Upon hearing the name, Richard frowned. Indeed, Malvina was an eager maid. He’d bedded her himself.
The Fox turned to his friend, the Raven. “And she has an older sister—Mavis. At least I think that’s her name. Perhaps we can court them both! Ye can take Malvina, and I’ll take Mavis.” He slapped the Raven on the back. “What say ye, friend? Are ye interested?”
“Before I commit, I’d like to see her close up,” the Raven responded, a wide grin showing through his mask. “We’ll search them out on the morrow, perhaps. Tonight we have watch.” He turned to Richard Black. “Night is fast approaching. The Fox and I will now seek some rest.”
As the pair strode across the courtyard, headed toward their small apartment, a disgruntled Richard watched their progress. Feeling the man’s eyes on his back, Sebastian chuckled. “A good thing I thought of usin’ the ruse of learnin’ a wench’s name were Black to become suspicious of my speakin’ with Alain, especially when it was assured he would,” he said to Logan. “By the way, Alain swears the two I mentioned are the most infamous pair in the village. Says Black has seen Malvina himself, apparently too many times to count.”
“You did well, Sebastian. Very well indeed.” He changed the subject. “Will Alain spread the word?”
“Fast as fire,” Sebastian replied, a twinkle in his eye.
Seeing it, Logan thought of the devastation his men had caused these past two weeks, and the remembrance of Edward’s fury filled him with an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. He grinned, then his hoarse laughter burst forth. Sebastian joined him in his merriment, and their mirthful voices filled the courtyard.
Still scrutinizing the pair, Richard had no idea what they were laughing about, but he thought he did. His jaw clenched in anger. Undoubtedly, like Letitia, Malvina would also be lost to him, the Raven her new lover. Pivoting on his heel, he set a course for his own apartment. Tonight he vowed to discover the true identity of the pair and what they were actually plotting. Once he did, his rival was sure to meet his end.
“How can you abide the man? He’s an ogre,” Letitia whined, her lips pursing into a petulant pout. The door to her room opened, and her cousin escorted her inside. “He maligned me without cause. Now I’m to be punished. Locked in my room, of all things. Ooh, I hate him. I hate him with my life!”
Narrowed green eyes gazed at the peevish girl. “Without cause, Letitia?” Kristiana questioned, the door slamming firmly behind her. “I would not say it was without cause.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” she accused huffily, plopping her bottom onto her bed. “You cannot bear the fact that two men were willing to fight over me. You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“Far from it, cousin. What I feel for you is pity.”
“Pity? Why should you pity me?”
“By your actions you have ruined your reputation. Not one man in this castle looks upon you with respect. To them you are nothing more than a common whore. Given the chance, they will use you at will, tossing a coin on your bed for your services.” Affronted, Letitia gasped, then sputtered; Kristiana waved her off. “Protest all you want,” she continued, “but the fact remains, cousin, marriage is on none of their minds. It is your body they want, not your heart. And that includes the Raven. I warned you to keep free of him, but you did not listen. So, dear Letitia, you will stay locked in this room. It will become your prison until—as Edward said—you learn to comport yourself as a lady. Given your pettish disposition, you’ll most likely rot here before you concede the obvious, which is that it is far better for you to change your ways.”
“I’ve erred not,” she objected strenuously. “I’ve done nothing out of sorts. Nothing!”
A short laugh escaped Kristiana’s throat. “You are headstrong and spoiled, Letitia. Those traits are the cause of your troubles. In the past I tried to protect you, but no more. Henceforth you are on your own. Whatever happens to you will be by your own making—not that it hasn’t been in the past. The one difference is that I’ll not try to intercede on your behalf. You will suffer the consequences of your actions. I am done with you.”
Gray-green eyes studied the woman before her. “Speaking of consequences for one’s actions,” Letitia said, an overly sweet smile on her face, “do you think Edward would be interested in knowing about your furtive meetings with the Raven? If so, perhaps I should inform him of them. Maybe I’ll tell him about them even if you don’t think he’d be interested. What say you, cousin? Should I disclose the truth?”
At first stunned by the revelation that Letitia knew about the Raven’s dogged pursuit of her, Kristiana immediately realized she should not have been surprised at all. All those little nudges the girl had given her while Kristiana had attended to Edward’s needs, resulting in spilled wine or dropped provender; the heavy spice that had somehow found its way into his food; the piece of spoiled meat that had been placed on his plate—the whole drawing Edward’s wrath down on Kristiana herself—were now traceable to a cause. Letitia had been jealous of what she’d thought was the Raven’s undue attention toward her cousin. Had Letitia known the truth—that Kristiana was not the object of his desires, but the recipient of his spite—she wondered if the girl would have been so vengeful.
“Well, cousin,” Letitia prompted, “shall I tell him?”
Green eyes centered on the girl. If there was one thing Kristiana had learned from the Gypsies, it was how to lie with a silver tongue. Her first words confirmed it. “Do as you wish, Letitia. It matters not to me. The truth is, I am weary of the man’s harassment” Which she was. “You see, cousin, the Raven and I struck a bargain. In order to keep him from deflowering you—which, by the way, he would have done not out of love, but out of revenge-I promised to keep silent about his constant badgering. His seductive suggestions annoy me, and now that I see no reason to further protect you, our agreement is nullified. Go to Edward. Reveal what you think you know. Once I’ve told him the truth, it will not be I who suffers, but the Raven. After all, Edward desires an heir.” Kristiana’s hand settled on her rounded belly. “Is it not apparent I’ll soon fulfill his desire?” Letitia looked away. “No, he will not harm me. But if the Raven has captured your heart, I suggest you think twice before you betray him. Otherwise his life will be ended before the full tale has left your lips.” A fine brow arched. “What say you, cousin?” she asked, repeating Letitia’s words. “Should you disclose the truth?” Letitia refused to answer. “The choice is yours, cousin. But if I were you, I’d think on it long and hard.” Kristiana turned and walked to the door. “When you’ve learned to conduct yourself as a lady should you’ll be released from your room. Unless you would like to stay here indefinitely, I suggest you determine what changes you need to make and make them quickly.” She pulled the wooden door open. “Fare thee well, cousin,” Kristiana said with a wave and a nod.
Glaring her dissatisfaction, Letitia watched as the door closed behind Kristiana. An iron key scraped into the ancient lock. With a click it was secured. The sound annoyed the tight-lipped Letitia even further. A lady, she thought, hopping from her bed to pace the room. Was it all that difficult to become one?
No, she decided, confident she could emulate Kristiana’s actions without the least bit of difficulty. As she thought about it she contemplated whether that was the reason the Raven had been drawn to her cousin. Perhaps she, Letitia, had been too forward with the man, for by Kristiana’s own words her cousin had spurned him at every turn, yet he still pursued her. Whether it was through desire or spite, Letitia was uncertain. But if acting the lady worked for her cousin, it should work doubly well for her. Letitia retrieved a hand mirror from atop a low chest After all, she thought, gazing into it, smoothing the rich brown hair that flowed from beneath her cap, she was twice as pretty as Kristiana. How could the man possibly resist her?
Yes, she concluded, setting the mirror down, she would become a lady. With a day or two of practice in her room she’d soon be free. As for her knowledge about the Raven and her co
usin, for now she would keep silent. But should her cousin continue to belittle her, and should the Raven not find her irresistible after all her hard work, Letitia would be more than happy to tell Edward about the couple’s secret meetings, babe or no babe.
Keeping that thought in mind Letitia practiced sitting in a chair with what she presumed was womanly grace. To her consternation, she found it harder than she’d imagined, for she nearly upended herself twice. Fraught with determination, she continued to drill herself the afternoon through.
Having locked her cousin in her room, Kristiana continued on to her own quarters. Shortly after she’d arisen that morning, a dull ache had centered itself along the lower part of her spine. Right now she hoped to find her bed, for she desired nothing more than rest. Midway to her chambers she encountered Penelope, who’d just stepped from her own apartment.
“I—I heard the confrontation from my window. Is Letitia really to be kept prisoner?” her aunt asked, nearly beside herself.
“She is locked in her room,” Kristiana answered firmly. “How long she stays there will be up to Letitia herself.”
“The beast! He has no decency in his heart. He’s a vulgar, despicable lout!”
Her niece drew a long breath. Weary of the situation, Kristiana snapped: “That he may be, Aunt, but Edward is not to blame for Letitia’s troubles. She acted shamelessly and has done so ever since I can remember. Perhaps it is time you take some of the responsibility for her deeds onto yourself. Had you not allowed her to run wild, had you reprimanded her more often, I’m certain she would not be the forward young woman she is today. Although I’ve tried to protect her—and you as well—I can no longer abi—” A sudden hard pain gripped her stomach; Kristiana gasped. Just as quickly it subsided. “I can no longer—” The pain struck again; closing her eyes, Kristiana swallowed convulsively.
“What is it, Kristiana?” Penelope asked, steadying her niece. “My dear, you’re so pale.”
“The babe—it’s too soon,” she said between short, quick breaths. “Take me to my room, then find Mala.”
“Upon my word,” Penelope cried, guiding her niece to the younger woman’s room, “this cannot be happening.” With a strength she’d never thought she possessed, Kristiana’s aunt nearly carried her niece the last several steps. “Lie down, child,” she said, helping her into bed, then covering her. “I’ll fetch Mala.” Her cool hand smoothed Kristiana’s brow. “Relax, dear. Try to rest. I’ll not be long.” The woman rushed from the room and scurried along the corridor. Rapid feet descended the narrow steps leading to the kitchen. “Where’s Mala?” she called to the servants in general once she’d entered the room.
Hearing her name, the Gypsy woman stepped from the depths of a stone pantry. Dark eyes at once noticed Penelope’s distraught look. “What has happened?”
“Come!” Penelope motioned to her. “Quickly. It’s your mistress.”
The two women ran the stairs and hallway. Inside Kristiana’s chambers Mala ordered Penelope to secure the door. “What is it, child?” the Gypsy woman asked, leaning over the bed. “Are you ill?”
“The babe… oh, Mala, it’s far too soon.”
Mala’s hand settled onto Kristiana’s stomach to feel the contraction. “Aye, it is, child, but I’ll see what can be done.” She left the room, Penelope locking the door after her. Shortly she returned; again the lock was secured. “These herbs should stop the contractions.” Mala mixed the concoction in a dram of wine. “Now drink it, child. Drink all of it.”
The bitter liquid flowed down Kristiana’s throat, the wine unable to mask its taste. Swallowing hard, she fought to keep it in her stomach. After a moment her nausea subsided, and she lay back on her pillow. “Mala, Edward must not know of this. Promise me you will say nothing.”
“I will not tell him what truly ails you, but you must stay abed. He is bound to ask.”
“Then tell him I’ve taken a chill. He must not know the babe is near.”
“If the herbs do not work, my child, we will not be able to hide it from him.”
Shaky fingers massaged her brow. “Oh, God, I’ve not been able to find a way to escape him,” she lamented. “I still have no idea of how it can be done.” The thought had occurred to bribe a guard, but she knew the men all feared Edward’s wrath. The Raven! she thought. He feared no one. Perhaps he would assist her. Then again, he might betray her. In a quandary over whether to trust him or not, Kristiana finally realized she had no other choice. Her decision made to seek him out, she grabbed Mala’s hand. “You must stop the babe from coming. It must be done.”
“I cannot promise you such. If it insists on being born, it will be.”
“But if the child has Balo’s coloring, Edward will kill it. We need to get away from here now. Now, I say!”
Hearing the fear in Kristiana’s voice, Mala sat on the side of the bed. As her hands gripped the younger woman’s shoulders, her dark eyes gazed fully into those of green. “If you excite yourself, you will surely give birth. I want you to compose yourself and rest. The pains should soon stop. Whatever happens, I will find a way to protect the child. Now rest, sweet one. Do not trouble yourself any further.”
Kristiana searched Mala’s reassuring eyes. Knowing her nurse would at any sacrifice keep her babe safe, she smiled weakly, “You’ve always protected me. I should have known you would do the same for my child.”
Mala smiled in return. “Yes, you should have known. Fear, Kristiana, weakens us. You must be strong.”
Although Kristiana had seen Mala’s lips move, the words she’d heard had been spoken in another voice. Sidi, she thought, tears coming to her eyes. She wiped them away. “I have heard those words before. I’d almost forgotten, but since you remind me, I promise I’ll be strong.”
Mala patted Kristiana’s hand. “That is good.” Sure fingers found the younger woman’s stomach. “The contractions have lessened. Soon they will stop. Then you will sleep.”
True to Mala’s words the birth pangs ended. “Thank you, Mala,” Kristiana said, relieved. She yawned. “You are right. I will now sleep.”
Mala watched as long lashes fluttered down over jade eyes. Gently removing the cap from Kristiana’s head, she smoothed the hair from her brow. “Sleep well, my sweet child,” she whispered; then she rose from the bed.
Turning, Mala came face-to-face with Penelope. “Why is she concerned about the child’s coloring?” Kristiana’s aunt asked. “And who is this Balo?”
Kristiana’s secret had been shared only with Mala. Annoyed with the addled Penelope for her lack of emotional stamina these past months, the Gypsy woman brushed past her, refusing to answer. “I go to get some cloths and fresh water. Stay with her and guard the door.”
Penelope rushed after Mala and overtook her. Penelope pressed her back against the door. “Do not leave this room until you tell me what it is Kristiana fears.”
“If you heard her words, you know what bothers her.”
“The child is not Edward’s, is it?” The Gypsy woman did not answer. “I know I have not been much help to Kristiana these last months. That is past, for I’ll not allow that bastard MacHugh to cause my niece any harm, nor will he injure her child. Now tell me what I can do to protect her… to protect them both.”
Mala searched the woman’s eyes. Seeing the spark of life in them again, she knew Penelope was no longer the confused woman she’d once been. “It is true. The child is not Edward’s.” Quietly she went on to tell Kristiana’s story as it had been relayed to her, including the marriage to the handsome Gypsy. Sadly she relayed the fact that upon finding them Edward had had Balo murdered—or so Kristiana believed. “Thus, if I cannot stop the birth, and the child is born with black hair and dark skin, Edward will know it is not his. Undoubtedly he will kill the babe, and Kristiana as well.”
“We must produce a plan to save the babe, Mala,” Penelope said with force. “She cannot lose her child.”
“I will think on it,” Mala stated. “I’ll no
t fail her.” She turned to leave the room. “Stay by her side. When I return you must find a way to keep Edward from this room.”
“I’ll find a way,” she pronounced as Mala stepped from the room. “I’ll not fail her either. Not this time.”
Once Mala had returned, Penelope left her niece’s chamber. Walking down the hallway, she at once heard a tapping noise; it sounded on the other side of her daughter’s door. “What is it, Letitia?” she asked, stopping in front of the panel.
“I’m hungry,” the girl whined. “Cannot someone bring me some food?”
“You’re growing too fat,” Penelope snapped impatiently. “Now cease your prattle and take yourself to bed. You can eat on the morrow.”
“But Mother, I—”
“Do as I say, Letitia, or I’ll have you switched.” At first silence met Penelope’s ears, but as she traveled onward through the corridor she heard a foot strike wood. A squeal erupted, followed by much hopping about in Letitia’s room; the woman smiled and shook her head.
Once in the great hall Penelope viewed Edward, who sat at the table, conversing with Richard Black. Immediately her bravado plummeted, and she felt herself slip into what had become her normal addled state. Her eyes closed momentarily, and she drew a steadying breath. Kristiana needed her. Her own fears be damned!
Straightening her shoulders, she walked the few steps toward Edward. With a show of timorousness she lightly tapped him on the shoulder. At the disruption a brow arched inquiringly while his cold gaze bore into her. Hastily she informed him that Kristiana had taken a slight chill and would not be down for supper. He acknowledged the statement with a grunt, then turned to his liege man and continued his discussion about catching the marauders. Since Edward seemed more interested in the brigands who raided his land than in his own wife, Penelope believed her niece was safe—for the night, at least.
As Kristiana slept Mala kept watch. After a while she moved to the window. In the courtyard below she saw the one called the Raven striding across the hard ground, heading toward the hall. Though she could not see his eyes, she felt certain he’d glanced at the window where she stood; Mala smiled. “Though you would have her believe otherwise, you are the one,” she said, positive the Raven had another name. And Mala knew it.
Deeper Than Roses Page 26
