Connie Mason (16 page)

“Your relationship with Falcon.”

“Our discussion will be a short one then, for there is no relationship,” Mariah said evenly.

“Your son seems overly fond of Falcon.”

“Robbie is a child; he admires Falcon.”

“Do you admire him, too?”

“What are you hinting at, my lady?”

“Sir Osgood claims you are Falcon’s mistress.”

“Sir Osgood lies. Even the king is aware of his evildoing.”

“Still, you kept Falcon at Mildenhall while his brains were addled instead of allowing him to return to London for our wedding.”

“Your accusations are false,” Mariah corrected. “No one here was aware of Falcon’s identity. He could have been a simple peasant, for all we knew. He returned to London the moment he regained his memory. He would have died if my healer had not nursed him back to health.”

Rosamond sniffed. “Very well, I will allow you that much. But I give you fair warning. Falcon is mine. Stay away from him. You will no longer make him welcome in your bed.”

Anger roared through Mariah, and she clenched her hands to keep from placing them around Rosamond’s neck.

“Do you always speak so frankly?”

“Nay, just when another woman is infringing upon my property.”

“You are welcome to Falcon,” Mariah stated. “He holds me in little regard. Feel free to leave with him whenever you wish.” Spinning on her heel, her color high with anger, she strode out the door. She needed a breath of fresh air after her confrontation with Rosamond.

Edwina intercepted Mariah in the courtyard. “Who is that woman?” Edwina asked. “I do not like her.”

“Your instincts serve you well, Edwina. The lady is Rosamond of Norwich, Albert of Melrose’s widow.”

“What does she want here?”

“She has come to wed Falcon.”

Edwina snorted. “The woman is daft, Mariah, that wedding will never take place. Falcon will not have her.”

Mariah gaped at the healer. “What makes you say that? Rosamond has a great deal to offer Falcon.”

“ ’Tis not enough,” Edwina sniffed. “Mark my words, Mariah, Falcon does not want Rosamond.”

“But . . .” Before Mariah could voice her question, Edwina hobbled off, cackling to herself.

Mariah shook her head. Though Edwina’s ways were strange, she loved the woman dearly. Time would tell if Falcon would have Rosamond.

Falcon returned from the training field well in time to bathe and speak privately to Rosamond before the evening meal. There was a great deal for them to discuss before he made his decision.

A half hour later, Falcon stood outside Rosamond’s door. He rapped sharply. The door was opened by Rosamond’s maid. Rosamond heard him speaking to the girl and came to the door.

“Falcon, please come in. Have you come to escort me to supper?”

“We need to talk, Rosamond.”

Rosamond turned to her maid. “You are dismissed, Leticia. Return to help me prepare for bed.” The maid slipped out as Falcon stepped inside the chamber. Rosamond closed the door behind him. “Do you wish to discuss our wedding? Shall it take place at Mildenhall?”

“You take too much for granted, Rosamond,” Falcon said. “I am in no position to marry at this time.”

Rosamond tossed her dark head, her voice filled with scorn. “It’s because of
her
, isn’t it?”

“If you are referring to Lady Mariah, then yes, in a way it is because of her. Tell me, Rosamond—do you trust Sir Osgood?”

“I traveled with him, didn’t I?”

“Aye, and that surprises me. Osgood does naught unless it serves a purpose. He wants me to leave Mildenhall and is hoping you will lure me away.”

“Why do you care? Mildenhall means naught to you. My wealth puts Mariah’s widow’s portion to shame.”

“Mariah hasn’t enough men to properly protect Mildenhall. Once my men and I leave, she will become vulnerable to attack. Osgood cares not what the king says. He knows Henry will not bestir himself for so obscure a holding. If Osgood seizes control of Mildenhall and forces a marriage between Walter and Mariah, Henry will not interfere.”

Rosamond pressed herself against Falcon, looking up at him from her diminutive height. “Again I ask: Why do you care? You wanted me once, Falcon. I can make you want me again. Do you not remember how sweet our kisses were? I have learned a great deal since those innocent kisses we shared.”

Falcon felt her breasts pressing against his chest, heard the promise in her words and wondered why he hesitated. Rosamond was beautiful, passionate and eager to share her body with him. Desire began to build inside him. Wedding Rosamond would be the practical thing to do. He drew Rosamond into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers.

Then, unaccountably, he envisioned Robbie holding his arms out to him, and desire fled. He released Rosamond and stepped away.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded. “You were going to kiss me. What stopped you?”

“It isn’t the right time,” he demurred.

“The time will never be right as long as you remain at Mildenhall. Come home with me. We can be wed in the chapel at Norwich Castle. Papa is ill, Falcon. When he dies, there is no heir for the earldom. The king could very well give it to you.”

“We will speak of wedding plans after I leave Mildenhall. Meanwhile, you will continue on to Norwich with an escort I shall provide.”

“Nay, I will abide here until you are ready to leave,” Rosamond maintained. “I refuse to leave you to that whore and her bastard son.”

Falcon grasped her shoulders and gave her an ungentle shake. “I warned you, Rosamond. You are not to speak of Lady Mariah and her son in a disrespectful manner.”

Rosamond seized the opportunity Falcon afforded her by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his head down for a kiss. Stunned, Falcon felt his lips grow pliant beneath hers, and then he stiffened. It wasn’t Rosamond’s lips he wanted to kiss, it was—

“Oh, excuse me,” came Mariah’s voice. “I knocked, but you must not have heard me.”

Falcon groaned as he removed Rosamond’s arms from around his neck.

“What do you want?” Rosamond snapped.

Mariah was standing in the doorway, her gaze shifting from Falcon to Rosamond. “I was passing by your chamber and wondered if you needed help finding your way to the hall.” Her gaze returned to Falcon. “I didn’t know you had company.”

“Do you always enter a chamber without knocking?” Rosamond said.

“Forgive me. I did knock, and when I received no answer, I thought you were already in the hall and decided to make sure your chamber had been properly prepared. This
is
my home, after all, and I am responsible for the comfort of my guests.”

Falcon shook himself free of his languor. “Come, ladies, I will escort you both downstairs.”

“You may escort Lady Rosamond,” Mariah said. “I want to look in on Robbie first.”

Rosamond grasped Falcon’s arm, her possessiveness obvious as she sent Mariah a sly smirk. Falcon had no choice but to leave with Rosamond clinging to him. But it was Mariah he watched as she exited Rosamond’s chamber.

Confusion swamped Mariah. When Falcon’s betrothed had turned up at Mildenhall, she’d felt as if someone had delivered a fatal blow to her. How could Falcon make love to her one day and claim another as his betrothed the next? Following on that thought was another. Falcon, like most men, took what he wanted when he wanted. The promise of Rosamond’s wealth would be difficult to give up.

Now that the threat to Robbie’s inheritance had been resolved, Mariah decided it would be in her best interests if Falcon and his bride-to-be left Mildenhall. Seeing him with another woman hurt too much, and there was the added risk of Falcon learning that Robbie was his son.

Mariah found Robbie playing contentedly with some toy soldiers Sir Martin had carved for him. Mariah stayed
but a few moments, then left the nursery. She closed the door behind her and headed for the stairs; moments later she ran headlong into Falcon. He caught her against him and held her close. In a moment of madness, she melted against him. Then realizing her mistake, she stiffened.

“Why aren’t you with Rosamond?” Mariah asked, quickly regaining her senses.

“I excused myself. I wanted a moment alone with you.”

“You can release me now.”

He held her a moment longer, then dropped his arms. “I wanted you to know that I had naught to do with Rosamond showing up at Mildenhall. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to you.”

“So I gathered, but it changes naught. ’Tis obvious the match is a good one. I advise you to leave Mildenhall and pursue the life you’ve waited for so long.”

“I cannot leave yet. I do not trust Osgood. You and Robbie have need of my protection. I told Rosamond as much.”

Surprise colored Mariah’s words. “You told Rosamond you intended to remain at Mildenhall because we needed your protection? I cannot believe she accepted that.”

Falcon shrugged. “I advised her to return to Norwich and await me there, but she refused.”

“I’m not surprised. The lady does not like me and fears my influence over you. Little does she know I have no influence over you.” Her gaze met Falcon’s. “When do you plan to wed?”

“
If
, and I emphasize if, I decide to wed Rosamond, it won’t be until I’m certain Osgood will obey the king’s order and remain at Southwold.”

Stunned, Mariah asked, “You mean you are still undecided
about wedding Rosamond? Why do you hesitate? You have no ties to Mildenhall, no reason to offer protection.”

“My ties to Mildenhall are longstanding ones. You
did
save my life. If not for you and Edwina, I would have died. Though I cannot fathom why you and Edmond lied to me about your relationship, I still owe a debt of gratitude to Mildenhall. As a man of honor, I cannot leave you and Robbie without protection.”

“I release you from your debt,” Mariah said. “You have already proven Osgood’s charges to be false; naught stands in the way of Robbie’s inheritance.”

Falcon’s eyes narrowed. “Nay, I am not entirely certain Osgood’s charges are false. Robbie is the new earl by default. Osgood’s evildoing ruined his chances that I would award him this holding.” He stepped closer, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “We both know Edmond was incapable of siring a child.”

Fear spiraled through Mariah. Would Falcon never give up his search for Robbie’s sire? Why was he so determined to seek out the truth when it no longer mattered? What did he suspect?

“Believe what you want, but I know the truth.”

“What is the truth, Mariah?” His voice was firm, unforgiving.

Rather than lie, Mariah pressed her lips firmly together, refusing to answer. She had told her household to shave a year off Robbie’s age if questioned by Falcon. How much lower could she stoop to keep her secret?

Falcon’s fingers dug into her shoulders. “Answer me, Mariah. Who is Robbie’s father?”

“Release me! You’ll be missed if you don’t return to the hall immediately.”

Falcon stared at her full, lush lips. He recalled how soft they felt pressed against his, remembered the sweetness of her mouth, and couldn’t stop himself from lowering his head and kissing her. The moment his mouth claimed hers, all thoughts of Rosamond and her wealth faded. Naught mattered but the woman in his arms, the woman responding to his kisses, the woman whose body he knew so well.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The strident voice broke them apart. Both turned as one to an irate Rosamond.

“How dare you try to seduce my betrothed!” Rosamond hissed. “Come, Falcon, we shall leave Mildenhall immediately.”

“If you leave, it will be without me,” Falcon said evenly. “I have not yet agreed to a betrothal between us.”

“Oh!” Rosamond cried, angrily stomping her foot. “The whore has bewitched you. She has naught to offer but her body; why do you continue to pursue her?”

Mariah’s cheeks flamed; she was embarrassingly aware that Falcon said naught to Rosamond in her defense. She turned and fled.

Supper that night was an uncomfortable affair. Rosamond clung to Falcon like a leech throughout the meal while staring daggers at Mariah. Falcon knew Mariah was angry at him and didn’t blame her. Things were happening too fast, and making love to Mariah hadn’t helped matters. Being with her, inside her, had dredged up memories he had kept buried for five long years.

The one truth he had learned from their coupling was that he still wanted Mariah. His passion for her, despite her lies, had not died. But Mariah was not for him. A woman who would cuckold her husband with Falcon and perhaps others was not the kind of woman he wanted for a wife. Besides that, she would bring naught to the marriage. Little Robbie, when he reached his majority, would inherit Mildenhall and all its assets.

“Falcon, did you not hear me?” Rosamond asked, jerking Falcon from his reverie.

“Forgive me, Rosamond, I have much on my mind. Were you speaking to me?”

“I asked you to escort me to my chamber. I am weary.”

Falcon rose, more than happy to end this interminable meal. “Lady Mariah, the meal was delicious,” he said to Mariah. “Lady Rosamond is weary and wishes to retire.”

Mariah nodded without looking at him. Rosamond swept past Mariah without acknowledging her and, clinging to Falcon’s arm, made a grand exit.

They climbed the stairs in silence, but when Falcon would have left Rosamond at her door, she refused to release him. “Come in for a moment, Falcon. I want to know your decision concerning our marriage. If you refuse to wed me, I shall leave and seek a husband elsewhere.” She sniffed. “You aren’t the only man looking to wed a fortune. I refuse to wait around for your answer when I can do much better than a mere knight.”

Though Rosamond’s words angered Falcon, he knew she was right. Since it didn’t look as if the king was in any hurry to find him a wealthy bride or grant him a title, refusing Rosamond made no sense. John had called him a fool, and he was beginning to think his friend was right. If he didn’t accept her proposal, he could lose Rosamond, her lands and quite possibly a title once her father passed on. But if he did accept, it meant he would never see Mariah and Robbie again.