The Dragon Lord (16 page)

Her hips thrust up against him. “Dominic! Please.”

“Do not move.”

Another long in-and-out slide sent her into spasms. Hot honey bathed his cock, and the evocative scent of their loving spurred him to the pinnacle as her muscles locked tightly around him. He wanted to prolong her climax, but his own was coming too fast.

She came apart in his arms.

After that, he lost touch with reality. The woman beneath him was his world; he recalled no other. She was everything that was sensual and lush. He sank into her, again and again, driving himself so high he feared the fall back to earth would destroy him.

And in a way it did. Shattered and broken, Dominic returned to reality with the frightening impression that he would never be the same.

Dominic flung himself away from Rose and settled down beside her.He could still feel his heart thudding against his rib cage and he tried to make sense out of what had just happened. He had been certain that the passion he and Veronica shared was unparalleled, but he had been mistaken. Making love to Rose far surpassed his most memorable moments with Veronica. Convincing himself that Rose was no different from any other woman he had bedded was not going to be easy. Lord help him if Rose suspected how he felt. He knew from experience that some women turned shrewish and demanding once they gained sexual power over a man, and Dominic had too much pride to let his passions rule him.

Rose realized that something of tremendous import had just happened. She wanted to deny it, but to deny the significance of what she and Dragon had just shared would be to label herself a wanton. Her heart and mind told her that no man but Dragon could wring the same kind of response from her. The thought of kissing another man and doing the things she and Dragon did together was revolting.

A sob found its way to her throat, and she choked it back. She did not want to like Dragon, fought against it, but her will had betrayed her and her flesh was weak. Dragon created a fire in her blood that made her want him, made her forget that he served the king who had murdered her father.

Turning away from Dragon, Rose forced herself to relax. When he moved close to her, she scooted to the edge of the bed. She did not want him touching her, starting another blaze inside her.

Rose closed her eyes and searched for sleep. She did not find it until she heard the even cadence of Dragon’s breathing and realized he would not attempt another assault upon her senses this night.

******************

Dragon was gone when Rose awoke the following morning. The fire had been kindled in the grate, and cozy warmth filled the chamber. She washed, dressed and hurried to the hall to break her fast. Dragon was already enjoying a hearty breakfast when she joined him. As always, Raj stood behind him, his dark gaze scanning the hall for potential danger.

“I trust you slept well,” Dragon said as she slipped into the chair beside him.

He sounded rather distant,as if his mind were occupied elsewhere. Had he already forgotten the passion they had shared last night? She hoped he had, for she intended to do the same. Dragon’s ego was inflated enough; he did not need to know that his loving had changed her life.

“I slept just fine, thank you,” Rose answered with the same cool reserve.

“I rode out early to make sure your uncle and his kinsmen had returned to Scotland,” Dragon said. “I saw the place where they had camped, but they were gone by the time I arrived. Think you they will return?”

Rose helped herself to food before answering.“Uncle Murdoc is a stubborn man. He will not rest until he has what he wants, and he wants Dragonwyck. He could make trouble for you in the future. I do not think ordering him from Dragonwyck was a prudent thing to do. His anger can be formidable.”

Dragon’s dark eyebrows lifted. Think you I should have let him stay and abuse you?”

Rose flushed. “I could have handled him.”

Dragon snorted.“Just like you handled Gunn? Sorry, my love, I will not offer hospitality to Clan MacTavish anytime in the near or distant future.”

Rose was startled by Dragon’s endearment, although she knew it meant naught to him. He had called her his “love” last night, but his cool greeting this morning belied his words.

Rose chewed thoughtfully as she considered the rest of Dragon’s words. He was right, she decided. Uncle Murdoc wanted her for Gunn, even though she could not abide his stepson. The fact that she was already married bothered Murdoc not at all, for he was determined to claim Dragonwyck as his own.

“I would not be unhappy if you barred Uncle Murdoc from Dragonwyck,“Rose admitted.

“Then we are in agreement,” Dragon said, rising. “I plan to join the hunters today. Our guests will find no lack of food at our banquet table.”

“How long will you be gone?” Rose asked.

He shrugged. “Three or four days.”

“Have the invitations been prepared? They should be delivered as soon as possible.”

“Messengers carry them to the designated barons even as we speak.” In a surprising move, he bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Try not to miss me too much,” he added in a low growl.

Stunned, Rose touched her lips. She was saved from having to reply when Raj stepped forward and addressed Dragon.

“I will ride with you, master,” Raj said.

“I prefer that you remain behind, Raj,” Dominic said.

“You and Eric of Carlyle are the two people I trust to protect Dragonwyck in my absence.”

Raj frowned. “I like it not.”

“Nevertheless, you will follow orders. Stay behind and protect my wife.”

Rose sensed that Raj was unhappy with Dragon’s decision to leave him behind. Hoping to ease the tension between the two men, she said, Take Raj with you, my lord. No harm will come to me in my own home.”

“I will decide what you need and do not need,” Dominic replied. “Raj stays.”

Rose bristled angrily. She was perfectly capable of protecting herself. After Gunn’s assault, she had decided to carry a weapon. Even now she had a blade much more lethal than her eating knife secreted on her person. But when she opened her mouth to fling a scathing retort at Dragon, he was too far away to hear.

Men,she thought, exasperated. Were they all as arrogant and overbearing as Dragon? Did they all believe women were inferior beings capable of naught but managing a household and bringing children into the world? One day, she vowed, she would make Dragon change his mind about the fairer sex.

Emily and Blythe joined Rose after Dragon’s hasty departure. Rose discussed the upcoming festivities with them and asked for suggestions. Both ladies were more than eager to participate.

“I can hardly wait!” Blythe said, clapping her hands.“What can I do to help?”

“Imagine. Twelve days of festivities,” Emily said, eyes shining. “Oh, there is so much to do and so little time.”

“Exactly,” Rose agreed. She sighed wistfully. “I wish Mama and Starla were here. I have never done this by myself.”

“You will do just fine,” Emily said encouragingly. “How can we help?”

“If it pleases you, Emily, you can direct the servants in the cleaning of the keep. Every tapestry needs to be taken down and aired. Fresh rushes should be laid down, and whitewash applied to the walls in the hall. I am sure you know better than I what needs to be done.”

“Scrubbing, polishing and decorating the hall with holly and pine wreaths,” Emily said, nodding eagerly. “Do we have enough help for such a massive undertaking?”

“We will need to summon villeins from the village to lend a hand.”

“What about me?” Blythe asked.

“You can be in charge of accommodations. Every bedchamber in the keep will be occupied by guests,” Rose said. “Some have not been used for several years. Linens need to be checked, and beds and other furnishings brought up from the storeroom. Ask Sir Bra-den for a list of guests. That should tell you how many bedchambers are needed.”

Rose paused to catch her breath. “I will assume charge of the kitchen and preparation of food. A fortnight is not a lot of time, but I am confident we will be prepared by the time the first guest arrives.”

From that moment, the keep became a beehive of activity. During the four days that Dragon was gone, Rose found Raj’s help invaluable. His extraordinary strength was tested more than once as he lifted, hefted and tugged wherever he was needed.

Even though Raj made himself useful, Rose could tell the giant’s thoughts were elsewhere. Was he concerned about Dragon? Rose decided to ask him when she found herself alone with him.

“Are you worried about Lord Dragon, Raj? You seem distracted.”

“My master thinks he can protect himself, but no man is invincible. He is a strong man with good instincts, but he cannot properly watch his back.”

“Is Dragon in danger?” Rose asked sharply. “Who would harm him?”

“I have said too much, my lady. Twas not my intention to alarm you.”

“Tell me about Dragon,“Rose urged. She knew so little about the man she had wed. “Does he have family? I know he has a mistress. How long were they together before the king ordered him to marry me?”

“Lord Dragon’s father, mother and brother live at Pendragon in the south of England. I accompanied him there after the Crusade, when we first arrived in England. His brother, the heir to Pendragon, married an heiress and sired two sons.”

“Did Dragon have a happy childhood?”

“I cannot say, for he rarely speaks of his childhood. His family seemed pleasant enough. I sensed no hostility. But my Lord Dragon is a man who lives by his own rules. He once told me that he broke from his family and sought his independence at an early age.

Since he was not the heir, he saw no reason to live under family restrictions. He joined the Crusade and became the king’s champion.”

Rose digested all that, then asked, “And what of his mistress? How long has Dragon loved her?”

Raj’s face went blank.“I cannot read my master’s mind. Love has many guises. Your own influence upon Lord Dragon is not inconsiderable.”

Rose sent Raj an amused look.“I know my place in Dragon’s life, and it has naught to do with love.”

“Those are your words, not mine,” Raj contended.

“But you have told me naught about his mistress,” Rose complained. “Is she very beautiful? Does she love Dragon?”

“Forgive me, my lady, but I cannot say,” Raj replied, withdrawing tactfully. “Ask your questions of Lord Dragon. Only he can tell you what is in his heart.”

Rose knew what was in Dragon’s heart, and it was not his wife. He seemed to enjoy her body well enough, but Rose wanted more from the man she had married. She wanted her husband, the man who shared her bed, to think only of her, to dream of a future with her, to need her for herself instead of thinking of her as a warm body to serve him while he pined for his mistress. Rose knew she expected too much from an arranged marriage, and that life was rarely fair to women, but she could not help wishing for love. She knew love existed, for her mother and father had loved one another dearly despite their arranged marriage.

Rose sighed and returned to her work. Dragon had been gone four days, and the anxious expression Raj wore upon his face was not comforting.

Dominic and his party had a successful four days. They had bagged a variety of fresh game, including deer, rabbit, squirrel and wild boar. Another hunting expedition or two should provide the kitchen with enough fresh meat for the twelve days of feasting, supplemented with fish and eels caught in the river and lamb and beef from their own herds. Dominic considered the four days well spent, but he was happy to be returning to Dragonwyck.

Dragon and the hunters were riding at a leisurely pace, laughing and conversing among themselves, when the surprise attack occurred. Without warning, arrows flew out from a stand of thick trees at the base of the Cheviot hills. Dominic and his men immediately took cover behind some nearby boulders, drew their crossbows and aimed into the trees at an enemy no one could see. No one but Cedric, who had been riding beside Dominic at the time, was aware that Dominic had been hit.

Dominic slumped in the saddle, unwilling to succumb to the pain coursing through his body. The arrow had entered his left shoulder and halted when it hit bone.

“What can I do?“Cedric asked, helping Dominic dismount.

“Remove the arrow,” Dominic said from between clenched teeth.

Cedric paled. “Are you sure, my lord?”

“Just do it, Cedric.Worry not about hurting me; I can withstand the pain.”

Cedric grasped the shaft of the arrow and pulled. The arrow came out, releasing a gush of blood. Dominic uttered a single gasp and turned pale, but remained in full control of his senses.

“We need to stanch the blood,” Dominic advised.

Immediately Cedric removed his jacket and peeled off his shirt. He wadded it into a ball, unbuttoned Dominic’s jacket and pressed it against the wound. Then he buttoned the jacket over the bulky pad, removed his belt and buckled it around the makeshift bandage to hold it in place.

Dominic rested against a boulder while the hunters loosed a rain of arrows into the trees. The battle was short-lived. Minutes later the assailants turned tail and ran.

“How many dead and wounded?” Dominic asked when James of Bedford reported to him a short time later.

James seemed taken aback when he saw that Dominic was wounded. Two wounded, none dead,” James said. “Are you all right, my lord? Can you make it back to Dragonwyck?”

“Worry not about me, James. Have the men search the area. I want to know the identity of those who dared attack us on Dragonwyck soil.”

James left immediately to carry out Dominic’s orders. He returned a short time later with a disappointing report. They had found nothing save their own spent arrows.

“All their wounded and dead had been carried away,“James said. There were bloodstains in the snow, so I know our arrows found some of them.”

“We should make haste back to the keep,” Dominic said, weaving groggily on his feet. The wounded need to be treated.” He placed a hand on Cedric’s shoulder. “Help me to mount.”

The skies lowered, and it started to snow before they reached the keep. A cold wind blew fresh snow against the knights’ faces, nearly blinding them. Lured by the promise of warm stalls and food, their horses carried them unerringly to Dragonwyck.