The Succubus (7 page)

“I'll appreciate your help. There's so much I don't know.”

“You're young to have this responsibility thrust on you, but I've seen a definite change in you since you returned from Tewsbarrow. You take life more seriously and that's good, for now you have a baronetcy to govern and a child to raise.”

“A child?”

“Kendrick's daughter. As his heir you are also her guardian. For that matter, unless Kendrick made other arrangements, you'll be responsible for his widow as well.”

Daniel felt another wave of mirth building in him, but successfully tamped it down lest his mentor think him a fool. But he couldn't stop a small grin over the prospect of having Isabel in his power.

* * * *

While he dallied at court, waiting for an audience with the king, Daniel filled the long days by dreaming of ways he might punish Isabel for the months of agony she'd caused him.
How?
That is the burning question.
Was there a dungeon in the cellars of Tewsbarrow?
He imagined confining her there and using instruments of torture on her. The image of her ivory body stretched to the breaking point on the rack sent a jolt of heat through his groin, but that wasn't what he wanted.

She used her alluring body to control men and he definitely didn't intend to fall under her spell again. Perhaps he should reduce her to the poverty she obviously abhorred and cast her out, but he knew nothing of her family.
Are they powerful? Will they turn on me?
Even if she didn't have family to take her in, it wouldn't be long before she found another rich man and seduced him into slavery. Daniel had to keep her near to protect the rest of mankind.

He'd like to hurt her as she had him by breaking her heart, but of course, she had no heart, so he could only hope to break her confidence by proving there was at least one man in the world who would not succumb to her charms. Somehow he must teach her she couldn't get whatever she wanted by opening her legs to the right man.

* * * *

Finally, Daniel had his audience with the king and was officially confirmed the Baron of Tewsbarrow. Before the audience was concluded, the king said, “I trust you will see to the welfare of Lord Kendrick's widow and child.”

Daniel bowed his head to hide a smile, and said, “Most assuredly, your majesty.” It was as if he had a royal sanction to do whatever he chose with Isabel.

When Daniel returned to Tewsbarrow Castle, he did not approach as a supplicant but as the new lord clad in the finery he'd acquired for court and accompanied by servants and guards.

He had sent word of his approach, and flags of welcome flapped from the crenulated walls. As he and his escort clattered into the village near the castle, villagers hurried to the roadside to bow their heads and pull at their forelocks. They recognized their new lord and master. He was both flattered and a bit frightened by their obeisance, for the welfare of these people was now his responsibility.

The gates of Tewsbarrow stood open. Soldiers in bright green tunics stood at attention as the party rode into the outer bailey. At a signal from a smiling Sir Robert, they drew their swords and touched the tips of them to the ground in a gesture of homage. The stable boys eagerly rushed to take the horses.

In the inner bailey, Daniel found a reception committee composed of everyone of any importance in the castle except the baroness. After greeting the people he remembered from his last visit and being introduced to others, Wilmont led him into the great hall where the trestle tables stood ready for diners. Trying to sound casual, Daniel asked, “Why hasn't the baroness joined us? I hope she isn't ill.”

Is she hiding in fear of me? She should be afraid.
She had betrayed him in the worst way a woman can betray a man but now she must come to him on bended knee for her very sustenance. She needn't think she could hide from his wrath.

“Oh, no, sir. She went to live with her mother.”

Daniel felt his jaw tighten. “What of the babe?”

“She took Lady Chloe with her.”

“I hope she didn't take the babe on a long journey.”

“Her mother lives in Whitmere, your eastern manor, a half day's ride from here.” Wilmont must have sensed Daniel's displeasure for he hastily added, “I assured her she had every right to stay here, but she said she wanted her mother's advice on raising the babe.”

The anger roiling through Daniel made it hard for him to breathe, let alone hide his aggravation from those surrounding him. The bitch had succeeding in stealing his seed and now meant to steal the fruit of that seed. He grabbed a cup of wine from a tray a servant held in front of him and took a long swallow.

Lady Lavinia had apparently overheard his exchange with Wilmont, for she moved closer and said, “I don't know why she felt she had to leave. I've raised three babes of my own and was perfectly willing to advise her. Besides, Lady Miranda's home lacks many of the comforts available to Lady Chloe here.”

“Lady Miranda?” a befuddled Daniel asked.

“Lady Isabel's mother.”

“I thought my uncle provided for Lady Isabel's family.”

Lady Lavinia pursed her mouth as though reluctant to say more. Then she did. “He provided a cottage, but it's hardly adequate for Lady Miranda's large family and the poor woman has few servants.”

Daniel stared at her in confusion.
If Isabel had married Kendrick to increase her wealth, why hadn't she required him to provide more adequately for her family? Was she so selfish she cared naught for them?
If so, it was poetic justice she now had to flee his wrath by going back to some hovel.
Of course, Lady Chloe was his child, and he didn't intend to see her living in such conditions.

He turned fully toward Lady Lavinia. “As my uncle's heir, I'm his child's guardian. Once I've settled in here, I'll see to her welfare.”

Lady Lavinia nodded with satisfaction. “I do hope you'll persuade dear Lady Isabel to come back to Tewsbarrow. She's had great misfortune in her young life and deserves the comfort her marriage to Lord Kendrick promised her.”

Daniel was surprised to hear Lady Lavinia, a woman who had once served the queen, speak so sympathetically about a woman as low as Isabel.
Could she possibly be sincere?
“Are you and Lady Isabel good friends?”

“Actually, Lord Kendrick was so protective of her that he kept her virtually isolated in the baron's tower. After he became ill, however, I got to know her better. She's a sweet girl, but terribly insecure. I suppose that's why she felt compelled to return to her mother.”

Daniel had trouble keeping his mouth from gaping. He couldn't believe Isabel had hidden her true nature so successfully for a mature woman like Lady Lavinia. Perhaps he shouldn't feel so badly over the way Isabel had fooled him. She was obviously a skilled actress.

Master Ambrose, the seneschal, interrupted them to urge everyone to the tables where a welcoming feast for the new lord was about to be served. Daniel took his place at the large chair at the center of the head table.

Before anyone sat down, Sir Alfred raised a wine cup and called out, “A toast to the new lord of Tewsbarrow.”

Cups were raised around the hall and voices called out, “Hail to Lord Daniel.”

Daniel smiled his pleasure and gestured for all to be seated. A jolly roar of conversations rose from around the hall. Apparently the people here did not hold the same awed respect for him as they held for his uncle and Daniel was glad. This seemed a far happier meal.

Sir Alfred, his wife Lavinia, Father Clemens, Sir Robert and two of the knight tenants and their wives were the only people present of sufficient rank to sit at the head table. Lady Lavinia asked him about his time at court, and remembering her previous interest, he launched into repeating all the gossip he could remember. He even tried to recount the latest fashions for the ladies, who hung on his every word.

When they'd wrung every detail he could remember from him, the men at the table took over the conversation, mostly commenting about the recently completed harvest. Daniel could only listen.

Father Clemens, who sat on his left side, leaned closer and softly said, “I heard you intend to visit Lady Isabel. I hope you'll invite her back to Tewsbarrow. I urged her to stay, and she finally told me she didn't think you'd want her here.”

Daniel stared at the priest for a moment, wondering if Isabel had confessed her sins to him. But if she had, surely the priest would understand Isabel's reasons for leaving. “Why would she think I don't want her here?”

“You didn't meet her on your visit, did you?”

Daniel gave his head a small shake.

“She's a timid young woman and wasn't married to the baron long enough to truly understand her position as the baroness. When you meet her, I'm sure you'll see she's sweet and unaffected and needs someone to protect her.”

Obviously, Isabel hadn't confessed her sins. Everyone here seemed to think she was a paragon of virtue. Daniel suddenly realized how he could obtain his revenge against her.

He would make her his leman, not to satisfy any need he had for her, but to show the people at Tewsbarrow exactly what kind of woman she was and to teach her she must reap what she had sown.

The next morning, Daniel set about rearranging his living quarters. The lord's bed in the solar did not suit his plans. With most of the castle's servants bedding down each night in the hall one wall away and an entry to the nearest tower opening directly into the solar, there was little privacy.

With Ambrose in tow, he inspected the tower. The first floor was used for storage, just as it was in the great hall. The second floor, on the same level as the solar, had been Lady Isabel's room and still contained the furniture she'd used. The third floor room contained an elaborately carved cradle that looked like a dragon sitting on his haunches with a bed carved into his belly, while his fearsome head towered over it.

Daniel had never seen such a thing and stared at it in amazement.

Ambrose cleared his throat. “Lord Kendrick had it made before the babe was born. He-he was expecting a boy child.”

“I'd think it would frighten a boy or a girl.”

“Lady Isabel apparently thought so too, for the child never used it.”

Daniel walked over to the nearest window. It was larger than the usual arrow slit and gave an excellent view of the fields surrounding this side of the castle.

He liked looking out over land that was his, and this room would certainly give him the privacy he desired. “Have the large bed in the solar along with my chests moved up here.”

“Yes, sir. And what of the cradle?”

“Move it to the lower room. In fact, make that into a nursery.”

“Shall I leave Lady Isabel's furnishings there as well?”

“No. Move her clothing chests up here and pack away the rest of her furniture.”

“But-but, sir—” Ambrose stammered.

Daniel cut him off with, “Do as you're told.”

Ambrose ducked his balding head and hurried from the room.

Returning to the solar, Daniel looked about the large, cluttered room with disgust. He called Father Clemens to discuss what could be done with Kendrick's numerous books and parchment scrolls. The elderly priest pointed out that ancient records of births and deaths and land boundaries were recorded on many of them.

Daniel cut him short. “Now that Kendrick is no longer here, I'm afraid these old records will molder away. Is there someplace they can be safely stored?”

“But, my lord, it would be a shame to pack these records away. There are scholars who would find them of vital interest.”

“What scholars? Where?”

“Why—ah—the monks at St. Martin's have an extensive collection of such parchments.”

“Good. We'll donate these to the monastery.”

“All of them?”

“Lord Kendrick told me he was working on a history of Tewsbarrow. Did he finish it?”

“All but his own family history,” Father Clemens said.

“Keep that. Future barons may be interested.” Standing in the middle of the large room, Daniel gestured with his hand. “I'd like to have an area in this corner where you and I can work on the records of the demesene and the manors, and we'll keep the most valuable books on these shelves along this wall. The rest of the room will be turned into a comfortable sitting area where special guests can be entertained. The Baron of Bettany has such an area and uses it frequently.”

The priest looked befuddled. Daniel hurried to reassure him. “If you'll just see that the papers are safely packed for transport, I'll discuss the other arrangements with Ambrose.”

Two days later, when he was sure all of his plans were being implemented, he left for Whitmere.

When Isabel overheard the old man who delivered firewood telling their manservant about the excitement at Whitmere Keep because the new lord was expected, she had to reach out and rest her hand against the doorsill until a rush of dizziness passed.

Will Daniel come here? Is he still angry with me?
During their last meeting, he'd said hateful things, but she knew he'd been expressing the pain her betrayal caused him. Surely by now, he'd calmed down and realized she'd had no choice in the matter, and that the passion she'd showered on him had been more than just an act. Perhaps it had also occurred to him that with Kendrick dead, they could have a future together.

She had left Tewsbarrow to give him a chance to avoid her if he still blamed her, but if he didn't, would he come and claim her as his own? But angry men want to hurt those who have angered them.
If he's still angry, what will he do?

To keep herself from fretting, she went into the main room and started putting away toys and clothing her brothers and sisters had left lying about. When her mother asked why she was doing this, Isabel told her the new lord was visiting Sir Theobald and might come to their cottage to see his ward, Chloe. The news turned Lady Miranda into a whirlwind of activity. She recruited all her children, even seven-year-old Nelly, to set the household to rights. The two elderly servants were bustled into the kitchen to be sure suitable refreshments would be available.