The Dark Lady (22 page)

Peter knew he had made a mess of the whole day and could only hope that tomorrow would bring better. “Come then, if you are too tired than we can just go to sleep.”

Peter took a slow step toward her and held out his hand. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how sorry he was, but he would not, could not. She held his gaze and then slowly looked down at his extended hand.

Van looked at his hand, but could not take it. She was angry that he had yelled at her. More, she was angry that she had to force herself not to react. But mostly, she was scared of what it meant to willingly take his offered hand.

She glanced up at his face and was surprised to see the sadness fill his eyes. He dropped his hand. “Change and come to bed.” He walked into his chambers. Stopping just inside the door, he turned and waited.

If Van was going to make this work, it would mean sharing a bed with him and postponing it would not make it any easier. She took a deep breath and nodded.

Peter smiled and disappeared from sight but left the door standing open in a quiet invitation.

Van changed slowly and made her way to Peter.

He turned as she walked into the room. “Clean off the powder and come to bed.”

Van stopped, her breath catching in her throat. She could not take off the face powder. Fear coursed through her as she considered the ramifications of Eolian discovering her true identity. He would stop at nothing to get his revenge on her.

Van had not only defeated his army in battles many times, but she had also taken from him a young girl who was pregnant with his child. The young girl had been held against her will until Van had rescued her. Although Eolian did not know the child was his, he swore his revenge on her for taking the woman he professed to love.

Peter took a step toward her drawing her attention back to him. “You cannot sleep in that mess.”

She folded her arms across her chest and looked at him in challenge. “I cannot take off my face powder. I cannot.”

Peter looked at her closely and his soft, concerned voice surprised her. “Tell me why. Tell me and I may allow you to wear it.” Peter stripped off his shirt.

She watched his every move and smiled when she saw the jagged scar on his upper chest and shoulder. It seemed so long ago that she had saved him. She had been a lowly soldier and had known then that she cared more about this man than she could admit to.

“
I cannot tell you why. Not now. It is important to me that I am allowed to keep it on.”

Peter sat heavily on the bed. His intent stare never left her face.

Her eyes stung and her breath came in hard little gasps. “I am not what you think I am. I am not the kind of woman you should have married. You can tell them you made a mistake.” Tears built behind her eyes and threatened to drown her. “Tell them you want an annulment. If you tell them it was a lie, that we did not consummate the union, it can be dissolved.” She sucked in a shuddering breath and continued in a bare whisper. “I am not what you want.”

She felt a deep sadness pierce her heart at offering him his freedom. She was afraid he would take her up on it, and she didn’t understand that. It was what she wanted, wasn’t it?

“
I have no intention of doing any such thing. You are my wife and you will have to get used to it.” He slipped off his brown leather boots and then his hose. He rose slowly and walked toward her in nothing at all. His voice was gentle and caressing. “If it is that important to wear the ridiculous stuff, I will allow it, for now. Soon though, it will come off.”

Her eyes never left his manhood as it steadily hardened beneath her gaze. Her breath thickened as she took in the rippling muscles in his thighs. Panic rushed through her system and she had to fight the urge to run. Away from him or into his arms she wasn’t sure.

“
Are you even listening to me?”

His amused voice tore her from her thoughts. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax.

“
If you don’t want that reaction to you, then you really must not stare at me the way you do.” He laughed and held his hand out to her. His eyes held a hopeful look. “Come to bed. I can control myself.” At least he prayed that he could.

Vanessa shook her head, but did not take his hand.

Peter dropped his empty hand once again, pain and guilt pricking at him. He turned toward the bed, held back the covers for her, and waited. He was determined to make things right, though he was not sure how.

Vanessa climbed beneath the bed coverings of his massive bed and lay stiffly as he joined her.

He pulled her close to him, her back to his chest. He could feel the roundness of her bottom pressing into him. “Okay, this will not work,” he mumbled grumpily.

He turned onto his back, pulling her head onto his chest. Closing his eyes, he tried to ignore her gentle breath and her long fingers as they explored the soft curls of blonde hair that covered his chest.

Her hand stopped on the rough scar that still dominated his shoulder. She gently placed a kiss on it, before laying her head comfortably upon it and finding sleep.

Sleep eluded Peter for quite some time. He lay watching her in the guttering light of the candles. He didn’t remember falling asleep. He thought he had stared at her face all night, but when he opened his eyes the sun was rising, the candles had burned themselves out, and she was gone.

CHAPTER
10

Amy ignored the wavering nervousness that coursed through her rolling stomach. She rushed up the stairs in the early morning light and let herself into her lady’s chambers. The bed, though rumpled, did not appear to have been slept in and a quick glance around the room proved that it was empty.

She took in the large dust filled room and her gaze stopped on the closed interior door between the suites. Sure that Van had spent the night in the master’s chambers with her husband, Amy slouched on the bed to await her mistress. Her thoughts were riddled with concern as she pondered all that had happened since they had arrived at the castle.

She closed her eyes and let her mind wander back to the day before. She had been a nervous wreck, terrified of what would happen as Peter got to know Van without her there to censor Van’s run-away mouth. Unable to just sit and wait for them to return from their ride, she had wandered the grounds of her new home.

That was how she had met the handsome Devon Horacio. She had remembered him from Patricia’s funeral and was relieved when he had not recognized her. Her heart fluttered as she pictured the tall green-eyed man and she was looking forward to getting to know him better.

She opened her eyes and a smile spread across her lips. She looked again at the middle door. Her smile slipping away, she shook her head and sighed sadly. The entire castle had heard the fight that had went on between Peter and Van.

She had spoken with several of the house maids as the couple had fought. All were shocked by Lord Grayweist’s behavior. They had gone on and on about how dignified he was, how stoic, the perfect gentleman. Amy giggled when she remembered their wide-eyed whispers. “He is acting just like one of his men.”

The door swung open and Amy jumped from the bed. It was not Lady Vanessa as she had expected, but a very naked Lord Grayweist. A scream escaped her before could get control of it.

“
Nay, don’t scream.” Peter hastily picked up the shimmery night robe that lay across the end of the bed and slipped it around him. “I did not mean to frighten you. I was looking for Lady Vanessa. Have you by chance seen her?”

“
Nay, milord, I was looking for her as well.” Amy’s fought to control her rapid breathing. Her brow furrowed as fear swept through her. She didn’t want to believe that Van would have run, but she knew it was a possibility.

He looked around the room and shook his head. “I need some things seen to.” He turned a sober face toward her.

She smiled nervously and nodded.

“
As I am sure you have been informed, this was my mother’s room. Everything is how she left it. No one has been allowed in this room since the day she left. The servants have not even been allowed in this room to clean.” He sniffed indignantly and looked around. “Obviously.” He smiled softly and turned his attention back to her. “My Vanessa may not spend much time in it, but it should at least be hers, and clean. You will see to that, won’t you?”

Amy felt a grin spread across her lips. My Vanessa, he calls her, she thought, and her grin widened. When Peter looked at her, eyebrows arched in a silent question, all she said was, “Aye, my lord.”

“
My lord,” a shaky voice said from beside them.

Amy and Peter both turned toward the adjoining door. Peter’s second-in-command stood with a smirk growing on his face. He bit his lip, struggling to keep a straight face. He lost and cleared his throat before continuing. “You look very nice in that pink and lacy robe, but shall I call for Miceal to help you dress?” Grant turned to Amy and gave her a big wink. “See what happens when he is left to dress himself.”

She looked back to Peter with a grin, but he only scowled.

Grant turned back to his lord and added. “You have promised to take Lady Vanessa to see the training of your men. She is waiting.”

“
I promised her no such thing.” Peter shot of the bed and left it rocking beneath Amy.

She took a deep breath and groaned.

“
Where would you get an idea like that? Nay, do not answer that. I take it you have seen my meek little bride this morning.” Peter slapped his hand on his forehead, slid the hand down his face, and shook his head with a groan.

“
Aye, my lord, I saw her this morning at the stables. Now I am not sure where she has disappeared to,” Grant said a bit hesitantly.

With that, both men rushed into Peter’s chambers. Amy headed directly to the stables. She needed to make sure Van’s horse was still safely in his stall. She was almost to the stables when a deep voice resonated from behind her. Her heart jumped to her throat at the familiar voice.

“
Miss Devant?” he repeated.

A shiver ran through her and she could not contain her smile as Devon’s voice rumbled behind her.

“
Mr. Horacio.” She turned toward him slowly, trying unsuccessfully to feign nonchalance. Her heart thrummed erratically in her chest as she looked into his sparkling green eyes.

“
Pray, call me Devon.” He smiled as he took her hand. He turned it softly, brought it to his full lips, and kissed her palm. “How are you today? Things as good as they were yesterday?”

Her breath caught. She had to force her numb lips to respond. “I am fine,” she said, pulling her hand away from his. She took a deep breath to control the butterflies that beat relentlessly at her stomach, demanding to be released into the brightness of the morning.

“
Things are no different today than they were, and it is highly improper for me to refer to you by your first name. It is awfully forward, seeing as we have only just met.” She protested, but she wanted nothing more than to say his name over and over as he pressed his lips to her hand. It was hard to concentrate on anything beyond his brilliant green eyes and the thick brace of red hair that flew wild and free.

They turned and walked to the stables together. Despite her protests, she was comfortable with the warrior. She glanced up at him several times before opening her mouth to speak. “I spoke with several of the housemaids yesterday. They all seem to think that the lord of the castle is not acting like himself since my lady arrived.” She looked up at him questioningly. Heat flushed her cheeks as he smiled down at her.

His deep baritone voice caressed her as he spoke. “I had only just joined with the Dark Knight a couple of years ago. Until we arrived here four days ago, I had never met Lord Grayweist.” He stepped closer to her as they walked.

Her heart raced around her chest bounding off the walls like an excited puppy whose master had just returned from a long voyage.

His voice only increased the pounding as he continued. “I do know that the men think highly of him. I am sure he is a man of honor and will do nothing to harm her.”

She laughed before she could stop it. Smiling she shook her head. “That is not exactly what I am worried about.”

“
So what, you think she will hurt him?” He asked in a voice that sounded like he was jesting, but his smile faltered when she smiled grimly and nodded.

“
That, or she will try to disappear.” Her voice hitched painfully as she considered the possibility of that happening. She had only known Van for a short time, but she cared for her. Van was all she had left now.

Devon looked at her closely, a concerned look crossing his face. “You do not think she would take her horse and go, do you?”

“
I am afraid to think so, but it is a high possibility. That is why I am heading there now.” Amy felt sorry for Van. She was unsure of how to help her. She wanted to help her, not because she had agreed to take on the job, but because she liked the big woman.

They continued on to the stables in a comfortable silence for several moments. Devon’s hand brushed against hers several times as they walked and she forgot, momentarily, how to breathe as his warm hand connected with hers. After the first few times she was certain it was not accidental. She said nothing to discourage him.