Once again Rose had deliberately defied him and done as she pleased without a thought to the consequences. He imagined a lifetime of dealing with his contrary Rose and wondered if he was up to it. At least he would never be bored.
Looking away from Rose, Dominic returned his attention to the barons. His words were not as eloquent as those of an orator, but they were from the heart. He told them that a civil war would tear the country apart and result in needless deaths. He said the king was willing to compromise and that they should take it as a good sign. He went on to explain that the Articles of the Barons were likely to become the cornerstone of English law.
“The king has sent trusted men to parlay with you. We can reciprocate by finding middle ground upon which to agree.” He paused. “Keep my words in mind when you resume your negotiations with Lord Pembroke. Think of all you will have accomplished without bloodshed. Should King John set his seal to this charter, you will gain the satisfaction of knowing you brought the king to his knees.”
Rose felt like cheering. Dragon’s speech was not only inspiring but thoughtful. And she could tell by the barons’ faces that they were giving Dragon’s words serious consideration. She wanted to crow with pride. Dragon had been instrumental in preventing a civil war, and she had been present to hear his impassioned plea for cool heads and common sense.
Pembroke and the archbishop took over where Dragon left off, and the negotiations resumed. Rose turned away, deciding to rest beneath a tree while compromises were discussed. She had taken but two steps when someone grabbed her from behind. Without a moment’s hesitation, she grasped the hilt of the knife she wore at her waist and prepared to defend herself.
Suddenly the knife was wrested from her hand and strong arms held her immobile against an iron-hard chest.
“Leave off, Rose. I do not want to hurt you.”
Rose sagged in relief.“Dominic.How did you know?”
Dominic snorted. “Think you I am blind?” He pulled her behind a tall hedge where they could talk in private. “What am I to do with you? You seem determined to defy me.”
Rose’s pert chin rose defiantly.“I have a mind of my own, Dominic. I pray you do not expect everything to go your way in this marriage. I cannot be a submissive wife.”
“You are carrying my child!”
Rose grinned. “Indeed I am. I was in no danger, Dominic. The distance to Runnymede is not far, and I was among friends, not enemies. Besides, I wanted to be on hand for the momentous occasion. What is decided here today could make history, and I did not want to be left out.”
Dominic sighed. “I love you with a passion, Rose, but ‘tis going to be a challenge to keep from beating you upon occasion.”
“Challenges are your forte, are they not, my lord Dragon?”
“You are my forte, sweetheart.” He grasped her shoulders and planted a hungry kiss on her lips. “We should return to the negotiations before someone comes along and catches me mauling my squire. Stay here,” Dominic ordered when they reached the negotiations area. “With any luck, we can soon return to the palace and prepare for our journey home.”
Rose sat on the ground and watched the proceedings. Angry voices were raised and questions asked, but it appeared as if the barons were of a mind to accept a compromise. She fell asleep with her back propped against a tree but was awakened by a great roar reverberating through the meadow. She jerked upright and saw Dragon striding toward her.
“What happened? Is there to be war?”
“Nay, the negotiators have agreed upon a compromise. The final draft is to be hammered out in discussions at Runnymede later this month. Are you tired? I know ‘tis late, but Westminster is but a short ride.”
Dragon grasped her hand and lifted her to her feet. Rose yawned and dashed the sleep from her eyes. “I am not tired at all. I rested while the negotiations were taking place.”
“Bring our horses. I want a word with Ashford before we leave.”
Rose found their horses and brought them back to the tree to await Dragon. He joined her a short time later.
“Well, love, ‘tis over. Ashford says the barons are satisfied with the king’s concessions. They believe this fifteenth day of June will go down in history as the day the Articles of the Barons were sealed by the king.”
The moon was casting long shadows over the land when they reached the palace. Rose went immediately to their chamber while Dominic, the archbishop and Pembroke reported directly to the king. Fingers of a glorious dawn stretched out across the heavens when Dominic finally joined Rose. She was sleeping soundly, and he tried not to awaken her as he shed his clothing in the dark and climbed into bed beside her.
She stirred and whispered his name.
“Go back to sleep, sweeting. We will talk later.”
He brought her into the curve of his body; she turned in his arms. “We will talk now. How soon can we leave? Once I depart this den of vice I never want to hear the king’s name again.”
“I am still the king’s vassal; naught can change that, and he did give me you. That is something to be grateful for.”
“Fate brought us together,” Rose murmured sleepily.“And fate will keep us together. I love you, my fierce Dragon.”
“I love you, my prickly warrior woman. If we have a son, I hope he has your courage, but if our child is a girl, we will name her Lily, or Pansy, or Violet, for they are flowers without thorns.”
“A flower without thorns offers no challenge,” Rose countered. “I thought you thrived on challenges.”
Dominic sighed heavily. “You have been both the thorniest challenge and the sweetest joy since the day we wed. Good night, my Rose.”
More than anything, I must have roses, always, always.
—Claude Monet
March 1216
On a cool March day ripe with the promise of spring, the lord and lady of Dragonwyck toasted their toes before the hearth in the hall, planning the christening of their eight-week-old babe. Lady Nelda sat beside them, cradling the newest addition to the family in her arms and cooing nonsensical words into a tiny pink ear.
“I believe little Lord William is hungry,” Lady Nelda remarked.
“He is always hungry,” Rose said with a long-suffering sigh.
“My son is a growing lad,” Dominic said proudly.
“And a greedy one,” Rose added. “I fed him but an hour ago.”
“I look forward to Will’s christening,” Nelda said. “Think you all the guests will come?”
“Aye, as long as the weather holds,” Dominic answered.
Rose held out her arms. “I will take little Will if you are tired of holding him, Mama.”
“I hardly think Will’s slight weight will tax me,” Nelda replied. “But if you …”
Her words fell off when Raj entered the hall and strode toward them. Dominic could tell from Raj’s expression that something unusual had occurred.
“What is it, Raj?”
“Murdoc MacTavish and his wife are at the portcullis, master. They beg your leave to enter.”
Rose got to her feet. “Uncle Murdoc is here? And Robina is with him? Please Dominic, let them in. I do so want to see Robina. I cannot believe that Uncle won her back.”
“Aye, let them in,” Nelda urged. “I want to give my brother a piece of my mind for what he did to Rose.‘Twas despicable of him.”
“How many men accompany him?” Dominic asked sharply. He had made the mistake of letting Murdoc and his kinsmen inside the keep once and he was not going to make that same mistake again.
“MacTavish is alone but for one man driving the cart carrying MacTavish’s wife.”
“Very well, open the portcullis,” Dominic ordered. When Rose started to follow Raj out the door, Dominic stayed her. “Let them come to us. I swore your uncle would never again set foot inside my keep but I bow to your wishes in this matter. However, I trust him not.”
A short time later, Murdoc and Robina strode into the hall. Rose rushed forth to embrace Robina but was more reserved with her uncle.
“What brings you to Dragonwyck, Murdoc?” Nelda asked.“I should think you would be ashamed to show your face here after your detestable act. I never thought my own brother would wish harm to one of his kin.”
“I asked Murdoc to bring me,” Robina explained.
“I made a promise to Dragon and I mean to keep it,” Murdoc vowed. “Robina wanted to come, and I couldna sway her. I knew you wouldna turn her away even if I wasna allowed to pass through the gate.”
“I cannot believe you returned to Uncle Murdoc,” Rose said, bringing Robina closer to the fire. “You must tell me everything.”
“I was wrong, niece,” Murdoc said when Robina remained silent. “I dinna realize how much I would miss Robina until she left me. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. I went to Stirling and begged her to return.”
“I never expected Murdoc to show up at my father’s manor,” Robina said, taking up where Murdoc left off, “much less admit he missed and needed me. He refused to leave without me.” She sent Murdoc a loving gaze. “He has changed. He doesna blame me for releasing ye and yer vassals, Rose. He realizes his mistake and is sorry for it.”
“All that is behind us,“Murdoc said gruffly. “I am glad Robina wished to come to Dragonwyck, for it gives me the opportunity to apologize to Nelda. Rose forgave me, sister. Can ye? I was mad with greed for something I could never have. Tis the only way I can explain what I did.”
“I will consider it,” Nelda said coolly.
“Thank ye, sister, for that much.” His gaze shifted to the bundle in Nelda’s arms. “Is that what I think it is?”
Dominic took a protective stance beside his son. “Aye, ‘tis my heir, William.”
“Ah, wee Willie, is it? A fine name for a braw laddie.” He grinned at his wife. “Do ye want to tell them or shall I, Robina?”
Rose’s brow furrowed. “Tell us what?”
Robina smiled shyly and removed her mantle, revealing her swollen stomach. “I bear Murdoc’s bairn. I canna believe it! After all these years a bairn is growing inside me.”
“‘Tis true,” Murdoc said proudly.“Be it lad or lassie, it matters not, the bairn will be my heir.”
“What about Gunn?” Dominic asked. “I notice he is not with you.”
“I found a Highland heiress for Gunn, and he is content with the lass and her fortune.”
“I hope ye are not angry with me for coming to Dragonwyck,” Robina said anxiously, “but I wanted ye to know about my bairn, and to tell ye how impending fatherhood has changed Murdoc. I hoped ye and Nelda would forgive him, Rose. If ye want us to leave, I willna hold it against ye.”
Rose looked at Dominic with pleading eyes. “Can they stay? It would be nice to have Robina here for William’s christening.”
“Robina would like that,” Murdoc allowed, “but I willna ask for myself for I donna deserve yer kindness.”
Though Dominic was reluctant to offer hospitality to the Scotsman, he could not find it in his heart to deny Rose anything. “Aye, Murdoc and Robina can stay for the christening if they like.”
Little Lord William began to fuss, and Rose held out her arms. “‘Tis time for Will’s feeding.”
“I will carry him for you, mistress,” Raj said, carefully lifting the babe from Nelda’s arms.
Dominic stifled a smile. Raj never missed an opportunity to hold the infant, and Dominic had not the slightest doubt that the gentle giant would protect Will with his life if there was a need. Dominic’s gaze followed Rose from the hall, his groin tightening at the sight of her swaying hips. He had not loved his wife since Will’s birth and he was bursting with need.
“Make Murdoc and Robina welcome, Lady Nelda,” he called over his shoulder.“Rose and I will see you all at the evening meal.” Without waiting for an answer, he hurried up the stairs after Rose.
Raj passed him in the gallery, having just delivered Will into Rose’s arms. He knew not what Raj thought about his haste to reach the solar, but he heard Raj chuckling all the way down the stairs. Dominic shook his head. Did everyone in the keep know how besotted he was with his wife?
Dominic entered the solar and stopped in his tracks just inside the door. The sight of Rose nursing their child always moved him. A lump gathered in his throat and he swallowed convulsively.
“Come in and shut the door, Dominic,” Rose said.
Dominic closed the door and settled down on a bench beside Rose, watching with avid interest as Will pulled greedily at her nipple.
Thank you for allowing Robina and Uncle Murdoc to stay with us, my love. You have a generous spirit.”
“I would do anything for you, Rose. And I do believe Murdoc is sincerely sorry for abducting you. Tis amazing what the love of a good woman can do for a man.”
“Love is amazing, is it not?”
“Aye,” Dominic agreed. “As soon as our greedy son is through feeding, I will show you just how amazing love can be.”
“Our guests…”
“… can fend for themselves. It has been eight weeks since Will’s birth, and I am starved for you. Is it safe to love you, Rose?”
Will’s rosebud mouth slipped from Rose’s nipple. She smiled down at his dark head and placed him in his cradle. Then she walked slowly into Dragon’s arms.
King John sealed the Articles of the Barons, known today as the Magna Carta, on June 15,1215. The remarkable fact is not that war broke out between John and his barons in the months following the compromise but that the king had ever been brought to agree to such a document at all.
I hope you enjoyed
The Dragon Lord.
My next three books will be set in England in the early 1800s. I’m calling the series
The Rogues of London.
Look for
The Rogue and the Hellion
in June 2002.
For a bookmark and a newsletter, send a long, self-addressed.stamped envelope to me at PO Box 3471, Holiday, FL 34690. Visit my website to learn more about my books at www.conniemason.com or e-mail me [email protected] .
Connie Mason is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Storyteller of the Year in1990 by
Romantic Times,
and was awarded a Career Achievement award in the Western category by
Romantic Times
in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, with her husband,Jerry.