“I was told Lady Veronica is an acquaintance of yours, Dragon,” Ashford said. “The other lady is my wife, Lady Cambra.”
Dominic stared at Veronica an unseemly length of time. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Memories of the pleasure they had once shared overwhelmed him.It was not until Rose poked him in the ribs that he found his tongue and introduced Rose.
“I already know Lord and Lady Ashford,” Rose acknowledged, deliberately ignoring Veronica. “Welcome to Dragonwyck. I hope your stay is a pleasant one.”
“I am sure it will be,” Veronica purred, looking directly at Dominic. “Your husband and I are old and intimate friends. I am looking forward to renewing our acquaintance.”
Veronica’s little speech earned a frown from Lady Cambra, but the brash beauty seemed not to care. Dominic, however, was flustered. A rare occurrence, and one he liked not. Having his mistress and wife under the same roof for twelve days was going to be awkward. And if Rose’s sour expression was any indication, there was going to be hell to pay.
“You and your party must be exhausted, Ashford,” Dominic said.“My steward will show you to your chambers and see to your needs. Perhaps you would prefer to sup in your chambers after your arduous journey,” Dominic suggested tactfully.
“I am not in the least tired,” Veronica said brightly.
“I fear I have not the hearty constitution of my cousin,” Lady Cambra said.“Supping in my chamber sounds wonderful.” She smiled wanly. “It has been a trying day.”
“I will join my wife,” Ashford said.“I want to be fresh for the hunt tomorrow. Assuming there will be a hunt.”
“Hunting and hawking have been planned for each of the twelve days,” Dominic replied. He summoned the steward with a look, and Sir Braden came immediately.
“Show Lord and Lady Ashford to their chamber and provide whatever they require to make them comfortable. They wish to sup in their rooms tonight.”
“Of course, my lord, at once. Does Lady Veronica wish to retire to her chamber also?”
“Nay,” Veronica said, waving her hand in dismissal. “I believe I will find a seat at one of the tables and join the merriment.” She turned a blinding smile on Dominic as Sir Braden ushered the Ashfords from the hall.
“You look wonderful, Dragon. Country air must agree with you.”
“And you, my lady, are as lovely as ever,” Dominic said graciously.
“Perhaps you and I can reminisce on old times later tonight,” Veronica suggested coyly. Her eyes glinted mischievously. “In private, of course.”
To Dominic’s relief, James of Bedford, one of the knights who knew of his involvement with Veronica, came forward and offered to seat her at an empty place beside him. With a regal toss of her dark head, Veronica allowed James to lead her away, but not before slanting Dominic a look that held the promise of sensual delight.
Rose seethed with outrage as she watched the interchange between Dragon and his mistress. Veronica had made it blatantly clear that she expected to revive her intimate relationship with Dragon. Rose had sensed trouble the moment Veronica had walked into the hall and made note of the uncomfortable hush that followed. She had never seen Dragon’s mistress before, but when she heard the lady’s name and saw the look on Dragon’s face, she came to the painful conclusion that Veronica’s appearance was neither accidental nor a coincidence.
Dragon had sent for his mistress. There was no other explanation. Dragon’s reason for hosting Christmas festivities at Dragonwyck made perfect sense now. He pined for his mistress and wanted an excuse to bring her to Dragonwyck.
“I did not plan this, Rose,” Dominic said, as if reading Rose’s mind. “I had no idea Veronica was the houseguest the Ashfords were bringing.”
Rose shrugged. “It matters not, my lord. Your mistress seems most eager to renew your acquaintance. It would be rude to ignore her.”
“Veronica is my
former
mistress, Rose. I am a married man now.”
“Can you deny that you wanted to wed Veronica? That she is the woman you love?”
Dominic opened his mouth to speak, then abruptly closed it.
“What?” Rose taunted. The Dragon Lord has naught to say in his own defense? How droll.”
“Believe what you want.Rose, but I did not invite Veronica to Dragonwyck, nor have I been in touch with her since our marriage.”
Rose wanted to spit in his face. Dragon was lying. He had taunted her with his love for Veronica and his reluctance to marry anyone else from the day he arrived to claim her home. Knowing this, Rose should not feel betrayed, but she did.
“I will retire early so you can dally to your heart’s content with your mistress,” Rose said with a calmness she was far from feeling. “Do not attempt to bring her to the solar, however, for I refuse to allow you to tumble her in my bed.”
Dragon remained mute, which to Rose’s thinking was prudent of him. She had heard all she cared to hear. She should not have allowed herself to fall prey to Dragon’s lust. For a time she’d actually believed he was becoming fond of her. She did not expect love from him, but fondness would have been a big step
toward learning to live in harmony with one another.
“I do not intend to rekindle my relationship with Veronica,” Dominic insisted. “She knew when I left London there was no turning back.”
“If you say so, my lord.” Rose scraped back her chair.“Please excuse me if I do not remain for the entertainment. Make my excuses to our guests. Tell them whatever you want, it matters not to me.”
Head held high, back stiff, Rose left the hall. She heard the whispers, the speculation, but refused to be brought low by her husband’s mistress.
Dominic cursed the fates that had brought Veronica to Dragonwyck. He had finally begun to put his relationship with Veronica behind him and make peace with the life the king had given him. He wondered if he still loved Veronica. He was not sure he knew what love felt like, but what he and Veronica had together was so explosive that he had not wanted to let go.
Now he had Rose, the feisty warrior woman with whom he had found passion and something else, something that went beyond simple lust. Rose and Veronica were two different women, yet there was much to admire about each of them.
Dominic gazed at Veronica through shuttered eyes. She appeared to be having a good time, laughing and flirting outrageously. From time to time she would aim a sensual smile in his direction, and when she did, Dominic could not help wondering if the same magic still existed between them. He glanced toward the solar, his emotions raw and uncertain. He wanted to go after Rose but knew it would be rude to leave his guests in the middle of the entertainment.
Gypsy acrobats were tumbling in a cleared space in the center of the hall, and Cynric the bard had yet to spin his tales of love and adventure. Leaving now would cause too much gossip.
Cynric’s stories did not hold Dominic’s attention as they usually did, and it was no wonder. Finally the evening ended and the guests started drifting off to their chambers. As Dominic bade each good night, he reminded the men of the hunt planned for the following morning. John of Sheldon was the last to seek his bed, and Dominic soon learned he had a reason for waiting.
“Everyone is aware that you are close to John Lackland,” Sheldon said in a hushed voice. “I was chosen by the other barons to speak to you about the injustices and restrictions the king has placed upon us. He shows no respect for his barons. We have prepared a writ we call the Articles of the Barons and want you to join our cause.”
Dominic was not surprised to learn that the marcher lords had come with an agenda, for he had planned the celebration with that in mind. King John had warned him about the discontent among his barons and had asked Dominic to pass any information on to him. The king had hoped that Edwyn of Ayrdale’s execution would end the plotting, but obviously it had only made the barons more determined to seek justice.
“I will meet with the barons, but I can promise naught,” Dominic said. Tell them I will listen to their grievances after the hunt tomorrow.”
“I knew you would be reasonable. Tomorrow, then, Lord Dragon. We look forward to having you as an ally. King John is abusing his power, and we like it not.”
Dominic sat before the hearth, brooding, long after Sheldon left.
“You appear troubled, master,” Raj said as he joined Dominic.
The marcher barons want me to join their cause. They believe King John has abused his powers.”
“You are one of them now. They expect you to join them in their effort to curtail the king’s excesses.”
Dominic sighed. “Aye, but we both know I cannot.” He gestured expansively.“Look at all the king has given me. He expects me to inform him should I find disloyalty among his barons.”
“I am sure your conscience will guide you, master.”
“I hope you are right, Raj.” Dominic rose and stretched.” Tis time for bed.”
Dominic wondered if Rose was still angry at him. She had left the hall in a huff, and he could not blame her. There was nothing subtle about Veronica. He knew without being told that these next twelve days were going to be trying in more ways than one.
“You need not stand guard at the door tonight, Raj,” Dominic said when Raj started to follow him up the stairs. “Find your own bed. I will see you in the morning.”
“Are you certain, master?”
“Very certain. Good night, Raj.”
Dominic ascended the stairs, weary after a full day of entertaining his guests. He was eagerly looking forward to climbing into bed with Rose and making love to her. He only wondered if she would welcome him.
A smile stretched his lips. Anticipation made him grow hard beneath his braies, and he hurried along the gallery to the solar. The door opened beneath his hand, and he stepped into the sitting room. The door to the bedchamber was closed, but Dominic thought nothing of it as he turned the handle and pulled. He was disappointed but not shocked to find the door locked.
“Rose, open the door.”
No answer was forthcoming.
Anger replaced disappointment.“Rose, I am warning you. Open the door or I will break it down.”
“Go to your mistress, my lord. Mayhap she will welcome your attentions.”
“You are acting childish, Rose. Had I wanted to be with Veronica tonight, I would not be here now.”
“Oh, so now I am childish! Go away, Dominic.”
“Do you want our guests to know what a shrew you are?”
“I care not what they think.”
“I refuse to stand here and beg for entrance into my own bedchamber,” he bit out. “You are right about Veronica. She would indeed welcome my attentions. Thank you for suggesting that I go to her. Good night, wife. Sleep well in your cold bed.”
Dominic was in a foul mood by the time he returned to the hall. He had no intention of seeking out Veronica,but Rose did not need to know that. Nay, let her think what she wanted.
Dominic pulled his chair closer to the hearth and settled down for the night. He had just started to doze off when a whisper of sound behind him jarred him awake. He reached for his sword and recalled that he had not worn one tonight. But he did carry a knife. He had started to unsheathe it when a whiff of perfume he remembered with fondness drifted past his nose.
“I hoped I would find you down here alone,” Veronica purred, moving into his view. She caressed his face. “Tis good to see you, Dragon. I have missed you dreadfully.”
Dominic caught her hand as it began to move down his body in a familiar way.“We cannot be seen like this, Veronica.”
Before Dominic knew what she intended, she settled down on his lap. “Why ever not? Our relationship is no secret. Everyone knows we were lovers in London.”
This is not London.”
Dominic felt himself stirring and stifled a groan. At one time the woman in his arms had meant everything to him, and apparently she still had the power to move him sexually. He was a man, after all, but did he still want Veronica as much as he had before the king gifted him with Rose and Dragonwyck?
” Tis obvious you and your wife are at odds, Dragon, and that the marriage is not to your liking. I will stay at Dragonwyck as long as you like and we can become lovers again. You would not be the first man to bring his mistress to live in his home.”
Dominic nearly laughed aloud at Veronica’s suggestion. Rose would never accept his mistress in her home. Nor did Dominic welcome the idea of Veronica interfering in his life with Rose. There had been a subtle change in his life since London, and her name was Rose. It was difficult to believe that he had once cared enough about Veronica to marry her. He was still fond of her, but it occurred to him that her appeal was strictly sexual and probably would have waned in time.
A sudden thought occurred, and he grinned. “Rose would skewer you with her sword if I allowed you to remain at Dragonwyck. Go to bed, Veronica.”
Veronica’s eyes narrowed.“You have changed, Dragon. What has that witch done to you? No lady I know would attack another with a sword. Surely you jest.”
“Believe me,Ido not jest.There is bite to Rose’s bark. I suggest you do naught to trigger her temper during your stay, else you may live to regret it. You may remove yourself from my lap now.”
Veronica ground her bottom into Dominic’s loins and grinned. “You want me, Dragon. I can feel your cock growing as we speak. Kiss me, Dragon. Let me show you how desperately I missed you.”
Dominic knew of no courteous way to discourage Veronica short of dumping her off his lap, and because she had once meant a great deal to him, he could not do that.
Rose began to regret her angry words the moment Dragon left the solar. As she tossed and turned in her bed, she wondered if Dragon had followed her advice and sought solace in Veronica’s bed. Driven by curiosity, she donned a dressing gown and left the solar.
Rush lights supported by wall brackets provided light as she crept down the stairs to the hall.
The shadows were dark and deep in the cavernous chamber as Rose paused in the doorway, her wandering gaze stopping abruptly on the couple cozily entwined in the lord’s chair.
Dragon and Veronica.
Dragon’s arms were wrapped around his mistress, and they were kissing. The sharp intake of Rose’s breath pierced the silence. The couple in the chair broke apart and stared at Rose.