Rose watched Murdoc warily. She knew he had a fierce temper and did not like to be thwarted. As soon as she got Dragon alone, she would tell him to exercise caution in his dealings with her uncle.
“How long will you stay, Uncle?” Rose asked.
“I havena decided,” Murdoc said, aiming a sidelong glance at Gunn, who was still glaring malevolently at Dominic. “Much depends on the weather.”
“I will have chambers prepared for you and Gunn,” Rose said.“The others can bed down in the hall or the barracks.If you will excuse me, I should check our stores and confer with the cook.”
“I, too, must leave you and your kinsmen to your own devices, unless you care to watch my knights engage in mock battle,” Dominic said. “I train with them every day regardless of the weather.”
“My kinsmen and I would enjoy watching the great Dragon Lord train his knights,” Murdoc said in a mocking tone of voice.
The men left, and Rose hurried off, praying that no further trouble would develop, and that her uncle’s visit would be of short duration. She knew, however, that her uncle had come with the intention of seizing Ayrdale and wedding her to his stepson. With a foothold in England, Murdoc would be in a position of power rarely granted to a Scotsman.
Rose shivered when she thought of how close she had come to wedding Gunn. With her father gone, there was no way to prove or disprove Murdoc’s claim that a marriage had been arranged between her and Gunn. And since Murdoc was her closest male relative, he would have seized her lands and taken charge of her life to suit his own purposes.
Rose located the steward and together they checked the stores, which proved to be adequate as long as the hunters continued to bag fresh game. Emily and Blythe joined her as she conferred with the cook and went over the menu for the evening meal. After a day of training in the cold, the men would return hungry.
Satisfied with the adequacy of the stores, Rose left her two ladies to oversee the preparation of the meal while she went to the alehouse to see if there was sufficient ale on hand to satisfy Scotsmen with large capacities for the fermented brew. She retrieved her cloak from a hook beside the kitchen door and headed outside. A yeasty, earthy smell greeted her as she opened the door to the alehouse and stepped inside.
The alewife was not there, but Rose did not need her. She counted the barrels of ale and deemed them satisfactory. When she turned to leave, she found her uncle standing just inside the closed door, blocking her exit.
“Uncle, you frightened me,” Rose said.“I thought you were on the training field with the others.”
“I was, but slipped away for a private word with ye, lass. I saw ye enter the alehouse and followed.”
“Tis cold in here,” Rose said.“Shall we return to the keep?”
“Nay, ‘tis best we speak in private.” Hands crossed over his massive chest, legs spread wide apart, he barked, “I dinna accept yer marriage to this English devil.”
“You cannot change what is done.”
“There is always something one can do, lass.”
Rose shook her head. “My marriage has been consummated.”
Murdoc made a dismissive motion with his hand.“It matters not. Scottish laws are nay so strict as yer English ones. Ye were wed against yer will, and yer father promised ye to another. Come away with me to Scotland. I have but to grease a few palms to have yer marriage to the Dragon declared invalid, leaving ye free to wed Gunn.”
“I cannot leave my home and my people,” Rose demurred.
“Ye will not be required to remain long in Scotland,” Murdoc promised. “Lowlanders will rally to my cause when they learn I have legal claim to a slice of English borderland. Once we rout the Dragon, you and Gunn can return to the keep as husband and wife. I trust Gunn. He will protect Ayrdale from English aggression. I have long wanted Ayrdale, ye ken.”
“Think you it will be easy to rout Dragon?” Rose challenged. Though she had not wanted to wed her husband, she was English and preferred that she and her lands remain that way.
“There isna an Englishman alive or dead who can match a Scot in brains or brawn,” Murdoc bragged.
“I cannot leave,” Rose reiterated. “Besides, think of the bloodshed and needless deaths. Dragonwyck’s knights are all loyal Englishmen and would not surrender easily. Leave be, Uncle. I will try to make the best of my marriage to Dragon.”
His face set in harsh lines, Murdoc closed the distance between them and grasped Rose’s arms in a bruising grip.
“Ye will do as I say, lass. Ye will pretend that all is well when I announce my intention to return home. When Dragon is occupied elsewhere, ye will disguise yerself as a lad and ride off with us.”
“Nay! I will not!”
Murdoc gave her a shake that rattled her teeth.“Ye always were a stubborn lass. Yer father gave ye too much freedom. Too bad yer sister wasna the firstborn. I could manage her. Ye will do as I say, Rose.”
“Unhand me, Uncle, you are hurting me,” Rose cried, struggling to free herself.
“You heard my wife, unhand her.”
Rose looked over Murdoc’s shoulder at Dragon. Neither she nor Murdoc had heard him enter, but there he stood, larger than life, his face dark with rage.
Murdoc whirled. He reached for his dirk but thought better of it when Dragon’s hand settled on the hilt of his sword.
“I dinna hurt the lass.”
Dominic looked past Murdoc at Rose. “Did he hurt you?”
Rose shook her head. “Nay.” She slanted Murdoc a speaking glance. “He was but inquiring about my mother.”
Dominic gave her a skeptical look. “It looked as if you and Murdoc were arguing. Why did your uncle seek you out here? Tis an odd place to talk about family.”
“How did you know I was in the alehouse?” Rose asked. “Did you wish to speak to me about something?”
“I grew curious when I saw MacTavish sneak away and followed. He was not in the keep, and when Lady Emily told me you had gone to the alehouse, I decided to investigate. I see my instincts were right.”
“Ye canna keep me from speaking to my niece, Dragon,” Murdoc snarled.
“I can keep you from hurting her,” Dominic replied.“If you have something to say, tell me instead of intimidating my wife.”
” Tis all right, Dominic, truly,” Rose said, fearing that the animosity between Dominic and her uncle would explode into violence.
“I will leave ye now, lass,” Murdoc said, striding past Dominic and out the door. Think on what I said,” he threw over his shoulder.
“What did the Scotsman mean by that?” Dominic asked. “Are you and your uncle conspiring against me?”
“He meant naught,” Rose returned.“You are imagining things. I had best return to the keep. There is much to be done with extra men to feed and shelter.”
Dominic snagged Rose around the waist and pulled her against him when she tried to slip past him. “Not so fast, wife. Need I remind you that you are an English subject as well as my wife? Your loyalty should be to me and the king.”
“I am not dense, my lord,” Rose bit out.“‘Tis true I am English, but John Lackland is not a man who commands loyalty.”
Rose knew her words tempted fate and invited Dragon’s anger, but she could not help it. She was not the only English subject who despised the monarch. She opened her lips to tell Dragon as much when his mouth came down hard on hers. His kiss was not gentle. It was one of fierce possessiveness; a harsh reminder of the absolute authority he wielded over her. Taking exception to his domination, she grasped the eating knife she wore at her waist and brought the small blade against his throat. He released her instantly and backed away, his expression not at all what she expected.
He was smiling!
When he broke out in laughter, she turned and fled.
What would the rose with all her pride be worth,
were there no sun to call her brightness forth?
—Thomas Moore
Dominic laughed until he thought his sides would split. Did Rose think her puny blade would frighten him? He could have disarmed her with a mere flick of his wrist had he wanted to, but her absurd show of bravado amused him. Rose was fierce but misguided. He deemed himself a worthy opponent for his warrior wife; she had not the slightest hope of withholding anything from him, much less winning a battle of wits.
Dominic grinned all the way back to the keep. But the grin faded when he saw the visiting Scotsmen crowded around Murdoc in a dark comer of the hall, speaking together in hushed tones. Dominic supposed they were plotting mischief and realized he must remain extra vigilant and alert until they left.
Dominic couldn’t help wondering if Rose had joined with her uncle against him. He knew she did not want him for a husband, but how far would she go to be rid of him? Dominic had dealt with men like MacTavish before and would do whatever was necessary to save his demesne. As for his marriage, Rose had best remember that she was his property, and that challenging him would serve no purpose.
Eric of Carlyle hailed Dominic as he crossed the hall and he went to the captain of the guard. “You wished to speak with me, Sir Eric?”
The Scots,” Eric hissed. “Look at them. I trust them not. They caused no trouble when Lord Edwyn was alive, but with both Edwyn and Lady Nelda gone, they no longer have a reason to respect our borders. Dragonwyck is now fair game. MacTavish would kill for a piece of English soil. They bear watching, my lord.”
“I have come to the same conclusion, Eric. I want MacTavish watched every minute of every day they remain at Dragonwyck.”
“Aye, my lord,” Eric said as he took his leave.
“Do you have orders for me, master?” Raj asked, making his presence known.
Dominic whirled, not at all surprised to find Raj standing behind him. “Aye, Raj, indeed I do. I want you to watch my wife. You are the only one who can do it without attracting notice.”
Raj sent him an inscrutable look. “Am I to protect Lady Rose, my lord? She appears passing fond of her uncle. Think you he would harm her?”
“I am not sure. She might, however, betray me.”
Raj was clearly taken aback.“You jest, master. Your lady would not betray you. She is English to the core.”
“Rose likes me not,” Dominic groused. “She cannot forget that the king executed her father and gave me her demesne. She has good reason to change her allegiance. Her mother
is
a Scot, after all.”
“As you wish, master,” Raj said, “but who will protect your back while I am watching Lady Rose?”
“Worry not about me, Raj, I am fully capable of protecting myself.”
The hall was full to bursting that night as everyone gathered for the evening meal. A bard had shown up at the gate, offering his special skill in return for a meal and a night’s lodging. Despite the crowded conditions, Dominic was quick to offer his hospitality. He enjoyed a good tale as much as the next man and looked forward to the evening’s entertainment.
Dominic thrummed his fingers on the table as he waited for Rose to arrive so the meal could commence. He noted with a measure of satisfaction that conversation flowed easily, and he hoped that his suspicions about the Scotsmen were wrong. He would not know for sure, though, until MacTavish announced his attention to return home. And even then he would remain watchful.
Dominic glanced impatiently toward the solar, relieved when he saw Rose descending the stairs. His gaze slid over her shapely body, admiring the way her gold-trimmed green tunic flowed over the swell of her hips and the narrowness of her waist beneath a jeweled girdle. She looked almost regal with her blond braids wound around her head like a crown and covered with a sheer linen veil, held in place by a circlet of gold. He noted her eating knife dangling from her waist, and an unbidden smile curved his lips. How could she possibly think she could hurt him with that insignificant weapon?
As Rose glided toward him, Dominic felt himself grow hard in response and wondered how in God’s name he was going to get through the meal without embarrassing himself.
“Good evening, my lord,” Rose said with cool disdain.
Dominic rose and seated her with admirable aplomb, considering his state of arousal. Thank God for his braies and tunic.
“Your greeting lacks warmth, wife,” Dominic said as he signaled the servants to begin serving the meal. “I am your husband, not a stranger.”
Rose sent him an acerbic look.” Tis no more than you deserve, my lord. I do not enjoy being laughed at. Nor do I like being threatened or falsely accused.”
Dominic helped himself from a platter of roasted lamb, chose a tender piece for Rose and placed it on her side of the trencher.“Did I accuse you falsely? Do you deny plotting against me with your uncle?”
Indignation flashed in Rose’s eyes. “I do not need to defend myself to you. Think what you want, my lord.” She lifted her eating knife and carefully cut her meat into manageable pieces.
“Rose,” Dominic warned, “why do you insist on taunting me? Think you that eating knife frightens me? Or that sword you brandished the day you challenged me at the portcullis?”
“Obviously not, but I hardly think it was amusing,” Rose huffed.
“I am a warrior. I can’t help being amused by women who arm themselves like men and pretend fierceness.”
Rose took a dainty bite of lamb, chewed, swallowed, then said,“‘Twas no pretense, my lord.” She let that statement sink in, then blithely continued.“Neither of us married mates of our own choosing. We have naught in common. The king you champion is a man I hold in contempt. Yet we must try to make the most of our unfortunate marriage. I have been thinking,” she ventured, “that I should like to visit my uncle’s demesne. An extended stay in Scotland may be the answer to our dilemma.”
A surge of anger nearly toppled Dominic from his chair. So he had not been wrong about Rose. What kind of mischief was she planning with her uncle?
“If you are thinking of dallying with Gunn,” he said very slowly, “forget it. No wife of mine will become another man’s whore.”
Rose knew she was deliberately goading Dragon, but it felt good. She would never forgive him for laughing at her. Though she had no intention of leaving Dragonwyck with her uncle, needling Dragon soothed her hurt pride. It did surprise her, however, that Dragon thought she wanted Gunn. It was even more startling that he sounded jealous of the Scotsman.