Macbeth's Niece (37 page)

Tessa was for an instant sympathetic to
Cedric’s situation. Lady Acton must have given him fits. “Cedric, I
am sorry. It was a mistake for us to wed. You don’t love me, and I
discovered I could not be the wife you hoped for. I’m sure you
understand it will benefit both of us to have this marriage
annulled quietly and quickly.”

“That is impossible, as I told your friend
Aidan Brixton.” Cedric’s large chin set with decision.

“But—”

“If we separate now, I will look a fool,”
Cedric interrupted. “First you leave me on our wedding day, then
you return to London and never bother to inform me. I have to hear
it from Brixton, who comes to tell me you will be his bride as soon
as you are free from me.”

“That is not true. Still, ours is no true
marriage.”

“It’s as much a marriage as many get. You
have done what you wanted, gone off who knows where. Now it’s time
that I get what I want, my wife in my home and my bed, pretending
at least to be content if she cannot pretend happiness.”

“I don’t understand. I heard you say that
marriage to me would bring you power in Scotland. There is no
possibility of that now, so why?”

Cedric’s eyes flashed with the understanding
of what had caused her to run from him. “I see. Eavesdropping, were
you? Well, true enough, but it isn’t all. If you must know, I have
spoken with young Malcolm, who would be most grateful, he tells me,
if you were under the care of someone who would prevent your return
to Scotland, at least until he is firmly established. Stories have
spread of your heroic ride across the Lowlands to warn Macbeth of
danger, and the Scots love nothing more than a good tale to fire
their blood. Malcolm fears you would become a rallying point for
rebellion if you were nearby.”

“I promised him I would not return. Is that
not enough?”

“Apparently he cannot trust his own
subjects—yet.” Cedric set his large chin truculently. “In addition,
you are my wife. The world knows you as such. Since you are here
tonight, we will quiet their yammering gossip by appearing together
publicly. You will have all you desire of my wealth, fine clothes
and lovely things, but you will play your part. Once we have sons,
I may even leave your bed. Other women will be glad of my
company.”

Tessa tore her arm from his grip and
massaged the bruises where his fingers had been. “Then go and find
one of them now. Annul the marriage.”

“I repeat, I will not be made fool of. You
will make amends to my reputation by taking on your proper role.
Young Brixton shall not have you. You are mine.” So that was the
truth of it. Aidan had seemed over-eager and made Cedric angry. “He
shall see us together as man and wife tonight, and he will have to
accept it. Is he here yet?”

“I have not seen Aidan,” she answered dully.
She was again a prisoner, this time of Cedric Acton. As her lawful
husband, he had the right to claim her, body and soul. Who might
help her? Aidan, but then she would be beholden to him. What a
tangle she had got into. A sudden thought flashed through Tessa’s
mind. Cedric had betrayed great interest in Scotland on the day of
their wedding. Was it possible he was the Englishman Hawick dealt
with? He certainly was more ruthless than he had seemed all those
months ago when he courted her. By marrying Cedric in her haste to
solve her problems, she had made them worse, and she was now under
his control.

The conversation with Jeffrey returned. He
had asked her directly how she felt about Cedric. Was it because he
suspected him, too? With his ties to William, Cedric might have
been able to frame Jeffrey, but to what purpose?

Cedric had replaced his mask and his manner
became brisk. “Now then, shall we go in to dinner? It will be the
first time the world has seen the new Lord and Lady Acton, so be
sure to keep yourself composed.”

Tessa had no choice but to accompany him. He
led her inside, his hand on her elbow. What should she do? Run?
Where? She was not welcome in Scotland, and in England she was this
man’s property. Woodenly she stood by as Cedric chatted with
several people as if it were not the oddest thing to have a captive
wife by his side.

To make matters worse, as they moved across
the hall, they met a beautifully dressed creature in a fantastic
mask of feathers and silk. The woman was dressed in blue, long
associated with faithfulness in myth and story, which was ironic,
for Tessa recognized Mairie behind the mask. Tessa’s mask was off,
and Mairie’s eyes widened, then narrowed as she considered what to
do about the situation. Finally, she decided to brazen her way
through. Smiling ironically, she removed her own mask.

Mairie was more impressive than ever
tonight. The blue gown was sewn with hundreds of tiny pearls and
draped snugly over her form. The neckline was low, showing much of
her white neck and bosom. Over her dark hair a jewel-studded net of
gold fell loosely, shining in the torchlight. Her eyes were
enlarged by subtly applied cosmetics, and her lips were their
usual, unnatural red. She looked Tessa over speculatively, taking
note of the green velvet dress and matching ribbons braided into
her hair. Plainer than mine, her look said, but Tessa reflected
that her borrowed costume was better than one that was in all
likelihood stolen.

Mairie spoke first, her voice low and
seductive, but Tessa had a moment’s amusement picturing her tantrum
over Jeffrey’s escape as the bard had related it. “Mistress Tessa,
is it not?”

Cedric was not about to be forgotten. “The
lady is my wife,” he said decisively. Mairie’s eyebrows lifted in
surprise, but her face took on a sly look. Was she considering
blackmail? Probably, but she didn’t know the circumstances.

Tessa smiled at her brightly. “Mistress
Hawick, this is my husband Cedric,Lord Acton. We were married last
spring, before I came to Scotland and was graced by your brother’s
hospitality. Husband, this is Mairie Hawick, of both France and
Scotland.”

Mairie absorbed the information with
interest but did not react beyond a slight narrowing of the eyes.
“I offer my congratulations on your marriage, Lord Acton, Lady
Acton.” Excusing herself regally, she moved off into the crowd.
Tessa wondered if Hawick was nearby and would soon learn the news.
Perhaps when he knew she was not his legal wife he would forget
about her and return to Scotland.

Supper was announced at nine, and Tessa by
that time had located Mary and Francis. Mary looked surprised to
see Cedric, but he spoke cheerfully to her and the four of them
went in together. They approached long tables set up in three rows
with a head table perpendicular to the others. Cedric went in
search of the seneschal to exchange his place so he would be seated
beside Tessa.

“We will of course make our greetings to
Mother,” Cedric informed Tessa, “but we will do it after supper or
her digestion may be upset.” He moved off adjusting his collar
fussily.

Mary raised an eyebrow at Tessa, but she
could not think of a way to explain things briefly in this public
place. Francis seated them both and Tessa waited glumly, wondering
what could possibly make matters worse. A masked figure touched her
shoulder, and when she turned, there was Aidan.

“Forgive me for not seeking you out sooner,”
he apologized, removing a dark blue silk mask. “I had some things I
had to do, and only now have been able to turn my thoughts to
pleasure. And pleasure it will be to sit beside you, Tessa.”

She had only time to give him the briefest
of explanations, telling him he could not sit beside her because of
Cedric’s insistence they play the married couple, but his face
showed understanding—and anger.

“I spoke to him yesterday, and I feared he
would make things difficult for us,” he whispered grimly. Tessa
hoped he would not make a scene, and thankfully he did not. “I must
tell you something else. I have spoken to Jeffrey, who is here this
evening in disguise!” Tessa tried to appear surprised as Aidan
continued. “He says he is not guilty of the terrible things that
are said about him and is determined to put an end to the matter
tonight.”

Tessa murmured, “I hope that is
possible.”

“As do I, my love, but I have come to doubt
it. The evidence against him is strong, and though I tried not to
believe it myself, I can think of no other explanation.”

“Could someone else who knew William’s
affairs have done these things and then blamed them on
Jeffrey?”

Aidan appeared to think about it. “I don’t
know who.”

“Cedric seems to have been close to
William.”

“Hmm. It’s possible, but Cedric has no need
of William’s money.” He considered again. “Could he be jealous of
you and Jeffrey?”

Tessa shook her head. “There is nothing to
be jealous of. Besides, Cedric knows I don’t love him. He still has
dreams of influencing things in Scotland.”

“If we convince him you cannot help with
that, he will agree to the annulment. You will see.” Aidan kissed
her hand and retreated as the host called for silence and the
speeches began.

As the host bawled what he took to be
witticisms about those assembled, Tessa glanced about the room at
the masked figures. A large woman in an overdone costume glared
back at her from several tables over, and she recognized Lady Acton
despite the mask of peacock feathers she wore. Her animosity was
obvious, and her masculine body fairly bristled with indignation at
Tessa’s presence. Another reason she should not have come, she
chided herself.

As the meal progressed, the chair beside her
remained empty. Cedric didn’t return. She had quite lost her
appetite, but course after course of exotic foods were set before
her: meats carved into odd shapes, puddings studded with currants
and dried cherries, and finally, tiny cakes decorated with paper
castles that yielded trinkets when cut open. Tessa received a
pendant of rose quartz, and Mary a tiny silver bear. As Tessa
turned to put the items into her reticule she saw Jeffrey, his mask
covering his face, sliding into a seat two tables over. He watched
her grimly as he waved away the servant with the cakes. Though she
couldn’t see his face for the mask, his shoulders and neck were
held stiffly upright, as if he were tensed for something—escape?
Resistance? His eyes took in the empty chair beside her and then
Mary said something to Tessa. When she looked back, Jeffrey was
gone.

After dinner there was entertainment, but
still Cedric didn’t take his seat. Scanning the crowd watching the
three acrobats perform feats of balance and strength, Tessa saw no
sign of Jeffrey, either. Her gaze traveled over the room idly,
identifying people she knew now that the masks were removed. She
again met the gaze of Lady Acton, as imperious as ever. When their
eyes met, the old lady’s face stiffened and she turned away. At
least there might be an ally there in the argument for
annulment.

Mairie Hawick sat near Lady Ballard, two
smitten men on either side of her vying for her attention.
Evidently she had been watching Tessa, for when their eyes met, she
raised an eyebrow and smiled, her nose lifting in disdain. Tessa
held her own face immobile—at least she hoped so—and turned to
speak to Mary and Francis.

The acrobats gave way to a bard, who had
hardly begun his tale when Tessa felt a tug at her sleeve. She
turned to find Aidan, white-faced and intense. “Tessa, come
quickly,” he hissed in her ear. His eyes warned her to silence, so
she merely touched Mary’s arm and whispered she would return. She
rose and followed Aidan from the room, threading her way around
guests, servants, and hounds blocking the way.

Once they were outside, she asked, “What is
it? Where are we going?”

Aidan turned to her, his eyes still wide
with excitement. “Tessa, you must be calm. I have something to tell
you, and you must try to understand it. There has been
an…incident.”

“An incident? Aidan, please slow down. I
can’t keep up.” He was hurrying down the path toward the stables,
and in the gloom of night she almost lost sight of him from time to
time.

“Aidan!”

He stopped and waited for her to catch up at
the stable door. There was a light inside, and she could see that
his eyes glowed feverishly. Tessa didn’t know what to think until
she looked past him into the stall closest to the door. A man’s
legs were visible in the light of a lantern hung on a post nearby.
From their position, it was obvious he wasn’t conscious. Aidan
stopped in the doorway. Tessa stepped closer, into the stall. The
man was Cedric Acton, and he lay face down in the straw, a knife
protruding from his back. Tessa looked at Aidan, whose eyes were
fixed on her, gauging her reaction.

“Aidan, what happened?”

“Tessa, you must forgive him. I’m sure he
didn’t mean to kill Cedric. He was upset when I told him Acton
intended to hold to his marriage to you. I had all I could do to
keep him from attacking the man at the banquet, in front of
everyone. I walked with him outside, thought I had calmed him down,
but you know Jeffrey. He has a terrible temper.”

Tessa gazed at Aidan in disbelief. “Are you
telling me Jeffrey did this?”

“I’m afraid so. He said something about
Cedric taking you from him. I believe he has lost his wits—the blow
to his head, you know. Did he not seem morose and changeable of
mood to you?”

“I…I don’t know.” Tessa was at a loss to
understand what was happening. Yes, Jeffrey had been changeable,
sometimes helping her and other times setting her back, but he had
explained all that.

Aidan looked down at Tessa, his eyes sad.
“My dear, I fear he intends to harm you also. He said as much.”

“You spoke to him? He admitted to this?”
Tessa gestured weakly at the body.

Aidan put his hands on her shoulders. “I
know it’s a shock, Tessa, but you must understand. Jeffrey is a man
of great pride. He would not let Cedric rob him of a woman he
considers his.” Aidan ran a hand through his hair and looked out
into the darkness, avoiding the scene of death beside him. “I had
business with Cedric, so I went looking for him. Jeffrey met me in
the garden, wild-eyed. He told me what he’d done, and why. I came
to try to help Cedric, but it was too late. Then I thought more
clearly and came to warn you. He intends harm to you also,
believing you have betrayed him.”