The Dragon Lord (22 page)

The men had already left for the hunt, and she joined the women in the chapel for morning Mass. After Mass, the women began drifting to the hall to break their fast.

“Everyone seemed to have a good time,” Emily allowed as she joined Rose. “But I can truthfully say I will be glad to see the last of them. Twas an exhausting twelve days.”

“It has been tiring for all of us,” Rose agreed. “I am certain Cook will be happy to see the guests on their way. The extra mouths to feed have put a noticeable dent in our stores and taxed the kitchen help.”

Rose continued on to the hall to break her fast with bread and ale. A more substantial meal, the main meal of the day, would be served after the men returned.

Rose was soaking a piece of bread in her ale and thinking about Dragon when Veronica sat down beside her.

“Good morrow,” Rose said with more geniality than she felt. Dragon’s former mistress rubbed her the wrong way.“Do you need help packing? If your maid cannot manage on her own, I would be happy to send someone up to give her a hand.”

“I am sure you would,” Veronica said snidely.

Rose ignored the remark. “I trust you enjoyed your visit.”

“More than you know,” Veronica replied cryptically.

Suddenly Rose realized that Veronica was staring at her brooch. Rose ran a fingertip over the large center stone and smiled.“Tis lovely, is it not?”

“Indeed,” Veronica bit out.” Twas my Christmas gift to Dragon. It belonged to my dead brother. Does Dragon know you are wearing it?”

“You gave this to Dragon?”

“Aye, right here in the hall, on the day gifts were exchanged.”

“And he accepted it?”

Veronica gave her a smug smile. “He wore it, did he not?”

With shaking hands, Rose unpinned the brooch and threw it at Veronica. “Here! Take your brooch back to London with you. Dragon does not need your gifts.”

“Are you sure about that? He kept it, did he not? What did
you
give him?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“I have been talking with some of your guests,” Veronica asserted, “and most agree with me.”

Rose frowned. “About what?”

“About your violent nature. Those who know you claim you were volatile and unpredictable even as a child, and they were shocked when I told them what you did to your husband.”

Rose arched her brows. “I did naught.”

“Did you not? He said you wounded him. Tis a wonder he did not kill you.”

“How dare you speak ill of me to my guests! Are you sure Dragon told you I wounded him?”

She ignored the question. “Did you know Dragon is seriously considering locking you away where you cannot hurt anyone?”

Rose stood so abruptly, her chair clattered to the floor. “Please excuse me. Duty calls.”

Rose did not want to believe Veronica. Nothing in Dragon’s demeanor suggested that he considered her dangerous. She might have threatened him with a sword a time or two, but that did not mean she was insane.

Rose’s thoughts kept returning to Veronica and the brooch as she saw to numerous details concerning today’s entertainment and games. Why had Dragon kept Veronica’s gift? It galled Rose to think that she had given him naught while Veronica had gifted him with a keepsake that meant a great deal to her.

Even more upsetting was the knowledge that Dragon had discussed her mental state with his former mistress. She was so angry, she felt like taking her sword to Dragon again. She grinned. Mayhap she would gain more satisfaction by taking her sword to Veronica.

After the ladies returned to their respective chambers to pack before the men returned, Rose went to the solar and began to pace, and think and fume.

How could Dragon make love to her with such passion if he loved Veronica? He told lies with such ease and loved with such fervor that understanding him was beyond her capabilities.

Rose heard Dragon’s footsteps in the gallery and realized that the hunters had returned. She whirled to face the door, her expression pugnacious. Dragon had a lot of explaining to do, and she was not going to let him charm his way out of it this time.

The moment Dragon saw Rose’s face, he knew something had upset her, and it did not take a genius to know that Veronica was at the bottom of it. Thank God she was leaving tomorrow.

“What is it now?” he asked, peeling off his gloves.

Tell me about the brooch,” Rose said evenly.“Why did you accept a valuable gift from a woman you swore you no longer wanted?”

“I tried to return it, but she refused to take it back.”He glanced toward the table where he had left the brooch and noted its absence. “I intended to return it before she departed tomorrow.” He removed his mantle and tossed it on a bench. “Where is it? I could have sworn I’d left it on the table.”

“I wore it to the hall this morning because I could not find my own pin. I did not think you would mind.”

Dominic stifled a groan. “No, do not tell me. Veronica saw it.”

“Aye, she saw it and took great pleasure in telling me she had given it to you. A keepsake, she said. Do not try to lie your way out of it this time, Dragon, for I refuse to believe you. You swore you did not want Veronica, but your lies have caught up with you. Very well, you are welcome to her. Tomorrow I will travel to the convent with my mother and sister.”

She began gathering up her things. “Share the solar with her, if you like. Go ahead and declare me mad, it matters not. Your mistress already thinks me insane.”

Dominic grasped her arm and swung her around to face him. “You eavesdropped on my conversation with Veronica. You did not hear me agree, did you? You are going nowhere. You are my wife. You belong here with me. And jealousy does not become you.”

“I am not jealous. I am furious, and tired of your lies. I know you do not care for me, but please try not to make it look so obvious.”

“Where is the damn brooch? I will return it to Veronica immediately.”

“Do not bother. I already returned it. Release me. The feasting will begin soon, and I am needed in the hall.”

Dominic did not try to stop her. She was in no mood to listen, no matter what he said. Damnation, he hated it that Rose had heard that particular conversation between him and Veronica.It had meant naught. He was just listening to Veronica’s inane ramblings until he could take his leave. Rose might be many things but she was not mad. A slow smile curved his lips. She was, however, jealous. Considering everything, Rose’s jealousy was not a bad thing.

Dominic washed, changed and hurried down to the hall to celebrate Twelfth Night with his guests. He hoped things would be better between him and Rose after they left. Veronica had been a thorn in his side ever since her unexpected arrival at Dragonwyck. He could not imagine why he had once wanted to wed the woman.

The barons continued to press Dominic to join their rebellion against King John; the urgency of the situation had not diminished. The importance of the charter and Dominic’s participation was openly discussed during all their private conversations, but Dominic sat on the horns of his dilemma. He hoped that the king would mend his ways soon, for he truly did not know what he would do should the barons pursue civil war.

The king had given Dragonwyck to Dominic with a. definite purpose in mind. He wanted Dominic to report on his barons’ covert activities, but Dominic could not in good faith betray men who only wanted what was due them. Nothing in the Articles of the Barons was seditious, and the only rebellious part was the barons’ threat to march on London if John did not sign the articles.

“You are deep in thought, Dragon. Dare I hope you are thinking of me?”

Dominic looked into Veronica’s glittering gaze and felt a sudden chill. “What kind of tales have you been feeding my wife, Veronica?”

“Naught but the truth. We are lovers—do not pretend otherwise. Rose is no fool.”

” Tis over, Veronica. We are no longer lovers. Why can you not believe that?”

Veronica gave him a startled look. “Have you developed feelings for the woman you were forced to wed? Never tell me you love her, for I refuse to believe you.”

“Love is a strong word, and an even stronger emotion.” He grew thoughtful.“Rose is different from any woman I have known. Were she born a man, she would be a fierce warrior. I will not tell you I love her, but one does not have to love a woman to admire her.”

“You admired me once.”

“Aye, I did, and I still do, but what we had together cannot continue. Our lives have changed.”

“Mayhap
your
life has changed, Dragon, but mine has not, nor have my feelings. I will leave tomorrow with my cousin, but you have not heard the last from me.”

Dominic cursed beneath his breath as Veronica flounced off. Tomorrow could not come too soon as far as he was concerned.

Roses will always be one of life’s great mysteries.

—Anonymous

The guests left and the castle returned to normal. Rose missed her mother and sister but respected their wish to remain at the convent. Her threat to go with them came to naught, for Dragon refused to let her leave. Rose acquiesced without a fight; she hoped that living with Dragon would not be so bad without Veronica around to make trouble.

Aside from constantly training with his knights in the tilt yard, Dragon saw to his vassals’ welfare, held manor court and performed countless other duties as lord of the manor.

Rose assumed the duties that her mother had previously performed. Numerous problems associated with being lady of the keep occupied her days. But her evenings were spent with Dragon in the solar, sitting before the hearth and talking, sometimes alone and sometimes with others. The nights, however, belonged solely to Rose and Dragon.

Dragon was a tireless, experienced lover, and Rose enjoyed every moment of his lovemaking. If he was thinking of Veronica while he loved her, Rose preferred not to know, for her life was going so well that she wanted to keep it that way.

Shortly after Twelfth Night the king’s marcher warden paid them a visit. Sir Garth seemed inordinately interested in their recent houseguests and questioned Dragon as to the purpose of their visit. Though Dragon appeared unperturbed, Rose could not help worrying. The intensity and tone of Sir Garth’s questioning sounded ominously like an inquisition.

“What was that all about?” Rose asked after Sir Garth’s departure.

Dominic shrugged. The king’s lackey was probably miffed because he was not invited to the keep and wanted to let me know he is someone of importance. There is naught to worry about, love.”

Rose sincerely hoped not.

January sped by in a flurry of activity. It was a time for repair work. Fences were mended and barns and outbuildings repaired when weather permitted. February arrived, and with it Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. It was celebrated with indoor games and sports. Wheat and rye sown during Michaelmas were already poking up through the ground, and Rose began to anticipate Easter and the arrival of spring. The renewal of all growing things instilled Rose with the hope that her marriage to Dragon would grow and prosper.

Dominic had never been so content. Dragonwyck was prospering, and his marriage to Rose had brought unexpected benefits. Making love to Rose was more pleasure than duty. So much a pleasure that he had completely forgotten he had once wanted to wed Veronica.

Dominic’s position as a marcher baron was a precarious one, however, and placed him in an awkward position. He wanted to join the barons’ struggle against the king, but his integrity would not let him. Honor demanded that he obey the king’s command and be tray the barons’ plans to march on London, but he could not. Keeping the information from John, however, meant betraying his king. It seemed he could follow neither course with a clear conscience.

April arrived. The Holy Days and Easter were celebrated with great joy. A messenger from the king arrived the Tuesday after Easter. His arrival was unexpected, and Dominic felt a chill of apprehension creep up his spine when the messenger handed him a rolled parchment bearing the king’s seal. He sent the messenger off to the kitchen for refreshment, then motioned for Rose to join him as he broke the seal on the parchment and read the contents.

“What is it, Dominic?”

“A message from the king.”

“What does he want?”

Dominic spit out a curse.There is trouble on the Welsh border. The western marcher barons have requested help from the king. John wants me to muster my knights and report to him at Westminster without delay.”

“Oh, no! How long do you expect to be gone?”

“I have no idea.”

“Must you go?”

“Aye. As the king’s vassal, I am bound by sacred oath to defend England.”

“I will miss you, but worry not about Dragonwyck. I am perfectly capable of defending the keep should it become necessary.”

Her confidence brought a smile to Dominic’s lips. “You have the spirit of a warrior, wife. I doubt not your ability to defend Dragonwyck, but you will be leaving when I do. King John asked me to bring you to Westminster.”

Dominic tried not to alarm Rose, but something in John’s request bothered him. What did the king want with Rose? A terrible thought struck him. Did John want Rose for a hostage? If so, why? He had done naught to earn the king’s displeasure.

Unless…

Nay, the king could not know that the barons had confided in him, or asked him to join their cause. The meeting with the barons had been private and attended solely by those involved with the articles.

“Surely you jest,” Rose said, eyeing the parchment with misgivings. “What could the king want with me?‘Twould serve him better if I remained at Dragonwyck.

Go without me, Dominic. I prefer to remain home.” Her voice hardened.“I fear I would spit in his eye should we meet face to face. I cannot forgive the man responsible for my father’s death.”

Fear rose in Dominic’s throat. He was willing to bet that no good would come of Rose’s summons to Westminster. Something was amiss, terribly amiss. Furthermore, Rose’s enmity toward the king troubled Dominic. After he left for the Welsh marches, Rose would be without protection and vulnerable to the king’s whim. The sudden impulse to take his wife where the king’s long arm could not reach her rose strong and urgent within him.