dragon archives 02 - pursued by a dragon (17 page)

“They are so beautiful,” she murmured. He pulled away to look at her, a smile on his face.

“Does that mean you are no longer scared of me?”

“Scared of a big, fire-breathing, flesh-eating, spiky-tailed monster like you?” she laughed. “Never!”

“So when are you going to give the news to Geoffrey?” he asked as he gently brought them back to the ground. She looked to him in confusion.

“Why does Geoffrey need to know that I don’t fear a dragon?”

“Not that you don’t fear the dragon, but that you love the dragon.”

“Oh,” she said, pulling away and turning around, gazing into the distance. He watched her for a moment.

“You haven’t decided to break the contract, have you?” he said.

“Favian … I …”

“No,” he said, holding up his hand, “do not say anything. I do not wish to hear excuses from you. Even Geoffrey knows you care for me. I heard what he said earlier, about having your little affairs, but let me be very clear — I will not be part of a secret liaison that has me slinking around, unable to acknowledge my love for you. It is all or nothing, Cathryn, and I am starting to think it will be nothing. I have followed you for weeks, waiting patiently for you to come to terms with what I am, but no more. I am leaving. If you have a change of heart, you know where to find me, but I suspect that day will never come.” Cathryn turned to stare at him in horror as he strode away from her, but before he had gone very far, he turned on his heel and stalked back to where she was standing, stopping less than a foot away.

“And one more thing, Cathryn, in the interests of total honesty. I told you that we eat the same things, and that is true, but only to a point. I eat human flesh, Cathryn. In fact, I really enjoy it. And you are smelling quite good right now, so you may want to run for your life.”

She gasped, stumbling back from him, and then turned on her heel when he laughed, flames pouring from his mouth.

“That’s right, Cathryn,” he sneered, “run from the monster.”
 

Chapter 27 

Cathryn did run, but only for a short time before coming to a complete standstill. She could still hear Favian’s laugh ringing in her ears, but another voice also whispered at the back of her mind.
Look in the heart and you will see the real character
, she heard Oliver’s voice say. No, she thought, Favian is not a monster. She knew him, knew his heart, and knew that despite his angry words he was the man she loved. Perhaps he did eat human flesh, but it was not because he was a monster, hunting down innocent prey, enjoying their terror. Slowly, she turned around and walked back to the clearing, but it was empty.

“Favian,” she whispered, but there was no response. “Favian,” she said again, raising her voice to a call, and then yelling his name again when there was still no response. His clothes were lying on the ground, and she gathered them into her arms, bringing them to her face to breathe in the smell of him.

He was right, she thought. They were meant to be together, but she had pushed him away, over and over again. He had been patient, and understanding, but she had kept her distance. The red pendant lay upon her chest, and she wrapped her hand around it, feeling the heat of it on her palm.

“Oh, Favian,” she whispered. “I am so sorry. I will make this right, I promise.” She could feel the tears gathering in her eyes, but she scrubbed them away. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she needed to take steps to set things to rights. She turned in the direction of the inn, determined to tell Geoffrey that she could not marry him, when a sudden thought brought her to a stop once again. He had tried to force himself on her once, and he could do so again. Perhaps, she decided, this was news better delivered once she was home.

It was dark as she walked back through the trees, but she could see a shimmer of light in the distance and she followed it. It wasn’t until she grew closer that she saw the huge branch, pushed into the ground and set alight, a beacon for someone walking in the dark. She stared at it for a long moment before turning around slowly, searching the shadows for signs of a dragon. Or a man. But all around her it was quiet and dark. The light of the blaze fell on the bangle wrapped around her wrist, and slowly she pulled it off, holding it tight in her hands. Favian had given her a part of himself, but all she had to give him in return was a memory. She kissed the bangle before laying it on the ground next to the burning branch. If Favian came back to snuff the torch, then he would find it. And if not … she shrugged, unwilling to think that he would be that careless.

All was quiet at the inn when she returned, and she carefully made her way through the building and up the stairs to her room, where Hannah was waiting for her.

“You were out late. I was growing worried,” she said.

“I …uh… went for a walk.”

“I saw Master Beaumont hobble into the inn. Is everything all right?”

“Yes. He had a run-in with the dragon.” She paused. “I cannot marry him.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No.”

Hannah watched Cathryn for a moment.

“Did you have a secret assignation with Master Drake?”

Cathryn looked away, her cheeks flushing, but after a moment she turned and met Hannah’s gaze.

“Not in the way you mean. But I do intend to marry him.”

Cathryn was up at first light the next morning, and after assuring Hannah she would be back soon, she hurried towards the copse of trees, searching the sky for a sign of a dragon. There was none, and with a sigh she turned her attention to the ground. The branch was still planted into the earth, the wood black and cold as it stood starkly against the low morning light, but the bangle was gone.

It was another five days before the little party straggled into town on a warm and sunny afternoon. Geoffrey rode in the wagon, grimacing at every bump and turn, his horse tied to the back. At the sight of her home, Cathryn felt the weariness of the past weeks lift, and she turned to Hannah with a smile.

“Home at last. I’m looking forward to a good meal and a comfortable bed, and I’m sure you are too. Send one of the other maids to my chambers, and then take the rest of the week off.”

The clatter of horses and wagon brought Father to the door, and he stepped outside to greet Cathryn.

“Welcome home, daughter,” he said, pulling her towards him and giving her a quick peck on the cheek, before dropping his arms and stepping away.

“Father,” greeted Cathryn. “You are back. Does that mean you have finished your consultations with the king?”

“No,” he replied, “but the court has moved to the summer palace, and the king does not wish to pay attention to matters of state while there are summer balls to enjoy.” He shook his head in perturbation. “But enough of that, how goes our wool business?”

“Very well, Father,” replied Cathryn, walking past him to enter the house. “I can give you a full report on the morrow, but there is another matter I wish to discuss with you, later this evening after I’ve had a chance to recover.”

“Very well,” he said. He watched her for a moment as she mounted the stairs to her chambers, before turning his attention to Felix.

Chapter 28 

“What?” demanded Father later that evening as they sat in the parlor after supper, his face reddening as he glared at his daughter. “What do you mean, you wish to annul the contract?”

“I love someone else, Father,” Cathryn said.

“Love,” he scoffed, “what do you know about love? All love does is lead to pain.”

Cathryn closed her eyes at her father’s words, but then opening them once more, met his gaze unflinchingly. “I would rather experience both love and pain, than live a life feeling nothing at all.”

“And who is this man? What makes you think he feels the same for you? Some men are predators, just after money and security.”

“He is a good man,” she said. “He has no need for my money, and in fact, I would be the one gaining something.”

“What would you gain?” he demanded.

“Love, family, a home,” she said softly. Father pulled back at her words.

“Cathryn … I may not express it well, but you know I love you.”

“I know that, Father,” she replied. “But I would like my life to have more meaning than just the business. Favian has helped me to see that there is so much more.”

“Favian?”

“Favian Drake,” she said.

“Drake … as in Margaret Drake?”

“Yes,” she replied, looking away.

“Ah. You told me you were spending time with your friend.”

“And so I was, Father,” she retorted. “If you recall, I didn’t even want to go, but you insisted upon it. And although Favian was there, he acted as a gentleman the entire duration of my stay.”

“I’m sure he did,” Father replied dryly. “So you have decided to put your own personal desires above all other considerations. I expected you to be more considerate of your duty to
this
family.”

Cathryn looked at him in astonishment. “Everything I have ever done has been for you and the business,” she said. “Should my future happiness be laid as a sacrifice on the altar of financial success as well?” She rose to her feet and strode around the room. “A marriage with Geoffrey may tie our respective businesses closer together, but it is not crucial to your success. Indeed, it may prevent you from seeking other partnerships. Or do you want this partnership because it guarantees you the easier path?”

“Cathryn, please …”

“No,” she said. “I am done. I refuse to marry Geoffrey Beaumont. Favian has already offered to make restitution should this result in a financial loss.” Father turned to look out the window, his fingers tapping on his leg as Cathryn watched him from behind. After a long moment, he turned to face Cathryn again.

“Very well. If you are determined to follow this path, I will not stand in your way. However, let me just say I am very disappointed.”

“Thank you, Father,” she said. “I will send a note to Geoffrey on the morrow, asking him to call, and will break the news in person.”

Father nodded. “I will be at a guild meeting in the morning. When will I meet this Favian Drake?”

Cathryn looked away.

“I’m … not sure. Soon.”

“Very well,” he repeated. “But know this. I will find out all I can about this man, and will not consent to your marriage if I find he is not all you say he is.”

“I understand,” she said. “Now if you will excuse me, I wish to retire to bed.”

“Before you go, Cathryn, Felix has told me that you handled the contracts and negotiations with ease and skill. Well done.” He gave her a slight smile. “I look forward to receiving a full report on the morrow. Goodnight.”

Chapter 29

Cathryn sent two notes the next morning, asking the recipients to wait upon her. One was addressed to Favian at Drake Manor, the other to Geoffrey Beaumont; the second arrived within half an hour of her note, limping with the aid of a cane.

“Ready to finalize our marriage?” he asked with a grin, carefully making his way into the parlor. “We could go find a priest now if you want.”

She poured him a glass of wine and handed it to him, watching while he drank it down. “Actually,” she said, taking the glass from him, “I’m not going to marry you, Geoffrey. I want to annul our contract.”

“What? You can’t do that!” He paused in the process of seating himself, and turned towards her.

“Yes, I can, and I will,” she retorted hotly.

“I was right,” he said. “You are having an affair with Favian Drake.”

“How hard is it to believe that I am not like you?” she demanded. “You may think it is perfectly acceptable to bed someone to whom you are not married, but I do not.”

“So you intend to marry him, then?”

“Yes,” she said, “if he will still have me.”

“But what about me?” he said. “What about our business partnership?”

“We can achieve that without marriage.”

“No. You cannot do this. I will not allow you to break this contract.” He grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him, before bending his head and kissing her savagely. She struggled against him, but it was the voice from the doorway that made him pull away.

“Unhand her this instant.” Father’s voice was loud and angry. “I have been completely deceived in you, Geoffrey Beaumont.” Geoffrey pulled away and ran a hand through his hair, giving Cathryn a sheepish grin before turning to her father.

“I have no idea to what you could be referring,” he said. “Should I not be allowed to kiss my future wife?”

Cathryn opened her mouth to retort, but her father held up his hand.

“You know perfectly well to what I am referring, and it has nothing to do with you kissing Cathryn, as shameful as that is. I suppose she has already given you the news that she has chosen another, but even if she has not, there is no way I could allow this marriage to proceed.”

“Ah,” said Geoffrey, the color draining from his face. “So that is the way of it, then?”

“Yes,” said Father. “You can find your own way out.” Cathryn watched in growing confusion as Geoffrey nodded and left the room.

“What was all that about?” she asked.

“Geoffrey Beaumont is bankrupt,” said Father. “He made some unwise investments, using his business as collateral, and has lost everything.”

“Oh! How dreadful.”

“Yes, indeed. Thankfully we were not too deep in with him, but if the marriage had gone ahead, we would have lost everything along with him.”

“That explains his sudden desire for a quick wedding.”

“Is that what he wanted? Perhaps it is a good thing Favian Drake crossed your path when he did, although I was not pleased about it last night.”

“What will happen to Geoffrey?”

“The debt collectors will be after him for everything he has. He will have to hire out his services to earn some money. But do not waste your thoughts worrying for him. Men like Geoffrey Beaumont always land on their feet.” Cathryn nodded, recognizing the truth in his words. Father walked towards the door, pausing at the entrance. “Bring your ledgers and notes to my study, and let’s review what you have been doing.”