dragon archives 02 - pursued by a dragon (11 page)

“You are exhausted. Lie back down, and I will send for some mulled wine with some lemon balm. It will soothe your mind and perhaps allow you a few hours of rest.”

Cathryn did as she was bid, and a few minutes later a servant appeared with a wooden cup in her hand. Cathryn drank down the contents as Margaret watched, then lay back on the pillows.

“Try and get some rest, my dear.”

Cathryn watched as Margaret exited the room, and listened to her footsteps as they echoed down the hall. Owain and Favian must still be waiting, she realized, because she heard the murmurings of voices from that direction. The sounds were soothing and she closed her eyes, finally surrendering to a dreamless sleep, just as the sun started to appear on the horizon.

Chapter 18 

The sun was high in the sky when Cathryn finally awoke. The few hours of sleep had restored some of her calm, and she allowed herself a few moments of blissful idleness before sitting up in her bed. Someone had been in while she slept and stoked up the fire, and she felt the warmth blazing through the room.

All was quiet when she made her way downstairs a short while later. A quick glance in the parlor and dining rooms showed that no-one was present, and her footsteps echoed through the empty hall as she crossed the room looking for signs of life. As she retraced her footsteps and headed back into the passage, the sound of low voices reached her, and she paused to look out into the courtyard. In the far corner stood Favian and Owain, conversing with Aaron. As she watched she saw Favian lift his head, and then turn quickly in her direction. She pulled back into the shadows, but he was already heading towards her, covering the distance in quick strides and swinging his legs over the low wall that separated them.

“How are you this morning?” he asked softly.

Cathryn looked down, the heat rising in her cheeks, mortified that she had been the cause of so much commotion, but placing a finger beneath her chin, he forced her head up and looked into her eyes.

“Please don’t feel embarrassed,” he said softly. “I feel partly responsible for your unpleasant night.” He held up a hand when she started to protest. “I allowed my anger to get the better of me yesterday, adding to your distress after seeing the dragon.”

“It was not your fault,” Cathryn tried to assure him. “It was the result of an overactive mind. And maybe the realization that dragons are real,” she added with a nervous laugh.

Favian grimaced, before staring across the courtyard to where Owain and Aaron were still talking. He watched them for a moment before returning his attention to Cathryn.

“My mother went to visit her patient, but she should return soon. She left instructions for your dinner to be kept aside. Should I send for it?”

Cathryn allowed Favian to escort her to the dining room, and he sent for her food, sitting himself down at the table to keep her company while she ate.

“Cathryn,” he said, “I find that I have a need to go into town, so I will accompany you when you return later today.”

“Oh?” she said with an amused glance up at him. “Does this need have something to do with a dragon?” He gazed at her for a moment, his own expression serious, before responding.

“I told you that you have nothing to fear from the dragon we saw, and that remains the truth, but I would feel better knowing that you are not traveling unattended.”

“You could send a servant,” she suggested.

“A servant would be as fearful as you,” he said, “should the dragon make an appearance.”

“But you are not scared of the dragon?” she asked.

“No.”

“And could you battle with it if the need arose?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Very well,” she said, “I will accept your escort.” At this Favian grinned, knowing as well as she did that her acquiescence was merely for form’s sake. “Perhaps,” she continued, “we could make good use of the time and start negotiating the sale of your fleeces.”

“Indeed, Mistress, but be warned that I drive a hard bargain.”

“I look forward to the challenge,” she said, glancing up as Margaret entered the room.

“Dear Cathryn, how are you feeling this morning?” she asked, taking a seat beside her. Cathryn nodded, replying that she felt much better, as Favian pushed himself from the table and stood up.

“Ladies,” he said, giving a shallow bow before exiting the room.

A few hours had passed by the time Cathryn was ready to take her leave of Drake Manor. She clasped Margaret’s hands as she stood outside the door.

“Thank you for everything,” she said with a smile. “I have enjoyed my stay very much. I can only apologize for causing so much fuss.”

“Nonsense,” replied Margaret, “there is nothing to apologize for. Your company has been very welcome, and I hope you will soon return for a longer stay.”

“I would like that,” Cathryn said She glanced at Owain, who was watching her with an indulgent smile. “Master Drake, thank you for your kind hospitality.”

“You have brought excitement to our dull existence,” he said with a grin as Margaret tutted and smacked his hand lightly. Placing his hands on Cathryn’s shoulders he pulled her against his chest. She stood tense for a moment, and then relaxed into his fatherly embrace, smiling at him when he pulled away.

“We all look forward to your imminent return, Cathryn.” His gaze met Favian’s for a moment. “As Margaret has already said, your next stay must be longer.”

Cathryn nodded. “Thank you,” she said.

She turned to the carriage and stepped into its confines, Favian close on her heels. He pulled the door closed behind him and leaned back in the seat, adjusting himself as the carriage lurched into movement.

“So where do we begin?” he said.

“With your two thousand Lincolns,” she replied. She smiled sweetly as she started plying him with questions about his flock. On what kind of land did the sheep graze? When were the sheep sheared? How consistent was the color of the flock?

“I will need to see a sample of the wool before I can make you an offer,” she finally said.

“Of course,” he replied, “I will call on you with samples in the coming days.”

“I will be heading out on the road soon,” she reminded him.

“I hadn’t forgotten,” he said. He leaned back in the seat and regarded her for a moment. “You clearly are very knowledgeable about wool production, and the worth of fleeces.”

“Of course. I grew up in the business. From the time I was a child, I have been taught everything I needed to know.”

“Everything you need to know about being a wool merchant, perhaps,” he said.

“What do you mean?” she asked. He leaned forward in his seat, bringing his face closer to hers.

“Cathryn, you have been schooled so well with regard to the business, that it did not even occur to you to question whether you should be married to further your father’s business prospects.”

“Marriages based on business alliances are made every day,” she protested.

“Yes, but Cathryn, you accepted your fate with complete equanimity, without any consideration for your own personal happiness. You are not a princess, involved in high-stakes politics, or the daughter of the titled gentry, seeking to expand their influence. The advantages gained by your marriage to Beaumont can be obtained through other means, without you sacrificing your happiness.” Cathryn glared at him as he spoke.

“I thought we had agreed to a truce.”

“The truce ended when we left Drake Manor,” he said, “and now I will have my say.” Reaching over, he took her hands within his own, holding them tight when she would have pulled away. He stared down at them for a moment before lifting his gaze to hers. “From the moment I first met you, that day in the rain, I knew that you were the one my heart had been searching for. It was not that you are a beautiful woman — I have met many beauties and yet never felt this way. And it was not because you fell into my arms, as much as I enjoyed that. Rather, it was a rightness that settled into my bones.” Cathryn drew in a breath, feeling her heart quicken at his words. “But when I realized that you were not only betrothed, but to a man such as Geoffrey Beaumont, I thought I must be mistaken. I tried to put you from my mind, but the memory of you would not give me peace. And so I watched you, those first few days.” He smiled in amusement when her eyebrows flew up in surprise. “And in observing,” he continued, “I quickly came to the conclusion that your attachment to Beaumont was not one of affection. And I was sure that as much as you were in my mind, I was in yours. You insist you feel nothing for me, but your denials are futile — we both know them to be falsehoods. We are meant to be together, Cathryn. Allow yourself to admit the truth. Put aside this betrothal and marry me instead.”

Cathryn pulled in a sharp breath, and Favian tightened his grip around her hands. “Don’t say anything now. Just give me your word that you will consider it.”

“But we have a contract,” she whispered.

“Contracts can always be undone,” he said. “I will make full reparation to your father and to Beaumont for any financial burden this may impose on them personally or on their respective businesses.”

“But —” she started, but he placed his fingers over her mouth.

“Shhh,” he said, “say nothing more now. Just give me your word you will think on what I have said.”

Her eyes were wide as she stared at him before finally nodding in response.

“I love you,” he said, lowering his hand from her mouth. Pulling her hand to his lips, he gently kissed her fingers before letting go. He leaned back in his seat as Cathryn looked down at her hands, uncomfortable. She cursed herself for being lulled into complacency in his company, even as she recognized the truth of what he was saying. She could no longer deny what she felt for him, and yet … was it enough? She glanced up to see him watching her intently, and she looked away once more, drawing the curtain from the window and staring, unseeing, at the countryside rushing by. She could feel the weight of his stare, and twitched nervously. Eventually it became too much to bear, and she turned back to look at him with a furious glare.

“It was very ungentlemanly of you to make your declarations while I was trapped in a carriage,” she said angrily. Favian laughed.

“As I have told you before, my love, I am no gentleman.”

“Then what are you?” she demanded. “A rogue? A cad? A thief?”

“I am many things,” he said, “but none of those are important. All that matters is that I love you, and you love me.”

“Urgh,” she said, “you are incorrigible!”

“Take heart, my love,” he said, “we are almost in town. You will be rid of me soon enough.”

“Thank goodness for small mercies.”

“Don’t get too grateful,” he said with a laugh, “you will be seeing plenty of me in the coming days. Don’t forget that you promised to give thought to my proposal, and,” he said, leaning forward and dropping his voice, “I will not accept ‘no’ as an answer.” She shivered as she looked away.

“Incorrigible,” she muttered.

Chapter 19 

“How was your visit?” Father asked later that evening.

“It was most interesting.”

“Interesting? How so?”

Cathryn watched her bangle gleam in the candlelight as she twisted it around her wrist. She looked up to meet her father’s curious gaze. “Margaret has a lovely garden, and is very knowledgeable about herb lore.”

“Oh. Well, yes, I suppose that could be interesting. And did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yes. Margaret Drake is a lovely woman, and I enjoyed extending our acquaintance.”

“And Master Drake? What kind of man is he?”

Which one?
Cathryn thought sardonically. “Master Drake seems to be a good man. And he owns two thousand Lincolns.” 

“Ah! You contracted to buy the fleeces, I’m sure.” Cathryn met her father’s amused gaze with a smile of her own.

“Of course.” She pushed herself up from her seat. “Now if you will excuse me, I think I will retire early.”

Once in her chambers, Cathryn sank down onto her bed. Favian’s proposal had been lingering at the edge of her thoughts, and in the solitude of her room it came rushing to the fore. She could no longer ignore his feelings for her, nor her own for him. She knew what her heart was saying. The only question, really, was whether she could trust her heart. Could she be sure that it was not leading her down a fickle path that would lead to misery and torment? Cathryn rose at the sound of the door opening, and watched as Hannah entered the room.

“How was your visit?” Hannah asked, picking up a brush and pointing at the stool. Cathryn sat down.

“I had a most enjoyable time with Madame Drake,” Cathryn said.

“And what about Master Drake? Was he there too?”

“Master Drake?” Cathryn spun around to look at Hannah.

“It was Master Drake who came to call a few weeks ago, was it not?” Cathryn met Hannah’s amused gaze, and turned around on the stool.

“Yes.”

“Did you have opportunity for private conversation?”

Cathryn closed her eyes. “Yes.” She paused. “He wants me to marry him.”

“Marry? Does he know about your betrothal?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I promised to think upon it.”

Hannah pulled the butterfly pin from Cathryn’s braid, and brought it closer to examine it.

“This is beautiful. Where did you get it?”

“It was a gift from Margaret Drake.” Cathryn met Hannah’s gaze in the mirror. “It was crafted by Favian Drake.”

“Ah!” They fell into silence for a few minutes as Hannah pulled the brush through Cathryn’s hair, making it gleam in the candlelight. “Do you love him?”

Cathryn dropped her face into her hands. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Then you already have your answer,” Hannah said.

Cathryn thought about Hannah’s words as she lay in bed some time later. Was it really so simple?

The moon was dropping in the night sky when a slight wind picked up, blowing open the shutters. Cathryn shivered in her sleep as the tenor of her dreams changed. Once again, Aaron stalked through her dreams while dragons roamed through the sky. She tossed and turned, mumbling in her sleep, seeking a refuge from the beast that pursued her. A gust of wind banged the shutter against the wall, and Cathryn woke with a start, searching the room wide-eyed for fire-breathing monsters, before falling back on her pillows. Another dream, she thought. It seemed she could not escape either Aaron or the dragon. The dream was already fading, but something teased at the edges of her mind. She closed her eyes and reached, trying to grasp the disappearing tendrils — there was something in the dream she needed to remember, but already it was gone.