The Dragon Lord (21 page)

“I will consider it,” Nelda said. “Right now I enjoy the solitude of the convent. Mayhap I will return one day, when my daughter presents me with a grandchild.”

“Mama!” Rose said blushing.

Dominic chuckled. “I will do all in my power to make that happen.”

Dominic drifted off as the two new arrivals were surrounded by old acquaintances wanting to greet them. From the corner of her eye Rose saw Dragon walk toward a group of barons deep in conversation. Before he reached them, however, Veronica intercepted him and all but dragged him into a dark alcove. Seething with rage, Rose turned away, unwilling to watch.

This had better be important, Veronica,” Dominic said as he followed his former mistress into a dark alcove. “Make it brief. My time is limited.”

This
is
important,” Veronica purred once they were shielded from prying eyes. “I have a gift for you and I wanted to give it to you in private.”

“I expected no gift,” Dominic said.

“Nevertheless, I have one for you.” She delved in her pocket and brought something out in her closed fist”I hope you like it,” she said, opening her hand to reveal her offering.

Disbelief marched across Dominic’s face as he stared at the jeweled brooch resting in Veronica’s palm. It was wrought in gold and encrusted with diamonds surrounding a larger ruby.

“I cannot accept such a costly gift,” Dominic demurred.

“I paid naught for it. Twas my brother’s, the one who died of fever during the Crusade. I always meant for you to have it.”

“Save it for your husband. I am surprised King John has not yet found a man worthy of your hand.”

“I am a widow, as you well know,like other wealthy widows who do not wish to wed at the king’s command, I paid a fee that grants me the right to choose my own husband.”

She brushed up against him. Dominic felt her soft breasts pressing against his chest, smelled the familiar scent of her arousal and felt trapped. It was not a condition he readily accepted.

Veronica reached up and pinned the brooch to his mantle.“Take it, Dragon. I want you to have it”

“Veronica, I cannot. What will Rose think? Tis too valuable a gift for one friend to give another.”

“We are more than friends,” she reminded him.

“What did your wife give you? Nothing half so fine as this, I wager.”

“You sorely try my patience, Veronica.”

She ignored him. “Everyone is talking about what you did for your wife. Bringing Rose’s mother and sister to Dragonwyck was a kind gesture.” She tossed her head. “Kindness does not become you. What has Rose done to my fierce Dragon?”

Had he changed so much, then? Dominic wondered. Was doing something thoughtful for one’s wife a sign of weakness? He would have to think on that when he had more time. For now, his main concern was taking his leave of Veronica before Rose decided to raise her sword to him again. He grinned.

Veronica must have seen him smile, for she frowned and asked, “Do I amuse you, Dragon?” She caressed his cheek. “I would rather arouse than amuse you.” Her hand slid downward, over his chest and lower. “Shall we see if your cock still wants me?”

Dominic grasped her hand. “Leave off, Veronica. Have you no shame?”

“I need you,” Veronica whispered. “Come to me tonight. I will not wound you as your wife has done.” Her gaze traveled down his body. “With me, there is only one place you will hurt, and I would take great pleasure in soothing it for you.”

Dominic’s reaction surprised even himself. He felt nothing. “I must go, Veronica. Please excuse me.”

Whirling on his heel, Dominic strode from the alcove, forgetting about the brooch that Veronica had pinned to his mantle. If his guests noticed during the evening, they did not mention it. And Rose, who surely would have noticed, had retired to the solar with her mother and sister, where they could talk in private.

In the solar, Rose and Starla sat on either side of their mother, sharing confidences.

“Are you happy, Rose?” Lady Nelda asked. “Is Lord Dragon kind to you?”

“It was thoughtful of him to bring us to Dragonwyck,” Starla added. “He must think highly of you.”

“I am not
unhappy,
“Rose said after a long pause. “Dragon has done naught to hurt me, though sometimes I deserve his anger.”

“What have you done, daughter?“Nelda questioned. “I had hopes that you and your husband would deal well with one another.”

“Lord Dragon does not seem as fierce as he did when he first arrived at Dragonwyck,” Starla observed.

Rose sighed. She needed to tell someone about her volatile relationship with Dragon, and who better than her mother and twin, who loved and understood her?

“Dragon is kind in many ways,” she began, “but he let me know from the beginning that he loved another woman. A woman he hoped to wed.”

“Knowing your husband is in love with another woman must be difficult,” Starla commiserated. She shuddered. “Thank you for saving me from that fate. Lord Dragon’s anger must be frightening.”

Nelda laughed. “Mayhap it is, but I do not envy His Lordship Rose’s anger, which I know from experience can be quite trying at times.”

“We get along well enough,” Rose allowed. What would they think if they knew she had wounded Dragon? Rose wondered. Regret filled her, until she recalled how easy it had been for Veronica to coax Dragon into a dark alcove.

What were they doing in there? Had they been talking? Had Dragon kissed his mistress? Had he caressed her and told her he loved her and wished he were free to marry her?

“Rose? What is wrong, dear? You seem so distant all of a sudden. You
are
unhappy, I can see. Can you tell me what is troubling you?”

“What could be more troubling than knowing your husband loves another woman?” Rose blurted out. “The woman Dragon loves is in the keep right now, Mama, and it is tearing me apart.”

“Dragon’s mistress is here? At Dragonwyck?” Starla gasped. “Oh, how horrible. Are they … have they been… together?”

“Dragon denied it, but I am not sure I trust him.”

“I cannot believe he would be so cruel as to invite his mistress into your home,” Nelda exclaimed. “Since you have no father to reprimand him, I will speak to him.”

“He will deny his involvement, Mama,” Rose said. “He swore he did not invite her to Dragonwyck. I want to believe him, truly I do, but I constantly find them together.”

“For a woman forced to wed, you sound like a jealous wife,” Nelda observed.“Have you come to care for your husband?”

Rose’s chin went up. “Nay, Mama, you are wrong about that. Dragon is the king’s champion. I cannot care for a man who is loyal to the beast who ordered Papa’s death.”

“Methinks you protest too much, daughter,” Nelda said. When Rose started to object, Nelda added, “Stubbornness is not a virtue, Rose, nor does it make for a serene life. If you care for Lord Dragon, tell him.”

Rose shrugged.“I… cannot. I do not know how I feel. My life with Dragon is anything but tranquil. Nothing has been the same since I was forced to wed him.”

“Are you talking about me, ladies?” Dominic asked as he strolled into the solar.

Rose stared at him. “I thought you were entertaining our guests.”

“It has been a long day. Everyone retired early so as to be fresh for the hunt tomorrow.”

“Then we must seek our own beds, my lord,” Nelda said, rising.

“Sir Braden is waiting below to show you to your chamber.”

“Thank you, Lord Dragon, for everything. Being with Rose at this time of year means a lot to us.”

“This is your home, my lady. I never intended to turn you out.It was your choice to enter the convent.”

“So it was. Good night, my lord.”

Nelda started to leave, then turned and stared at something on Dragon’s mantle. Rose followed her gaze to the magnificent brooch Dragon wore. She was sure she had not seen it before.

“What a lovely brooch, Lord Dragon,” Nelda said.“I do not believe I have ever seen a finer ruby.”

Dominic glanced down at the brooch, a puzzled expression on his face. Rose held her tongue until Nelda and Starla left, then asked, “I do not recall seeing that brooch before. Is it an heirloom?”

Dominic brushed her question aside. “Forget the brooch. Are you pleased with my gift?”

” Twas a wondrous surprise,” Rose allowed. “I do so miss Mama and Starla. Starla and I are like two parts of a single entity.”

“Is that why you sacrificed yourself for her?”

“I would do it again, if I had to.”

“Does that mean you have no regrets about marrying me?”

“Not where Starla is concerned.”

“I have another gift for you. I wanted to give it to you in private.”

“Another gift? When did you have time to purchase one?”

“I brought it with me to Dragonwyck. I meant to give it to my wife on our wedding day, but the day I arrived did not seem the right time.”

Rose frowned. “Why give it to me now?”

“Because it is the perfect time.” He walked to his chest, opened it and lifted out a velvet pouch. He placed it in her hands.

“What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

Rose pulled open the drawstrings and reached inside. Her eyes widened when she drew out a gold tiara encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

“I hope you like it,” Dominic said.

“Are you certain you did not buy this for Veronica? She was the woman you intended to wed.”

Dragon’s expression told Rose she had hit upon the truth. “I bought it for my wife; that is all you need to know. Do you not like it?”

“It is truly lovely,” Rose said, fingering the bright jewels. “But I cannot accept something meant for another woman.”

“It was meant for my wife, Rose. Accept it in good faith.” He lifted the tiara from her hands, removed her circlet and placed it on her head. “I want to see how you look in it. Do you have a mirror? You can see for yourself how well it becomes you.”

Rose walked to her dressing table, picked up a framed metal hand mirror and admired the tiara in the polished surface.“Tis truly beautiful.”

‘Tis yours, Rose, but it does not do justice to your beauty.”

Rose knew better than to let Dragon’s flattery influence her, but he sounded so sincere, her defenses deserted her.

“I have no gift for you.”

His gaze slid over her body, slow and sensual, his wide grin giving hint of his lustful thoughts.“I am sure you will think of something, love.”

All Dragon had to do was smile at her and Rose felt as if her body were being consumed by fire. His look was darkly sensual, boldly promising. Rose had seen that look before and knew what it meant. Dragon’s passion was a lethal combination of intense pleasure and powerful emotions. How could she endure it again?

Taking advantage of her distraction, Dragon caught her lips with his and drew her into his arms. His tongue flicked out, licking across the lush fullness of her lips, then prodding them open. Rose offered no resistance as he carried her to their bed and laid her down.

Too damn many clothes,” Dominic muttered as he unclasped the brooch that Veronica had given him and removed his mantle.

Rose stared at the brooch, an arrested look on her face. Something about the expensive piece of jewelry annoyed her. But her thoughts scattered when Dragon leaned down and kissed her again. She responded boldly, burying her fingers in his hair, shifting her body to bring him closer.

“Wait, love,” he whispered against her lips. “Let me undress first.”

Reluctantly Rose released him, but scant moments later he was back, gloriously naked, his sex rising full and hard against his flat belly.

“Sit up, love. I want you naked, too.”

Unable to resist the lure of his seductive words, Rose was soon as naked as Dragon. She reached for him and pulled him over her, his hard body hot and heavy against hers. She sighed and savored his weight as he teased, taunted and aroused her. When she could tolerate no more of his tormenting caresses, she opened her legs and invited him inside.

One forceful thrust took him deep, so deep she felt him touch her soul. She tightened around him, wanting to hold him and keep him close forever. Every inch of her body tingled with the sensation of having him embedded inside her.

She felt his heart pounding against her chest and heard her own keeping pace. He lifted her, going deep, stretching her and filling her. She held on tightly, losing herself in his passion as he brought her to the peak and released her. A hundred times a hundred shimmering lights shattered around her. Dimly she felt his release and thrust her hips upward, wanting all of him, needing everything he had to give.

Arms and legs intimately entwined, their harsh breathing echoing loudly in the waiting silence, they tumbled together on the bed as passion drained from them.

The following days passed swiftly. The entertainment and feasting continued at a hectic pace. Dragon met twice more with the barons, but Rose had no idea where his loyalty lay.

Dragon arose early the morning before the guests were to depart in order to participate in a final hunting expedition. Though Rose was sad to see her mother and sister leave, she tried to contain her melancholy.

“‘Tis exceptionally cold this morning,” Rose said as she watched Dragon dress for the hunt. “Wear your fur-lined mantle.”

Dragon sent her a strange look. ” Tis kind of you to care.”

Flustered, Rose said, “‘Twas kind of you to bring Mama and Starla to Dragonwyck. I am but returning the kindness.”

“They can both stay if they like,” Dominic offered as he pulled his mantle around his shoulders and fastened it with a brooch of wrought silver.

“I know, thank you. Maybe Mama will return one day, but Starla seems happy where she is.”

“Do I get a kiss for luck?” Dominic teased as he leaned over her.

“If you like.” Rose pursed her lips.

“I like,” Dominic said. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a real kiss instead of the peck Rose expected. It was just like Dragon to want more than she offered.

She watched him leave with a bemused look on her face, then washed and dressed. Because she felt chilled, she removed her woolen mantle from a hook and threw it around her shoulders. When she looked for a pin to hold it together, she spied Dragon’s jeweled brooch and picked it up to admire it. Dragon had not worn it since the night she had first seen it, and on a whim, she pinned it on her mantle. She did not think he would care, since he was not using it himself. Then she went downstairs to begin her day.