Page 73 of The Raven and the Rose
He whispered, “Roseanna, I love you more than life. I must explain my reaction to you about the baby. My own darling, childbirth terrifies me.”
With sudden clarity she saw that he had lost his first wife in childbirth and that he feared the same thing might happen again.
He continued low, “I long for a son, but I’d give up the hope of having one forever rather than risk your life.”
“Roger, women have children every day. There’s nothing to it.” She laughed shakily. My God, was this herself speaking these comforting lies? Hadn’t she just watched the Queen go through hell to produce a son? All that blood splurging from her! Towels had been stuffed between her legs, and she’d vomited into her hair. Childbirth had turned the pretty, fastidious woman into a revolting creature.
She pulled his head down to her breast and said calmly, “I think I’m woman enough to give you a son.”
The next two weeks were the happiest Roger had ever known. Roseanna had fallen in love with the house as well as its owner. Roger experienced a deep contentment as his wife lavished her love upon Ravenspur. It was a sweet time for Roseanna, too, although she dreaded the time when Roger would leave for Wales. She would have to keep herself busy while he was gone to make the time pass more quickly. She would again be able to devote time to the horses, she would furbish the nursery, and if she got too lonely, she would visit Castlemaine.
“I will leave you half a dozen men-at-arms. I wish you would give me your promise not to travel any distance without them, Roseanna.”
She smiled her secret smile for him. “No orders, my lord?”
He grinned. “I know better than to give you orders, my beauty. Shall I leave Kelly with you?”
Roseanna recoiled. “No, no! I detest the man!”
Roger was concerned, “Why, sweetheart?”
She did not tell him of the captain’s advances to her but said honestly, “My love, because of his resemblance to you, I suspect he was involved in your wife’s murder.”
Roger frowned. “I’m sure you’re wrong, Roseanna.”
She reached up and kissed him quickly. “Just promise me that you will watch your back. Never trust him.”
Roger had had the magnificent arctic fox furs made into a cloak for Roseanna. He gave it to her early on the morning they rode out together to familiarize her with the countryside. He wrapped her in the fur, pulled the soft hood up around her face, and kissed her with lingering expertise.
“Oh, Roger, it’s beautiful!” she cried, rushing to the mirror and admiring her appearance with the greatest delight. She was thrilled with the gift and, womanlike, buried her face in the luxurious softness. She lightly blew on the fur to admire its depth and thickness. “They are nicer than the Queen’s! The white fur flatters me outrageously—I’ll never stop admiring myself.”
“It’s to keep you warm when you ride out like a mad thing in inclement weather.” From behind, he slipped his arms around her, and his seeking fingers slipped under the fur. As long as he held her thus, every sensitive part of her body was open to his hands; against her buttocks rose the insistent demand of his body.
She glanced up at him provocatively. “If you don’t stop this moment, we shall find ourselves back in bed, our ride forgotten.”
“We could have a different sort of ride,” he said wickedly.
“Tonight,” she promised him as she removed his hands from her breasts.
They had ridden over the park and lands of Ravenspur before, but today he was taking her farther afield. They rode to the seacoast, and he showed her the part of his fleet that was anchored on the east coast. She was deeply touched when she saw one ship riding at anchor with the nameRoseannaemblazoned on it. Then they rode down the coast toward the The Wash, which was also known as The Fens.
“Never ride into The Fens. It looks innocent enough today, but it is treacherous in the extreme. Anyone who ventures in there needs an experienced Fenman for guide, one who has been born and bred on these bogs and marshes.”
Roseanna shuddered as if she were experiencing a premonition. She was glad when they rode back toward Ravenspur and left the eerie, waterlogged salt lands behind.
Before Roger and his men left for Wales, he organized a large hunt. It served a twofold purpose: it provided Ravenspur with enough game and venison for the next couple of months, and it made for a large celebration so that the leave-taking would not be too solemn. Before the party Mr. Burke and Kate Kendall had another set-to that resulted in Kate’s grumbling to Roseanna and Mr. Burke’s bending the master’s ear with his complaints.
Roger grinned at his faithful servant. “My God, man, the way you two carry on, I suspect you have designs on the woman.”
Mr. Burke swore, “I wouldn’t swive her with another man’s prick! I just want it made plain to the woman that my authority exceeds hers at Ravenspur once you are gone, milord.”
“For God’s sake, man, that goes without saying. Women and horses are alike. You have to gentle them, but use a damned firm hand.”
Roseanna looked more splendid than ever. She wore a scarlet gown that was slashed at the sleeves to reveal cloth of silver and that was fastened at the neckline with silver ribbons. Her hair was decorated with a silver moon and stars, and she wore cosmetics on lips and eyes, as they did at Court. She had bullied Rebecca from her bed and now watched with satisfaction as Tristan danced often with his pretty young wife. She was determined that the evening would be gay and leave the men with happy thoughts of home until they could return. She had ordered a lavish spread of food, and Roger saw to it that the ale and wine flowed freely.
The party ended at midnight, for the men would be off at first light. As Roger and Roseanna sought their bedchamber, they knew their first celebration at Ravenspur had been a resounding success. As she undressed, he looked as if he would devour her, a wolf bringing down a white doe. He had a power over her that set her to shivering. Tonight she would unleash the devil in him! She licked her lips, her appetite whetted.
Roseanna joined in Roger’s foreplay until he took her fiercely. When he was inside her, they both ached to delay the inevitable end. She moaned and bit at him and drew him deeper and deeper into herself. He brought her to climax after climax, and during them he lay absolutely still to feel the heart of her inner trembling. He kissed her softening breasts and caressed the satin swell of her stomach. “Take care of our child. I promise to be home long before you are due.”
