The Defiant Bride (9 page)

C
HAPTER
7

D
ariana opened her
eyes. The stabbing early morning light filtered through the colored window glass and changed the indistinguishable shapes of the chamber into chairs and a table. She was aware of a throbbing in her head and an emptiness in her stomach when she remembered she had not eaten a proper meal in what seemed like forever. The evening past she had had her share of the wine, though. She also recalled the passion shared with William. Blood heated her cheeks at the thought. If she had but known the pleasures a man could offer, she might not have resisted her husband at all, but instead might have encouraged him. She tried to recall her anger. He had forced her into marriage, but it was foolish to hold to ire on principle. She’d wanted him from the first. She’d missed him when he was gone from the forest and had been delighted when he returned for her. There was no point to her fury now. She desired him. Love? Lust? She was ashamed by her wanton thoughts. She eased herself away from the man who was her husband. She forced
her thoughts to other things. Dariana was hoping the servants would be about so she could get some bread or cheese to quiet the gnawing in her stomach.

She was attempting to extricate herself from the bed when she realized her hair was entangled about him. Trying not to waken him, she tugged at the hair that held her captive. It was not easy work. Dariana was growing frustrated, especially when it seemed disengaging herself would take all morning. Her hunger was growing more insistent by the minute.

So intent was she on her labor, she was startled when William laughed. “Having trouble, my love?”

“Get of my hair.”

“Now, now, sweeten your tongue or I shall stay here forever.” His eyes traveled to her exposed breasts. He reached out a hand to stroke one delicate pink peak.

“Take your hand of me and release my hair.” She felt the weight of the indignity of it all and was prepared for no more. But, she reasoned, a little bit of sugar might not hurt, if it accomplished her goal. “Please.”

William grinned wolfishly and did not even try to mask his enjoyment of her dilemma. “If you give me a good morning kiss, I shall consider it.”

“I shall strike no such bargain. Either you declare yourself or I shall simply wait you out.” She had her pride to consider, after all.

“Very well. Kiss me and I shall release you. On my honor.”

Dariana took a deep breath. She closed her eyes. But there was no pressure on her mouth. She was confused. “I thought you bargained for a kiss.”

“Aye, but the bargain was for you to kiss me. Come on now.” William was enjoying this game.

Dariana took another deep breath and let it out in a resigned sigh. She leaned into William to peck him on the mouth. But before she could retreat, he took hold of her arms in an iron grip and pulled her to him, covering her mouth with his own, plundering it with his tongue. Then he released her.

“I am not greedy. There will be more of that later.” His grin infuriated her.

Dariana fell back, confused, wanting more, but ashamed of her need of him. Determined he should not know the effect he had on her body, she ignored him as she jumped from the bed
and dressed, knowing his eyes never left her. Without so much as a backward glance, she flung open the door to flee the room, unsure if her haste was due to hunger or frustration at the myriad emotions coursing through her. She was supposed to hate this man or at least feel resentment. Yet, her body responded outrageously. She wanted him to move his hands over her skin again and rouse the heated dragon that curled in her belly waiting to breathe fire. She had never experienced feelings like this. They confused her. If any man had inspired her in the past, she would be long married. And then none of this would have transpired. She knew she had to gather her wits. She must think, sort out all the conflicting thoughts, then decide on a course of action. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Self-pity would not solve any problems. For now, she needed food.

At the bottom of the stone steps, she spied Leah at a table, talking quietly to Richard. She was intent on the man and it took her a few moments to notice Dariana.

“Come, sit and eat with us. I see you survived the night. Is your head still aching?”

“How did you know? About my head?”

“It seemed to me you are unused to drink. You did partake more than your share last eve. Did it aid you?” Leah was smiling kindly at her. And Richard seemed embarrassed. “And my brother? How goes he this morn?” She lifted her eyes over Dariana’s head to gaze at William as he approached the table.

William wore the most lascivious grin. Dariana huffed and turned her back to him. He slid in beside her and stroked her back. She squirmed under the pleasure his caress evoked, her ire rising.

“Now, my love, you should act the devoted wife or my sister and Richard will get the wrong impression. They are under the notion that ours is a love match.”

“Do not touch me, you son of the devil,” Dariana hissed under her breath. Then, remembering Leah and Richard, she turned. “Forgive me, I meant no shame to fall to you. But I fear William is sorely lacking in the manners of a gentle-born knight. If I didn’t know better, I would swear he fostered with wolves.” Richard cleared his throat, obviously stifling laughter.

William ignored his wife’s comments. “Did you both know that Dariana managed virtually alone in the king’s forest for nearly a year?” He was obviously still incredulous at the information.

“It surprises me not,” Leah responded. “She must have been strong and full of courage to survive so long in the forest with no protection. Let’s hope she fares as well against Melissa.”

“Melissa?” Dariana raised her eyebrows ever so slightly.

“Yes, William, pray tell her about Melissa.”

Both women were staring at William now, and he grew uncomfortable. Luckily for him, it was then that the servants appeared with food to break their fast. With the servants were his two young squires.

“I’m starving,” William announced too loudly, relief at the interruption evident in his tone. “Squires, come and greet your new lady,” he said to the two, who were fascinated by her. They approached slowly. It was clear to William that both were more smitten by her this morning than they had been the day before.

“May I introduce Brian, future Lord of Dorset and Arthur, heir to Folkestone. Squires, this is your lady.” Each lad in turn took her hand, bowed low over it, then moved away, blushing furiously. As each retreated, he bumped into the other and both nearly fell. Recovering, they hurried from the room, clumsy and awkward.

“Whatever is wrong with them this morn?” William asked no one in particular.

“I wonder?” Leah gave Dariana a wink. Then all fell silent as they ate their morning meal. Richard excused himself to see to other matters and Dariana could see that Leah felt his absence.

Finally, it was Leah who broke the silence. “William, there are matters to be discussed regarding your marriage. We must prepare a letter to the king requesting an audience and we must decide what to tell others, such as Melissa, so she will not run to Henry before you have your say to him. Also, there is the mater of Dariana’s father to consider. It will be quite a shock for him to discover she is both alive and newly wed.”

At the mention of her father, Dariana grew pensive. “I’d very much like to return to my home and see my father, William. If the wrath of the king is to befall him, he should have fair warning. I can never make this up to him and if his wrath toward me is terrible, I deserve nothing less. I have served my own selfish wants and put him at unforgivable risk. I must face whatever he has in store when he discovers my lie.”

“We shall depart as soon as you can prepare. But as for the wrath of the king, you should know that this Henry is naught
like his father. This Henry will appreciate your courage and strength. His father would indeed have labeled you rebel and doled out some terrible punishment, while his son will certainly enjoy exacting a fine, which I can well afford to pay. However, our timing is crucial. The king cannot be caught unawares. He must hear about this mater from my lips rather than through court gossip. We cannot afford to offend him. So we must conceal all until the king has been told. Especially from Melissa, who would delight in ruining our chances for leniency as a means to settle the affront to her.”

“Who is this Melissa?” Dariana asked.

“Why, my betrothed, of course,” William declared, laughter evident in his voice.

“Your what?” Dariana choked.

“The papers were never actually signed,” William soothed.

Fury rose like a wild animal and Dariana’s breathing came in short, hard gasps. It took her a moment to regain control. “My ears deceive me, surely. Either that or I am still in the forest, asleep and enmeshed in some outrageous dream. After all, it is not possible that a knight kidnapped me, forced me into an unwanted marriage against my will and the king’s, only to then inform me he is betrothed to another. It is not possible.” Dariana’s voice was tight, but her eyes flashed dangerously. She stood and turned to run from the room, tears stinging behind her eyes, but William had her by the waist before she could go more than a few feet. He looked over his shoulder to his sister and spoke quietly.

“Leah, dear, could you leave us to our privacy? There are things I need explain to my wife.”

“Yes, there are.” Leah moved from the room, shaking her head.

Once Leah left, William spun Dariana around to face him, still grasping her waist so she could not flee.

“You are despicable,” she spat.

“I am madly in love with you.”

“As you love Melissa?”

“I could only love you. And I never loved Melissa. If truth be told, I never even liked her.”

“Of course, that is why you suggested marriage to her? Do you take me for a complete fool, lacking in all reason?”

“Dariana—I have never loved another. The betrothal to Melissa was a convenience. She possesses some land I desire and
I was feeling the need to produce an heir. It was as simple as that. I never could bring myself to execute the betrothal contracts. It was as if I somehow knew I was waiting for you to come into my life. Now have I satisfied your curiosity? Or would you care to continue exhibiting your jealous rage?”

“Jealous rage? My lord, you do flatter yourself. I am merely concerned with inviting more of the king’s wrath by being the one responsible for breaking your betrothal contract. I have trouble enough and I want no more.”

“So you see, love, your jealousy is for naught. There is no written contract to break and you are my one and only love—”

At that she swung at his head and he deftly avoided the blow. “Let go of me, you lout.” William bent and touched his lips to hers. His response further infuriated her.

“Let me go, I say!”

“Certainly, my love. But then you must hurry and prepare.” He pushed her from him.

“Prepare?”

“You said you wished to pay your father a visit. Or did I mishear?”

She softened her tone instantly. “Oh, William, will you truly take me to see my father?” There was hope and excitement in her voice.

“I gave my word, love, and I shall never break a promise to you lest God himself step from heaven to intervene.”

Dariana took a step toward him, her anger evaporated. Standing on tiptoe, she placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, William. I shall gather my things.”

Dariana’s delicate cheeks paled and her hands shook ever so slightly. They had just caught sight of Linford Manor, her home. It was more castle than humble abode and clearly built to sustain any onslaught. The gray stone walls rose to battlements and guards paced above. William wondered as to her apparent nervousness.

“Is this the woman who fearlessly lived alone in the wild? Affrighted by a mere mortal old enough to be her father?” William made his tone light to take her thoughts from her fears. Dariana
seemed not to hear. “And to think this beautiful creature beside me lived but a short day’s ride from my own home. But then, you were probably a most unsightly child.”

“I was not,” Dariana responded, then laughed out loud when he saw her realize he had accomplished his purpose. “I am worried how he will take it, William. My being alive, I mean. It has been so long that the man has thought me dead, after all. I worry he will hate me. That I could not bear.” Her voice was so forlorn William ached to take her in his arms, but that would prove more than awkward on horseback. Instead, he reached over to squeeze her hand. She smiled. William swore he had never beheld a more beautiful sight in his life.

As they approached the gatehouse, the challenge rang out. “Who goes there?”

“’Tis I, Dariana, daughter of the earl.”

“She is dead and you lie,” came the response. “Tell the truth or the next breath you take will surely be your last.”

“Evan, is that you?”

“If it were, how come you to know my name?” the man called back, suspicion in his tone.

“I know it as I knew it all the years you welcomed me home after my rides in the countryside. I am who I claim. Come, look closer before you threaten my life.”