The Defiant Bride (7 page)

Dariana couldn’t resist a giggle as Hildy performed her ministrations. “There was a woman I have known all my life who has the gift to cure anything that ails. That is, she could cure all but her nasty temperament.”

“Are you accusing me of suffering humors?” Hildy demanded.

“You?” Dariana responded, the picture of innocence. “Why, I was certainly not speaking of you. Her name is Megan and she has served my family well. Why, I wouldn’t even be here to tell the tale if she hadn’t attended me so many times. You would not by any chance have knowledge of Megan, would you? She reminds me of you in some ways.”

Hildy looked at her askance, but flashed what passed for a smile. “Megan?” Then a cackle emitted from Hildy’s mouth that sounded more like a painful grinding of stone-on-stone than a sound of glee. “That old crone? She’s my cousin. We were taught by the same old woman when we were but children together.” Hildy’s voice held a touch a warmth. “Does she fare well?” she asked, almost as if she feared the answer.

“When last I saw her she was quite well. I am convinced she has powers that will give her long life and that she’ll see us all on our way to heaven long before she lays down her head. She must be nigh on sixty years now.”

“More like seventy,” Hildy said with delight. “Old Megan. My, my. Well, young mistress, you have given me more pleasure this day than I have had in years. And I shall repay you with a salve that will cure all the aches down to your very bones. I usually reserve it for the destriers, but you have proven yourself indeed worthy. Come and I shall apply the stuff.”

Dariana had obviously won over Hildy, so much so that she was willing to treat her with the salve usually reserved for the great warhorses. Within an hour of Hildy’s treatment, Dariana had not so much as a memory of pain. The salve was remarkable and the relief caused her spirits to rise.

Erin rushed into the room, her arms loaded with an array of dresses in a rainbow of colors and various rich fabrics, which she dumped on the large bed. She took a moment to catch her breath. “My lady Leah thought you might have need of some gowns so she bade me bring you these. They were made several years ago when she hadn’t partaken of quite so much food.” Erin giggled. “She hopes they fit well enough until others can be made.”

“That is too kind.” Dariana beheld the richness of the raiments. It had been forever since she dressed in such fine clothing and she touched gown after gown, unsure of which to choose. Finally, she decided on a rich sapphire silk and brocade. The square neck showed her bosom to its full advantage and the silk felt so soft against her skin. The skirt was covered in embroidery entwined with a delicate silver pattern that wound about the sleeves and neckline and highlighted the creaminess of her skin. She wrapped a delicately worked silver girdle about her tiny waist. It was so wonderful to be dressed as a lady again. It had indeed been too long a time since she had worn beautiful clothes, and she was delighted.

She was braiding her hair into a fat plait, as had been her wont all these months, when Erin appeared behind her. “If I may, my lady?” She reached for a brush and untangled the heavy curls. It took only a few moments for Erin’s talented fingers to weave the dark tresses into an artful array that flattered Dariana’s face and spilled down her back. “Perfect.” Erin stepped back admiringly and Dariana felt a blush of pleasure color her cheeks. She made her way to the top of the stairs, realizing she was more than a little unnerved. Here she was in a strange place with people she knew not and her fate, her very life, completely uncertain. She was pondering this when William’s voice came from the main room below. Suddenly her heart beat faster.
Odd that it should actually please me that my captor is near
. She could not help but recall the feel of his muscular chest against her back and the manly smell of him as they rode. Her body warmed at the thought. There was no denying the man affected her, but she knew she must control herself.
I will not yield to him. He has taken my freedom, at least for now. I shall not reward him for it
.

Dariana descended the stairs. William waited below. He seemed frozen as he gazed upon her.

It was Leah who stepped forward to greet her. “Come and have supper. You must be ravenous. I have asked the cook to prepare some special dishes. I hope they are to your liking.”

“You are too kind.” They walked to the table together, with William falling in step behind them. Another man joined them and was introduced as Richard Lovington. Dariana noticed that Leah gave him quiet attention at every opportunity. He, in turn, gazed upon her as if she were an angel from heaven. No one
else seemed to notice the two. Dariana hesitated to ask if he was Leah’s husband. For now, she contented herself to listen rather than question.

Huge trenchers were placed before them and steaming dishes laid out. There were meats and fresh vegetables, cakes and pies. Dariana caught her breath at the variety and richness of the food. Her diet had been limited for so long. She tasted of each dish, praising the cook with every bite and finally, barely able to draw a deep breath, she sighed with pleasure.

She turned to Leah, seated at her right. “That was wonderful. I thank you so much for the feast. You have been naught but welcoming and I am forever in your debt.” Dariana hoped she could still convince William to release her. If Leah was on her side… “But I fear I cannot abide here overlong. I know you understand my circumstances. Therefore I cannot put you at risk.”

“Well, my dear, tonight is not the time to worry. You are tired. On the morrow, plans can be set.”

“Thank you. I
am
tired and do agree rest will aid me in my decisions. So, if you will excuse me, I shall retire.” She rose, anxious to be alone in her chamber. William stood, but she saw Leah’s hand on his arm, staying him.

William sat down and watched Dariana climb the stairs before turning to his sister. “There is only one course of action now.”

“You mean since you know her to be real and she is here?”

“Yes, to both.”

“And that would be?” she prodded.

“I shall send for the priest at first light.”

“William, you cannot. It isn’t decent.”

“It is the only decent thing to do. Once she is my wife, the king will not ask for retribution. She was, after all, excused from her betrothal and hadn’t been promised to another, so I do not defy the king or his late father.”

“I think that to be a sword’s edge. Marrying without his knowledge or permission isn’t wise. You have spoken highly of this new Henry but his father was kind and caring in the beginning of his reign, too. What if he feels betrayed? Or defied? He is still a monarch and they can be as changeable as a wisp of
smoke in the wind. If he thinks for one moment you do not bow to his throne, he could punish you in ways we cannot even imagine. And what of her? Do you not think she is entitled to be part of this decision? Can you not give her time? She has been through a great deal. Coming here must be difficult enough.” Leah wanted to gain Richard’s support in this argument, but knew it would be unfair to ask.

“I hear you, sister. I understand your concerns. I believe I would be mad not to make her mine immediately. The king will forgive me, of that I have no doubt. I will convince him I was madly in love and could not delay another moment. He will understand.” Thoughts swirled in William’s brain. He believed he knew his new monarch, but he prayed he was correct in his assumptions. If he misjudged, it would be disaster to so many. He would have to present it in just the right vein. He would tell the king he’d been overcome and could not help himself.

Would he be telling Henry the truth? Was he, in fact, overwhelmed, or did he need to possess the prize? Was he was certain he was hit by Cupid’s arrow? He hated to examine his motives. Sometimes he did not like what he discovered. He wanted to be a man who earned respect, especially from himself.

Leah cleared her throat, interrupting his reverie. “What of the lady herself? Will she forgive you? She took desperate measures once to avoid a marriage not of her choosing.”

“Ah, wooing her and having her grow to love me will be the greatest of pleasurable tasks, I assure you.” He raised an eyebrow for emphasis, then smirked even as a whisper of a doubt gnawed at him. He hoped her headstrong ways would not impede his goal.

“It is good that I love you, almost as much as you love yourself.”

“You tease me, sister. You know I am right in this.”

“Do you care for her, William?”

“Leah, ever since I first laid eyes on her, I have been out of my mind. I know that sounds silly coming from me, but it is true.”

“If you do not love her, it is not fair to marry her like this. In point of fact, none of this is fair to her.”

“She is stubborn. I know this. But I will convince her of my love. I want to be the one to ensure she never has another anxious day in her life. I want to care for her. Build a life. Have heirs. Have pretty little girls who look like their mother.” As he spoke
the words, he knew them to be the truth. He had fallen for this incredible, magnificent woman instantly. When he thought her only a creation of his fever, he had been bereft. If she had not existed, he would have felt emptiness the rest of his days.

“I am convinced. Now, all you have to do is convince her.”

“It will be my lifelong goal.”

“What of Melissa?”

Richard rose at this and excused himself.

“You are a coward,” Leah teased him.

“Not at all, my lady. I merely have pressing matters to attend.”

Leah shook her head and turned her attention back to her brother.

“Melissa is a mere formality and I will deal with her. It’s not as if she were my ladylove or even if there was any true affection between us. She can be difficult, but I will bring her to understand and be reasonable.” Again, his bravado of speech belied the doubts that worried him. Melissa was a shrew whose family had long been favored at court. Now that she was the lone surviving heir, he worried that Henry might feel the need to champion her cause. The match was arranged before her parents perished and the king might feel obligated to honor it. He was unsure how much influence she could exert. He had to rely on the knowledge that Henry trusted him and loved him like a brother. He knew, in his heart, that all the obstacles would be overcome. It would not be easy, but his heart was lost to Dariana; he would fight with all that was in him to love her and protect her and make things aright.

Now he had to see to the arrangements. The priest would have to be discreet. Luckily, the man who served the family in that capacity had done so for years and considered William like a son.

“Leah, can you see that my bride is properly prepared—without her knowledge, of course.”

“Certainly, dear brother. Aught else? Shall I grow wings and fly? Or mayhap I can put her into a trance and she will obey your every desire. Would that please you?”

“You have made your point, Leah. But whether you approve or not, I will marry her on the morrow. I beg you to support me in this.”

“I love you, William.” She breathed a sigh. “I will do as you ask, even if it is against my better judgment. And I will try to make the road easier for her.”

“What would I do without you?”

“God only knows.”

C
HAPTER
6

D
ariana was exhausted
but could not find solace in sleep. She tossed and turned throughout the night, dozing fitfully, then awakening when horrific images of executions filled her dreams. She must find a way to return to her cottage, where it was safe, but at the same time, she must ensure these people would not betray her.

She could walk or ride if they would lend her a horse. Yes, that was the solution. She would appeal to their sense of decency so she could return to her sanctuary. William and his dear sister could not possibly wish to put themselves at risk when the solution was so clear: to simply forget she ever existed.

But, then, why would William have brought her here? To what end? He had nothing to gain. He could not possibly think to claim her father’s holdings without the wrath of the king falling about him. He had said she had bewitched him, but that was the silly speech so often spoken by courtiers, with no meaning. So what did he hope to gain?

When the dawn painted the bright colors of blue and pink and orange across the sky, she watched the moving palette change, hoping the serenity of the beauty would ease her mind and give her the answers she sought.

Still confused, Dariana rose and dressed in one of Leah’s beautiful dresses. It was a soft blue and the silken feel of it was heaven. She pinched her cheeks to distract from the dark smudges that must be beneath her eyes. She tied her hair with a bright ribbon and left her room in search of food. It was early and she didn’t expect the rest of the household to be up, but it seemed all were busy and bustling about. She stopped at the base of the steps and watched the flurry of activity, wondering if this was common practice. Before she could wonder overmuch, William was beside her, taking her elbow and leading her away from the main room and down a corridor. It opened onto a small room that appeared to be used as the family chapel. She went to the altar with him unresisting, neither fearful nor apprehensive, since she was loath to admit the truth: she liked his touch. She was so preoccupied and hazy from lack of sleep that she failed to notice the priest until she was before him. It took a moment for the import to sink in. Then she was filled with panic.