Page 59 of The Raven and the Rose
She gave him a dazzling smile of thanks and relief. Her brother and his men took off in the direction of Middleham, leaving her at the abbey gates. Visitors to Jervaulx were not rare, but seldom were those visitors women. She explained the reason for her visit to the young monk who attended the gate, and he took her along to his superior. Only the head of the order would have the authority to sell any of the strange white horses whose ancestors had been imported from the Continent and had made the first hoofprints on the moor. But until he was free to speak with her, Brother Ben would be happy to give her a tour of the abbey and show her how they used sheep’s milk to make their famous flaky cheese.
The shadows were starting to gather before the head of the order made time to see her. She was ushered into a tower room of the abbey that, though sparsely furnished, was immaculately clean.
“Thank you for your patience, my dear,” said the white-robed man with a lean face and large teeth, like a wolf’s.
“I’m Lady Ravenspur, and I’ve come to see if I can persuade you to sell me a pair of your famous white horses.” She smiled at him and clearly saw that he admired her in spite of the fact that he was a man of religion.
“Why did Baron Ravenspur not come himself?” he puzzled.
“I want to surprise him with a gift of two mares. We have a white Arabian that we wish to breed.”
The tall monk was not embarrassed to discuss such matters with a female, as one might have expected. For he had sized up Roseanna shrewdly and realized she was a rare woman. “We don’t usually sell our horses, but in your case I am willing to make an exception.”
“Thank you. I’m willing to pay a good price,” she assured him.
His eyes twinkled. “Good. I won’t let them go cheaply.”
She smiled at his candor. “May I see some of them?”
He nodded. “Tomorrow you may choose two from what we have.”
“Oh, I had hoped to return home tonight,” she exclaimed.
He spread his hands. “The horses are scattered on Middleham High Moor. They are allowed to wander freely.”
“Oh, I see. Then I shall have to ask you to extend your hospitality and put me up for the night. Also, my brother and his friend are returning for me. They are probably here now.”
He arose and smiled down at her. “We can feed you and put you up for the night, and then in the morning you can choose your mares.” His eyes twinkled again. “If we had concluded our business today, the abbey wouldn’t have benefited from three paying guests, would it?” He opened the door and turned her over once more to Brother Ben.
Ravenspur’s cavalcade clattered into the castleyard. The horses were well lathered from the long, hard ride. Roger felt an impatience to be with Roseanna that he’d never before experienced. He turned his horse over to his head stableman, unloaded a leather trunk from a pack-horse, and hoisted it to his shoulder. He took the stairs to his chamber three at a time, set the trunk down by the great bed, and lifted its lid. He carefully moved the furs to his wardrobe and lifted a pale turquoise silk caftan with one finger, closed his eyes in appreciation of the exotic scent that lingered in its folds, and called loudly for Mr. Burke. His steward had sent the servants for hot water for the master’s bath the moment he had heard them clatter into the courtyard.
When the bath was filled, Roger stripped and stepped into the hot water, vigorously lathering himself with clove-scented soap. “Mr. Burke, summon my wife.”
Mr. Burke’s eyebrow went up slightly, and Roger grinned. “On second thought, issue her no summons, Mr. Burke. Ask her if I may have the pleasure of her company.” He quickly stepped from the tub and was vigorously toweling himself dry before Mr. Burke got to the door.
Roger reached for his clean garments that had been laid ready for him and was dressed before Mr. Burke returned.
“Apparently, my lord, Lady Roseanna is not here. Her foolish women don’t know where she went off to.”
Roger frowned. “I’ll speak to them.” He moved swiftly along the corridor that led to Roseanna’s chambers. Kate and Alice curtseyed as he came upon them. “Where is she?” he demanded.
Kate Kendall explained, “She told Alice she was going out with Jeffrey and would return in time for dinner.” Alice visibly trembled as Ravenspur’s dark eyes swept over her.
“Her brother was here?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord. He’s been here all week.”
“Do you actually mean to tell me you don’t know her whereabouts?” he demanded angrily.
Alice drew in her breath on a sob, but Kate Kendall straightened her backbone and stood up to Ravenspur. “My lord, Roseanna is not one to keep in leading strings. She is her own woman, as you more than any other should know.”
He cursed under his breath. Had he not dreamed that she would be gone when he returned? He looked at Mr. Burke. “Find out if Sir Bryan is with her,” he ordered. Roger looked at the two women coldly. “What’s been going on while I’ve been away?” he asked silkily.
“Nothing, my lord. Lady Roseanna spent the time entertaining her brother.”
“And entertaining her brother’s intimate friend. How very cozy for the three of them! How strange and convenient that he should show up the moment my back is turned!”
Kate pressed her lips together. She was not going to dignify the unspeakable things he was insinuating with a response.
