Connie Mason (15 page)

Osgood’s laughter lingered in the air as he wheeled his horse and rode away, leaving Rosamond and the small cart bearing her trunk and maid behind.

“God’s bones, Rosamond, what do you here?” Falcon asked, a mixture of surprise and annoyance coloring his words. “And why, pray tell, were you traveling with Sir Osgood? The man is a disgrace to knighthood.”

“Invite me inside and I will tell you,” Rosamond said archly. “ ’Tis discourteous of you to keep me standing here.”

Falcon ordered the gate raised and stepped aside. “Forgive me, I wasn’t expecting you.”

Rosamond indicated the cart that Osgood had abandoned when he’d left. “Kindly summon someone to help my maid and drive the cart bearing my trunk to the keep.”

Falcon issued orders to one of his men, who immediately handed the maid down, climbed into the cart and took up the reins. Then Falcon helped Rosamond dismount and escorted her and her maid to the keep and up the stairs into the hall. A tense silence prevailed as those milling about turned as one to watch the dark beauty stride into the hall on Falcon’s arm.

Mariah saw them enter and went utterly still. Though
she did not know the woman’s identity, Mariah’s instincts told her the haughty beauty meant trouble. Remembering her manners, she approached the lady to wish her welcome.

“I am Lady Mariah, Countess of Mildenhall,” she said, summoning a smile she didn’t feel. “I bid you welcome.”

Rosamond sniffed disdainfully. “I am Lady Rosamond, widow of Sir Albert of Melrose, daughter of the Earl of Norwich.”

Mariah stiffened.
Rosamond
. ’Twas a name she knew well. Falcon would be wed to her now had he not lost his memory.

“What brings you to Mildenhall, my lady?” Mariah asked when she noted the size of Rosamond’s trunk as it was carried into the hall. “You have traveled some distance out of your way if you are journeying to your father’s keep in Norwich.”

“My throat is parched and I am exhausted from my journey up from London,” Rosamond said, ignoring Mariah’s question. “I will be happy to explain my presence once I am made comfortable.”

“Forgive my lack of hospitality,” Mariah replied. “Falcon, please escort Lady Rosamond to a comfortable chair before the hearth while I take her maid into the kitchen and fetch something for Lady Rosamond to eat and drink.”

Osgood’s parting words before he had left Rosamond at the gate kept resonating through Falcon’s mind. What did they mean? Was Rosamond really here to claim him as her husband? Did she have the king’s blessing?

Once Rosamond was made comfortable, Falcon asked, “When did your husband die? I wasn’t aware of it.”

“Albert died in France nearly a year ago. I’m not surprised you hadn’t heard about it, for he died of a fever, not in battle. I’ve been in mourning and only recently returned to court.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Falcon said. He hesitated a moment, then asked, “What did Osgood mean when he said he was delivering my bride to me?”

Rosamond favored Falcon with a coquettish smile. “Osgood spoke the truth. You wanted me once, Falcon, but unforseen circumstances came between us. Now that I am free to wed again, our match can proceed. I am still a wealthy woman, for my dowry was returned to me after Albert’s death, and the lands left to me by my mother are still mine. I have everything you want in a wife.”

Mariah returned, followed by a servant carrying a tray laden with food and drink. Rosamond helped herself to ale, cheese and bread. After quenching her thirst, she looked up at Mariah and asked sweetly, “What think you, my lady? Does a match between me and Falcon not make sense? The king seems to think so.”

The stricken look on Mariah’s face made Falcon want to place a hand over Rosamond’s mouth to silence her. But the lady wouldn’t be silenced.

“I have wealth and land, everything Falcon desires from a marriage,” Rosamond purred. “He wanted me once, and now that I am available again, naught stands in the way of a match between us.”

“Why did the king not mention this to me before I left London?” Falcon wanted to know.

“Henry hadn’t considered it until I approached him, but I believe he would have gotten around to seeing me as a mate for you sooner or later. He is newly returned to England
after a long absence and had more important things on his mind. Everyone knows he’s been looking for an heiress for you to wed, so I reminded him that I am available and willing.”

Falcon’s eyes narrowed. “Are we to wed by the king’s order?”

Rosamond hesitated.

“The truth, lady, for I have but to send a message to the king for verification.”

Rosamond sighed. “Though he did not order us to wed, he hoped you would find the match appealing.”

“So the choice is mine to make,” Falcon said.

Rosamond smiled up at him, her eyes promising untold delights. “Aye, but I hope to convince you of the rightness of it. Do you remember how well we dealt with one another when we were betrothed?”

“Aye, I remember. But I also recall how quickly you wed another when I failed to show up for our wedding.”

Rosamond shrugged. “ ’Twas Papa’s doing. When the search parties returned without you, we all assumed you were slain by bandits and eaten by wild animals. Sir Albert immediately offered for me. Papa deemed it a good match and saw no reason to wait. I had naught to say about it.”

Falcon glanced at Mariah, saw her staring at Rosamond and wondered what she was thinking.

“I will have a chamber prepared for you, Lady Rosamond,” Mariah said. “Is your stay to be a lengthy one?”

“That depends on Falcon,” Rosamond purred. “If you have a resident priest, we can be wed immediately and leave Mildenhall for London to receive the king’s blessing.”

Falcon did not answer immediately. He needed time to think before committing himself to Rosamond, even though marriage to the wealthy heiress would gain him everything he had ever desired. He would no longer be a landless knight. It was difficult to forget, however, that she had waited less than a fortnight after his supposed death to wed another.

“I need time to think,” Falcon said.

Rosamond voiced her displeasure with Falcon’s answer. “What is there to think about? The match is a good one.” She turned her glittering gaze on Mariah. “What say you, Lady Mariah? Do you not agree with me? Falcon has made no secret of his desire to wed wealth and acquire land through his bride.”

Mariah lifted her eyes to Falcon, eyes shadowed by an emotion Falcon found difficult to read. “Falcon is his own man. He will do as he wishes.” She turned away. “Excuse me; I must see to your lady’s chamber. Let me know if you require the services of Father Francis.”

“Mama! Falcon!” Robbie spied his mother from across the hall, ran toward the group and skidded to a halt before her. Mariah scooped him up and carried him away from Falcon and Rosamond.

“So that’s Lady Mariah’s bastard,” Rosamond said disparagingly.

An unaccountable anger made Falcon turn on Rosamond. “The boy’s name is Robbie, and I have yet to prove his birth is anything but legitimate. If you continue to refer to him as a bastard, I shall have to ask you to leave.”

“Sir Osgood swears that his brother was too ill and too old to get his wife with child,” Rosamond argued.

“Sir Osgood is an immoral man with an evil tongue. Believe naught of what he says.”

“If you believe the child to be legitimate, why are you still here? Could it be Lady Mariah who keeps you at Mildenhall? Sir Osgood told me she is your mistress.”

Falcon muttered a curse beneath his breath. “What keeps me at Mildenhall is Lady Mariah’s need for protection. I do not trust Osgood. Once I leave, there is naught to stop him from riding roughshod over Mildenhall. And the king cannot spare men at this time to come to Mariah’s aid. The bulk of his army is protecting England’s borders from the Welsh and the Scots.”

“Do you deny that Lady Mariah is your mistress?” Rosamond prodded.

“I cannot believe this conversation is taking place, lady. Norwich is but a day’s ride from here; perhaps you should remove yourself to your father’s keep and await my answer there. I will provide an escort for you.”

Rosamond rose to her diminutive height. “Nay, Falcon, I will await your answer here. I am weary; I should like to rest.”

Mariah returned just then. “Your chamber is being prepared as we speak, my lady, and your maid awaits you there. Allow me to show you the way.”

Falcon watched the women leave, his mind spinning with confusion. Why hadn’t he jumped at the chance to wed Rosamond? At one time he had been eager to wed the dark beauty. He still needed a wealthy bride and he still wanted land to call his own. Rosamond could provide both.

Sir John joined Falcon as he contemplated this surprising turn of events.

“You look befuddled, and I don’t blame you,” John said. “What brings Lady Rosamond to Mildenhall, in the company of Osgood, of all people?”

“Apparently the king is promoting a match between Rosamond and myself. Osgood told Rosamond that Mariah is my mistress, and she decided to come to Mildenhall to lay the proposal before myself.”

John choked back a laugh. “It must be nice to be sought after. You could do worse than Lady Rosamond.”

“Henry has left the decision of whether or not to wed her to me.”

John’s eyes widened. “Never say you’re thinking of refusing.”

Mariah reentered the hall; Falcon followed her with his eyes. “I haven’t made up my mind.”

John threw up his hands. “What is there to decide?” His gaze followed Falcon’s. “Ah, I see. ’Tis Lady Mariah you desire. You are a fool, Falcon. Lady Mariah can bring you naught but trouble. Osgood will never let this matter between them rest.”

“What do you suggest, John? That I wed Rosamond and leave Mildenhall unprotected? That I abandon Mariah and her son to Osgood’s machinations?”

“Henry will intervene if Osgood continues to harass Lady Mariah.”

Falcon shook his head. “You know that is not true. Henry’s army is spread too thin to come to the aid of a widow of no importance.”

“I wonder,” John mused. “You and Lady Mariah have a history together. She saved your life, though you appeared none too grateful when you first arrived at Mildenhall.”

“ ’Tis a long story, John. Mariah lied to me. I did not know the truth until I returned to Mildenhall. Nevertheless, she
did
save my life. My honor will not allow me to leave Mildenhall while the lady needs protection.”

“Are you sure that’s all there is to it?”

Falcon stiffened. “Your questions are beginning to annoy me. I would be better served if you joined the men on the training field. Your expertise with a broadsword is second to none.”

Sending Falcon a wry look, John took his leave.

A few minutes later, Mariah approached him and cleared her throat.

“Your betrothed has been made comfortable,” she reported. “Will you be wed here or at Norwich?”

“I have yet to agree to the marriage,” Falcon growled, his mood deteriorating from bad to worse.

“According to Lady Rosamond, there
will
be a wedding. She was quite adamant about it.”

Falcon chose not to reply.

“You would be a fool not to wed her, Falcon. She was your first choice, and wedding her now is still to your advantage.”

Falcon’s gaze met hers, held, and then he looked away. “You’re right, of course. I am a lucky man. But do not rush me into marriage when my work here is far from done. Once I am certain Osgood has resigned himself to losing Mildenhall, I will leave.”

Mariah’s mouth dropped open. “You will stay, even though you despise me for lying to you?”

“I do not despise you, Mariah. I loathe what you did, but I don’t hate you. All I’ve ever wanted from you is the truth.”

Mariah lowered her head. Falcon would never hear the truth about Robbie from her lips. The truth could cost her Mildenhall and her son. She couldn’t take that chance.

“Think you Lady Rosamond will accept your decision to remain at Mildenhall?”

Falcon shrugged. “She can wait at Norwich if she so desires. Wedding plans, if there is to be a wedding, will be deferred until I decide Osgood and his son are no longer a threat to you.”

“Lady Rosamond will not like that.”

“ ’Tis the way things have to be. I will speak to Rosamond and explain the situation.”

Mariah wished him luck. Rosamond did not seem to be blessed with patience. She had wed another far too soon after Falcon’s supposed death.

Mariah was about to excuse herself when Robbie ran into the hall—he rarely walked when he could run—with his nursemaid trailing behind him. He skidded to a halt before Falcon, raised his arms and said, “I want to ride on your shoulders, Falcon.”

“Robbie, nay,” Mariah scolded. “Falcon has no time for you.”

As if to disprove Mariah’s words, Falcon lifted Robbie up and set him on his shoulders. Laughing in delight, Robbie grasped a handful of Falcon’s hair to steady himself.

“Go, Falcon, go.”

“One turn around the hall and then I have to join my men on the training field,” Falcon told the lad.

“You will spoil him,” Mariah chided. “He is taking advantage of you.”

Falcon sent her a quelling look. “One turn around the
hall can do no harm. I will return him to you directly.” Then he took off.

Mariah wrung her hands as she watched Falcon parade around the hall with Robbie on his shoulders. Her son was becoming too fond of Falcon. He was bound to be hurt when Falcon left.

Falcon returned and set Robbie down on his feet. “I will see you at the evening meal,” he said as he strode off.

“I like Falcon,” Robbie said. “Can I have him for my papa?”

“No, you cannot,” a voice from behind Mariah answered.

Mariah spun around. “Lady Rosamond—I thought you were resting.”

“Send your bas . . . your son away. We need to talk.”

“Go along with Becca, darling. Mama wants to talk to our guest.”

“Will Becca take me to watch Falcon train?” Robbie asked.

“I’m sure she will if you ask her.”

Robbie skipped off. Mariah reached deep inside herself to summon a smile. “What is it you wish to discuss, my lady?”