ROMANCE: Bear Naked Passion (Billionaire Bear Trio Book 2) (66 page)

Rousing the Rake

Rousing the Rake

Rowena shook her head as she helped her mother finish up the chores. She imagined a world where she would marry for love and not for convenience. Just that morning, her father had informed her that she would be married to a Saxon; she would become the Countess.

It was during the reign of Richard I. He had just returned from captivity and all of England had become subject to oppression from the nobles. Rowena’s family was not immune to the oppression and her father had explained that the only way they would survive was if she were to marry the nobleman.

She had noticed the Earl on several occasions watching her as she walked through the streets of the small village she had grown up in. He was an attractive man, but Rowena viewed him as immoral, and even though many women would have loved to be his wife, Rowena found him to be distasteful. She had watched him grab at the girls on the street and knew of his reputation. He was not the type of man that Rowena had grown up dreaming that she would marry.

No, she had spent her life dreaming of a man that worked for a living, one that came from her same social class, one that had morals and believed in God. She had always imagined that her life would be much like her mother’s, and even though it was not elegant, she could still see how happy her mother was.

It was this day that Rowena would go to meet her betrothed, and even though her mother told her that she needed to prepare herself, Rowena refused. Rowena had seen the countesses, the way they dressed and the way they behaved; it was not something that Rowena was interested in.

She did not feel that she would fit in with the nobles. Not only was she not able to treat those who were less fortunate than her with the disrespect they displayed, she didn’t even look like one of them.

Rowena was a woman of small stature, standing just over five feet tall. Her father had always ensured that she and her mother were well fed, which meant that she was heavier than other women. Rowena had a large rear that bounced when she walked; she had plump breasts that budged out of her clothing, and thick thighs that rubbed together when she walked. No, Rowena was not the type of girl who you would see sitting in an opera, riding in a carriage or sitting along the side watching men box.

She was the type of woman that you would see working alongside of her father, learning all that she could. Her father often reprimanded her for the way she behaved, telling her that it was unladylike for her to want to learn a trade.

Rowena was unlike the other women, though. She wanted to be independent. She had thoughts and ideas of her own and she wanted to make them heard. Growing up, she had always heard her mother discussing her own ideas with her husband, and Rowena’s father rejected them at first, but when he realized just how smart his wife really was, he began using her ideas to make his own work easier.

Rowena wanted her ideas to be heard too. She wanted to make a difference. To her, it seemed unfair that the world belonged to the men and what she thought had not mattered. Rowena imagined a world where she would be more than a pretty face, but instead would have just as much independence as a man.

She had argued with her father when he told her about the Earl, telling him that she was not interested in marrying, that she was going to choose her own husband one day, and until that day came she would take care of herself.

Rowena knew that was not how it would work out and that her family truly needed her to marry the Earl, but that did not stop her from expressing her feelings, and as she finished up her chores, she reminded herself that she was not going to be quieted by some Earl.

Her mother had told her that she was to be on her best behavior when she went to meet him, that she should smile and agree with what he said, but Rowena knew she was not going to be quiet. She did not care what he thought of her; the marriage was arranged, the payment had been made, and this was simply a formality so that her parents felt better about the entire arrangement.

When marriages were arranged, it was the custom for the future husband and wife to meet several times before the marriage took place. This was to allow the two to get to know each other a little bit and remove the discomfort that would be felt otherwise.

Rowena had finished her chores and her mother demanded that she wash her face and fix her hair. She told Rowena that a carriage would arrive soon for her and take her to the Earl.

Narien awaited the arrival of the woman he was going to marry. She was unlike any other woman he had ever seen and her shy demeanor had turned him on as soon as he had seen her for the first time.

She, unlike the other women he had encountered, lowered her head when she saw him, a bit of shyness showing through, when the other women threw themselves at him hoping to get the title of nobility. There was a part of Narien that knew Rowena was not good enough to be his countess; in fact, she should have counted herself lucky to be his mistress. She was not of noble birth and he knew that would cause an issue with his family, but there was something about her that drew him in. Maybe it was the way she made him feel as if he would never have her. He had never met a woman that he could not have, and he was determined to have this one as well.

When he had approached her father with an offer of marriage, he knew that he would not be denied. Now he sat waiting for the carriage to return and bring to him this one woman.

Narien looked around him. He had plenty of mistresses to keep him busy; their entire purpose in life was to please him, but it was all too easy. He desired a hunt, but more than anything he wanted adventure. He knew Rowena would be an adventure that he would never forget.

The carriage rolled to a gentle stop just outside of Rowena’s home, and as she stood staring at it she began to question herself. She wondered if she would be able to be true to who she was around a man such as Narien. She had never spoken to a noble before and was always taught to show them respect. She hoped more than anything that Narien was a man that deserved respect, but knew from what she had heard about him that he in fact was not.

Rowena stepped into the carriage and after she had sat down it began moving. She knew that she would only have mere moments to calm herself before she was face to face with Earl Narien.

It was not long and Rowena felt the carriage stopping again. The driver helped her out by taking her hand, and even though she did not need his help, she accepted it. She had promised her mother that she would at least try and give the Earl a chance.

Rowena looked at the house she had been brought to. It was extravagant and she began to feel her blood boil inside of her. She knew that one third of all of the money that had been collected had went to Narien and that it paid for his extravagant lifestyle while the king's followers starved in the streets.

Rowena flattened her skirt with her hands, no longer feeling as if she had any power. Suddenly feeling like a little girl again, she was unsure of how she should behave. She knew that the Earl had the power to throw her into prison even though she had done no wrong. She knew that he was not known to be a forgiving man and feared that her own attitude would be the death of her.

Narien stepped out of the door and began walking toward Rowena. She felt her body begin to shake and her hands began to sweat. She rubbed the front of her skirt again trying to dry her hands and heard her mother’s voice inside of her head. “Stop twitching, Rowena.” Her mother always had to remind her to stand still, to not twitch or fumble with her hands when the nobles walked by. There was something about them that scared Rowena to the core.

As she watched Narien, she was sure that it was the way that they held themselves, with their head held high as they walked at a casual pace as if nothing in the world mattered to them at all.

“My Lord,” Rowena managed to say, while giving a curtsy as Narien approached.

“My Lady,” Narien said, with a smile, offering her his arm. “What say we take a little walk?”

Rowena had never been called a lady before and was not sure how she should respond, but simply smiled and took his arm.

“I noticed you in the village,” Narien said, as they began walking.

“Yes, and I you,” Rowena replied, trying to be as polite as she could.

As the two of them walked, all Rowena could think about was how by accepting this marriage, she could change her parents’ and siblings' lives. They were known as peasants—they rented the little bit of land that they had from a much wealthier person that actually owned the land. Each year, her mother had to give a large amount of spun wool to the land owner, her father had to provide chickens and cut firewood, and the children often had to go work in the house. In return, the owner of the land would provide them with food during the droughts, ensure their safety if there were any invasions, and ensure the law was enforced. In addition to giving the land owner a large amount of items, her father and brothers had to agree that in the event that the land owner were to go to war, they would go with him.

When Rowena realized that she held the power within her own hands to free her family from the burden that they had carried for far too long, her shy and quiet personality began to shine. She knew how lucky she was, although she had never met her grandparents, both of her parents were still living and she knew that in itself was rare, but to give them an easier life, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness, there was no greater gift she could think of.

“I am the leader of a large army,” Narien began.

“I am aware,” Rowena said, biting her tongue.

“Oh, is that so?” Narien asked, as he turned to her. “Tell me, girl. What do you know of the army?”

Rowena took a deep breath, she hated being talked to as if she were some stupid girl who had no idea what was going on in the world. She released Narien’s arm and looked at him with her head cocked to one side.

“I know that the army you lead has killed many in the name of the King,” she began. “I know that people starve while you and your army eat at banquets.”

“What have I to do with people starving?” Narien interrupted her. “I do not take the food from their hands.”

“Nay, you do not,” Rowena agreed. “But the money you do.”

By now, Narien was tired of listening to her speak and turned, continuing to walk along the path.

“So you do not deny that you are responsible for them starving?” Rowena continued.

“Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?” Narien turned quickly to face her as he spoke. “Do you know the punishment you could receive for your lack of respect?”

Rowena held her head high doing her best to emulate the way the nobles stood. “I believe tis the man I will marry I speak to,” she began. “Am I not allowed to speak my mind? Would you prefer a wife that does not say what is on her mind?”

“That is exactly what I would prefer right now,” Narien raised his voice, taking Rowena off guard. “Most women would be ecstatic to be in your position and you refuse to even show me respect.” Narien was almost growling at this point and Rowena swore that his eyes seemed darker than before.

“Respect” Rowena laughed. “Maybe you should have contracted one of your mistresses to marry you if you wanted respect. I have heard all about you and I have watched you live your immoral life. I will show you no respect.”

“That is what this is,” Narien scowled at Rowena. “You are jealous?”

Rowena was not going to admit it, but when she thought of the way he grabbed other women, how he pulled them close to him as he watched her walk down the street, part of her wished that it had been her. Now it was all that she could think of, yes, she was jealous and she did not understand why.

She shook her head as she reminded herself how much she disliked this man, how he had caused the death of so many people and how he took from the poor only to give to himself.

“I am not jealous,” Rowena denied the way she felt. “I think you are a pathetic man who only uses women for your own amusement.”

“What other use do they have?” Narien teased her.

Rowena shook her head as the two of them continued on their walk. Neither of them spoke for several minutes, then Narien spoke up.

“Can you handle being a countess?” he asked, concerned that she was not prepared for what was ahead of her.

“There is nothing that I cannot handle,” Rowena snapped at him.

Narien shook his head and led Rowena back to the carriage. She was confused as he held out his hand to help her onto the carriage, and instead of accepting his help she climbed up on her own. Narien wondered if he had made a mistake as the carriage left with Rowena aboard.

When Rowena arrived home. she told her mother that she had enjoyed her experience and everything was well, but she knew that she was not being honest. As she lay down that night, she thought about the man she was to marry.

She could not deny her attraction toward him. Someone would have to be blind not so see how attractive he was. She wished that he was not so brash, so rude and that he would look at the consequences of his actions.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, her mother walked in. Her sisters had already fallen asleep long before and her mother was careful not to wake them. The girls all shared a room, even shared a bed to ensure that they would stay warm, then the boys shared a room as well. It was not the best of situations because Rowena knew that it meant when one child became ill, they all suffered.