The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘For fuck’s sake …’

  ‘And there was someone in the room coming towards me too. A shadowy figure, like some damn ghost guarding the place.’ Archie shuddered. ‘I felt it breathing down my neck when I left.’

  Marcus stared at the man. ‘A ghost? You’re losing your marbles, man.’

  ‘I know what I saw.’ Archie looked mulish, obviously sticking to his story.

  Marcus decided to let it go. If the man was going to get spooked each time he did a job, he’d definitely have to get rid of him. For now, he needed to deal with the problem at hand. ‘So we can’t get into the house to search it.’ He drummed his fingers on the desk. ‘That must mean there is something to find. She’s holding out on me, Lady Merrick. I’ll have to deal with it myself. Damn it all, this wasn’t supposed to take so long! Her idiot of a husband’s been dead for ages.’

  He waved at Archie to leave. Useless bastard.

  ‘Bollocks!’ Marcus slammed the palm of his hand down onto the shiny surface of his desk, trying to find an outlet for the rage that filled his brain to overflowing. He wondered if he was going through some sort of male midlife crisis as he’d never felt this out-of-control before. But it only seemed to happen when he thought of Lady Merrick. Therese. What was it about her that triggered such a violent reaction? Such intense lust?

  Damned if he knew.

  One thing was for sure though, he had to get this sorted, and soon, because he couldn’t stand the waiting. And he hated loose ends – this one needed tying up before it got out of hand.

  Merrick Court, 16th July 2016

  ‘Another attempted burglary? Shit! Did they take anything?’

  Josh felt his stomach muscles clench at the thought of an intruder. Tess could have been assaulted, raped, murdered … And so could his daughter. It didn’t bear thinking about. He calmed down a bit when she told him what had happened.

  ‘Well, I’m glad we had the alarm rerouted, but still …’

  ‘I’ve reported it to the police but as nothing was taken this time either they’re not too bothered. They said the alarm obviously did its job.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘Damn it, I’m scared.’

  Josh tried to put his arms around her but she resisted and slipped away to stand by the Aga. ‘Don’t. Not now.’

  ‘Why?’ Josh frowned. They were in the kitchen, where he’d gone to find her the minute he heard about the break-in from Louis, and there was no one else around. She’d been avoiding him for over a week now and he was getting seriously frustrated.

  ‘I … I just don’t think it’s a good idea. I had a little talk with Shayla and, well, I think we should cool things a bit.’

  ‘What’s Shayla got to do with it?’ Josh didn’t understand. What could his daughter possibly have said?

  Tess just shrugged and Josh let it go for now. He’d have a chat with Shayla himself later to find out what was going on.

  ‘Well, I think I should sleep here in the house after all. With you,’ he added jokingly, and tried out his most flirtatious smile on her but she barely noticed. What the hell was going on here?

  ‘I don’t think so. What would Bryn say? And Shayla?’

  ‘I’ll just tell them you didn’t want to be alone here. I’m sure they’ll understand.’ He moved closer to her, but she flitted away to fiddle with the kettle. Something was up, but he had no idea what. He was damned well going to find out though.

  ‘I don’t know, Josh. I’m not sure …’ She glanced at him and must have seen the determination in his eyes. ‘Okay, fine, it’s your house. I can’t stop you. And it’s not like we’re short of space.’

  ‘Damn right.’ Josh didn’t want to force his presence on her, but this was serious. Both she and his daughter could be in danger; he had to be here to protect them.

  He swallowed his disappointment at her reluctance to be near him. He got the message – she was getting cold feet. Seriously freezing. His body was crying out for him to just scoop her up and carry her upstairs. But something was wrong and until he’d found out what it was, he wouldn’t push her. ‘I’ll go and get my stuff.’

  Tess was in her workshop, half-heartedly doodling some flower sketches for a pretty little cupboard, when she heard a car drive into the stable yard. Shayla hadn’t come to help today so she was all alone. When asked if he knew where Shayla was, Louis had just shrugged.

  ‘Probably gone shopping or something. Didn’t say anything to me. Or maybe she’s with her dad, he’s not here either.’

  She didn’t even have Vince for company as he was somewhere outside with Louis. Tess stood up slowly and went to see who’d arrived. She sincerely hoped it wasn’t Rosie again. It was so much more peaceful without her. But the car she spotted wasn’t her sister-in-law’s Chelsea tractor, it was a black BMW.

  Marcus. Again. Shit.

  No sooner had the thought whizzed through her brain than the man himself stepped out of the car. He was dressed casually, but still expensively. Designer label everything, if Tess wasn’t mistaken, from his dark jeans to the crisply ironed shirt. Even his sneakers looked brand new. She walked forward, wiping her hands on the back of her own, rather disreputable, jeans.

  ‘Hello, I wasn’t expecting you.’ Tess tried not to sound as shaken as she felt on seeing him. Had he come to threaten her properly now?

  ‘Lady Merrick, or can I call you Therese this time?’ The dimpled smile appeared as he came towards her, both hands outstretched. To Tess’s surprise he grabbed her shoulders and air-kissed her cheeks, as though they were friends of long standing. She tried not to pull away.

  ‘I … yes, I suppose …’

  ‘Another lovely day.’ He squinted up at the sun. ‘I thought you might want to come for a pub lunch, but you look like you’re busy.’ His gaze travelled the length of her, no doubt taking in the dusty jeans and paint-stained shirt, but there was still an appreciative look in his eyes as if he more than liked what he saw.

  ‘Yes, I’m working I’m afraid, but … uhm, nice thought.’ Tess wondered why on earth he’d imagined she would want to go out for lunch with him and why he hadn’t at least called to ask.

  ‘I was just passing and thought I’d drop by on the off chance. No worries, another time, eh? But perhaps we can have a little chat at least? Take a five-minute break?’

  Tess nodded somewhat reluctantly. ‘Sure. Shall we go and sit in the garden?’ She felt safer talking to him out in the open. Although he seemed different today, less threatening, she didn’t want to take any chances She led the way to a bench outside the front of the house and they sat down.

  ‘So, I spoke to your solicitor after all,’ Marcus began. ‘He says you’re personally responsible for Giles’s debts, not the person who inherits the estate, and claims your assets are virtually non-existent.’ He put one leg on top of the other and turned so he was facing Tess.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well, it’s just not good enough, Therese. I hate to be persistent, but I really need the full amount. I’ve got other people breathing down my neck and a debt’s a debt. Have you thought about what I said? Decided to sell a few trinkets maybe?’

  Irritation swirled inside Tess. Which part of ‘I have no assets’ didn’t he understand?

  ‘Look, Marcus, I don’t know why you don’t believe me or the solicitor, but I really, really don’t own anything apart from a few bits of furniture and stuff. When I leave here, I’ll be renting a cottage or something like that as I can’t afford to buy. I have no money, no jewellery, no property – nothing! The only thing of value is my car and even that’s not worth much now.’ She spread her hands. ‘How am I supposed to come up with half a million pounds when I can barely afford to eat?’

  The dimpled smile appeared again. ‘Oh, come on, it can’t be as bad as that. Giles must have provided for you somehow, lovely woman like you. Life insurance?’

  Tess shook her head. ‘No, he didn’t have any, and if you must know, we were about to get divorced.’

  That made him
frown. ‘Really? He didn’t mention that. Kept telling me he had to have a big win for your sake.’

  Tess snorted. ‘I doubt he was thinking of anyone other than himself.’ She sighed. ‘If you insist on claiming this money back from me, I’ll have to declare myself bankrupt so you’d only get a small sum anyway.’

  ‘Not happening, Therese.’ He took one of her hands in both of his and looked her in the eyes. ‘But maybe we can come to some sort of arrangement? I could let you pay in instalments, perhaps? I’m sure the bank will let you borrow some money, then you can develop your little business.’ He smiled. ‘I looked into it. Pretty things you produce. Should do well once you’re established properly. I could even help you get back on your feet, if you like? I know people.’

  His fingers were playing with her hand and Tess kept still, fighting the urge to pull it away. What was he implying? She was afraid she understood all too well what the ‘payment’ for helping her would entail and the ‘arrangement’ between them. No way. The mere thought of it made her skin crawl, but she knew she’d better not let him see that.

  ‘Thank you, but I’d rather manage on my own. Instalments would be good though. I’ll speak to the solicitor again, see what he thinks.’ She finally managed to free her hand and it was as though she’d released it from a trap. ‘And now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better crack on with some work.’ She stood up and he followed suit, although more slowly.

  ‘Okay, I’ll expect to hear from you soon then. And if you change your mind, you know where to find me.’ He pulled out his wallet and handed her a business card. ‘Here, give me a call in the next couple of days.’

  ‘Right.’ Tess had no intention of calling him, but thought it best not to say so. She’d send him an email.

  ‘Nice seeing you again.’ They’d reached the stable yard and he grabbed her for another air-kissing session, although this time he managed to actually kiss her cheeks. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience, but Tess still had to suppress a shudder. She just didn’t want him anywhere near her.

  She watched him drive out of the yard and headed for the house. It was time to talk to Mr Harrison about bankruptcy procedures. No way was she taking out any bank loans to pay Marcus bloody Steele. And she was so not paying him in kind either.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Raglan Castle, 18th July 1646

  ‘And I now pronounce you man and wife. May God bless your union and be with you always. Amen.’

  It was just after midnight, and Arabella thought for a moment it was all a dream, but the man standing beside her in the near darkness – her husband – was holding her hand so tightly she couldn’t possibly be imagining this.

  They had agreed to marry in secret for various reasons. Firstly, because the marquis, although giving his blessing, had urged them to keep it to themselves for now.

  ‘There are scores of men here without their womenfolk and if they get wind of your nuptials, there could be jealousy and discontent. I’d rather you were discreet.’

  Rhys and Arabella could see the sense in that. There was also the fact that they wanted to keep it a secret from Glyn. Although the man had been prevented from coming anywhere near Arabella again, both by Rhys and some of his friends who kept Glyn under constant surveillance, he’d made several veiled threats.

  ‘Better to keep him in the dark,’ was Rhys’s opinion, and Arabella agreed, hence the furtive wedding so late and with only four people present.

  Rhys had persuaded an Anglican minister from the soldiers’ side of the castle to come and marry them in the chapel. The only witnesses were Lady Margaret and a man called Matthew Emrys, who Rhys said was a friend of his. Arabella had decided to take Lady Margaret into her confidence, since she’d said to come to her for help if ever it was needed, and the lady had been delighted for her.

  ‘You are right to grasp happiness while you can, my dear,’ she’d said. ‘I won’t breathe a word, you know that, and I will stand witness with pleasure.’

  The minister had brought paper and a quill and wrote out a statement to prove they had been married this day. ‘For we don’t have access to the usual church ledgers here,’ he muttered. ‘With this, you can have the marriage entered later.’ Emrys and Lady Margaret both signed it, after the bride and groom, and Rhys gave it to Arabella.

  ‘Keep it safe somewhere,’ he whispered. ‘We may need it as proof.’

  She nodded and pushed it into a pocket inside her skirt for now. Later, she would sew it in securely.

  The minister and witnesses melted into the night, and Arabella was left with her new husband, who took her hand and pulled her towards the stairs leading up to the Long Gallery.

  ‘Come, I have a surprise for you.’

  ‘Where are we going?’ A little breathless, both from the speed with which he was walking and the effect his smile had on her, she followed, intrigued.

  They didn’t go to the Long Gallery, however. Instead, Rhys pulled her through a small door on the first floor and into the Minstrel’s Gallery. ‘Here we are. Your wedding feast, Lady Cadell.’

  Arabella gasped. The light from the moon shining in through the huge windows of the Great Hall showed a blanket on the floor with several cushions and a trencher with bread and cheese. There was also a bottle of wine and two tankards.

  ‘No glasses, I’m afraid, but I’m sure it will taste the same whatever we drink out of,’ Rhys said. He spread his hands in invitation for her to sit, and she did.

  ‘This is amazing! But, why here?’

  She had been wondering how they would spend their wedding night, but had assumed the best they could do would be to share the dirty straw with the horses. There was no privacy to be had anywhere in the castle.

  Even Lady Margaret had been stumped. ‘Every nook and cranny is filled with people,’ she’d said with a worried frown. ‘I don’t know that I can ask anyone to forsake their beds for a night, not without telling them the reason.’

  ‘Don’t worry, my lady, I’m sure we’ll … uhm, find a way.’ And Arabella had counted on it, but she’d never dreamed of coming here.

  Rhys chuckled. ‘I was looking up one day and it occurred to me that this space wasn’t being used for anything at the moment. I doubt anyone else will come here, so provided we’re quiet, we will be undisturbed. Now, would you like some wine, my love?’

  They shared the food and wine, taking their time. ‘We have all night,’ Rhys assured her. ‘I’m not needed on guard duty until tomorrow.’

  Arabella was nervous, but the wine helped and when Rhys eventually took her in his arms and pulled her down onto the blanket, she knew everything would be all right. His kisses were exciting, intoxicating, firing her blood and he seemed to know just what to do in order to put her at ease. Being all alone here, they were able to shed their clothes completely, and he allowed her to explore the contours of his battle-scarred body, while he caressed every inch of hers.

  ‘You are so beautiful, my lovely.’ He trailed kisses across her shoulders, breasts and down her stomach. ‘I can’t believe I’m this lucky. Whatever happens, this night will be the one thing I’ll always remember.’

  ‘I’m the lucky one.’ Arabella was becoming impatient, her body yearning for his. ‘Show me what to do, Rhys, please. I want to be yours in every way.’

  ‘All in good time.’

  His fingers continued their soft touches, seemingly knowing exactly what she craved. The yearning inside her built until she was sure she couldn’t stand it any longer. Then and only then did he enter her, carefully at first, but with longer, firmer strokes as she began to moan and writhe with the pleasure of it. He kissed her so that her cries were muffled, but she was so caught up in the moment she wouldn’t have cared if the whole world heard her screaming his name.

  Pleasure exploded inside her, radiating out into every fibre of her being, and she felt Rhys shudder with his own release. Then he gathered her close and they lay there entwined, as one, man and wife in every sense.
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br />   Arabella had never felt so content in her life.

  Merrick Court/Home Farm, 18th July 2016

  Josh was pleased to find his daughter on her own in the kitchen and decided it was time to confront her.

  ‘What have you been telling Tess about me?’ he asked, sitting down opposite Shayla at the table and folding his arms.

  ‘What?’ She looked up, her spoon halfway to her mouth. Her eyebrows came down. ‘I didn’t say anything,’ she snarled. ‘Why? Is she making stuff up about me?’

  ‘Well, you must have said something to make her back off from me. She and I were friends, but now she can’t wait to get me out of the house each day.’

  ‘Friends, huh? She fancies you, you know, just like all the older women. Mum says you always were a player.’

  ‘Is that what you told Tess?’ Christ, he hoped not. He may never have had any long-term relationships, apart from Isla, but Josh wasn’t a player. And ‘older women’? He wasn’t that ancient. Jesus.

  ‘No, of course not! Why would I?’

  Shayla gave him that wide-eyed, innocent stare that told him she was hiding something. ‘Shay,’ he growled. ‘If I find out that you’re lying you’ll be on the next plane out of here, is that clear?’ The little madam had done something, he could feel it, so he put some steel into his voice.

  Shayla squirmed a bit. ‘You like her that much, huh?’

  ‘Yes, I do actually. Tess is special.’

  ‘I see.’ She looked down, then sighed. ‘Okay, fine. I just told her you were getting engaged to Pam when you go back to New Zealand.’

  ‘What?’ Josh sat up straight. ‘Who the hell is Pam?’

  ‘Uhm, some woman I made up.’ Colour flooded Shayla’s cheeks and she wouldn’t look him in the eye.