Page 15 of The Raven and the Rose
“Afraid?” she choked, and words failed her. He had offered her the final insult! She mounted with the sleek, supple movements of a panther, wheeled the animal about, and took off at such a reckless speed that the men had difficulty keeping up. Roger enjoyed himself. Everything about her delighted him.
It soon dawned on Roseanna that she did not know the way home, so she had to swallow her pride and allow Ravenspur to take the lead. They did not exchange one word or one look on that long ride home, yet no man or woman had ever been more acutely aware of each other. Her thoughts were wild and disordered. He was a barbarian, a devil! She had conceived an instant disgust for the man. He was too arrogant, too virile, too—male!
She shuddered at the narrow escape she had had, not only from this morning, but from a lifetime tied to him by a Gordian knot. Sensations teemed through her body —indignation, smoldering anger, and relief, as well as strange blossoming sensations that darted through her body in the most extraordinary fashion. Imagine! Marriage with Ravenspur would submerge a woman’s very soul, so dominant would he be. Her spirit would be vanquished. Whenever he willed it, she would be in the bondage of his arms! He was obviously a much-practiced womanizer, used to having his way. Well, she was the exception to the rule. She was one woman who would never give him the chance to have his way. Although some women might find him attractive, she did not!
Roger’s thoughts chased each other about, preventing him from thinking logically. He was cynical enough to suspect a trick and angry that she and his brother had tried to use him, but he was also deeply relieved that he had not ravaged her. Although he was outraged that she was running around the countryside unchaperoned, he was nevertheless bemused by her saucy allure. All in all she was a magnificent, though unusual, piece of baggage!
When they came in sight of Castlemaine, they were met by a posse consisting of her father and his men-at-arms. Neville looked haggard.
“Thank God you are safe. I’ve had men out all night.”
“I’m sorry, Father,” Roseanna said. “I went to Belvoir to see Baron Ravenspur. I should have told you where I was going.” She seethed as Neville thanked Roger for returning his daughter safely. She wanted to scream aloud that he had bedded her so that her father would draw his sword and run the bastard through. But she clamped her teeth down hard on her tongue to ward off the specter of marriage.
Neville thought of Joanna. She would be annoyed to be caught unprepared for a visit from Ravenspur. Neville knew what high hopes she had for this union, and he also knew how slender was the thread that bound the great baron to Roseanna. “Allow me to offer the hospitality of Castlemaine to you and your men, my lord.”
Roger held up his hand. “I will not stay. Today I merely act as escort. But I shall accept your hospitality and return at the end of the week to discuss the betrothal”
Neville nodded his head. As usual, Roseanna had taken matters into her own hands. There would be no peace for him at Castlemaine tonight. Joanna would run mad when she learned what Roseanna had been up to.
In Castlemaine’s hall, Joanna was taken completely off guard when Roseanna flew past her to her turret room and she found herself curtsying low to Roger Montford. They had known each other years ago; Roger and King Edward had been companions since they were twelve and had trained together under Warwick. Joanna’s thoughts flew back to those days. How they had swaggered in their scarlet livery with its golden bear and ragged staff! Warwick trained his men to be a breed apart. They knew at least half a dozen more ways of killing a man in close combat than any other fighting men did. Warwick instilled in them the confidence that grew with the development of their own capabilities. With his motto,“Seulement Un,”he taught men absolute reliance upon themselves.
Roger’s stance before her now was wary but regal. He looked like a conqueror—darkly primitive and savage— and he was as proud as Lucifer.No wonder the women run after him,she thought with awe. She firmly smothered her own physical response to him because she knew she was playing for high stakes. She wanted him for her daughter. “Welcome, my lord. We are honored by your visit.”
“Perhaps you will not think me welcome when I have had my say.” He fixed her with his dark eyes. “I am shocked at the amount of freedom Lady Roseanna is allowed. While our betrothal stands, I wish a closer guard of her person. I shall return at week’s end to discuss dissolving it.”
Joanna looked affronted. “On what possible grounds could you dissolve it, my lord?”
“Many! For one thing, is she still a maid? At seventeen most girls are not.” He looked her directly in the eyes, and she knew he was referring to the fact that she had not been a virgin at seventeen. Beneath his knowing gaze, she swallowed the scathing retort that jumped to her lips. He continued. “And quite apart from my feelings in the matter, Lady Roseanna herself wishes it dissolved. It is the reason she sought me out.”
Joanna’s mouth fell open.
Ravenspur bowed low, turned on his heel, and departed. The ring of his golden spurs upon the stone steps shattered the hush that had fallen. The moment he stepped out through the portal, Joanna gave vent to a high rage.
Neville cautioned, “Don’t go to her now. Allow your temper to cool, I beg you, Joanna.” She swept past him, but he noted with relief that she went in the direction of her work studio. He sighed heavily. He must get word of Roseanna’s return to Jeffrey, who had taken out another search party.
Roseanna sat in a soft ivory underdress as Alice brushed the tangles from her long hair. Joanna burst into the chamber without ceremony, with Kate Kendall at her heels.
“Mother, before you say anything, let me explain a few things,” began Roseanna.
“No, let me explain a few things. I am replacing Alice with Kate Kendall. Since you need a keeper, I’ve chosen one you won’t be able to twist around your little finger. You will wear this, and Kate will have charge of the key.”
Roseanna looked with disbelief at the object her mother held out to her. “A maidenbelt? Mother, you cannot be serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life. Ravenspur questioned your virginity!”
“He what?” hissed Roseanna as white-hot hatred seared through her. “That whoremaster dared question my virginity? In the name of Christ, what has it to do with him?”
“ Tis his way of slipping out of the betrothal. An excuse you’ve handed him on a golden platter by running about the countryside like a wild thing!”
“He needs no excuse. I demand that the betrothal be dissolved!”
“You, little madame, will stop demanding and start obeying. You will wear this maidenbelt to ensure your purity. You cannot deny you have been making calf’s eyes at Sir Bryan.”
“Why would I deny it?” she cried. “I am in love with him. I want to marry him!”
“My God, you are afflicted with temporary insanity. Let’s hope it runs its course by the time Ravenspur returns. At which time I will do my utmost to mend this breach.”
“It can never be mended!” cried Roseanna passionately. “We already detest each other!”
