by Connie Mason
Rose sighed. She did not want Dragon to be kind to her. She needed to hate him. Rose lingered in bed after Tyra left, not particularly eager to face Dragon after her surrender last night. If he thought he could direct her life, he was sadly mistaken. She could never forget that the Dragon Lord was the king’s lackey. Did he not realize how much King John was hated by his people? Her father should not have lost his life because he had tried to help the king’s oppressed barons.
Rose pushed aside the covers and rose, still weary despite the lateness of the hour. Had she slept at all last night? She wanted another bath but decided to wait. There was water in a pitcher, however, and she used it to wash Dragon’s seed from between her thighs. She had already dressed and was cleaning her teeth with a cloth dipped in salt when she heard a commotion in the inner bailey. Rushing to the window, she pulled aside the drapery and leaned out the window.
Snow had fallen during the night. A gust of wind picked up the flakes and flung them against Rose’s face. Impatiently she dashed them away. Her uncle and his kinsmen had arrived. Rose brushed her hair into a semblance of order and hurried down to the hall to greet them.
Rose joined Dragon at the front entrance just as the Scotsmen arrived.
“I decided to let them enter,” Dominic said when Rose joined him.“I doubt your uncle will cause trouble, but we are prepared nevertheless.”
Think you he knows about our marriage?”
“Nay, but it will be interesting to note his reaction once he is told.”
Dominic studied the MacTavish clan through narrowed lids. They looked uncivilized, he thought, surprised by their manner of dress. They were clad in fur and leather, from their crude tunics down to their hide boots.They were large men, probably descendants of Vikings,those fiercest of all fighters.
They look like savages,” Dominic said. “How could that tribe have produced your gentle mother? Point out your uncle.”
“Uncle Murdoc is the one riding the pure black horse. He is just now dismounting.”
Dominic studied the huge Scotsman with curiosity, noting little resemblance between Lady Nelda and her brutish brother.
“Uncle Murdoc is not so bad,” Rose allowed.“He always treated us well when we visited him.”
The Scotsman looked up at Rose and stretched out his arms.“Rose, lass,come greet yer uncle.”
Dominic remained alert and on edge as Rose walked down the stairs and was instantly encompassed within the brawny arms of Murdoc MacTavish. But when another, younger man stepped forward and embraced Rose, it was all Dominic could do to keep from racing down the stairs and tearing her from the young Scotsman’s arms. Who was he? Though Dominic noted some reluctance on Rose’s part,she appeared to know him well.
Dominic heard Rose say,“‘Tis cold out here, Uncle. Bring Gunn and your kinsmen inside, where you can warm yourselves by the fire.”
Dominic stood aside as Rose and her uncle entered the keep, silently counting the men that followed them inside. He counted thirty clansmen, not all of them as young and vigorous as the man that had embraced Rose, but every man carried weapons of one sort or another. Instinct warned Dominic that Murdoc had come to claim the fortress.
Dominic trailed behind the Scotsmen, noting as he strode across the hall that his own knights were alert and watchful. A nod from Eric of Carlyle put his mind at ease as to the loyalty of Lord Edwyn’s personal guardsmen. Dominic knew that no Englishman of worth would allow a Scotsman to claim any part of English soil without a fight.
Dominic stood nearby as Rose seated herself before the hearth. Murdoc paid him little heed as he accepted a mug of ale from a servant and plopped down in the chair beside Rose. Murdoc’s kinsmen took their ease on benches at the trestle tables, drinking ale and talking among themselves.
“I heard about yer father’s death, lass,” Murdoc said after drinking down half the mug’s contents in one swallow. “I came as soon as I could to help yer dear mother in her time of need. I understand John Lackland ordered Edwyn’s death.”
“Aye,” Rose bit out. “He had no just cause to kill Papa. Papa was no traitor.”
“Dinna fret, lass, yer Uncle Murdoc stands ready to take charge. As yer only living male relative, ‘tis my duty to see to the care of yer family and yer lands.”
He glanced around, spied Gunn and motioned for the young Scotsman to attend him.
Dominic’s fists clenched as the brawny young warrior grinned at Rose in an intimate manner Dominic thought inappropriate. But Dominic was not yet ready to identify himself. He wanted to learn what Murdoc was up to first.
“Where are yer mother and sister, lass?” Murdoc asked. “I would offer them words of comfort.”
“They both entered the convent after we received word of Papa’s death,” Rose explained.
Murdoc became immediately alert. “What? And left ye alone? That does not sound at all like my sister. I know yer the heir, and that yer twin’s dearest wish was to become a nun, but I canna believe Nelda would leave ye alone to manage a holding as large as Ayrdale.”
” Tis true. Mama and Starla are both gone.”
“Ah, well,” Murdoc sighed, ” ‘tis fortunate I arrived when I did. Ye can rest easy, lass, for I bring an answer to yer problem.”
“What problem, Uncle?”
“Surely ye dinna think yerself capable of managing Ayrdale on yer own, do ye? As yer guardian, ‘tis within my rights to arrange a marriage for ye. My stepson is the man I have chosen for yer mate. Gunn will protect both ye and Ayrdale from the English king.”
Gunn planted himself before Rose, grasped her shoulders in his huge hands and pulled her upright. “I’ve always wanted ye in my bed, Rose,” he said in a voice that set Dominic’s teeth on edge. “Now I will have both ye and yer land. We will produce fine heirs for Ayrdale.”
Dominic heard Rose gasp and decided it was time to step in and stop this farce.
“Release her!” His voice held a note of menace.
Gunn was so startled, he instantly released Rose. Murdoc, on the other hand, leaped from his chair to confront the knight who dared interfere in such private matters.
“Who is this man, Rose? I dinna recognize him as one of yer father’s knights. Apparently he doesna know his place.”
“Perhaps you will recognize my name,” Dominic said as he went toe to toe with the Scotsmen. “I am called the Dragon Lord.”
“Dragon of Pendragon,” Gunn muttered beneath his breath.
The king’s lackey,” Murdoc spat contemptuously.“What brings ye to Ayrdale?”
The demesne you refer to as Ayrdale is now called Dragonwyck, and I am the new lord of Dragonwyck.”
“John Lackland gave Ayrdale to ye?” Murdoc croaked.
“Aye. Both Ayrdale and Rose are now mine by virtue of holy wedlock.”
Murdoc spun around to confront Rose. “Is that true, lass? Did ye wed Dragon?”
“I had no choice, Uncle. Blame the king. He commanded that I wed Lord Dragon.”
Gunn turned on his stepfather.“Ye promised me Ayrdale! Ye said Rose would be mine!”
“Silencer Murdoc roared. He turned back to Rose. “How long have ye been wed, lass?”
“A few days. What does it matter? The marriage was officiated by Father Nyle and is perfectly legal; there is naught I can do about it.”
“Mayhap there is,” Murdoc said shrewdly. “Has the marriage been consummated, lass? Did the Dragon take yer maidenhead?”
Rose realized her uncle was angry, but she had hoped he would accept her marriage without a confrontation. A shudder passed through her at the thought of being wed to Gunn. She had known him since they were children. He was handsome enough, but he was a bully with a cruel streak she could not condone.
Returning her thoughts to her uncle’s question, Rose said, “Aye, Uncle, my marriage to Lord Dragon has been consummated.”
“Bastard!” Gunn spat angrily. “Rose’s maidenhead belonged to me! Murdoc spoke with her father years ago about a betroth
al. Edwyn must have neglected to tell Rose.”
“Nay! Not true,” Rose denied. “Papa would not do such a thing. He knew I would not agree to marry you.”
“Gunn, dinna lose yer head, lad,” Murdoc advised.
“You and your kinsmen are welcome in my home as long as you cause no trouble,” Dominic warned.“Dragonwyck and Rose are mine; you can do naught but accept it.”
Rose watched Murdoc warily. She knew he had a fierce temper and did not like to be thwarted. As soon as she got Dragon alone, she would tell him to exercise caution in his dealings with her uncle.
“How long will you stay, Uncle?” Rose asked.
“I havena decided,” Murdoc said, aiming a sidelong glance at Gunn, who was still glaring malevolently at Dominic. “Much depends on the weather.”
“I will have chambers prepared for you and Gunn,” Rose said.“The others can bed down in the hall or the barracks.If you will excuse me, I should check our stores and confer with the cook.”
“I, too, must leave you and your kinsmen to your own devices, unless you care to watch my knights engage in mock battle,” Dominic said. “I train with them every day regardless of the weather.”
“My kinsmen and I would enjoy watching the great Dragon Lord train his knights,” Murdoc said in a mocking tone of voice.
The men left, and Rose hurried off, praying that no further trouble would develop, and that her uncle’s visit would be of short duration. She knew, however, that her uncle had come with the intention of seizing Ayrdale and wedding her to his stepson. With a foothold in England, Murdoc would be in a position of power rarely granted to a Scotsman.
Rose shivered when she thought of how close she had come to wedding Gunn. With her father gone, there was no way to prove or disprove Murdoc’s claim that a marriage had been arranged between her and Gunn. And since Murdoc was her closest male relative, he would have seized her lands and taken charge of her life to suit his own purposes.
Rose located the steward and together they checked the stores, which proved to be adequate as long as the hunters continued to bag fresh game. Emily and Blythe joined her as she conferred with the cook and went over the menu for the evening meal. After a day of training in the cold, the men would return hungry.
Satisfied with the adequacy of the stores, Rose left her two ladies to oversee the preparation of the meal while she went to the alehouse to see if there was sufficient ale on hand to satisfy Scotsmen with large capacities for the fermented brew. She retrieved her cloak from a hook beside the kitchen door and headed outside. A yeasty, earthy smell greeted her as she opened the door to the alehouse and stepped inside.
The alewife was not there, but Rose did not need her. She counted the barrels of ale and deemed them satisfactory. When she turned to leave, she found her uncle standing just inside the closed door, blocking her exit.
“Uncle, you frightened me,” Rose said.“I thought you were on the training field with the others.”
“I was, but slipped away for a private word with ye, lass. I saw ye enter the alehouse and followed.”
“Tis cold in here,” Rose said.“Shall we return to the keep?”
“Nay, ‘tis best we speak in private.” Hands crossed over his massive chest, legs spread wide apart, he barked, “I dinna accept yer marriage to this English devil.”
“You cannot change what is done.”
“There is always something one can do, lass.”
Rose shook her head. “My marriage has been consummated.”
Murdoc made a dismissive motion with his hand.“It matters not. Scottish laws are nay so strict as yer English ones. Ye were wed against yer will, and yer father promised ye to another. Come away with me to Scotland. I have but to grease a few palms to have yer marriage to the Dragon declared invalid, leaving ye free to wed Gunn.”
“I cannot leave my home and my people,” Rose demurred.
“Ye will not be required to remain long in Scotland,” Murdoc promised. “Lowlanders will rally to my cause when they learn I have legal claim to a slice of English borderland. Once we rout the Dragon, you and Gunn can return to the keep as husband and wife. I trust Gunn. He will protect Ayrdale from English aggression. I have long wanted Ayrdale, ye ken.”
“Think you it will be easy to rout Dragon?” Rose challenged. Though she had not wanted to wed her husband, she was English and preferred that she and her lands remain that way.
“There isna an Englishman alive or dead who can match a Scot in brains or brawn,” Murdoc bragged.
“I cannot leave,” Rose reiterated. “Besides, think of the bloodshed and needless deaths. Dragonwyck’s knights are all loyal Englishmen and would not surrender easily. Leave be, Uncle. I will try to make the best of my marriage to Dragon.”
His face set in harsh lines, Murdoc closed the distance between them and grasped Rose’s arms in a bruising grip.
“Ye will do as I say, lass. Ye will pretend that all is well when I announce my intention to return home. When Dragon is occupied elsewhere, ye will disguise yerself as a lad and ride off with us.”
“Nay! I will not!”
Murdoc gave her a shake that rattled her teeth.“Ye always were a stubborn lass. Yer father gave ye too much freedom. Too bad yer sister wasna the firstborn. I could manage her. Ye will do as I say, Rose.”
“Unhand me, Uncle, you are hurting me,” Rose cried, struggling to free herself.
“You heard my wife, unhand her.”
Rose looked over Murdoc’s shoulder at Dragon. Neither she nor Murdoc had heard him enter, but there he stood, larger than life, his face dark with rage.
Murdoc whirled. He reached for his dirk but thought better of it when Dragon’s hand settled on the hilt of his sword.
“I dinna hurt the lass.”
Dominic looked past Murdoc at Rose. “Did he hurt you?”
Rose shook her head. “Nay.” She slanted Murdoc a speaking glance. “He was but inquiring about my mother.”
Dominic gave her a skeptical look. “It looked as if you and Murdoc were arguing. Why did your uncle seek you out here? Tis an odd place to talk about family.”
“How did you know I was in the alehouse?” Rose asked. “Did you wish to speak to me about something?”
“I grew curious when I saw MacTavish sneak away and followed. He was not in the keep, and when Lady Emily told me you had gone to the alehouse, I decided to investigate. I see my instincts were right.”
“Ye canna keep me from speaking to my niece, Dragon,” Murdoc snarled.
“I can keep you from hurting her,” Dominic replied.“If you have something to say, tell me instead of intimidating my wife.”
” Tis all right, Dominic, truly,” Rose said, fearing that the animosity between Dominic and her uncle would explode into violence.
“I will leave ye now, lass,” Murdoc said, striding past Dominic and out the door. Think on what I said,” he threw over his shoulder.
“What did the Scotsman mean by that?” Dominic asked. “Are you and your uncle conspiring against me?”
“He meant naught,” Rose returned.“You are imagining things. I had best return to the keep. There is much to be done with extra men to feed and shelter.”
Dominic snagged Rose around the waist and pulled her against him when she tried to slip past him. “Not so fast, wife. Need I remind you that you are an English subject as well as my wife? Your loyalty should be to me and the king.”
“I am not dense, my lord,” Rose bit out.“‘Tis true I am English, but John Lackland is not a man who commands loyalty.”
Rose knew her words tempted fate and invited Dragon’s anger, but she could not help it. She was not the only English subject who despised the monarch. She opened her lips to tell Dragon as much when his mouth came down hard on hers. His kiss was not gentle. It was one of fierce possessiveness; a harsh reminder of the absolute authority he wielded over her. Taking exception to his domination, she grasped the eating knife she wore at her waist and brought the small
blade against his throat. He released her instantly and backed away, his expression not at all what she expected.
He was smiling!
When he broke out in laughter, she turned and fled.
Chapter Seven
What would the rose with all her pride be worth,
were there no sun to call her brightness forth?
—Thomas Moore
Dominic laughed until he thought his sides would split. Did Rose think her puny blade would frighten him? He could have disarmed her with a mere flick of his wrist had he wanted to, but her absurd show of bravado amused him. Rose was fierce but misguided. He deemed himself a worthy opponent for his warrior wife; she had not the slightest hope of withholding anything from him, much less winning a battle of wits.
Dominic grinned all the way back to the keep. But the grin faded when he saw the visiting Scotsmen crowded around Murdoc in a dark comer of the hall, speaking together in hushed tones. Dominic supposed they were plotting mischief and realized he must remain extra vigilant and alert until they left.
Dominic couldn’t help wondering if Rose had joined with her uncle against him. He knew she did not want him for a husband, but how far would she go to be rid of him? Dominic had dealt with men like MacTavish before and would do whatever was necessary to save his demesne. As for his marriage, Rose had best remember that she was his property, and that challenging him would serve no purpose.
Eric of Carlyle hailed Dominic as he crossed the hall and he went to the captain of the guard. “You wished to speak with me, Sir Eric?”
The Scots,” Eric hissed. “Look at them. I trust them not. They caused no trouble when Lord Edwyn was alive, but with both Edwyn and Lady Nelda gone, they no longer have a reason to respect our borders. Dragonwyck is now fair game. MacTavish would kill for a piece of English soil. They bear watching, my lord.”
“I have come to the same conclusion, Eric. I want MacTavish watched every minute of every day they remain at Dragonwyck.”
“Aye, my lord,” Eric said as he took his leave.
“Do you have orders for me, master?” Raj asked, making his presence known.