Red Deception (3 page)

The man greeted her with a tip of his head. “May I enter?”

“Yes,” Judith stepped aside.

She settled on the edge of the bed and watched the sweat roll down the man’s flushed brow as he stacked the trunks neatly in the corner.

“Enjoy your evening,” he offered before departing.

I most definitely will…
Judith thought, smiling at the trunks.

She waited until his footsteps disappeared before investigating the trunks contents. She opened the first one and lifted out a lavish purple dress only a baroness could afford.  Laying it aside, she picked up the next. The dresses were never ending, an array of colors from marigold to forest green. After she had laid them out all over the bed, she realized she needed to choose one for supper. After inner debate on whether red made her look too sultry, she chose the forest green because it brought out the green in her hazel eyes.

She finished exploring two more trunks of Lora’s belongings before she came across her grooming supplies. She found a silver hairbrush and matching hand mirror. She brushed her hair until it shone.
Two servants joined her in her room shortly after. One milled about, putting away the contents of the trunk, while the other helped her into a warm bath. After the bath, they assisted her into the emerald dress. Judith felt like royalty as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was a snug fit on her hips and breasts and was just a bit short on her, just like Lora’s dress she had worn earlier. They gathered her long black hair into a hair net with emerald gems that matched her dress then placed Lora’s silk slippers on her feet.

Once she was ready, the servants led her downstairs. Before Judith even set foot inside the hall, her stomach rumbled from the enticing aroma of freshly roasted meat. The large doors of the hall opened, and she was escorted inside.

He stood at the head of the table dressed in his fabled black attire, from his doublet to his boots. His straight black hair fell past his shoulders. An elegant silver rapier with an elaborate jeweled hilt dangled from his belt.

Once she met his onyx stare, she knew there was no question about why he was the most feared man in Caldwell.

She curtsied and bowed her head. 

“Welcome to Blacwin manor, Lady Noire.”

His voice was deep and condescending.

“Thank you, Baron Blacwin,” she said, hoping he did not hear the trepidation in her voice.

He held out his hand to her.

She felt speechless as she placed her hand in his, and did her best not to tremble.

 
“It is my honor to have you as a guest.”

“There is no place I’d rather be,” she replied.

His lips parted in an amused chortle. “Not many have said that. You
have
heard the rumors about me, haven’t you?”

Judith’s cheeks burned. “I do not judge a man on a play of words.”

Their gazes met again, and Judith felt a strange prickling in her belly as his dark eyes burrowed into her with serious intent.

“Your father’s letters of your beauty hardly do you justice.”

She smiled, having never heard kind words about her beauty before. “You are too kind.”

“Shall we sit?”

Judith nodded and followed him to the head of the table.

She took a seat at the baron’s right.

“Will we be dining alone?” she asked, noting the table was only set for two.

“Yes. I thought we might grow to know one another. Is that suitable to you?”

“Yes.”

“Did you find your room satisfactory?” he picked up his wine goblet and his eyes wandered over her cleavage that was nearly bursting from her dress.

Judith’s face seared again. “It’s the most elegant room I have ever seen.”

The baron received his supper plate. Her mouth watered at the sight of the honey-glazed hen and fresh vegetables that were placed before each of them. She had never seen a meal so grand. She waited for the baron to begin eating before she took even one bite. She had never tasted anything so flavorful. She had to pace herself, so as not to finish her meal before he did.

“Is it true I have been sent here for a marriage arrangement?” she asked.

“That is correct.”

“Have you been married before?”

He lowered his silverware and his gaze hardened. “Yes, once. She was sickly and barren. She died from a fever.”

“You have my condolences.”

He responded with frown and turned his attention back to his supper. He did not have much to say after that, and they ate in silence.

Following the hens, they were served large slabs of pork drizzled with cranberry sauce, and blood pudding for dessert.

Judith drank three glasses of the sweetest wine she had ever tasted during the meal, and afterwards she was feeling confident enough to accept the baron’s offer to the manor. 

She rested her hand on the curve of his arm as he led her around the grounds, talking of his duties while showing her the old chapel, granary, dairy barn, buttery, pantry, servant’s hold, and finally the solar, his very own chamber.

She was surprised when he welcomed her inside.

A magnificent granite hearth blazed at the farthest wall, surrounded by arched stained glass windows. She imagined he had the most luxurious room in the entire kingdom.

A tall bed with four posts twisted like unicorn’s horns held rein over the room, which was dressed in forest-green velvet.  Thick fur rugs were strewn about the room, warding off the cold from the marble floor.  A tall wardrobe sat alone in the corner and two plush chairs rested before the hearth. Judith thought the room matched his personality perfectly.

“Tell me, Lora,” he said, pausing before the hearth with his back to her, “did you come to my manor willingly, or is this your father’s wish?”

The question caught Judith off guard. She pulled at the sides of her dress, pretending to smooth it. “It was my choice. I was pleased to be taken into consideration.”

She watched his head tilt slightly to the left; hearth light glowed along his chiseled jaw and revealed a slight smile.

“There is no need for dishonesty. I know my reputation. No one comes to visit my manor any more, unless by force or by duty.”

Judith swallowed. “Well, I am pleased to be here, Baron Blacwin.”

“You may call me Cal in private. Calvin Blacwin is my name.”

He took up two crystal chalices and filled each with dark wine.
He handed one to her, and she brushed her fingers over the crystal. She had never held a glass so luxurious.

For a moment, there was only the sound of firewood snapping in the hearth and the whistling of the wind outside.

She brought the chalice to her lips and tasted the wine. It was sweeter than the glasses she had enjoyed at dinner.

He followed her example and took a drink, letting his gaze linger on hers.  “As young as you are, you have a woman’s shape. I find it very becoming.”

“Well, I am nearing my nineteenth year.”

His voice changed from silk to concern. “Your father said you just celebrated your sixteenth year.”

Judith inwardly cursed herself and forced a soft laugh. “Oh, there is no fooling you, Lord Blacwin.”

“No there isn’t,” he answered, squinting.

She hid her apprehension with a long sip of wine.

Once they finished their wine, he set their chalices aside.

“Do you know what your eyes tell me?” he asked as he drew her to him, resting his hand on her waist.

She could feel warmth of his palm permeating through the dress.

Her words caught in her throat as she met his gaze. “No. What do they tell you?”

“That you have a secret.”

Judith tried to pull away, but his other hand came to rest on her upper back.

“I have no secrets,” she said, looking over at the stained glass window.

“No?” he insisted, dipping his head to get her attention.

“No,” she answered again, looking into his eyes. She wondered if he could hear how hard her heart was beating.

“Well, I have a secret.”
 

“Do you?”

She could smell the rich wine on his breath.

“Yes. I have not kissed another woman since my wife passed six winters ago. Tonight is the first time I desire to.”

She flushed at his revelation.

“Will you do me the honor?”

“Yes,” she answered softly.

Before she could prepare, his warm lips pressed against hers.

Heat flowed from her neck to her legs. She had never been kissed with such passion. Her hand grasped at the back of his doublet and she leaned into him. His hold on her tightened, and wrapped her in an embrace.  Their tongues brushed once and the kiss ended. She rested her forehead against his shoulder, feeling weak.

His lips brushed against her temple. “Would you stay the night with me, if only as innocent company?”

She swallowed hard, his kiss still lingering on her lips. “I would.”

She felt his smile without seeing it.

 “If you wish to change into your night clothes, I understand.”

“I should, yes,” she said, feeling suddenly intoxicated.

He released her. “I will be waiting here.”

Judith stumbled over her own feet as she left the solar and hurried back to her room. She closed the doors, pressed her back against them, and laughed. Her mind was clouded with lust and excitement. When she put on Lora Noire’s dress, she never expected she would be seducing the Baron of Caldwell.

What made it even worse was her enjoyment of this whole affair. She could not wait to feel his warm hands and his inviting lips on her again.

She rushed to the bed, where a beautiful carmine red robe with snowshoe trim had been laid out for her. She wasted no time undressing and slipping the elegant fabric over her naked body.

Suddenly, her mind was plagued with thoughts of Garreth: he promised her nice things, much like this. There was a time when Garreth’s touch warmed her, but since they moved to Caldwell, all she felt were cold calloused hands when he touched her. The night that their cottage went up in flames, so did their marriage. She felt alive when the baron kissed her and that was something she never thought she would feel again. She buried her guilt and tied the robe around her waist. Discarding the bejeweled hair net, she let her hair spill over her shoulders and brushed it smooth. She checked her appearance in the mirror, feeling more like a baroness by the moment. Content with her appearance, she returned to the Baron’s solar and knocked softly on the door. 

“It is open,” he called from within.

She stepped inside to find he had also changed into a charcoal grey night robe. He sat in one of the plush chairs before the hearth, with a glass of wine.

He rose to his feet and looked her over.
“That robe is breathtaking on you.”