Page 23 of Her Dark Seduction
Chapter 8
The next afternoon, while I worked in the treatment room, Harwyn rushed through the door, a look of wild terror on her face.
“Dear Lord, Harwyn, what has happened?”
“Oh, my lady,” she panted. “Lord Mortlock grows suspicious of you.”
“Of what? He’s the one who ordered a stallion to service the mare.”
Harwyn shook her head, trying to catch her breath.
“Then what has frightened you, Harwyn?” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Is it Tarvin?”
“No, but I overheard a conversation between Lord Mortlock and Monsieur Sawford. I managed to get close enough to hear much of what they said.”
“Harwyn, I have told you before not to place yourself in danger.”
“I pledged to your Maman that I would face all the dangers in the world to keep you safe,” she said. “I was well concealed; you need not fear for me.”
“What did they speak of?” Sawford would hardly wish to incriminate himself if what Celia told Edith was true. Was he already trying to incriminate another?
“Your husband said he grows suspicious of the way you carry yourself.”
“But I have been so careful not to reveal my feelings.”
“That is what concerns him, my lady. He feels you should be more—afraid. He is a jealous man and has demanded to know if…if the mare holds affection for any of her studs.”
“Anyof them?”
“Aye, it seems the plan was for no individual to be given exclusivity over you.”
I sank onto the bed, sickened by what I was hearing.
“So, I’m to be handed around his men? And what would happen if he suspected I held a…a stud in my affections?”
“He said any man with a loose tongue would pay with his head. And with yours.”
“Mon Dieu,” I whispered. “He cannot know Sawford takes me for himself. Who does he think I’m being given to?”
“I know not, lady. I was only able to hear part of their conversation before I deemed it too dangerous to stay. I saw Percy listening, too.”
“Good God! Percy?”
“Aye. He was not as well concealed as I. He risked us both being discovered so I left. It seems there are spies everywhere.”
“Spies for whom?” I wondered aloud. “Mayhap Percy is not all he appears to be.”
Harwyn’s eyes widened. “Surely you don’t think—Tarvin…”
I found it difficult to believe it to be someone so young, but Percy had come upon me at the back of the stables, just after I’d concealed my letter. What possible reason could he have for going there?
****
The following morning, after I had broken my fast, I was summoned to the stables. I expected to find my husband brandishing my note to Tarvin, declaring my adultery before taking me to the courtyard for punishment. However, instead, a hunting party awaited me, most of them already saddled.
“I have been neglecting my lovely wife,” my husband croaked from atop his gelding.
“Nay, you have been an attentive husband.”
