Dating Two Dragons (13 page)

“I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. Thomas was out hunting early this morning and was accidently shot in the chest with an arrow. I have tended to my brother-it is not too serious but the wedding tomorrow will have to be postponed until he is well enough to attend the Kirk. I’m afraid you will have to occupy yourself today. Do you ride or shoot? There is little else to do around here.”

Beatrice did neither and shook her head.

“Never mind. There is food in the scullery if you are hungry”

“Can I see him?”

Gertrude Selkirk “Lord Selkirk does not want to be disturbed.”

Before she could ask any questions she left the girl alone.

Poor Thomas! She had been told he was an excellent hunter and it seemed rather strange that he should have such an accident before the wedding. Her mind recalled the previous evening and the strange things she had seen and heard from her window. Surely she hadn’t been dreaming again?

She had soon dressed and found bread and cheese in the scullery to eat. All the time she was worried about Thomas and wondered if Gertrude was telling her the truth? There was only one way to find out and that was to try and see him. It was no use asking Gertrude, she seemed over protective of her brother and she needed to find out what had happened for herself, no matter how aloof Thomas might seem.

She had no idea which room belonged to Lord Selkirk but was sure it wouldn’t take long to find out, as long as she could keep out of the way of his sister. For most of the morning Gertrude was bustling about from one room to another and Beatrice waited until she had settled into her chamber for the afternoon and bolted the door behind her; a sure sign that she would be there for a while.

There were many rooms to explore upstairs and with a gentle knock, Beatrice carefully peered into every room. Each room was empty except for a few scant pieces of furniture and perhaps a rug; some rooms for sitting, some for sleeping and others for both. At the last door she hesitated, there was a noise down the hallway and the sound of footsteps approaching. It must be Gertrude. In a blind panic Beatrice stepped quickly into the room. The curtains were closed even though it was only the afternoon and the sun was high in the heavens. Someone was lying in the vast bed, it was Thomas Selkirk and he looked asleep, his face pale and waxen in the darkness. There was no time for a closer inspection, the footsteps were outside the door and she needed to hide. There was a screen pulled part way across the window and she rushed behind it just as the door opened and Gertrude Selkirk stepped into the room.

Beatrice watched as Gertrude looked over her brother; bathing his forehead with a cloth and water from a bowl kept by his bedside. The man stirred slightly and holding his head she brought a small draught of liquid to his lips; pouring a small amount of the liquid into his mouth and making him cough, before settling him back once again. Gertrude stood for a long time in the darkness looking at the face of her brother as if transfixed; then with a soft kiss to his forehead she left the room.

Beatrice gasped for air, she hadn’t realised that she had been holding her breath; not wanting to make a sound lest she be discovered. Stepping over to the bed she reached beside the bowl and picked up the small glass vial removing the stopper. The liquid smelled bitter and faintly of herbs. Pouring out a couple of drops she brought them to her lips.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

The voice made her jump and looking up she saw that Thomas was awake, his deep brown eyes slightly hazy and looking straight at her.

“The drug will be quite powerful if I know my sister and it probably won’t do you any good.”

Thomas smiled at her warmly, but immediately winced with pain.

“But how do you know that she’s not poisoning you?” the words were out before she could stop herself and her hand rushed to her mouth as if that would make them go away. She was his sister after all.

Thomas tried to smile. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Gertrude’s own fortune is tied up with mine, and if anything happens to me she would be left without a thing. It is in her interest to help me; believe me. Any medicines she gives me are all for the benefit of my health.”

Beatrice smiled with some relief, she was just being fanciful. She would have mentioned the strange sights of last night but it all seemed stupid right now and she didn’t want Thomas to think her stupid.

Lying there he looked so peaceful; not the gruff man people said he was, and her heart went out to him. His chest was heavily bandaged and he looked so pale yet his eyes sparkled and she felt easier for seeing him.

He was glad to see her. He had thought of little else since their last meeting, wondering if he was doing the right thing in marrying this young and beautiful creature. Gertrude had been against it all the while, and had poisoned his mind to the fact that the girl would never love him; but here she was with her beautiful blue eyes full of concern for him. That was a start and maybe there was hope after all?

He wished he could stay awake but he felt so tired. Gertrude’s potions were potent but would do him good. Sensing he needed to rest she turned to go.

“Beatrice?”

Her name was gentle on his lips.

“Come here so I can kiss you.”

Leaning over the bed she put her face to his and he kissed her deeply on the lips.  She could feel her heart start to race. He let out a soft gentle moan, and then released himself back onto the pillow.

“I must rest, so I can be with you completely.”

It was time for her to go.

Stroking his face lightly she whispered in his ear, “I’ll come and see you tomorrow.”

Hurrying back to her own room she sat on the bed with a smile on her lips, the first one since arriving here. He did have feelings for her she was sure. The kiss had been unlike anything she had experienced before, filled with raw and tender passion. At least now she knew that she could love him.

She ate alone in her room that night, not wanting to encounter Gertrude, and for once she slept soundly.

The next day she tried to keep herself to herself and eagerly awaited the afternoon until Gertrude had checked on her brother and retired to her room, once again locking the door behind her.

Beatrice plaited her long hair and checked herself in the mirror before leaving her room and rushing quietly along the landing to Lord Selkirk’s chamber. Knocking gently she opened the door and was surprised to find him sitting up.

“I hoped you would come.”

She spent the next hour sat on the bed next to Thomas, telling him stories about herself; as a girl growing up in the Lowlands, and how hard the years had been since the fighting had started between the two clans. Lord Selkirk looked concerned. As a younger man fighting had been in his blood, encouraged by a bloody and brutal father. But he had seen too many men die, too many of his friends and kin lose their lives in senseless battle, and as soon as his father had died he had wanted peace across the lands. Marrying Lady Ceri had made perfect sense to act as both a symbol and bond between the Clans.

He had also wanted her for her beauty and now he was falling in love with her.

She stopped talking; he looked tired and had closed his eyes. He needed to rest and recover as soon as possible. Leaning over to kiss his forehead he opened his eyes and caught hold of her arm; his gaze steady on her. He kissed her fully on the lips. His soft yet firm lips pressed down onto hers with the act of a passionate lover. She felt a stirring inside and wanted more, to feel his firm body pressed against hers. He winced as her breasts pushed against his wound.

It was time for her to go once more.

She had only been in her room for a few minutes when the door opened and there stood Gertrude, two red spots high in her cheeks as if she were angry about something.

“Where have you been girl?”

Beatrice could feel her face flushing “I’ve been here all afternoon”.

Gertrude flashed back at her with eyes blazing. “Don’t lie to me girl. I have been looking all over for ye. I came into your room not 10 minutes ago but ye were not here. I thought ye might be wandering in the garden and have been calling everywhere”.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the girl, reading her thoughts before striding out of the room.

Why was Gertrude so against her? Beatrice could not understand but soon she would be Lady Selkirk then surely Gertrude would have to accept her?

The next day Beatrice thought Gertrude would never go to her room. She seemed to be watching her every move and it was only when she pretended to fall asleep in the Great Hall did she ascend the stairs and go to her chamber.

Once again she rushed to be at the bedside of Thomas. She did not tell him that she was afraid of his sister, not wanting to trouble him and when he asked questions she told him that all was well; there would be enough time to explain when he was stronger and fully recovered.

Whatever was contained in the potions must be working for he was already looking better, the colour had come back to his cheeks and he didn’t seem as weary. As soon as she entered the room he sat up and smiled and her heart sang. She never thought she could have been so happy with him, and now the only fly on the ointment was Gertrude.

Beatrice started chattering away telling him more stories about her childhood when she stopped; he looked concerned and she wondered if he was in pain.

Grabbing her around the waist he pulled her to him.

“Beatrice, my dear sweet Beatrice, you are but a child and I must seem an old man in your eyes. You must think me very selfish bringing you out all this way in the name of peace to marry you. I have been thoughtless and unfeeling and if you want to leave I will understand. This is a barren place and you should have laughter and fun in your life; I fear you would be lonely if you stayed here.”

He had never loved her more than he had at that moment; her beautiful heart shaped face smiling up at him; innocent and full of life.

His eyes were saddened as she looked at him yet never had she loved him more. Her heart was his, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

“Oh my Dear, I could never leave you, I love you so much.”

She had spoken the magic word and he thought his heart would burst. This enchanting woman-child set before him loved him, something he had dared not believe, yet still a shadow hung across his heart. There was so much he had to tell her, so much she needed to know, but how could he and where would he start? There would be time enough.

“We will marry when you are well again yes?”

Her face pleaded up at him and he could not disappoint her and in answer he swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

At that moment the door opened and there stood Gertrude, her eyes wide and her mouth smiling as if discovering her husband in the arms of another woman.

Thomas seemed not to notice, his heart was so full of joy that he smiled at his sister.

“You see Gertrude, I will soon be well enough to marry do ye think?”

It was difficult for her to smile and her mouth twitched as if she didn’t know what to say, and bowing out of the room she closed the door giving Beatrice a sly glance as she left.

“I don’t think your sister likes me.”

Thomas laughed “I don’t think she likes many people. She is overly protective of her brother. Now both our parents are dead I’m all she has left. I think I’m well enough to join you both for dinner tonight. Leave me while I dress and I will see you later.”

Back in her bed chamber she thought she heard raised voices coming from Thomas’s room.

Opening her door she listened carefully, the voices shouting until she could hear the words clearly along the hallway.

“But I love her.”

They were Thomas’s words and after that, Gertrude fell silent.

Before long Thomas was well enough to set the date. His words must have worked for even Gertrude seemed to have given up the battle and resigned herself to the marriage.

Over the next few weeks Thomas spent time showing her around his lands and soon she began to love them as much as her own Lowlands. He took her into the great pine forests and pointed out the wildlife; he seemed to know the names of every plant, animal and bird that lived on his land. He gathered bunches of wild flowers for her, the blue sow-thistle and spotted orchids, the purple thrift and cheerful primrose; she loved them all.

              On the eve of her wedding she couldn’t be happier, and with a final glance at her dress hanging on the screen she blew out her candle ready to dream of her lover. This time tomorrow she would be in his bed and they would be properly joined as man and wife. In her dreams she was in the little Kirk of St Andrews awaiting her love, but he did not come. Instead, her brother appeared, the dear departed Michael. It had been so long since she had last dreamed of him. He was running towards her with his arms flailing and shouting something at her but she could not hear him. He was getting nearer and his movements were becoming more anxious until he was almost upon her.

“Run, run as fast as you can. RUN”

She sat up with a start. Someone was in the room with her, she could hear the breathing. An arm suddenly caught her by the neck and was holding her head onto the pillow. Her eyes opened widely’ it was Gertrude, and she was smiling as she brought up a small glass vial to the girls lips.

Beatrice struggled and let out a cry as the acrid smell of deadly nightshade hit her nostrils.

As the vial was pushed to her lips the door burst open and Thomas was at her side pushing passed Gertrude and hardly noticing his sister. Her face was ghostly in the candlelight.

“My love, what on earth is the matter?”

Beatrice could hardly speak and her heart was fluttering like a bird. “I think she was trying to poison me?”

Thomas looked around puzzled. There was only his sister in the room. Shining his candle towards Gertrude’s face he was shocked to see the look of hate in her eyes and in her tightly clasped hands a glass vial.

“What’s happening Gertrude?” he swung around to face her.

Gertrude was visibly shaking, her eyes large and white in the candles glow.

“You can’t love HER Thomas, I was meant to be your wife, to look after you. I have looked after you for all of these years. You belong to me.”

Thomas looked bemused and shook his head slowly.

“But you’re my sister?”

Her eyes lit up with a maniacal glee. “But that’s not so Thomas. I am only your step sister. Your mother had a friend who died in childbirth and promised on my mother’s death bed that she would look after me as her own. They told no-one and soon everyone accepted me as Lady Selkirk. Your mother only told me as she lay dying on her own death bed”

Thomas looked visibly shaken and sat down on the bed.

“So you see, we too can be married as I am not your sister by blood –my darling Thomas”

Gertrude rushed to him with open arms but as she reached him he stood up and pushed her away, repulsed by her sudden show of affection.

“Stop this Gertrude; I am going to marry Beatrice”.

Laughing she approached him again “But I love you Thomas, you are mine. We can be together at last.”

Thomas pushed her away once more and this time she fell to the floor.

For a moment all was quiet until she stood up again and smiled at the couple.

“But what about your little secret Thomas? What about your other life?”

This time she had his attention.

“She doesn’t know does she? DO you think she will still love you when she finds out? I will look after you Thomas; I love you”.

“But I don’t love you Gertrude, not like that and I never will. You are my sister and that is enough,” his voice was low and desperate.

For a second or two Gertrude looked straight at her brother as his words began to sink in; almost triumphant. Then her face began to slowly crumble into one of utmost sorrow. Raising the glass vial to her lips she poured the foul liquid into her mouth before Thomas could stop her. For a moment she stood erect and defiant before the poison started to take hold and she started to gasp for breath, her hands on her chest as if in pain. It didn’t take long for the potion to do its worse and within a minute she was lying stone dead on the floor.

Thomas went to her in sorrow, carefully lifted her with his arms, and carried her away down the hall.

When Thomas returned he sat back down on Beatrice’s bed with his head in his hands.

“Thomas, I am so sorry,” Beatrice touched his arm gently.

Grabbing her by the waist he pulled her close. “That nearly was you Beatrice my love; I nearly lost you,” and he wept into her shoulder.

Picking her up in his arms he carried Beatrice to his bed chamber and laid her on the bed. Stepping to the window he opened the curtains, letting the brightness of the full moon wash over the room.

“I need to tell ye something, show ye something. Gertrude was right, I do have a secret and it is only fair that ye know before we are married”

Moving to the bed he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. “If ye do love me, promise me that ye will not be afraid, whatever happens.”

She looked into his deep brown eyes and promised.

“Beatrice, do you love me no matter what, no matter whom or what I am. Do you trust me?”

It was a silly question.

“Yes my darling, I love you and trust you no matter what”.

Without taking his eyes from hers he drew her firmly towards him, pulling her into his strong arms. The heat was already rising from him and it spread across her, moistening her skin beneath her thin cotton night shirt.

“Never be afraid of me Beatrice, whatever happens. I will never hurt you, ever.”

Bending his head slightly towards hers Thomas started to kiss her face, softly at first, soft gently kisses lightly skipping over her face that made her body weak, and she leaned further into his arms for support. His strong arms pulled her even closer and she could taste his masculinity in the air, a tang of salt and something else, something wild and fresh. His kisses became harder as he found her mouth and her soft lips yielded to his passion, his tongue exploring, pressing down into her.