Page 6 of Her Dark Seduction
Chapter 3
Helping me dress for the evening meal, Harwyn touched my stomach with her fingertips. It had been seven days since my marriage.
“The bruises are almost gone, lady.”
“Aye.” I smiled at her. “They no longer hurt.”
“Perhaps a husband does not beat his wife as often as a father beats his daughter.”
“I know not yet, Harwyn.”
“I wager Lord Mortlock would not administer a beating over a spilled flagon of wine or bowl of potage.”
Papa had once beaten me so severely for tipping over his wine that I was unable to eat for two days. His methods of education were deliberate, the blows aimed at the center of my body where they could be concealed. All for my benefit. Visible marks on a woman’s body were evidence of disobedience. No man would want such a woman for a wife.
With Papa, years of observation had taught me what to expect from him. As for my husband, I spent little time with him. Yet, even in a few short days, I noticed a sly furtiveness in his behavior. His men would act differently around him, as if they anticipated something.
Sighing, I shook my head. “I would rather my husband discipline me as Papa did. At least I would know what he expected of me. But, I do not understand him. Something seems afoot. The very air here is thick with it, and it centers on him. Do the servants speak to you of it?”
“No, lady. They say little and cease all conversation when I approach them.”
“I am sorry for that, Harwyn. I had hoped you’d find some companionship here.”
“I have you, my lady.”
“And I you.”
I lifted my arms as Harwyn helped me into my overgown, pulling it over my head, and smoothing it down. The pale gray silk matched the color of my eyes and provided a deep contrast to my black hair.
“Harwyn, do you know aught of his manservant?”
“Lady?”
“The one who accompanies him everywhere.”
“Ah, Monsieur Vane.”
“Vane?”
“Vane Sawford.” Harwyn rolled her eyes. “From what little I hear, he has bedded most of the maidservants, who regularly vie for his attention. Rumor has it, he seduced one of the Lord’s previous wives, though I also hear she threw herself at him like a wanton.”
“Idle gossip, nothing more.”
“Nay, my lady. Lord Mortlock had her put to death for adultery…”
Her voice trailed off as I gasped.
“Oh, my lady, forgive me!”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing wrong in telling me, Harwyn. I must know where the danger lies.”
Harwyn sat me down and began brushing my hair before braiding it. She secured a veil over my hair, and placed a light hand on my shoulders to indicate she had finished.
“Be careful of him.”
“Harwyn?”
“Monsieur Vane. He moves about too quietly for my liking and always appears when you least expect it. Do not secure his notice. He has a way of seeing right inside a person.”
