by Connie Mason
“Tis your decision, but know that I will not turn you out of your home if you wish to remain,” Dominic said.
“Aye, ‘tis a perfect solution,” Rose said. She turned to her twin and said in an aside,“I will ask permission so Mother can leave for the convent immediately following the ceremony. Just remember to call me Starla and refer to yourself as Rose.”
“What are you up to, Rose?” Starla whispered.
“Saving your skin. Unless you wish to wed Dragon.”
Starla blanched. “Nay, oh, nay. I could not bear it. He is so… fierce. Are you sure you know what you are doing?”
Trust me. Just do as I say before Dragon becomes suspicious.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Dominic asked harshly.
“May I ask a boon of you, my lord?” Rose asked.
“A boon?” Dominic asked in a suspicious tone. “Name it, but I can promise naught.”
“Allow my mother to leave for the convent with my sister immediately following the ceremony.”
“Is that your wish?” Dominic asked Nelda.
Rose sent a warning glance at Nelda, hoping her mother would understand and lend support. Lady Nelda must have suspected Rose had a plan in mind, for she nodded affirmatively.
” Tis done, then,” Dominic said. “Guardsmen of your own choosing will escort you to the convent immediately following the wedding. You may take your personal belongings, but everything else of value belongs to me and is not to leave the keep. Understood?”
All three women nodded in unison.
“Very well, then. You may repair to the solar to make Lady Rose ready for her wedding.”
Grasping Starla’s hand, Rose all but pulled her up the stairs to the solar. Lady Nelda hurried after them. Once the door had closed behind them, Rose all but collapsed against it. Then, stiffening her spine, she pushed herself away with the courage and determination that defined her character.
“Come,” she said, walking over to the trunk and throwing back the lid. “There is little time to prepare.”
“You will explain first,” Lady Nelda demanded. “What is your purpose in telling Lord Dragon that you are Starla?”
Rose removed one of her mother’s under-gowns from the trunk and placed it on the bed. “Think you Lord Dragon would have a wife with a sharp tongue? Nay. Men want a meek wife they can browbeat into submission. I am not that kind of woman, and he recognized it immediately. I sensed he would choose Starla, and we all know that wedding her to Dragon would destroy her.”
“I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for me,” Starla argued. “You have protected me all my life.‘Tis time I stood up for myself.”
Rose sent her saintly sister a tender smile.” Tis not in you to be forceful, sister. You have always known you wanted to dedicate yourself to God. Even Papa recognized your piety and gave in to your desire to be cloistered. Now you will get your wish.”
“What about Lord Dragon?” Lady Nelda questioned. Think you he won’t know the difference?”
“Not if Starla plays her part,“Rose explained.“She knows me as no one else does, not even you, Mama. If Starla puts her mind to it, she will have no trouble pretending to be me until after I wed Dragon. And I will pretend to be the meek sister. He publicly announced his intention to marry Rose and so he shall.”
” Tis a clever ploy,” Lady Nelda said thoughtfully,“but I fear for you.Rose. At some point Lord Dragon will know he has been duped. Then what will become of you? Consider this, daughter,” Nelda said earnestly. “Do you know what wedding a virile man like Lord Dragon means?”
Rose had her suspicions but no specific knowledge about what happened in the marriage bed.
“You can tell me later, Mama. Right now we have work to do. Starla, do you remember where Papa hid the cache of gold he kept for emergencies?”
Starla glanced at the hearth, her brow wrinkled in thought.” ‘Tis so long since he showed us, but I think I remember.”
“Good, get it. Mama, you get your jewelry while I rip out the hems of your gowns.”
“Lord Dragon said we are to take naught of value with us to the convent,” Nelda reminded her.
Rose sent her an exasperated look. “Devil take Dragon. I will not have you go as paupers to the convent. Mama, fetch your sewing basket.”
The gold is still here!” Starla crowed as she removed a brick from the front of the hearth and lifted out a bulging cloth sack from the cramped space behind it. She carried the sack to the bed and spilled a pile of gold coins onto the counterpane.
They worked quickly, sewing the coins into the hem of Nelda’s under-gown, spacing them so they would not jingle together when she walked. They did the same with the jewelry.
“There are sufficient coins here to pay your way,” Rose said when they finished. “Starla, go to your room and pack your personal belongings while I help Mama. Dress warmly, mind you.”
“What about you, Rose?” Lady Nelda asked as she placed some personal belongings in a small trunk. “Will you be all right? I said naught in front of Starla, but I fear you are placing yourself in danger. Lord Dragon has the look of a man not easily placated. You will bear the brunt of his anger alone when he realizes you tricked him.”
“I will survive, Mama,” Rose said with more assurance than she felt. “He will not hurt me lest he earn the wrath of our guardsmen. He has need of their loyalty.”
“He will indeed need our guardsmen,” Nelda agreed sagely. “If I know my brother Murdoc, and I believe I do, he will try to claim Ayrdale once he learns of your father’s death. I would not put it past him to try to force you, your father’s heir, to wed one of his kinsmen.”
Rose grimaced. Even if Dragon had not arrived, she would not wed a kinsman of Uncle Murdoc’s. She had seen them all, and none pleased her.
Starla arrived in the solar a few minutes later carrying a small casket containing her personal belongings. “I packed but a few things, for I intend to become a postulate and wear the robes they provide forme.”
“I shall miss you,” Rose said, giving her twin a fierce hug. “And you,too, Mama. The convent is but a half-day’s journey, and I shall come often to visit.”
“Are you sure about this, Rose?” Starla asked in a trembling voice. “I would not ask so great a sacrifice of you.”
“You have ever wanted to be a nun, Starla. It would pain me to see you crushed beneath the Dragon Lord’s heel.”
Starla shuddered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I would prefer death. I do not think I could … could submit to a husband—any husband—as a wife should.”
Teary-eyed, Rose held Starla close. “Nor will you have to. Go and be happy in your faith. Just remember to pretend to be me until you are well away from the keep, and I shall become meek and biddable until I know you are safely ensconced in the convent.”
“Pray God Rose can keep her mouth shut long enough,” Lady Nelda said in a prayerful tone.
A loud rapping on the door interrupted their conversation. Rose opened the door to the huge, foreign-looking man who had accompanied Dragon inside the keep. He was dressed strangely in a colorful robe that covered him from neck to toe and a length of white cloth wound about his head. And he carried enough weapons to slay an entire army.
“I am Raj, Lord Dragon’s man. My master awaits his bride in the chapel.”
“We will be there directly,” Rose said.
She tried to close the door, but Raj held it open with one huge palm.“I am to escort Lady Rose to her bridegroom.” He looked from Rose to Starla, then back to Rose. “Which lady would that be?”
Rose’s demeanor immediately altered to mimic her sister’s more reserved nature. She lowered her gaze and forced herself to tremble; though in truth it wasn’t all that difficult. “I am Lady Rose.”
“Follow me, my lady,” Raj said, holding the door open for Rose. “We must not keep our lord waiting.”
Rose sucked in a fortifying breath, stiffened her shoulders and walked
bravely toward her future.
Chapter Two
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
—William Shakespeare
Hands clasped behind his back, Dominic paced before the altar, waiting for his bride to appear. Truth to tell, he had little enthusiasm for this marriage. The shy little twin was not his type, but he knew in his heart that his choice had been a wise one. The sharp-tongued sister would make his life miserable, and bedding a grief-stricken widow held scant appeal.
Nor did he expect to derive pleasure from the marriage bed wedded to the meek little twin. She would probably close her eyes, grit her teeth and say a prayer each time he made Jove to her. Rosewas certainly misnamed, he thought with a hint of amusement.
There was nothing thorny about the shy girl he was about to make his wife. He couldn’t say the same about her sister, however, who was as prickly as a thistle.
Suddenly Dominic’s patience snapped, and he turned on the priest.“Where is she?”
“Patience is a virtue, my lord,” Father Nyle intoned. “You stormed into our household and announced our lord’s death and your intention to wed one of his daughters, all within the span of one hour.‘Tis unseemly.”
Dominic’s mouth flattened. ” Tis the king’s will. Think you I want an unwilling wife in my bed? I had plans to wed another when the king gave me his orders. If I must accept this marriage, then so must Lady Rose.”
“Lady Rose will obey the king but she does not have to like it,” Rose said from the doorway. “I am here, my lord.”
Dominic stared at Rose, noting with distaste her downcast eyes and rounded shoulders. Could she not even look at him? How was he to bed a wench who cringed at the very sight of him? His gaze slid past Rose to her sister, who appeared to have a problem meeting his gaze. But suddenly, as if realizing he was staring at her, she raised her chin and looked him directly in the eye.
Dominic flashed her a devilish grin, then turned his attention to his subdued little Rose. At least he would be able to keep Veronica as his mistress with Rose as his wife, he reflected. Should he wed the sister, they would be constantly at each other’s throats. But he suspected that bedding the feisty twin would be anything but dull. To Dominic’s surprise, he felt himself harden beneath his braies.
Dominic brought his wayward thoughts under control and turned to the priest. “Proceed with the ceremony, Father. Forget the Mass. I want this over and done with as quickly as possible.”
Had Dominic the opportunity to glance into Rose’s hooded eyes, he would have seen anger brewing in their stormy blue depths.
Dominic gestured Rose forward.“Come, lady. Dawdling will change naught.”
Bolstered by her mother and sister, Rose walked slowly toward Dominic. When she reached his side, he placed her hand on his arm and turned toward the priest.
“You do not have to do this,” Starla whispered into Rose’s ear.
Rose pretended not to hear. “I am ready, my lord,” she said softly.
Dominic repeated his vows in a strong voice but had to nudge Rose when it was her turn. Moments later they were pronounced husband and wife, but Dominic could feel no joy. He felt strangely deflated. In fact, he couldn’t bring himself to give his wife the traditional kiss. He merely brushed his lips against hers in the lightest of touches.
But something strange happened the moment his lips met hers. He felt a spark ignite inside him and warmth flow through his veins. He drew back and stared at her, his eyes narrowed in puzzlement.
“A wedding feast awaits us in the hall, madam,“he said, more harshly than he intended. Placing Rose’s arm on his, he guided her from the chapel.“Will your mother and sister stay to celebrate with us?”
“We will leave immediately as planned,” Lady Nelda answered. She took Rose’s hands between hers and kissed her cheek. “God protect you, Rose.”
Dominic watched through narrowed lids as the sisters embraced and whispered words he could not hear. He saw tears in their eyes and hardened his heart against the regret he felt for parting them. It wasn’t as if he were sending Lady Nelda and Starla away; they had chosen to leave of their own free will.
“We are ready, Lord Dragon,” Nelda said, drawing Starla away from Rose.
Dominic signaled Raj, who left immediately to alert the guardsmen serving as escorts. “Eric of Carlyle and two of your own guardsmen will see you safely to the convent.”
Dominic tried to make eye contact with Starla but failed. He would have liked one more look into those defiant blue eyes before bidding the feisty twin farewell forever, but it was not to be. His sigh held a hint of regret as Lady Nelda and Starla made a hasty exit.
“I ordered a feast prepared to celebrate our wedding and invited our vassals to partake of the meal,” Dominic said, returning his attention to Rose. “I hope it pleases you.”
Pretending to respond to her new husband as Starla would have, Rose shied away from Dominic. Actually, she wasn’t pretending all that much. The brush of Dragon’s mouth against hers had left her breathless and confused. For some odd reason, her body tingled clear down to her toes. She peered at Dragon from beneath lowered lashes, then quickly looked away. “If it pleases you, Lord Dragon.”
A frown formed between Dominic’s dark brows. Before Rose had looked away, he had seen a defiant spark in her eyes that confused him. It was the same fiery response he’d noted in her twin’s eyes when she had challenged him at the portcullis. He shook his head to clear it of the provocative image of the warrior woman sitting astride her horse, a sword balanced in one hand and a challenge on her lips. He shook his head again. Something nagged at the edge of his memory but it passed too quickly for him to grasp.
“My name is Dominic,” he said as the silence stretched between them. “You have my leave to call me Dominic if you wish.”
“I do not wish, my lord.”
Dominic felt a headache forming behind his eyes. Consummating his marriage was definitely going to be a chore. He feared he would be making love to one sister while thinking about the other. Damn King John!
Dominic seated Rose at the high table and glanced about the hall with interest. He hadn’t taken the opportunity to inspect the great hall earlier, but now he took his time looking his fill.
The walls, he noted, were covered with richly embroidered tapestries and silk hangings, the rushes smelled sweet and clean, and the brass chandelier overhead sparkled. The high table was set with the finest linen, and the silver cups and utensils were polished to a high sheen. Flames danced in the hearth, banishing lurking shadows and the evening chill, creating a welcoming atmosphere that Dominic hadn’t experienced since he had left home many years ago to seek his fortune.
The only discordant note was the pale woman at his side. If there was a spark of emotion in her, he had yet to find it. She was a bland imitation of her vibrant sister. Somehow he had to overcome his aversion to the pious maiden long enough to bed her and get an heir from her.
Rose watched Dragon from beneath lowered lids, wondering what he was thinking. His dark, hooded eyes, brooding mouth and harsh jaw were intimidating but not necessarily frightening. She studied him surreptitiously through a curtain of feathery lashes and decided he was a handsome man, in a rugged sort of way. His was a virile face, one of strength and determination.
What would he do to her when he learned he had been duped?
She couldn’t suppress the shudder that rippled over her flesh.
“Are you cold, Rose?”
She rubbed her arms.“Nay.”
He placed a finger beneath her chin and raised it so he could look into her face. “Are you frightened of me?”
Challenge flared in Rose’s eyes but was quickly extinguished before Dragon could question it. It was not safe to reveal too much of herself to her husband. She knew Starla would be frightened of Dragon, so she had to pretend the same emotions her timid sister might feel.
Forcing a tear or two and a quiver
in her voice, Rose said, “I would be a fool not to be frightened, my lord. I never wanted a husband. Until the king interfered, I hoped to devote my life to God. I wanted to become a nun and spend my life in prayer and good work.”
Her words seemed to anger Dragon, for he spit out a curse and released her chin.“We are wed, madam. There is naught you can do to change that. In time, I expect an heir from you. Did your mother not tell you what to expect in the marriage bed?”
There was no time.“Do with me as you will, my lord Dragon,” Rose said in a quavering voice, “but I do not have to like it.”
Another curse flew past Dominic’s lips.Think you I wanted to marry you? I intended to wed another, but the king would not allow it. If there is a man you care about, I advise you to forget him, for I will not be cuckolded.”
Rose stifled a gasp. She had never considered that Dragon’s affections might lie elsewhere. As for her own affections, they had never been engaged. Though her father had tried to interest her in marriage, she had yet to meet a man who pleased her.
“I told you,” Rose whispered in a quavering voice, “I promised myself to Christ.”
Dominic opened his mouth to say something but clamped his lips together when servants paraded into the great hall bearing trays laden with food. He had ordered a feast, and a feast was exactly what was served. Platter after platter of roast boar, roe deer, game pies in wine gravy, stewed eels and raw oysters from the sea were placed before them. A second course of capon in lemon and ginger, sea trout in cream, fresh bread and butter and an assortment of vegetables followed in short order.
Dominic was impressed with the bountiful table and variety of food. By the time the wheel of cheese and sweets arrived, Dominic knew without examining the account books that Dragonwyck’s wealth surpassed anything he had imagined, anything that even the king had imagined. He glanced sideways at Rose. Should he find no enjoyment in his marriage bed, he would have the pleasure of knowing he was a rich man.
“Your cook is exceptional,” he said by way of conversation.