The Defiant Bride (16 page)

“Did you suffer overmuch because of it?”

“Well, not
overmuch
.”

His kiss sparked the passion between them, but the nearness of their escorts cooled their ardor. William whispered of pleasures to come when they were in a more private place. “Come, love, or we shall never reach our destination this day,” he urged.

“Where do we go?”

“You shall see when we arrive.”

“You will not tell me?”

“No, I will not,” he returned, his eyes twinkling.

Dariana was anxious to solve the mystery. As the flaming sun slipped, giving way to the moon, the gates of London emerged.

“I’ve never been to London, William, but I’m sure it looms ahead,” Dariana said, her voice filled with excitement.

“Aye, love, it is indeed London. It is time for the pageant of St. John’s eve. Tomorrow the city will be alight with fires to celebrate. The city on fire is something to behold.”

“But on this night the souls of those who are to die in the coming year leave their bodies and wander sadly to their final resting place.” This Dariana spoke with some trepidation.

“Dariana, you above all cannot be afraid of death. You have spent the last year thusly and it has not harmed a hair on your head.”

“Do not tease me, William. That was not like true death. That was more like a fairy story one tells to babes.”

“Aye, and with such a happy ending. Fear not, my sweet. Your soul will stay where it belongs and you have naught to fear except perhaps the rogues and cutpurses who roam freely during the festivities. But on my knight’s honor, no harm will come to you from the living or the dead.”

“I will trust you, then, but only because I’m anxious to see the city and join the celebration. Oh, but where shall we stay?”

“I have a house here. It is comfortable and near the Palace of Westminster.”

They rode through the gates and Dariana was awed by the contrasts. In the poorer sections, the houses were tiny. They were nearly stacked on top of one another. Raw sewage ran in the street; the stench was terrible. As they rode further, the streets widened slightly and the houses became more grand. It was to just such a house that William led them, a lovely white structure surrounded by a small lawn and flower gardens.

Like magic, two grooms appeared to take their horses. Servants filed out. William introduced Dariana to them.

A steward stepped forward. “All is in readiness, my lord. A supper awaits you.”

“Thank you, Lovell.” William ushered her inside. Several servants waited. They greeted their new mistress and, taking her from William’s protective closeness, led her up a flight of stairs to the master chamber. The large oak bed was draped in silk. The carvings were intricate, the work of a master artisan. Several gowns of various rich fabrics and colors lay on the coverlet. The servants were talking and giggling at once, each favoring a particular gown. Dariana chose a sparkling gown of cloth of gold.

The maids worked her hair into an elaborate coiffure. They covered it with a sheer veil and circlet of gold. The ladies curtsied in turn to honor her. Smiling with happiness, Dariana left the room to meet her husband.

In the dining room, William turned. For a moment, he did not move. His approval of her appearance was obvious. He soon recovered himself enough to take her hand and lead her to the
table, but throughout the meal, he kept his eyes on her, seemingly unaware of anything he ate. Her cheeks flamed at his attentions. She could not help but smile. When the last of the dishes were cleared, Dariana looked to William expectantly.

“Have you plans for this night, William?” she asked from under her lashes.

He pushed back his chair and rose, a deep chuckle rumbling his chest. “Aye, love, there is indeed something I plan for tonight, all night.” The leer in his voice was unmistakable. He leaned over and swept her into his arms. He carried her up the stairs to their bedchamber.

C
HAPTER
12

D
ariana had to
control her urge to race along the street, so anxious was she not to miss a single detail. She wanted to survey and appraise the goods in each shop. It struck her she had been away from her small cottage in the forest for a sennight, although it seemed so much longer. Her life was totally altered. She hungered to be part of the world again, not merely hugging the darkness, praying for respite.

She had awakened early, barely allowing William time to sip some light ale and swallow some bread before she fairly dragged him out to explore the city.

It was nearly noon now. Although she hated to give in to it, her hunger was a gnawing reminder she had eaten no breakfast. William managed to direct her to Chancery Lane. He was certain she would protest, since shopping was clearly tantamount in her mind. Before she could deny him, he managed to have her seated at a table at one of the inns.

“You would not be happy if your empty stomach caused you to faint. We must eat.”

“There is so much to see. So many shops. The people. Did you notice the way the women dress here? I have never seen such fabrics, such designs. How can I choose? It is unbelievable.”

William laughed. He promised they would miss nothing of consequence provided she allowed him to regain his strength with some nourishment. The food was more than simple fare, this being London. They feasted on whiting in a cream sauce, crusty bread with butter and jams, fruits, and a custard heavy and sweet with currants. Finally, small frosted cakes were brought. Dariana begged for mercy. The serving girl smiled and—leaning in a bit too close to William for Dariana’s taste, her breasts brushing his shoulder—was instructed by Dariana that they had had quite enough. The girl shrugged in defeat, then moved to another table.

“You were not jealous of her, were you, love?” His tone dripped with innocence.

“Jealous? Certainly not. I was merely concerned for her back problem.”

“Back problem?”

“Obviously the poor girl cannot stand up straight, but must drape herself over any obstacle in her path to keep from tipping over.” Dariana was careful to be very mater-of-fact.

“Perhaps it is that the weight of her bountiful chest draws her forward.” William was clearly enjoying this.

Dariana snorted. “What you must have seen was fat built up all over her body.”

“Well, I am pleased to see there is no jealousy in your nature. Not that I shall ever give you cause.”

“You love me well, then?” She gazed at him through her lashes.

“Did last night not show you how well?”

Her lack of response indicated her agreement.

“Then let us see more of the city and give the merchants reason to celebrate our arrival for the pageant.”

Dariana laughed at William’s efforts to keep up once they reached Cheapside. She shopped in earnest, again struck by the contrasts of the city as they moved down the wide lane lined with shops and gardens. The side streets that darted off from the main road were dark and narrow. The houses built above shops leaned
over the streets. They tilted as if it were only by some miracle they did not topple forward. If they had fallen, they would have struck the building across, the distance between structures was so small. Above them all, the grim tower loomed, warning all of the punishment for evil deeds against the crown.

Dariana found it breathtaking. Although she was saddened by the poverty, the fervent energy of the city was like a heady wine she had been denied for years. William assured her Henry had plans to spread the wealth of the city more fairly; he whispered to her of Henry’s intentions to reduce some of the affluence of the church. Though she was already pleased with this new monarch, this revelation planted him more firmly in Dariana’s affections.

All too soon, it was dusk. London vibrated with the excitement of the evening celebrations. Dariana and William hurried to prepare, their progress slowed by the decision of which new purchase Dariana would wear for the evening’s revelry. Finally, she and William moved out into the city to watch the parade that began the festivities. Even in the creeping darkness, the vivid colors of the various guilds glowed in the light of the cressets, carried aloft by the participants to illuminate the way. The town and city officials were resplendent in their colors of red and white. The lord mayor himself, a self-important man to be sure, second only to Henry in the eyes of Londoners, was garbed as befitted his station. Men who had imbibed too much brew were in goodly supply. Several times William had to pull Dariana from the path of those who could not properly navigate the cobblestones. A small fray broke out between two guildsmen who had found some disagreement. Neither was armed and both were much too inebriated to hit with either accuracy or force. After several of their fellows separated them, they quickly forgot their feud. They stumbled of together like long-lost brothers.

Women of questionable background plied their trade and seemed assured of a warm bed and a few coins this night. Dariana drank it all in. The city was alive. She was a part of it, not forced to hide in its corners. The gaiety of the celebration soaked into her very being. William sensed her joy and held her close, clearly happy that his wife was so delighted.

At midnight, the bonfires were lit. The city blazed with fire. The spectacle was breathtaking, the heat nearly unbearable as the city crackled with orange light. The people increased their revelry to an almost fearful pace. William determined it was time to leave
the throng, lest the threatening riot ruin the celebration and their safety. Reluctantly, Dariana agreed and followed William toward their house. Their way was hampered by the sheer force of so many bodies pressing their way to what they deemed the center of the party. But finally, they were through the crowd. The cool night breeze was a welcome relief.

They had not gone far when William stopped before a handsome man walking with his wife and young daughter. “Sir Thomas,” William spoke in greeting, warmth in his voice. “I heard of your new appointment. I offer my congratulations. Dariana, this is Sir Thomas Boleyn, newly named knight for the body of Henry. And his wife, Elizabeth. It is good to see you, my lady,” he directed to Elizabeth. “Thomas, Elizabeth, my wife, Dariana,” William continued. “This lovely child must be your daughter.”

“It is my pleasure to meet you,” Thomas greeted Dariana. “Yes, this is my second-born, Anne. Although she most times seems like the eldest.”

Dariana let this last slip past as Elizabeth stepped forward to greet her. They spoke together for a few moments, promising to see each other soon again. Then they parted. When the Boleyns were some distance away, Dariana turned to William. “I wonder what fate has in store for young Anne? If we but knew our fate before it played out, how different our lives would be.”

“Really, my love? What would you have changed?”

“I would have—I suppose there is naught I would have changed. It has led me to you and this night.”

“If you were a man, my love, you could most certainly be a diplomat.”

Dariana was waking, William’s thigh thrown possessively over her legs, when she felt him shift. She opened her eyes and was aware of a knocking on the door. But it was not yet dawn, so whatever the reason for this intrusion, it did not bode well.

“What is it?” William growled.

There was a shuffling noise outside the door, then the latch clicked open. Covering herself, Dariana sat up as Ian Lovell peered in.

“Forgive me, my lord, but Lady Bethany awaits you. She says she has come on a mater most urgent.”

“It must be important for a lady to rise so early,” William responded.

Dariana caught the sarcastic tone and playfully kicked at his shin. He rewarded her with a quelling look.

“One of your former mistresses?” she questioned, her eyebrows raised.

William was amused by her jealousy. “Hardly.” He smiled. “She is the wife of a kinsman of mine. I hope he suffers no peril.” William jumped from the bed and threw on his clothes. Dariana grabbed her bedrobe and was on his heels as he went to greet their visitor.

Lady Bethany was a lovely woman, tall and slender, with dark blonde hair and green eyes. She reminded Dariana of Tamara. This morning, the lady’s eyes were reddened from crying. Bethany looked at William, her eyes pleading.

“William,” she choked out. “You must help me.”

“Of course.” He took her hand.

“Justin has not returned. I fear for his safety. Will you find him?” She broke down in tears with this last.

William looked to Ian, who waited nearby, and asked him to bring some wine. He turned back to Bethany and led her to a chair. He then addressed Dariana.

“Her husband was with me on my hunting trip. The one where I was attacked. We had parted in the forest earlier, as he was to travel north to see to some of his lands. Tell me all you know, Bethany.”

Between sobs, she told how last night, a messenger came to report he had not arrived at his holdings in the north. “Oh, William, I am so afraid. He is such a kind man and would never suspect treachery until it was upon him. You must help him.”

“I travel at once. You should return home in the event he was delayed and your fear is for naught. I shall have some of my men escort you.”