Page 58 of The Raven and the Rose
He said bitterly, “Things come so easily to some!”
“Easily?” she echoed. “The price I paid was high indeed. Need I remind you that I was forced into marriage against my will instead of being allowed to follow my heart?”
“Ah, brat, don’t take offense. As soon as I get rid of my travel stains, you can show me your stables.”
She felt that he was deliberately placating her by changing the subject to horses. She shrugged. What did it matter? The three of them would be able to spend a few happy days together.
The week sped past quickly. Jeffrey almost took on the role of the baron. He enjoyed sitting in the dining hall in Ravenspur’s great carved chair, ordering the servants around to fulfill his every whim. Kate Kendall fussed over him, spoiling him as she always had at home, and he was the cause of half a dozen brawling matches between herself and Mr. Burke, who did not take kindly to the petulant young lout who treated the servants like dirt— but not, he noticed with cynicism, in front of Roseanna.
Bryan and Jeffrey became inseparable to the point that Roseanna began to notice sudden silences in their intense conversations whenever she came upon the scene. She put it down to the fact that the two friends had been separated and were making the best of the reunion while it lasted.
Roger had only to close his eyes for a moment on that long ride to the coast and Roseanna would be with him. His spirits were high, for he could not remember a time when he had been as happy and contented with his lot. He still couldn’t believe his luck in securing Roseanna for his bride, for he knew without doubt that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever beheld. She literally took men’s breath away. He enjoyed nothing more than observing men who were meeting her for the first time. He saw their eyes widen and their jaws slacken. He’d hide his amusement as their tongues tripped over their words, turning them from polished courtiers or fierce men-at-arms into clumsy youths with their first infatuation. He enjoyed the envious looks other men cast his way. He knew exactly how the beautiful creature affected them, for many were the times he glanced at her and felt his heart lurch!
He closed his eyes, and her beautiful face was before him. Her hair fell to her knees in a dark cloud; her marvelous violet gray eyes changed color as she looked at him; her mouth was as soft and inviting as a pink velvet rose. His body became aroused just thinking of her. He had to crush down his desire, knowing that he would not be able to slake it until he returned to her. His men and Tristan would indulge themselves when they reached Ravenglass, but he would not. He desired no other woman, and he had given her his word that he would be faithful if she yielded herself to him. And yield she had! Her body was fashioned for love, and he exulted that she showed promise of a rich sensuality. His happiness needed only one thing to make it perfect: He needed Roseanna to love him, and he was determined that she would.
They arrived at Ravenglass tired from the fast pace their lord had set. He had observed no movement of troops, nor anything untoward to cause suspicion. As soon as he had inspected the cargoes that his merchant ships had brought, he would ride full speed back to Roseanna and make the arrangements to move his household and people back to Ravenspur, his main castle, the place he thought of as home. He couldn’t wait to take Roseanna home.
Ravenspur had a total of nine merchant vessels; he kept three at each of the ports where his castles were built. All three of the Ravenglass ships had recently returned from long voyages, and their captains were in residence at Ravenglass. Roger arose at dawn and led his men through a day of arduous labor, unloading, inspecting, and tallying the cargoes. He was driving, tireless, overpowering, and exploding with energy. At one point, Tristan argued with him that it was unreasonable to drive men until they dropped. They exchanged curses and expletives and foul language to no avail, for Roger merely grinned and said, “I guess we understand each other. Let’s get to work!”
One vessel had taken the northern passage to Norway, taking grain there and fetching back a cargo of amber and magnificent furs that were worth their weight in gold. There were rich dark sable, mink, delicate ermine, and gloriously thick silver and red fox. The prettiest by far was the snowy arctic fox. Roger set a bundle of these furs aside for a cloak for Roseanna.
The other two vessels had gone south. One had taken casks of English October ale and smoky Irish whiskey to be traded for wines in France, Spain, and Portugal. The third vessel, its holds filled with wool, sailed all the way to Gibraltar and Tangiers and came back with hides of soft Cordoban and Morrocan leather and an almost priceless amount of ivory. Roger came across a sandalwood chest filled with pure silk caftans in heavenly shades and a small ivory casket of perfume vials, each one more exotic than the last. He sniffed them appreciatively, and these also he marked for Roseanna. Then when all three cargoes had been unloaded, he gave his men orders to reload one vessel with the most luxurious of the items to take to the London docks for the King’s Court at Westminster.
Tristan fell into his bed in utter exhaustion. He was dumbfounded when Roger awakened him to go convey to his men that they would be returning to Ravensworth at first light.
Although it was early in the day, back at Ravensworth Jeffrey lounged in a chair with a filled wine cup. “I’ve a mind to see Middleham Castle. How about a ride over that way?” He spoke casually, as if it mattered little whether she came or not.
“Oh, Jeff, the Abbey of Jervaulx is close by Middleham. The Cistercian monks there breed white horses, and I want to see if I can buy a couple of mares. I’ll get ready at once.”
Jeffrey frowned slightly. Then his brow cleared, and he nodded and told her he would meet her in the stables. He drained his wine cup quickly and sought out Sir Bryan. “A slight hitch in our plan has developed, but I think it will serve our purpose even better. Roseanna wants to go to the Abbey of Jervaulx to buy mares. All we need do is keep her there overnight until the prisoner is secured, instead of keeping her at Middleham. This way, if she isn’t needed, we can return her here without ever arousing her suspicions.”
Sir Bryan considered for a moment, then he agreed completely.
Jeffrey said, “So that we are not seen together by Ravenspur’s stablemen, you go now and meet us south on the road to Richmond. You will be such a sweet surprise for my dearest sister!”
“Do you never tire of playing cupid?” drawled Bryan with a leer.
Roseanna quickly changed into a warm riding skirt and covered her silk shirt with a warm quilted jacket. Then she donned her warmest cloak overall. She took the leather pouch containing the five hundred pounds she’d won from Ravenspur and went in search of her women.
She met Alice coming upstairs with freshly laundered bed linen. “I’m going out with Jeffrey. We should be back for dinner, but if I’m late, don’t worry. And don’t let Kate have any more tiffs with Mr. Burke about packing the household furnishings to take south!”
“Tiff? That’s English understatement if ever I heard it. And what, pray, can I do? They’ll be at it the minute your back is turned.”
“Yes. Well, on second thought, stay out of their way,” advised Roseanna, laughing as she skipped down the main staircase and headed for the stables.
Roseanna was enjoying herself. En route, Zeus was soon given his head, and with ears pricked and tail flowing, horse and rider almost flew down the Great South Road. Her hood flew off, and the wind caught her hair and sent it streaming out across the horse’s flanks. Her heart was high. She would buy Ravenspur the mares as a present to surprise him. She didn’t know why she had a sudden desire to please him, but it filled her with elation.
She was slightly shocked when she saw Sir Bryan awaiting them at a fork in the road. She turned to her brother sharply and asked, “Did you arrange this?”
“Of course, brat. You’re still lovebirds, are you not?”
She blushed and wished Jeffrey would stop trying to push her into Sir Bryan’s arms. She felt a twinge of guilt that she was keeping Bryan tied to herself. How selfish she was! He should forget her and find another to give his heart to. She determined to find a way to gently discourage him.
When they reached the land that belonged to the abbey, Jeffrey suggested he handle the business with the monks since they might not wish to deal with a woman.
Roseanna was incensed at his suggestion. “I am capable of handling any situation that arises, Jeffrey. I don’t need you or any other man for my mouthpiece,” she assured him.
Sir Bryan cut in smoothly, “Middleham Castle is only three miles off. Why don’t we go over there and return for Roseanna when she has completed her business?”
