helped his brother over the edge of that cliff. A slight smile curving his lips, Luke shook his head in denial of his friend’s silent query and then turned in the direction of the women as they approached. “Arden’s search was apparently more fruitful than my own.”
“Luke, you’re back. Did you find your brother?” Rhiann’s excited voice interrupted them. It was obvious it never occurred to her his story ended on a different note than her own, which no doubted accounted for her hurried curtsey before the king. She barely waited for William’s permission to rise before she jumped up to face him. He met Melissa’s concerned glance over her sister’s head and received the answer to one of the questions circling his thoughts. Melissa had not shared with her sister the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Returning his attention to Rhiann, he admitted gently, “Unfortunately, my brother was not as fortunate as your sister. He is dead.”
Her eyes immediately filled with sympathetic tears. He wanted to admonish her not to waste her tears on his unworthy half-brother but decided the explanations would get too complicated. So instead he turned his attention to where Melissa stood quietly at her sister’s side. “I presume this is Lady Melissa?”
Rhiann’s expression changed to one of pure joy. “Yes, forgive me. Melissa this is Nathan’s dear friend, Baron Luke, and baron, this is my sister, Lady Melissa.”
No one seemed to notice anything untoward in Luke’s rather mocking bow in Melissa’s direction in acknowledgement of the introduction. “Lady Melissa.”
Melissa met his probing glance warily before inclining her own head. “Baron.”
“You appear none the worse for your adventure.”
For perhaps the first time in her life, Melissa was at a complete loss for words. Luke was so furious with her it robbed her of her ability to speak. Why did no one else notice the hot rage simmering beneath his stilted responses and the icy expression in his usually laughing black eyes? She forced her lips to part on an appropriate response. “My condolences on the loss of your brother.”
Melissa congratulated herself on not chocking on the blatant lie she just uttered. In truth the occasion of Mason’s passing warranted her congratulations and they both knew it.
Amusement flared briefly in the eyes so closely following her own, then Luke inclined his head and replied, “Thank you, that is most generous of you.”
Melissa felt Luke’s dark eyes roaming over her before coming to rest on where the Salusia
n stone rested between her breasts. His glance lingered there for long moments as if remembering the feel of her bare skin beneath his strong hands. Her breath became trapped in her throat at his bold appraisal and memories of the intimacies they shared brought a fine blush to her cheeks. She had no idea what she was supposed to do now. None of her mother’s carefully instilled rules of social discourse came to her frantic rescue. She couldn’t recall a single rule of etiquette covering her current dilemma. She sincerely doubted one existed.
Somehow she needed to come up with a convincing excuse to get Luke alone, to try to explain, to assure him there was no need for him to act the gentleman and make a formal offer of marriage. Not she mused, as Luke turned to answer a question put to him by his king, he seemed inclined at the moment to make such a sacrifice.
She sighed her relief when dinner was announced and Rhiann turned to regard her with a concerned expression. “You’re very quiet, tonight. You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”
Melissa reached out to squeeze the hand held out to hers as they turned to follow the men towards the table. “No. I was merely thinking how fortunate your husband is the king chose you to be his wife.”
Nathan overheard her comment and turned to smile down at his wife as he took her arm to escort her to the king’s table. “Tis the truth you speak, milady. I owe my liege lord a debt I shall never be able to repay.”
Rhiann blushed shyly at her husband’s praise, and the king, overhearing their conversation, remarked as they took their places on the benches around the table, “Has your sister’s contentment with my choice for her husband changed your mind about your plans to avoid marriage for yourself then? Lady Rhiann shared with us your father’s frustration at your desire and efforts to evade his matchmaking.”
Melissa laughed and shook her head. “No, Sire. Actually, I find myself hoping your success with my sister’s marriage does not encourage you to begin making plans for my own.”
The king laughed, acknowledging her quick wit. “I hope you will reconsider, my dear. I assure you I would have no difficulty arranging such a marriage. In fact, there has been no shortage of inquiries from my knights as to just such a possibility.”
“Surely you jest, Sire.” Melissa grinned.
“Surely, my dear, you underestimate your own appeal.”
“But Sire, I have no dowry to fill the pockets of your knights.”
“I am willing to see to your dowry my dear, though surprisingly, your lack of one does not appear to be a deterrent in the eyes of my knights.”
Melissa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She met Rhiann’s glance where she sat opposite her, next to her husband. Rhiann’s concerned expression seemed to indicate Melissa was going about trying to avoid an arranged marriage in such a way as to find herself facing just such a predicament. “You honor me, Sire, but no doubt there are other more worthy objects of your efforts than a woman who has spent most of her adult years evading the marital state.”
“What exactly is your objection to it?” Luke asked drily from his place next to the king
Melissa met his eyes and saw beneath his amused mockery lurked male outrage at her unconventional opinions. She couldn’t think of any response that would not serve to fan the flames of his anger.
Seeing her discomfort, the queen filled the awkward gap. “A young girl’s dreams of marriage do not in any way resemble the way a man approaches the matter, as if a wedding was no more than a cold business transaction. Most men go about procuring a wife the same way they would set about acquiring a horse.”
Melissa smiled her thanks in the queen’s direction.
Luke nodded his acknowledgment of the queen’s rebuke. “Ah, so it is romance you seek, milady?”
Melissa blushed at his ridicule and evaded meeting his eyes. How in the world did she manage to get herself mired in this ridiculous conversation?
She was relieved when Luke changed the topic to one of more masculine interest. “Sire, if you please, do you remember the reward you promised my family for our service in the war effort?”
“Indeed, Luke, I have not forgotten.”
“Forgive my boldness for bringing up such an indelicate matter at your table, but your earlier comment about the competition I am facing for Lady Melissa’s hand has led me to this unpardonable breach in manners.”
Melissa jerked in her place along the long bench and raised desperate eyes to Luke’s face. He met her frantic gaze with a nod of triumph. Surely he was merely jesting with her. Taking his revenge against her for what he concluded was her deception. His lips curved at the sight of the stark panic she knew must be revealed in her own.
The king, enjoying the silent exchange between his vassal and the lovely elder daughter of his former enemy, smiled widely at the pair of them. “Please continue, Luke.”
“I am quite envious of my friend Nathan’s good fortune. In his wife, that is, not your generous bequest of his new estates. As I am now the heir to my father’s lands, I have no need of additional property. I would instead rather you give me Lady Melissa as compensation for my family’s service.”
Luke’s stunning suggestion swiftly spread in whispered astonishment to the neighboring tables until it reached the farthest corners of the hall. Melissa was too astonished to do anything more than stare open-mouthed in Luke’s direction. Nathan laughed appreciatively at Luke’s offer. The king joined his friend’s amusement, his hearty laughter shaking his stout form.
Before he had a chance to grant Luke’s outrageous request, Melissa turned frantic eyes to her new king. “Please Sire, I beg of you not to grant the baron’s request. He is surely merely bantering with you,” she protested, then couldn’t resist adding bitterly, “And having an unpleasant joke at my expense.”
William mulled over her comment and turned an enquiring eye in his vassal’s direction. “I think Luke is too much the gentleman to make you the brunt of his humor.”
“You believe correctly, Sire. My request of you, while unorthodox, was made in all seriousness. It was not my intent to offend the lady who I very much hope you will grant me the honor of making my wife.”
Melissa turned anguished eyes in Luke’s direction. He sounded so sincere in his response to his king, as if he really wanted her for his wife. Her heart wanted to believe him, to reach out and simply take what he was offering, but she knew as soon as his anger with her cooled he would regret his rash offer. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”
Familiar laughter lit his eyes at her awed whisper and a grin flashed across his handsome face. “Not at all, milady. I am merely protecting my interests against the claims of potential poachers.”
“I am not your interests.” Melissa declared indignantly.
“You will be.”
Melissa was so stunned by his ludicrous declaration she was at a loss as to how to respond. She decided she would have more luck with the king. “Please Sire, I beg you to put aside the baron’s teasing. Perhaps the tragic loss of his brother has addled his wits and led him to this ridiculous proposal.”
Entertained at the byplay between his friend and vassal and his former enemy’s daughter, the king’s glance swung between the two of them before turning back to rest on Melissa’s pleading face. “I’ve known Luke a long time, my dear. And I assure you, there is no circumstance I can think of that would lead him to make an offer of marriage in the sight of witnesses that he was not completely serious about.”
“Thank you, Sire.” Luke remarked with a satisfied smile.
Seeing the king’s lips twitch in amusement at Luke’s easy mockery, Melissa glared at Luke, then resumed her desperate pleading with the king. “Please Sire, I beg of you, not to grant the baron’s request, which I can see you are inclined to do.”
William met her tearful glance and regretfully turned back to Luke. “You have put me in a difficult position, my friend. I would gladly grant your request. I believe it would be asolid match, but I’m reluctant to do so without the lady’s consent.�
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Melissa breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Thank you, Sire.”
The king nodded in her direction, but by his next words it was obvious he hadn’t quite given up on his vassal’s proposal. “My dear, I hope you will reconsider. You have my assurances the baron enjoys the highest place in my admiration. He is surrounded by friends of high honor and even your own sister’s husband counts him a close friend.”
Melissa felt her chances of escape dwindling around her. She desperately glanced across the table to meet Rhiann’s curious but troubled expression. Nathan had a restraining grip on her arm as if in silent warning not to intervene.
Luke, sensing his advantage, pressed it home. “Sire, I understand your reticence, but I give you my word I will treat the lady well. I require no dowry to accompany my bride. Now that her father’s estates have been awarded to my good friend, Nathan, you may save the lands yet to be awarded to reward another faithful vassal in your service.”
Melissa saw the king was swayed by Luke’s latest, rather mercenary argument. Seeing her last hope of evading a forced marriage to Luke dwindling, she rushed to fill the gap. “I will agree to marry Baron Luke under one condition.”
Murmured whispers buzzed around the hall at her declaration. The sound reminded Melissa of the swarm of bees she once ran afoul of as a young girl. Smiling, the king motioned for her to continue. “Indeed, my dear and what is this condition?”
“That the baron finds my brother, Michel, and brings him home to me.”
Rhiann clapped her hands with delight and the sisters exchanged a look of satisfaction.
“Your brother is dead.” Luke pronounced baldly with little regard for how his harshness would be regarded by his potential bride and her sister.
Melissa, feeling the bars of her prison doors swinging wide open again, announced rashly, “Then I will marry you if you provide irrefutable proof of his death.”