The Pleasure of the Rose

by Jane Bonander

  “Doesn’t sound very promising for a newly married couple, does it?”

  Again he said nothing, but continued to stroke her hand.

  It wasn’t until her daughter was born that she learned of some truly heinous things about Leod, things she had never believed one person could do to another, and that she even thought about leaving him. But he was strong and controlling and attempted to convince her that she had driven him to such depths, although he couldn’t tell her why. Rosalyn wasn’t easily controlled, and had she not had a baby to think of, she might very well have left him.

  “Oh, Fletcher, what I learned is so monstrous I can barely abide saying it aloud.” Nausea rose in her throat.

  He took her hand to his lips and kissed it. “This once, Rosalyn, and then never again.”

  She took a deep breath. “Marvella came to me one day, distraught. She had been bringing her young daughter to work with her, as she had no one to watch her.” Rosalyn bit down on her lip, the memory bringing tears to her eyes. “Poor thing, she was so very distressed and I could see she didn’t want to tell me what was amiss, but I could also sense she simply had to tell someone.” Rosalyn took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

  “She told me that her little girl, who was perhaps six or seven years old at the time, had begun to resist accompanying her to work. I thought that was odd, because the child seemed to have a wonderful time helping me care for the baby. But there were many times, when my little Fiona was sleeping, that I wouldn’t see the girl at all, sometimes for hours. Still, I thought nothing of it.” Rosalyn put her face in her hands.

  “I learned that at first, Leod had been taking her for little walks and buying her sweets, probably to gain her trust. In the end, he had—oh, God, I hope he’s burning in hell—he had been…molesting her.” She sobbed on a shuddered breath, and put her head on Fletcher’s shoulder.

  “Every time I think about it I feel soiled, dirty. And I ache for every wee lassie who had the misfortune to come in contact with him.”

  He drew her close. “You aren’t to blame; you know that, don’t you?”

  “In theory, I suppose you’re right. But why didn’t I notice anything? Why didn’t I probe deeper into the reasons our servants kept quitting? I was certain I hadn’t been to blame, but with Leod gone so much, how could I have thought it was he who was to blame? I was so naïve. You see,” she added, “we had many young girls with us, some as young as twelve, and I always encouraged the others to bring their young children to work. At least then I knew they would come. So, when it comes right down to it, it was my fault.”

  Fletcher drew her closer. “Leod probably had had this fondness for little girls long before he ever met you, Rosalyn. I don’t think there’s anything you could have done to prevent his behavior.”

  She didn’t answer, but said instead, “It took a long time for me to gather the courage to leave him. And then when I did, he found me and kidnapped my daughter, and then they both died.” Tears welled, spilling over onto her cheeks.

  “Leod was selfish to the core—he couldn’t simply kill himself, he had to take my daughter with him.”

  They sat in silence for a long moment. Rosalyn was glad she’d bared her soul.

  “My dear Rosalyn,” Fletcher whispered against her ear. “I’m sorry you had to live that life.”

  “I had my beautiful daughter for such a short time, yet I think of her every day. Every day.”

  “You’ve had so much to do lately, getting ready for the children.” He stood and pulled her up. “Go to bed, love. Try to get some rest.”

  She held his hand. “Only if you’ll join me.”

  He looked skeptical. “We can just sleep, Rosalyn.”

  She smiled at him. “Why don’t we go to bed and find out just what will happen?”

  • • •

  Geddes paced, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck, hoping to ease the tension that had settled there. The Sea Mistress, the ship carrying the duke’s siblings, had encountered rough seas and would be delayed at least a week, perhaps longer. Geddes was not necessarily a religious man, but he prayed that whatever power there was would keep those children safe. He had no idea how he would tell the duke if something happened to them. He shuddered at the thought. He coughed, the sound coming from deep within his chest, and he swore. Now was not the time to fall ill.

  He crossed to the window of the room he had rented and gazed at the fishing port where dozens of boats were docked, some waiting to unload their catches. The smell from the waterfronts had never bothered him; he prided himself at being an islander, never having lived in the highlands.

  He checked his pocket watch and shook his head. What was he to do now? With another curse, he put on his hat and drew his coat around him against the chill. He left in search of a pub. Maybe a pint of ale could conjure up a picture of the widow Begley; at least then he’d have something pleasant to think about.

  • • •

  When Rosalyn woke the next morning, her husband was gone from her bed. She gave herself a lazy smile and stretched beneath the covers. Aye, it was nice to have a man in bed next to her. It felt right.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Yes?”

  Annie poked her head around and announced, “His Grace asked me to give you this.” She crossed to the bed and handed Rosalyn the note. What was it with him and notes?

  Annie rocked back and forth, waiting for a response.

  “Is he waiting for an answer?”

  “He didna say,” Annie said.

  Rosalyn shook her head and opened the note. Immediately upon reading it she felt a frisson of fear. Wife—please come to the stables immediately. I am in need of your help. Frowning, she glanced up at Annie. “No, that’s fine. I’ll take care of it.”

  After Annie left, Rosalyn hurried to dress and rushed down the stairs, truly concerned that her husband might somehow in jeopardy. Or perhaps he needed her to help with one of the horses. She all but ran to the stables. “Your Grace?”

  “Back here,” he answered from the tack room. He sounded as if he were in pain.

  “Is something wrong?” Rosalyn’s concern spread, for he didn’t turn to face her. “Your note said you needed me.”

  He slowly turned to her and smiled. “Indeed I do.”

  She glanced down and saw that his trousers were tented over his groin. She felt a thrill followed by a stab of annoyance. “You mean you made me rush out here because of that? I thought there was something seriously wrong with you.”

  He gave her that grin that melted her. “My dear Rosalyn, there is most definitely something wrong with me, and only you can help.” He started to undo his leather breeches.

  Rosalyn glanced surreptitiously around, as if someone would walk in on them. “Here? You want to do it here?”

  He continued to grin at her. “Do what, Rosalyn?”

  Her pulse began to throb and she ached between her legs. “You know very well what.”

  He continued to undress. “You have to say it. And while you’re thinking of the right answer, slip out of your drawers.”

  She went back and peeked out the door. “Where’s Evan?”

  “I sent him on an errand,” he said behind her.

  She turned and found him naked. Beautiful, proud and naked. “Why here?”

  “Why not?” he said, starting toward her. “It’s earthy. I love doing it in places that remind me of raw animal heat.”

  She gave him a saucy look. “Do what?”

  “You know what.”

  Feeling brave and a bit indecent, she said, “You’d better say the words before I slip out of my unmentionables.”

  He moved close, his erection dangerously close to her arm, and whispered something in her ear.

  Her knees nearly buckled with raw desire. “I guess that’ll have to do.” She kicked her drawers away from her and stood before him.

  “Now undo your bodice,” he ordered. “I want to see your breasts.”<
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  She accommodated him, wincing just a little when her clothing raked over her nipples. Although her breasts were a bit tender, she allowed him to fondle them, for he did it so very gently. When he bent and took one nipple into his mouth, she gasped and held onto his arms, for otherwise she would have fallen to the tack room floor.

  “Come, sit on my lap,” he said.

  They made their way to the bench along the wall and he pulled her onto him, inserting himself inside her. They sat that way for a while, neither moving nor barely breathing. She squeezed him with the muscles she had down there, and he sucked in a hiss of air. “If you continue to do that, this will be over before it gets started.”

  Although she shook with yearning, she said, “Is that all it takes?”

  “Under the right circumstances, yes.” His voice was deep and husky.

  “And what are they?” She sounded breathless.

  “This. Being inside you. Here, in a room full of leather and harnesses and the smell of sex as it radiates from our bodies like heady perfume. The fragrance of sex; nothing is more heady.” He spoke against her ear; his breath moved the fine hairs along her hairline.

  She could only agree. The feeling began, that itch, that unattainable feeling that spread through her blood with a hotness and wetness that was like no other she’d ever known. She whimpered against his neck. “Your Grace…I…it’s…” And there it was, opening her, taking her breath away, digging deeper and deeper into an intoxication that she’d only felt with him.

  He thrust deeper, growling into her ear, and then he took her mouth and swallowed the scream of pleasure that told him she was satisfied.

  She sagged against him, her face wet with sweat and tears. “Oh, my.” She felt him chuckle against her. “Oh, my, indeed.”

  They stayed like that, as if melted together as one person, until Rosalyn heard a noise. She sat up with a start and put a finger to her lips. Someone moved around in the stable.

  “Aye, Ahote,” Evan crooned. “Where be your master?”

  Rosalyn clamped her lips together and her eyes widened. She looked at his lordship, her expression alone asking him what they should do.

  His lordship drew her close and whispered very softly into her ear. “It’s all right; we’re married.”

  She opened her mouth to say something, then clamped it shut again, gave him a stern glare, and quickly buttoned up her bodice.

  Bringing her close again, he whispered, “You’re no fun.” Then he slowly and quietly helped her off his lap and pulled on his breeches.

  Suddenly Evan was at the door, his mouth open and his eyes wide. “Oh! I didna know you were here, Your Grace.” He turned to Rosalyn and nodded.

  Rosalyn furtively kicked her drawers under a worktable.

  “It’s all right, Evan,” the duke said, “I was just showing her ladyship something.”

  Rosalyn rolled her eyes as she hurried from the stable. Indeed, he had showed her something. She would deal with him later. How could she have allowed him to put her in such a position? Easily, her little voice said. Oh, so easily. She took the stairs to her room, her breast brushing against the edge of the door as she entered. She winced again as she had earlier with Fletcher. Slowly, she made her way to her dressing table and sat down, working through the weeks and months since he had arrived. How long had he been here? It had been over three months since his entrance into their lives. And over two months since.… She put her hand to her mouth and closed her eyes. Yes, she could certainly be pregnant. It would be her secret for now, if it were true. Time would tell all.

  • • •

  Rosalyn had noticed the tension in her husband’s stance for the past week, ever since he’d heard that Geddes would finally arrive any day now with his siblings in tow. So when the messenger rode up with the news that they would all be arriving later in the afternoon, Fletcher relaxed visibly. “I can’t believe they’re really here, Rosalyn. Finally, after these many months. I’m too antsy. I think I’ll take Ahote out for a run.”

  Rosalyn watched him go and then went upstairs to make sure each of the bedchambers was in order. Yes, these many months, indeed. It was already May, she was pregnant, and there was peace at the castle. Everything seemed so perfect. But perfection never lasted forever. When she was satisfied, she checked with the kitchen staff to ensure the evening meal would be special. When she had done everything to prepare for Fletcher’s siblings’ arrival, she retired to her room and attempted to do some hand work.

  She must have dozed for some hours, because when she woke long shadows crept along the floor. And the hounds were baying. Then she heard the carriage. When it stopped in front of the castle, Rosalyn rose from her chair and pulled aside the gauzy curtain.

  Part of her wanted to rush downstairs immediately, throw open the door, and greet the children as if she’d known them all their lives. Another part of her held back, waiting, instead, to watch as they exited the carriage.

  The first out was a tall lad, finely built and handsome, like Fletcher. The next lad out was fair as she was. His hair was the color of wheat and very curly, clinging to his scalp like a cap. He squinted, as if the brightness bothered his eyes. He took in his surroundings, then bent down and scratched one of the young hounds behind its ears, not taking his eyes off the castle. His gaze rose to the window where Rosalyn stood and she stopped herself from stepping back into the shadows. He gave her a brief smile, one she returned with a small wave of her hand. Gavin, she thought.

  Geddes stepped out next, then reached back and helped the young lassie to the ground. Rosalyn nearly gasped at the girl’s beauty. Her dark, almost black hair hung in long, soft curls over her shoulders and her face was so striking Rosalyn blinked repeatedly, for she didn’t believe anyone could be that perfectly made.

  But it was her demeanor that drew Rosalyn’s attention. She didn’t smile like the other two and she didn’t even give Geddes a glance after he’d helped her exit the carriage. She hugged herself and stood, looking around her as if she would rather be somewhere else. Anywhere but here. But it was too early to make judgments, and really, wasn’t Rosalyn being a little presumptuous? After all, the child had been dragged from her homeland. How else was she to feel?

  The last to get off the carriage was a rather dour-looking young woman whose pale, lifeless hair was pulled back severely and whose clothing was drab and unremarkable. Rosalyn shivered. The chaperone.

  Fletcher raced from the stables and reached the carriage, where he drew his sister in his arms. She hugged him and smiled and that beautiful face lit up, making her seem almost angelic.

  Turning from the window, Rosalyn pulled in a deep breath and made her way toward the door, eager, yet anxious, to meet her new family. There was a tiny feeling that they might resent her. She wasn’t so naïve to believe that everyone liked her; she’d learned years ago that it took very little for some people to actually dislike others.

  Whatever the outcome, they were here and she would do her very best to make them feel at home.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rosalyn need not have worried about the boys. They were exuberant, with a mixture of the boldness of colts and the strength of young stallions.

  After introductions had been made, Fletcher grabbed both boys by the shoulders and hugged them gruffly, his own enthusiasm bubbling over, as youthful as theirs.

  Kerry had given Rosalyn a cautious look, as if she wondered exactly how she was to respond to this woman who had married her brother. And she was a little distant, but Rosalyn chose to overlook that. The girl needed time to adapt. That was all.

  Kerry clung to Fletcher. When he suggested that she go inside and find her bedchamber, she said she’d rather be with him. He had given Rosalyn a look that said, Don’t worry, she’s just shy, and the five of them, including the chaperone, left for the stables. Rosalyn and Geddes were left alone in front of the entry to the castle.

  “So tell me, dear brother, how did you fare with the three of them? Did t
hey obey you?”

  Geddes chuckled. “Obey might not be the right word, I’m afraid. They certainly are spirited youngsters, I’ll give you that. But the boys are easily amused. Although they are as different as two lads can be, they are inquisitive and amiable. They got on well with the ship’s crew.”

  Rosalyn hid a small smile. “And Kerry?”

  Geddes drew in a sigh. “She and the chaperone stayed to themselves much of the time.” He shook his head. “Dorcas Blessing. Not much of a blessing, in my mind.”

  Curious, Rosalyn asked, “Why do you say that?”

  “It’s just a feeling I have. She seemed to want to keep Kerry separated from the boys; I can’t imagine why. Maybe it was my imagination. But I can tell you, sister, Kerry is smart as a whip. Everything she learns and sees seems to be stored like an image in her mind, for she can repeat a conversation word for word, days after it was spoken. And just to test my theory, I gave her twelve objects to study for only a few seconds, and without any hesitation she rattled them off in order. She even repeated them again later for me.” He shook his head in wonder. “She even knew how to calculate fathoms. What kind of child knows such things?”

  Rosalyn watched as the chaperone returned from the stables and instructed the servants as the luggage was unloaded. She didn’t always agree with her brother’s intuitions, so as she watched Miss Blessing, she decided she would wait and judge for herself the kind of young woman she was.

  It didn’t take her long to realize that her brother’s suspicions were right.

  Dorcas Blessing walked up to her and, without preamble, said, “I don’t know what accommodations you have for me, madam, but I will have to insist that I stay with Kerry in her bedchamber. She’s frightened, she’s alone, and she needs my support.”

  Rosalyn drew in a breath. Well, she thought, that didn’t take long. “I have prepared a nice suite for you just down the hallway from Kerry. I should think that would be sufficient. You would both have your privacy, yet you could keep in touch with her at any time.”