by Connie Mason
Since Dominic was late, he grabbed a hunk of bread from the table to take with him and gulped down a mug of ale. Then he led the way to the mews, where the falconer and his helpers awaited them.
“What happened to your hand?” Veronica asked, hurrying to catch up with Dominic.
“A small wound. Tis nothing serious,” Dominic said with an impatient gesture.
Veronica grasped his hand in both of hers.“She did this to you! Do not deny it, Dragon. The woman you wed is dangerous. You should put her away where she cannot hurt anyone. I will bear witness should you need proof of her madness. There are places for women like her.”
“I will think on it,” Dominic said absently. The suggestion that Rose was unbalanced was ridiculous, but it was easier to agree than to argue with Veronica.
Rose hurried along the path to catch up with Dragon. She had arisen minutes after he left the chamber and was close on his heels. She loved hawking and had no intention of missing the morning’s sport. When she saw Veronica join Dragon, she hung back but remained close enough to eavesdrop on their conversation.
What she heard made her want to scream in outrage. How could Dragon think her mad?‘Twas true she had threatened him on more than one occasion, but his injury was as much his fault as hers. It galled her to think she had almost believed he intended to set his mistress aside and honor their wedding vows. He lied as energetically as he loved.
Rose’s attention sharpened when she heard Veronica say,“If you convince the king your wife is mad, mayhap he will set aside your marriage so you can wed another. You will still have Dragonwyck without being saddled with a wife you do not want.”
Rose winced as Veronica placed a dainty hand on Dragon’s chest. “You said you loved me, that I was the woman you wanted to wed. Naught has changed between us, Dragon.”
Rose decided she had heard enough. She hastened forward to join the lovers.“Why did you not awaken me, Dominic?” she asked sweetly. “I must have overslept.” She rubbed against him and stifled a yawn. “You exhausted me last night.”
There, that ought to show her,Rose thought smugly. When she dared a glance at Veronica, Rose noted with satisfaction that the woman had been struck speechless. But the look Dragon gave Rose was one of admiration, and that surprised Rose. Was he not angry with her for taunting his mistress?
They reached the mews before the conversation could be carried forward. The falconer brought Rose’s favorite gyrfalcon, and she put on her gauntlet. The falconer placed the hooded bird on Rose’s outstretched hand and it settled down, its jesses keeping it from flying away.
“Your father’s falcons are among the finest I have ever seen,” Dominic commented. “I inspected the mews shortly after I arrived at Dragonwyck and found no fault with either the falcons or the falconer. Our guests will be pleased.”
“Our guests have hawked and hunted here before,” Rose reminded him. “When my father was alive.”
“Rose, I had naught to do with your father’s death,” Dominic reiterated. “Can we not be friends? We are already lovers.”
“You want to be friends?”’
“Why not?”
Because I want more than friendship from you.“I will try.”
“Our horses are waiting. Come. Tis a fine day for hawking. The sky is clear, no snow is on the horizon, and the air is crisp and invigorating.”
“The day is indeed fine,” Rose allowed. “It would be even finer if Veronica were elsewhere.”
“You have naught to fear from Veronica. You are my wife and mistress of Dragonwyck.”
“Your unwanted wife,” Rose tossed over her shoulder.
Dominic lifted her into the saddle and she rode off, leaving him in her dust. His laughter followed her through the crisp air.
* * *
The day was as enjoyable as Dominic had predicted. Everyone seemed pleased with the falcons and their performance. When they returned to the keep, their catch was turned over to Cook to be made into pies and other delicacies for the next day’s banquet. Everyone was in good spirits and rare hunger. The trestle tables had been set and the servants stood waiting to serve the meal. After the guests washed their hands and faces in basins of water, they took their places at the tables and the banquet began. Course after course was carried in from the kitchen, everything from soup and meat pies to roasted meats, fish, vegetables, fresh bread and sweets.
During the long meal, Rose could not help noticing the venomous looks Veronica aimed in her direction. The imp inside her made her lean close to Dragon and lay a hand upon his chest. She might have fooled Veronica but she did not fool Dominic.
“Trying to make Veronica jealous, love?” he asked. Amusement danced in his eyes. “Pray continue.”
“Your mistress is too sure of herself, and I simply wish to…”
“… put her in her place,” Dominic finished.
“Does that make you angry?”
“Should it?” His expression turned thoughtful. “At one time, mayhap, but as I said before, Veronica is my past. But enough of Veronica; the constant bickering over her upsets my digestion.”
Rose lapsed into a sullen silence. The bickering might cease, but Veronica would still be here.
When the lengthy meal ended, the women joined Rose in the solar while the hall was being cleared for games and dancing. Dominic led the men to a private chamber to listen to their list of demands intended for King John. Though Dominic might agree with the barons, he feared there was naught he could do to help their cause without betraying his king and country.
Once all the barons were comfortably seated or standing according to their preference, Henry of Ash-ford spoke.
“We need your support for our crusade against the king’s unfair laws, Dragon,” Ashford began.“Barons throughout England have banded together to draft the articles we wish to present to the king. Some dissidents want to march on London and force the king to put his seal to the articles, but others fear a civil war.”
“Until I have read the articles I can committo naught.”
John of Sheldon strode forward and placed several thick pages of parchment in Dominic’s hands. Dominic riffled through them, then began to read. The first article had to do with allowing the church to hold free elections. Another dealt with inheritance, wardship, marriage of heirs and financial aid due to the crown.
Dominic read further, discovering a clause that would allow merchants to sell their wares in foreign countries without having to pay unreasonable tolls and taxes, except in times of war. Another clause sought to reform the judicial system, and yet another controlled the behavior of royal officials, particularly those of local government who tried to abuse their authority.
Dominic was stunned by the boldness of the document and doubted that the king would sign it willingly. In Dominic’s opinion, the only way the king would accede to the barons’ demands would be to avoid civil war. Dominic doubted, however, that a proud man like John Lackland would agree to the last clause, which in effect authorized his subjects to declare war on their king.
“What think you, Dragon?” Ashford asked when Dominic finished reading the charter. “Stephen Lang-ton was one of the drafters.‘Twas his idea to appoint twenty-five barons as guardians of the charter.”
Dominic remained thoughtful. He knew that Lang-ton, the powerful Archbishop of Canterbury, preached against absolute monarchy and could see his hand in the wording of the last article.
After a long, suspenseful silence, Ashford repeated his question.
“I agree with most of your demands,” Dominic allowed, “but King John will not sign anything that takes so much of his power away.”
“You may be right,” Blayne of Draymore acknowledged.“But we believe the king is aware of the consequences should he lose his barons’ support. Since the church lifted the interdict against King John last year, Stephen Langton has directed and guided us. Our demand for liberties is founded on the coronation charter of John’s great-grandfather, King Henry I.�
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“Will you pledge yourself to our cause?” Ashford asked.
“Let me think about it,“Dominic hedged.
“Of course,” Ashford acquiesced. “Naught can be done with winter upon us except to plan a march on London and Westminster should it become necessary. We could use you and your knights, Dragon.”
“I will let you know,” Dominic said.
The barons went on to discuss various articles of the charter while Dominic’s mind wandered. In theory he agreed with all the articles, but loyalty to his king was a strong deterrent. He was a knight, the king’s champion, and a man who took his vows seriously. John had gifted him with Dragonwyck, and in return the king demanded his loyalty. He had even suggested that Dominic spy on his barons.
Aye, he would think about it, but something drastic would have to happen before he would betray the king, no matter how unjust his laws.
While the men discussed serious matters, Rose and the ladies chatted amicably in the solar, catching up on each other’s families and important events.
“We heard about your marriage to Lord Dragon,” Cambra of Ashford said when the conversation lagged. “Are you terribly unhappy, my dear? Tis a shame Dragon forced your mother and sister from their home.”
Rose went still. She had tried to keep the conversation flowing without touching on her personal life. “Mama and Starla entered the convent of their own accord. Papa promised Starla she could become a nun before he went off to London, and Dragon granted her permission. Mama accompanied Starla because she needed time to mourn Papa in peaceful surroundings.”
“Is Lord Dragon truly a demon?” Cambra asked, leaning close. “Is his reputation as a fearless warrior and tireless lover deserved?”
“I would not mind being wed to such a man,” Aleta of Draymore sighed. “I could not believe my eyes when I saw Lady Veronica among your guests,” Aleta confided. “Are you aware she was your husband’s mistress?”
“Dragon did not invite her to Dragonwyck,” Rose said in defense of Dragon.
” Tis my fault,” Cambra explained. “Veronica is my cousin. I invited her to visit during the Christmas holiday, unaware that we would be asked to attend festivities at Dragonwyck. I suggested that we refuse Lord Dragon’s invitation, but my husband would not hear of it. The barons intend to ask Lord Dragon to join their struggle against the king.”
Rose paled. “Are you referring to the Articles of the Barons, which my father had a hand in drafting?”
“Aye,” Cambra said.
“My father was executed because of that charter. I assumed his death had put an end to it.”
“Not at all,” Mary of Sheldon asserted. “Your father’s death made the barons all the more determined to prevail over the king. If they abandon their cause, your father’s death will have been for naught.”
“Why are the barons asking Dragon to join them? He is the king’s champion. Are they not afraid Dragon will betray them?”
“My husband is acquainted with Lord Dragon and trusts that he will not betray a confidence,” Cambra explained.
“Your husband should not be so trusting,” Rose bit out.
Rose said nothing more, but she was certain King John had given Dragon her father’s demesne for a reason. And that reason was to keep track of rebellious activity by the marcher barons.
Fear gripped Rose. She doubted Dragon would join the barons, but what if he did?
She could not bear it if he lost his life like her father.
Chapter Eleven
Roses do comfort the heart
—William Langham
On the first day of January the villeins and freemen from the village were invited to a feast and were presented gifts by the lord and lady of Dragonwyck. In addition to the usual holiday fare served to the guests, there were also suckling pig, plovers, larks and boars’ heads, and an abundance of peas, beans and onions in various sauces.
After the meal and before the entertainment, Dominic gave gifts of cloth and food to his vassals, and in return was presented with yearly rents of bread, hens and ale, which the tenants brewed themselves. The castle knights seemed pleased with gifts of tunics, surcoats and mantles that Dominic had found stacked in boxes in a storeroom.
Rose gave Emily and Blythe jeweled hairpins she had purchased from a peddler the previous summer.
“My gift to you has not arrived yet,” Dominic said after the last present had been given.
“I have nothing for you,” Rose replied. “The material on hand was not grand enough for a lord’s tunic or mantle.”
“I am sure you will think of something appropriate once we retire to the privacy of our bedchamber,“Dominic hinted.
Before Rose could form a reply, she and Dragon were dragged away to lead the dancing and caroling. During the middle of a reel, Rose heard a commotion at the front door and wondered who it could be. Mayhap, she thought, ‘twas someone seeking shelter and food on a cold winter night. Rose was struck speechless when two women entered the hall on a blast of cold wind and paused in the doorway.
Then a radiant smile lit Rose’s face and she ran toward the new arrivals. “Mama! Starla!”
Happy tears streamed down Rose’s face as she hugged her mother and twin, then held them at arm’s length so she could look at them. Starla was dressed in the white robes of a novice and a plain woolen mantle, but Lady Nelda wore a colorful gown and fur-lined mantle to fit the occasion.
“How did you get here? I am so happy to see you.”
“Lord Dragon sent Sir Eric to fetch us home for the holidays.”
“Dragon did that?” Rose asked, stunned.
“‘Tis my gift to you,” Dominic said from behind her. “Welcome back to Dragonwyck, Lady Nelda, Starla. I knew Rose’s holiday would not be complete without her family around her.”
“You did this for me?” Rose asked. Tears flooded her eyes.“Nothing you could have given me would mean more to me. Thank you, my lord.”
Rose tugged on her mother’s hand. “Come and greet our guests. You know most of them already. Cloistered living must agree with you; you both look wonderful. Are you happy?”
“Very happy,” Starla said shyly. “But I think Mama would like to return home.”
“That can be arranged easily enough,” Dominic said.
“I will consider it,” Nelda said. “Right now I enjoy the solitude of the convent. Mayhap I will return one day, when my daughter presents me with a grandchild.”
“Mama!” Rose said blushing.
Dominic chuckled. “I will do all in my power to make that happen.”
Dominic drifted off as the two new arrivals were surrounded by old acquaintances wanting to greet them. From the corner of her eye Rose saw Dragon walk toward a group of barons deep in conversation. Before he reached them, however, Veronica intercepted him and all but dragged him into a dark alcove. Seething with rage, Rose turned away, unwilling to watch.
This had better be important, Veronica,” Dominic said as he followed his former mistress into a dark alcove. “Make it brief. My time is limited.”
Thisis important,” Veronica purred once they were shielded from prying eyes. “I have a gift for you and I wanted to give it to you in private.”
“I expected no gift,” Dominic said.
“Nevertheless, I have one for you.” She delved in her pocket and brought something out in her closed fist”I hope you like it,” she said, opening her hand to reveal her offering.
Disbelief marched across Dominic’s face as he stared at the jeweled brooch resting in Veronica’s palm. It was wrought in gold and encrusted with diamonds surrounding a larger ruby.
“I cannot accept such a costly gift,” Dominic demurred.
“I paid naught for it. Twas my brother’s, the one who died of fever during the Crusade. I always meant for you to have it.”
“Save it for your husband. I am surprised King John has not yet found a man worthy of your hand.”
“I am a widow, as you well know
,like other wealthy widows who do not wish to wed at the king’s command, I paid a fee that grants me the right to choose my own husband.”
She brushed up against him. Dominic felt her soft breasts pressing against his chest, smelled the familiar scent of her arousal and felt trapped. It was not a condition he readily accepted.
Veronica reached up and pinned the brooch to his mantle.“Take it, Dragon. I want you to have it”
“Veronica, I cannot. What will Rose think? Tis too valuable a gift for one friend to give another.”
“We are more than friends,” she reminded him.
“What did your wife give you? Nothing half so fine as this, I wager.”
“You sorely try my patience, Veronica.”
She ignored him. “Everyone is talking about what you did for your wife. Bringing Rose’s mother and sister to Dragonwyck was a kind gesture.” She tossed her head. “Kindness does not become you. What has Rose done to my fierce Dragon?”
Had he changed so much, then? Dominic wondered. Was doing something thoughtful for one’s wife a sign of weakness? He would have to think on that when he had more time. For now, his main concern was taking his leave of Veronica before Rose decided to raise her sword to him again. He grinned.
Veronica must have seen him smile, for she frowned and asked, “Do I amuse you, Dragon?” She caressed his cheek. “I would rather arouse than amuse you.” Her hand slid downward, over his chest and lower. “Shall we see if your cock still wants me?”
Dominic grasped her hand. “Leave off, Veronica. Have you no shame?”
“I need you,” Veronica whispered. “Come to me tonight. I will not wound you as your wife has done.” Her gaze traveled down his body. “With me, there is only one place you will hurt, and I would take great pleasure in soothing it for you.”
Dominic’s reaction surprised even himself. He felt nothing. “I must go, Veronica. Please excuse me.”
Whirling on his heel, Dominic strode from the alcove, forgetting about the brooch that Veronica had pinned to his mantle. If his guests noticed during the evening, they did not mention it. And Rose, who surely would have noticed, had retired to the solar with her mother and sister, where they could talk in private.