by Amber Dane
Aric had outright lied to her. His earlier words rushed back over her. He would not be unfaithful my arse! She trembled with the anger that rose to cover the hurt.
How dare he?
She was so angry that she forgot all about how beautiful Lady Ella was. She was furious. He had lied!
Men and their lies. Her father. Thomas.
And now, her husband!
“I fear that is the way, milady. ‘Tis a common thing for a man to do with his mistress what he …cannot with his wife. Sometimes the mistress is kept in different quarters. A rarity however.” Edie said her voice full of compassion.
“Aye. Nonetheless, I will not be able to tolerate such in the home I have lived in. I may be ill prepared for this marriage and mistress situation, but for him to come to me then go to her. ‘Tis asking too much of me, Edie. God could not want this to be the way of it. It is too cruel.”
Danielle stopped pacing and stood near the hearth, exhausted.
Edie came to her side.
“God did not do it. Men did. Even though ‘tis common, you have control over how you want your marriage to be, milady. Remember?”
Danielle fought off the sting of her tears. “Yea, I guess I do.” She winched over the sound of her misery in her voice.
How could she compare to such beauty as the kind Lady Ella possessed? Even Rose had taken note of how stunning the woman was. "I am nothing to him but a brood mare to spit out heirs. He cares only about his lineage. Oh Edie. This is not something I think I can handle.” Danielle kicked the end of the stool and ignored the pain that vibrated up to her knee. She needed something to distract her from the overwhelming sickness in her belly. Renewed anger did. “No, I do have control. I can let it happen or just sit by and I cannot allow that.”
Edie smiled and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “That’s the way, milady. You deserve something good. I see the way milord watches you. It can work. There is more to being beautiful than a shell.”
Danielle hugged her maid before dismissing her. She barely heard the door close as a plan began to form in her mind.
****
Her hand slid inside his tunic and he shivered. It was from the sudden chill in the air that came through the dark alcove on the light breeze more so than from her nails raking over his nipple. Aric removed her hand.
“Ella. Come now, behave yourself.” His tone was one of irritation.
Lady Ella looked up at him with an inviting gaze. Her lips in the form of a pout.
“Aric, we have not been together in a very long time and you want me to behave? A virile man such as you cannot be worn from just a few nights with a new bride. Lest you forget, milord, I know all too well what an insatiable beast you are. Need I remind you?” She leaned up and kissed his throat, licking him there.
That movement usually had him throwing her across the bed and ready to be inside her. But oddly, nothing shot down to his groin. Aric removed her arms from around his neck and set her away from him, gently.
He lifted her chin with his finger. “The hour grows late, Ella and I need to attend to business that was put off to welcome you and Jamison. Surely, you must be tired from your long journey here. Nay? Come, I will see you on the morrow.” He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose.
She backed away. He knew she was displeased.
“You sent for me, Aric, remember.” She reminded him.
He sighed. Again, he wished he had not now that she was here. This was a distraction that had turned into a disaster. Balwain’s words came back to him and he shoved the memory of his friend’s words aside.
True, he’d arranged for Lady Ella to come join him after his marriage. He’d expected to wed bed and get his heir on his Saxon bride and go on living his life as before. But he saw now that that was something he was not going to be able to do. And he was angry because he knew it all had something to do with his wife.
“Aye, right. that I did, Ella. Come, let us not argue. Please enjoy your day here. My business will not allow me to make the noonday meal and the hour will be late when I return. So, I will discuss more with you on the morrow. Don’t pout.” Aric caressed her cheek. She managed a smile for him. She was a beauty indeed.
“Well, I guess I have no choice. The morrow it is then.”
“Good girl.” He dropped his hand and walked out of the alcove and turned in the direction of the hall. Few soldiers milled about in the hall. Lady Ella was still behind him.
“I must say. I did not expect you to marry a rare beauty like myself. But neither did I expect you to be married to someone like…’ Ella chose her words carefully for the dark mask that crossed her lover’s handsome face. “Like her. I mean no insult. She just does not fit you is all that I meant, Aric.”
His nod took an eternity in coming and it confirmed her suspicions. Something was definitely there that he held for that plump wife of his. Ella tucked the sign of it away for later.
Aric’s stare did not waver and he looked like he wanted to choke the life from her, but he simply said coldly. “Good day, Lady Ella.”
“Good day, milord.” She called after him and he was gone. Ella’s smile vanished and fury replaced it.
Chapter 13
Aric and Balwain exited the hall. Both men wore no smiles as they sent a fleet of knights out for the start of training on the field. Something in the corner caught Aric’s attention and he found his long stride carrying him across the hall after the slip of emerald that had caught his eye. Balwain sent off the last knight and followed his lord.
Aric watched Danielle move quickly past the archway leading to the kitchens with a group of servants in her wake. The flurry of activity drew both the warriors closer to the door to see what was afoot. Balwain covered his mirth. Aric inhaled deeply. Was she not supposed to be in their chamber resting? What had happened to her sudden illness?
Danielle was, with the help of the servants, rolling out the tapestries. She was moving so fast, and balking out orders softly along the way as though she were having a conversation over tea.
She had a few remove soiled rushes in one area and another group moving small tables.
The room had all of two windows in it. The ceiling was high, thick wooden beams ran across them and from what Aric could see over the mound of debris in the room, shelving covered one wall. Danielle’s brown hair slightly askew and fanning her face was no longer adorned with the headdress and hung loosely down her back. He swallowed hard as she bent over to lift one end of a rolled tapestry and her gown pulled taut across her bottom. The desire Ella failed to elicit from him rolled through him now.
“Milady!” His thunderous tone stopped her and the servants immediately. He did not miss how the servants looked first to her, as if asking permission before turning their nervous gazes upon him. Danielle turned and desire engulfed him fully. Her large eyes sparkled and her full cheeks flush from exertion made her look all the more desirable.
She did not smile, but her voice was pleasant. “Milord. Is there something wrong?” Danielle slid a lock of loose hair that fell over her brow behind her ear. He was so handsome. She licked her lips and settled her hands on her hips.
Her breath slightly heavy caused her chest to rise and fall. Aric looked away from the tops of those breasts which were covered by the low neckline but when she had bent to get the tapestry, the position had given the remaining men about the halls plenty to gawk at. Her creamy round globes were in full view. One dark look from him and the men quickly returned to their business.
“What are you doing?”
His words came out as though he were in pain. Danielle frowned. What was he still doing inside the manor? She gave him an odd look. He looked angry. Good.
“Oh, just tidying up a bit, milord.”
Aric heard the anger in her tone. “I can see that. Are you now suddenly feeling better?”
Her flush deepened. “A-Aye, I am. “ She balled her hands into fists. Where was Lady Ella? His expression changed to one of suspicion as he w
alked closer, his eyes on the pile of garbage in the center of the room.
“What is all this mess?”
Danielle waved a hand out in front of her. “This room was used as a study when I was a child and has in these last couple of years been used by Thomas for his storage. It was overlooked and so we are making changes to it today for something new. Your use, milord.” Danielle had thought he’d be out of the manor, but she had not been so lucky. When Balwain gave her a wink and a smile it garnered him a warning look from Aric.
Danielle felt a tingle shoot up her arm when Aric cupped her elbow and practically dragged her from the room and into another just off the side of the hall. They stood in front of the huge hearth and she waited as he seemed to take forever to say something with those dark eyes looking right through her.
Aric wanted to shake her to stop that pink tongue of hers from darting out to lick those plump lips and that dark mole. “Milady, you are to give orders for the rushes, the tapestries or whatever else that needs to be changed to the servants. Not do it yourself.” He wanted her work to stop and stop now.
Danielle paused and frowned. “I do not like to order anyone to do anything that I cannot do myself. I prefer to give direction and ‘tis what I was doing when you came about, was it not?”
He arched an incredulous brow and scoffed. “Direction? Is it not one in the same?”
Her eyes widened at his words and the flash of hurt he saw in them pulled at him, but he ignored it. “You better get used to it because that is the way of it and it should be done by them.” He added with satisfaction. God’s wounds, she’d done enough of that for all these years! Her calloused hands were proof enough of that.
Danielle was aggravated. He was worried about her getting her hands dirty when all she wanted was to scratch his eyes out over Lady Ella. Yet, calmly she said, “Forgive me, I am new to this marriage thing but I will never get used to or want to get used to ordering anyone about. I do not have to. Direction and instruction work better than harsh orders.” She finished with her hands once again on her hips.
He looked even less pleased and the scar above his brow whitened. “And look how well that worked out for you in the past. Do not be ridiculous. Do you think these people are your family, Danielle?”
Oh, he was back to Danielle, was he? She crossed her arms. His tone was condescending and she did not like it. “They are my family. The only family I’ve truly ever had. We all work together here at Gravane.”
“You lie for these people that showed you no respect when you needed it most. They are not your family. Nay. As of today, you will cease doing the work of peasants.” Aric’s words were a near growl. How dare she cross her arms? He saw the defiance and something more. As he’d known, she was still angry over the guests. He watched her mouth open and close.
Then she said. “Milord. These peasants as you so kindly wish to call them, have been the backbone of Gravane since before I was born and their family before that. I have worked and toiled alongside them with everything inside and outside of these walls. What is so wrong with me continuing to do so now? ‘Tis not hurting anyone and it just might mend what was broken.” What did he want from her? And to be so high and mighty about it and look down his long nose at these hardworking people. True, there were those that did not respect her, but the ones with her now, mending the gap this way was a start. His behavior was no better than Thomas’ and he was looking at her in that same way.
“You are my wife now, Danielle and as the lady of the manor, you will not do the work of peasants or” he waved his hand in the direction of the room they’d just left, “your family any longer.”
Danielle quickly retorted. “Because I’m your wife!? All of a sudden you remember that now, do you?” Blast his hide that he should come in here and charge at her over some silly chore when it was he that had done something far worse!
And to still not mention anything about it to boot. She fumed, continuing, “I do not think I am better than anyone, milord.” She gave him a look of reproach. “What am I to do if not help them? There is no harm in helping them with the daily chores or whatever it may be. I’ve always done it, besides, my father let me.” She faltered on the latter. It was another lie and she knew he knew it with the raise of one dark brow. Her father hadn’t cared what she did as long as she was out of sight and out of mind.
Aric stepped closer to her. “You are a poor, liar, Danielle. You are my wife. A baroness and you will act as one. Especially when we have guests under our roof. ”
Hurt wrenched her heart. “I have never been a baroness before so I may be rusty at it. And pardon me, but you have guests, not I!” She threw back at him.
She went to move past him, but he stopped her by stepping in front of her. She glared at him and could not help but add. “And what about you, Baron? You are a husband and should act like one.”
Aric ignored her retort but could not stop himself from wanting to reach out to her at the sadness blazing in her eyes. He inhaled and released a slow breath. He did not want to deal with her emotions now.
So he didn’t and instead responded coolly. “You were schooled well, Danielle and are no simpleton. You know what is expected of you on both. This is simply the way of it. You are my wife and you will do as I request. Now, I have others matters to attend and do not have time to argue over such trivial matters. I have spoken. “
Fire did erupt in her then and she let loose with a string of curses that caused Aric to raise both brows. She had such a dirty little mouth.
Danielle had had enough. So she had not only married an unfeeling clout, she’d married an arrogant arse too!
“You said all manor concerns were not to be discussed with me. Yet, ‘twas I who had to see that your guests were fed and bed properly. I am done accepting your ‘that is simply the way of it’! You do not own me. Two men have already tried and believed it. One is now dead. The other is too stupid to know the difference and may wind up dead too. What is supposed to happen to you then, milord?” Danielle wanted to take the words back as soon as they left her mouth.
He snatched her elbow hard and with a sharp jerk, he had her pulled against his chest. “Enough! I do own you, Danielle. Yester eve confirms that. You will do as I have spoken or you will find yourself over my knee if you cannot follow my orders. If you ever so much as threaten me again, I swear to you. You will regret it.”
Danielle felt a split second of fear then by the dark look shooting from his black orbs. She didn’t care though; she was too incensed and distraught by his hardheartedness. She tried to pull out of his grasp, but he only tightened his hold.
She met his gaze again and muttered. “As you wish, milord.”
She did not know this man at all. His words meant naught. He had said he’d never raise a hand to her and he just threatened to. Just like Thomas had so often done.
Then again he’d said he’d be faithful too. Her eyes were opening to many things about him and she cared not for what she saw. His triumphant tone cut deeply through her and Danielle wanted to slap his handsome face. But she just stood there staring up at him.
Aric frowned after a moment. He’d seen her stricken look which he believed came from his threat to bend her over his knee. But he would never strike her. She stood there waiting, trembling with fury, her hands fisted at her sides. Anger blazed in those large depths along with something else. Aric was still struggling not only with his desire, but the sudden flair of anger and jealousy that had shot through him when all eyes in the hall had espied her bosom. He cleared his throat and waved his hand in the direction across the hall.
“As you see fit to ready this study, please assure that no other rooms are forgotten by the servants.” He did not wait a reply but stalked out of the room where Balwain joined him and they went out through the manor doors.
Danielle let out the shaky breath she’d been holding and blinked back her tears. There was no time for her hurt feelings now. She went back to join her servants and instruct
ed them on what she wanted and still defied her husband by working alongside them. Sadness and anger tightened her chest as her thoughts assailed her. This marriage was a mistake.
Chapter 14
Aric breathed heavily as sweat poured down the middle of his naked chest. He threw the long sword onto the pile of other weapons and the worn, exhausted knights and squires on the practice field sighed heavily with relief. Training, their first since arrival at their new home had been quite strenuous this afternoon. Balwain had been his usual driven self but he too had called out a blessed word of caution for the young squires, all of whom were no older than fourteen or fifteen summers by whispering to his lord, without getting his own head cleaved in two.
“Milord!” Balwain had to call but thrice to get Aric’s attention who looked full on attack and ready for battle.
Aric gave him a dark look midway through a heavy downward swing on the shield of which a petrified squire, trembled beneath, yet held onto to show his bravery. Aric caught himself in time and pulled back with his bare chest heaving. The muscles rippled with his strength as he added another weapon, a spiked mace, to the pile of training weapons.
“That is all for today.”
Collective sighs of relief and groans of exhaustion filled the field. Squires hurried to gather up the weapons with their aching bodies and others limped off the field of combat.
Aric quit the field with Balwain on his heels.
“Seems marriage suits you well after all, my friend.”
They entered the manor. Aric’s men held their guard, but Gravane’s men and servants quickly hurried and scattered out of his way.
“Continue with words like that and we’ll be back out on the combat field. Is that what you seek, Balwain?” Aric threw over his shoulder as they walked into the hall.
Balwain suppressed his guffaw. “If fight is still in you, milord, it probably has more to do with what is in the bedchamber than what is on the field.” He veered off to the left just as Aric’s heavily muscled arm swung in his direction. Aric’s fist grazed his friend’s shoulder and still it sent Balwain into a light stumble. Balwain lumbered off with a grin as Edie came around the bend to greet him with a warm smile. The pretty maid blushed at the second-in-command.