by Connie Mason
“I slept just fine, thank you,” Rose answered with the same cool reserve.
“I rode out early to make sure your uncle and his kinsmen had returned to Scotland,” Dragon said. “I saw the place where they had camped, but they were gone by the time I arrived. Think you they will return?”
Rose helped herself to food before answering.“Uncle Murdoc is a stubborn man. He will not rest until he has what he wants, and he wants Dragonwyck. He could make trouble for you in the future. I do not think ordering him from Dragonwyck was a prudent thing to do. His anger can be formidable.”
Dragon’s dark eyebrows lifted. Think you I should have let him stay and abuse you?”
Rose flushed. “I could have handled him.”
Dragon snorted.“Just like you handled Gunn? Sorry, my love, I will not offer hospitality to Clan MacTavish anytime in the near or distant future.”
Rose was startled by Dragon’s endearment, although she knew it meant naught to him. He had called her his “love” last night, but his cool greeting this morning belied his words.
Rose chewed thoughtfully as she considered the rest of Dragon’s words. He was right, she decided. Uncle Murdoc wanted her for Gunn, even though she could not abide his stepson. The fact that she was already married bothered Murdoc not at all, for he was determined to claim Dragonwyck as his own.
“I would not be unhappy if you barred Uncle Murdoc from Dragonwyck,“Rose admitted.
“Then we are in agreement,” Dragon said, rising. “I plan to join the hunters today. Our guests will find no lack of food at our banquet table.”
“How long will you be gone?” Rose asked.
He shrugged. “Three or four days.”
“Have the invitations been prepared? They should be delivered as soon as possible.”
“Messengers carry them to the designated barons even as we speak.” In a surprising move, he bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Try not to miss me too much,” he added in a low growl.
Stunned, Rose touched her lips. She was saved from having to reply when Raj stepped forward and addressed Dragon.
“I will ride with you, master,” Raj said.
“I prefer that you remain behind, Raj,” Dominic said.
“You and Eric of Carlyle are the two people I trust to protect Dragonwyck in my absence.”
Raj frowned. “I like it not.”
“Nevertheless, you will follow orders. Stay behind and protect my wife.”
Rose sensed that Raj was unhappy with Dragon’s decision to leave him behind. Hoping to ease the tension between the two men, she said, Take Raj with you, my lord. No harm will come to me in my own home.”
“I will decide what you need and do not need,” Dominic replied. “Raj stays.”
Rose bristled angrily. She was perfectly capable of protecting herself. After Gunn’s assault, she had decided to carry a weapon. Even now she had a blade much more lethal than her eating knife secreted on her person. But when she opened her mouth to fling a scathing retort at Dragon, he was too far away to hear.
Men,she thought, exasperated. Were they all as arrogant and overbearing as Dragon? Did they all believe women were inferior beings capable of naught but managing a household and bringing children into the world? One day, she vowed, she would make Dragon change his mind about the fairer sex.
Emily and Blythe joined Rose after Dragon’s hasty departure. Rose discussed the upcoming festivities with them and asked for suggestions. Both ladies were more than eager to participate.
“I can hardly wait!” Blythe said, clapping her hands.“What can I do to help?”
“Imagine. Twelve days of festivities,” Emily said, eyes shining. “Oh, there is so much to do and so little time.”
“Exactly,” Rose agreed. She sighed wistfully. “I wish Mama and Starla were here. I have never done this by myself.”
“You will do just fine,” Emily said encouragingly. “How can we help?”
“If it pleases you, Emily, you can direct the servants in the cleaning of the keep. Every tapestry needs to be taken down and aired. Fresh rushes should be laid down, and whitewash applied to the walls in the hall. I am sure you know better than I what needs to be done.”
“Scrubbing, polishing and decorating the hall with holly and pine wreaths,” Emily said, nodding eagerly. “Do we have enough help for such a massive undertaking?”
“We will need to summon villeins from the village to lend a hand.”
“What about me?” Blythe asked.
“You can be in charge of accommodations. Every bedchamber in the keep will be occupied by guests,” Rose said. “Some have not been used for several years. Linens need to be checked, and beds and other furnishings brought up from the storeroom. Ask Sir Bra-den for a list of guests. That should tell you how many bedchambers are needed.”
Rose paused to catch her breath. “I will assume charge of the kitchen and preparation of food. A fortnight is not a lot of time, but I am confident we will be prepared by the time the first guest arrives.”
From that moment, the keep became a beehive of activity. During the four days that Dragon was gone, Rose found Raj’s help invaluable. His extraordinary strength was tested more than once as he lifted, hefted and tugged wherever he was needed.
Even though Raj made himself useful, Rose could tell the giant’s thoughts were elsewhere. Was he concerned about Dragon? Rose decided to ask him when she found herself alone with him.
“Are you worried about Lord Dragon, Raj? You seem distracted.”
“My master thinks he can protect himself, but no man is invincible. He is a strong man with good instincts, but he cannot properly watch his back.”
“Is Dragon in danger?” Rose asked sharply. “Who would harm him?”
“I have said too much, my lady. Twas not my intention to alarm you.”
“Tell me about Dragon,“Rose urged. She knew so little about the man she had wed. “Does he have family? I know he has a mistress. How long were they together before the king ordered him to marry me?”
“Lord Dragon’s father, mother and brother live at Pendragon in the south of England. I accompanied him there after the Crusade, when we first arrived in England. His brother, the heir to Pendragon, married an heiress and sired two sons.”
“Did Dragon have a happy childhood?”
“I cannot say, for he rarely speaks of his childhood. His family seemed pleasant enough. I sensed no hostility. But my Lord Dragon is a man who lives by his own rules. He once told me that he broke from his family and sought his independence at an early age.
Since he was not the heir, he saw no reason to live under family restrictions. He joined the Crusade and became the king’s champion.”
Rose digested all that, then asked, “And what of his mistress? How long has Dragon loved her?”
Raj’s face went blank.“I cannot read my master’s mind. Love has many guises. Your own influence upon Lord Dragon is not inconsiderable.”
Rose sent Raj an amused look.“I know my place in Dragon’s life, and it has naught to do with love.”
“Those are your words, not mine,” Raj contended.
“But you have told me naught about his mistress,” Rose complained. “Is she very beautiful? Does she love Dragon?”
“Forgive me, my lady, but I cannot say,” Raj replied, withdrawing tactfully. “Ask your questions of Lord Dragon. Only he can tell you what is in his heart.”
Rose knew what was in Dragon’s heart, and it was not his wife. He seemed to enjoy her body well enough, but Rose wanted more from the man she had married. She wanted her husband, the man who shared her bed, to think only of her, to dream of a future with her, to need her for herself instead of thinking of her as a warm body to serve him while he pined for his mistress. Rose knew she expected too much from an arranged marriage, and that life was rarely fair to women, but she could not help wishing for love. She knew love existed, for her mother and father had loved one another dearly despite their arranged ma
rriage.
Rose sighed and returned to her work. Dragon had been gone four days, and the anxious expression Raj wore upon his face was not comforting.
Dominic and his party had a successful four days. They had bagged a variety of fresh game, including deer, rabbit, squirrel and wild boar. Another hunting expedition or two should provide the kitchen with enough fresh meat for the twelve days of feasting, supplemented with fish and eels caught in the river and lamb and beef from their own herds. Dominic considered the four days well spent, but he was happy to be returning to Dragonwyck.
Dragon and the hunters were riding at a leisurely pace, laughing and conversing among themselves, when the surprise attack occurred. Without warning, arrows flew out from a stand of thick trees at the base of the Cheviot hills. Dominic and his men immediately took cover behind some nearby boulders, drew their crossbows and aimed into the trees at an enemy no one could see. No one but Cedric, who had been riding beside Dominic at the time, was aware that Dominic had been hit.
Dominic slumped in the saddle, unwilling to succumb to the pain coursing through his body. The arrow had entered his left shoulder and halted when it hit bone.
“What can I do?“Cedric asked, helping Dominic dismount.
“Remove the arrow,” Dominic said from between clenched teeth.
Cedric paled. “Are you sure, my lord?”
“Just do it, Cedric.Worry not about hurting me; I can withstand the pain.”
Cedric grasped the shaft of the arrow and pulled. The arrow came out, releasing a gush of blood. Dominic uttered a single gasp and turned pale, but remained in full control of his senses.
“We need to stanch the blood,” Dominic advised.
Immediately Cedric removed his jacket and peeled off his shirt. He wadded it into a ball, unbuttoned Dominic’s jacket and pressed it against the wound. Then he buttoned the jacket over the bulky pad, removed his belt and buckled it around the makeshift bandage to hold it in place.
Dominic rested against a boulder while the hunters loosed a rain of arrows into the trees. The battle was short-lived. Minutes later the assailants turned tail and ran.
“How many dead and wounded?” Dominic asked when James of Bedford reported to him a short time later.
James seemed taken aback when he saw that Dominic was wounded. Two wounded, none dead,” James said. “Are you all right, my lord? Can you make it back to Dragonwyck?”
“Worry not about me, James. Have the men search the area. I want to know the identity of those who dared attack us on Dragonwyck soil.”
James left immediately to carry out Dominic’s orders. He returned a short time later with a disappointing report. They had found nothing save their own spent arrows.
“All their wounded and dead had been carried away,“James said. There were bloodstains in the snow, so I know our arrows found some of them.”
“We should make haste back to the keep,” Dominic said, weaving groggily on his feet. The wounded need to be treated.” He placed a hand on Cedric’s shoulder. “Help me to mount.”
The skies lowered, and it started to snow before they reached the keep. A cold wind blew fresh snow against the knights’ faces, nearly blinding them. Lured by the promise of warm stalls and food, their horses carried them unerringly to Dragonwyck.
Rose heard the call before she saw the men riding into the inner bailey.
The lord returns! The lord returns!”
Grabbing a cloak, Rose flew out the front door to await Dragon’s return. Raj hurried after her. Rose squinted at the riders through a curtain of blowing snow and knew something was wrong. Very wrong. Raj must have read her thoughts, for he lurched forward. “He should not have ordered me to remain behind,” Raj said grimly.
Rose searched the face of each knight, seeking Dragon. A cry slipped past her lips when she saw him slumped over his horse’s withers. She raced out to meet him, but Raj arrived first.
Raj was already lifting Dragon from his horse when she reached his side. “What happened? How bad is he hurt?”
“An arrow, my lady,” Cedric explained as he dismounted beside her. “I do not think the wound is life threatening. We were attacked on our way back from the hunt. On our own land.”
“Carry him up to the solar,” Rose ordered crisply.
“I can walk on my own,” Dominic insisted. He gave a dismissive gesture with his hand.“I have been wounded before, and this is not a serious injury. Put me down, Raj.” Raj looked skeptical but obeyed. Dominic took two steps and collapsed. Fortunately, Raj was there to catch him.
Chapter Nine
Someone said that God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.
—Sir J. M. Barrie
“Who did this to you?” Rose asked as she applied a healing salve to Dominic’s wound.
Embarrassed that he had collapsed in front of his men, Dominic could not look Rose in the eye. Strong men did not succumb to weakness.
“We did not see them. They hid behind trees and attacked without warning and left as quickly as they appeared. Mayhap they were outlaws.”
Rose was quiet a long moment as she wound a bandage over Dominic’s shoulder. “Could it have been Uncle Murdoc?”
” Tis possible. Your uncle is a vindictive man. My death would be convenient for him.” Dominic winced when Rose pulled the bandage a bit too tight. “You did that quite well. Who taught you healing arts?”
“I learned what little I know from my mother. She knows a great deal about herbs and healing. If you develop a fever, I can brew a tea to cure it.”
“Once again you amaze me,” Dominic said. He could not imagine Veronica looking at his wound, much less treating it. The sight of blood made her ill. More than once he had caught her eyeing the scar on his hip with revulsion, or averting her face so she would not see it.
“The lady of the keep is expected to treat her vassals’ minor wounds and illnesses,” Rose explained. “Since I am Papa’s heir, Mama taught me the rudimentary skills of healing.”
When Dominic started drifting off to sleep, Rose prepared to leave. Suddenly he opened his eyes and grasped her arm. Thank you. After a short rest, I will join you in the hall for the evening meal.”
“You will do no such thing,” Rose said sternly. “You’ve lost a great deal of blood and should rest in bed a day or two before exerting yourself.”
Dominic glared at her. “Do not coddle me, Rose.”
Rose’s chin rose to a determined angle. “You will do as I say. If you try to leave your bed.Raj will stop you.”
“Raj is my man. He will do as I say.”
“Not in this instance. Really, Dominic, why are you being so stubborn?”
“Because I do not like to be told what to do.”
Rose sent him a blinding smile.“I find that I enjoy it excessively.” She turned away. “I will leave you to rest.”
“When will you return?” Dominic asked petulantly.
“I will return to check on your wound before I retire.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds like you intend to sleep elsewhere.”
Rose shrugged. “I thought it best to find another bed while you are recovering.”
“Like hell!” Dominic thundered. “This is our bed, and you will sleep in it with me. Have I made myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” Rose said sweetly—too sweetly, Dominic thought. She turned to leave. “I will send a tray of food up to you.”
Disgruntled, Dominic stared at her departing back. Being told to remain in bed rankled his pride. Being ordered around by Rose made him feel like a weakling. Dominic defiantly swung his legs off the bed and pushed himself to his feet. No puny wound was going to stop him from doing as he pleased, and he would be damned if he would let a woman tell him what he could and could not do.
So far so good, Dominic thought as he pulled on his hose and tunic. Though his head spun dizzily and his shoulder and arm throbbed, he tottered resolutely toward the door. He lifted the latch and shove
d the door open. Now all he had to do was negotiate the stairs.
“Where are you going, master?”
Startled, Dominic looked up into Raj’s stem features. “Move aside, Raj. I intend to join my wife in the hall.”
“Forgive me, master, but the mistress says you are to remain in bed.”
Dominic could not believe his ears. This was the first time in his memory that Raj had disobeyed an order. “You forget who is master, Raj.”
“Nay, master, but in this instance I must bow to Lady Rose’s wisdom. Will you return to bed or must I carry you?”
Dominic knew when he had been outflanked, and this was one of those rare times he could not control the situation. Grumbling with malcontent, he shuffled back to bed. Within minutes he was sleeping. He knew naught until he woke the following morning and found Rose lying in bed beside him. A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. At least she had not defied him in everything.
The fever Dominic developed during the night was of short duration. Rose used her knowledge of herbs to dose him, and from that point on his recovery progressed rapidly.
Within two days Dominic was out of bed and immersed in preparations for the upcoming festivities. Replies to his invitations had begun to arrive, and Dominic fully expected all ten marcher barons to accept. The keep would be crowded, but Rose had assured him that Dragonwyck could accommodate the guests and their entourages.
Dominic sent his hunters out again and was relieved when they encountered no further trouble with outlaws. Dominic wanted to ride with them, but both Raj and Rose had insisted that he would do himself irreparable harm if he tried to ride before he was fully re covered. Dominic allowed them to have their way, but he did not like it.
The days rushed by with uncommon haste. Excitement reigned throughout the keep. The hall sparkled, the rushes were fragrant with basil, and the scent of pine, holly and bay filled the air. Mistletoe and pine-cone decorations were hung, and a Yule log had already been cut and left outside the door. Cook and her helpers worked feverishly, preparing food and delicacies that made Dominic’s mouth water.