Revealing A Marchioness's Heart (The Chronicles of Loyalty)

by Jessie Bennett

  “Dogs,” Nora replied, a grin still on her face as she patted her arm. “On your arm, yes?”

  “Oh, don’t tell that wretched story,” Alexander gave Peter a look as he took a sip. He felt calmer now that they weren’t on the road too, since he had unlimited access to his drug of choice. He wasn’t looking to get drunk; he was just looking to level himself out from the harrowing affects of withdrawal. “To be fair, that dog was at least ten pounds.”

  “Twenty, if I’m a day,” Ricardo grinned, perching on the windowsill. Nora had her legs curled under her and nobody missed the look she gave Ricardo -- a sultry, seductive look. She felt beautiful, at least compared to the road, and her confidence showed. He winked at her as he leaned back. “Your future husband came calling, Nora. We are to take you to him.”

  He said it in English, which confused her, and she met his eyes, switching to French. “Does the baron speak French?”

  Alexander downed the rest of the glass, enjoying the feeling as the bubbles lifted to his head. Maybe one more wasn’t a bad idea; he was quite the seasoned drinker and they had a hard journey. At her statement, he gave her a look. He had a flash of memory to their time on the estate and Nora had always been particularly stubborn about language. She was unconfident about her English, and her parents spoke either French or Spanish at home. Despite the fact that they lived in English occupied territory, she used French as much as she possibly could. Now, the crutch of the two of them on the road knowing French had worked to her advantage.

  “He likely does, at least as well as I do, but I want you to use English, Nora,” Alexander said, pouring a second glass. “Your English is fine if you just slow down.”

  “Actually,” Ricardo pointed out. “If we go ahead with our…plan, she may want to stick to French.”

  “What plan?” she picked up on that, looking between them two of them. “What?”

  Alexander winced, glaring at Ricardo. “Your husband is …of an advanced age,” he said, and she narrowed her eyes.

  “How old? Thirty? Forty?”

  “Fifty, sixty, seventy,” Ricardo interjected, and her jaw dropped. “It’s not just that. We took a walk around and saw the same ten guards repeatedly. The interior walls are also crumbling, and we are beginning to wonder if the baron is not as well fortified as he is making himself out to be.”

  Nora’s jaw practically unhinged. “But the king…”

  “Even the king can be made to look like a fool,” Alexander said softly, and she closed her eyes, trying to think. “But, Milady, you know that this is about none of it. The castle can be fortified with your guards, your money. The walls can be made safe, the house a better addition to your own lands. This isn’t a love match; don’t get that into your head.”

  “Well…what do you want me to do about it? Act like a child so he doesn’t want me? Show him my scars out in the open?”

  “Just keep speaking French,” Peter finally spoke up, his limited French allowing him to catch half the conversation. He looked to his peers. “Is it really as bad as you say?”

  “His motives may be pure,” Alexander replied. “He wants a new wife, a young woman. But no crumbling noble ever lost sight of the money that came with the marriage.”

  “Won’t it disgrace me?” Nora asked. “If he rejects me?”

  “No,” Alexander shook his head. “But I don’t want you to do anything like these two idiots are suggesting. This is a noble marriage and if it is fit, it will be so.”

  “So much for four weeks on the road,” Peter hopped off the window ledge. “Should I go pack my bags soon?”

  A knock came on the door then, and everyone’s head swiveled toward it. Opening, a guard that they had seen in the courtyard stepped in proudly. “His lordship, the baron, would like to dine in his rooms with his wife to be,” the guard said.

  Ricardo straightened, glancing at Nora. They were out of time to discuss their plan. Instead, he took the lead, translating rapidly for her. She nodded, getting up from the bed. Ricardo offered his arm and she took it, glancing back once at Alexander before sweeping out of the room. Once they were alone, Alexander sunk onto the bed, glancing at Peter.

  “So…you really think all of this?” Peter asked. “Or you just don’t want to leave the little lady here alone?”

  “Would I defy the king?” Alexander gave him a look and Peter shook his head.

  “Never,” he replied. “But this must have been in the back of your mind the whole time; that the baron wouldn’t be a good match for her.”

  “I will give the king my recommendation as a guard,” Alexander replied. “And he will listen. But it would of course be more powerful if…”

  “If you could tell him she was your ward.” Peter proved he wasn’t just muscle between his ears, leaning against the wall.

  Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Ricardo told you everything, or just some things?”

  “Oh, everything, I imagine,” Peter grinned and Alexander rolled his eyes. “My Lord.”

  “Now, don’t you start,” Alexander glared at him. “And I was going to say that it’s harder to claim her as a ward since I failed at guardianship during her formative years.”

  “I don’t think Miss Nora would mind you taking charge again,” Peter shrugged. “She seems a bit…”

  “Fragile?” Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Don’t underestimate her. Mary taught her to be fire and brimstone when needed.”

  He almost choked on the words then, realizing what he had said. Had the wine gone to his head that quickly or was he just suddenly comfortable with spilling all his secrets? Saying her name made him take a large gulp, disgusted for slipping so easily.

  Peter remained calm. “That’s your wife, then?”

  “Yes,” Alexander growled. “And she is dead.”

  “I’m sorry,” Peter replied, smart enough to let the subject matter drop. They both glanced toward the door, awaiting Nora’s return. “Don’t worry; Ricardo will take care of her. You going to sleep in the anteroom tonight then? And I’ll take guard at the door?”

  “Sure.” He was suddenly too tired to argue, feeling the years weigh on him, as well as the tragedy. This was fine, here and now. Nora was safe, he was safe, and his best friends were nearby. He could handle it; whatever happened, especially considering how far they had come. However, he still poured himself yet another glass, anticipating needing a good night’s sleep to make it through the day. Because as much as Nora made him happy, she also reminded him of a time that he wanted to forget, and as long as those scars were on her face, he could not overcome the sins of the past.

  3

  CHAPTER THREE

  It was nearly midnight before Nora came out of the baron’s rooms, where Ricardo had been standing. Despite his worst fears, she looked nothing worse than tired as she gently shut the door behind her.

  “Well?” Ricardo asked, his eyes bright despite hours standing outside the door.

  Nora winced. “He’s actually a very sweet man,” she said softly. “But not…I couldn’t…”

  “Marry him?” Ricardo asked, taking her arm and heading back to her rooms.

  She sighed. “That’s not the way nobles work, you know that.”

  “I do,” he answered. “And I always thought that the way nobles worked needed some repair.”

  She laughed at that, and in the emptiness of the hallway, dared to lean her head against his shoulder. He slipped an arm around her waist and they paused, with only the torches lighting their way. Then, meeting each other’s eyes, they kissed, gently but passionately.

  “Ricardo,” she breathed, but he shushed her, his fingers brushing against her face. He kissed her again, this time with more intensity, his lean body pressing her up against the wall. She gasped at the pleasure of it all, and he pulled back.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No,” she was quick to respond. “I just…I need…” She had never needed a man like this before. She had never been so quick to fall in love, an
d the fire had made it worse. She knew she needed to make a noble marriage, but Ricardo was here in front of her, gazing at her with admiration. He had never glanced at her scars, while the baron had looked several times and then averted his eyes kindly. Ricardo never looked anywhere but her face, and she was enchanted by it. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, let alone had interested in her. “You.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you have rooms,” he said, gently taking her hand. “Come, Milady,” he whispered and pulled her down the hallway. He didn’t bother to drop her hand as they approached, giving Peter a smirk.

  The guard returned it, and wondered if the kitchens were still open. If Ricardo was taking Nora to bed, then he would have no need to watch the outside of her door as well.

  “Alexander?” Ricardo had the sense to ask as they paused briefly outside the door. To not embarrass Nora, he pretended to keep the charade of professionalism.

  However, Peter also knew him too well. “He’s out, said goodnight to me about two hours ago. He took a bottle with him into the anteroom, so I doubt he’ll be up any time soon.”

  “Well, then,” Ricardo raised his eyebrow. “Goodnight, Peter.”

  “Night,” Peter replied and then the couple disappeared into her grand bedchambers.

  Once alone, Ricardo no longer wasted any time. He tugged at his own shirt while kissing her, pressing her back against the bedpost. Nora knew what was coming, but she burned with passion for him. This was the moment, here and now, where she would give herself over to a man, a moment she had thought about for many years. Nevertheless, when Ricardo went to tug off her chemise, she stopped, fear flying into her eyes.

  He might have been burning with passion for her, but he knew that look in a woman’s eyes. He stopped immediately, looking up at her. “Love,” he said, bringing a hand to her face. “I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. You have nothing to fear from me.”

  “I don’t fear you,” she said softly. “I fear what it will reveal.”

  His face softened, and he kissed her gently, trailing down her neck and over her scars. “You are beautiful,” he whispered into her ear. With sly fingers, he continued to unbutton the shirt. “You are beautiful and a wonderful soul and you don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.”

  He meant it too, even as the chemise slid away to reveal the extensive scarring on her back. Ricardo had loved a lot of women, and while their physical beauty made him turn his head, it wasn’t about that. He saw deep into their souls; the light and intelligence in their eyes. Nora’s eyes were filled with light; with hope and innocence. However, they were also filled with something deeper; a knowledge and wisdom of the world, despite her young age. The things they had spoke of in their quiet moments together, the way she looked to Alexander without doubt, but with patience, all these things made him realize that Nora was more than just a noblewoman with pretty eyes.

  She might well have been the first person he had ever really fallen in love with.

  “There are many,” she answered, “who tell me otherwise.”

  “Then they are fools,” he pulled of her shirt and pushed her back onto the bed. “And I will see them hang for it.” He knew, somewhere in the back of his mind, that this was her first time with a man. It had been a rule for him to never be anyone’s first or last. However, Nora seemed to break all of those rules, with her smile and her pearly laugh.

  He had also sworn to Alexander that this was a casual romantic interest, it wasn’t anything heartfelt. He had broken several rules this night, and he didn’t care a lick for any of them.

  Instead, when it was all over, she lay against his well muscled arm, the sheet pulled up over her slightly trembling body as she sighed happily. “I think I love you,” she said.

  It was something many ladies had said before her, but it particularly warmed his heart, even if he wasn’t ready to say it back. So instead, he stroked the hair away from her face. “If we left you here to marry the baron, would you be happy?”

  “No,” she said, immediately, wrapping her arms around his waist. “No.”

  “Then your wish is my command,” he said and kissed the top of her head. “You should get some sleep, Nora. It’ll be a long day tomorrow.”

  “Will you stay?” she asked, yawning.

  He smiled. “Where else would I go?” he questioned. She nestled deeper into his shoulder, closing her eyes. His scent was of the woods, strong and protective, and in minutes, she was asleep.

  Ricardo had done this before, lying in beds that he wasn’t supposed to occupy. He had promised her that he would stay, but at first light, he pulled out of the bed, reaching for his clothes. Nora rolled over to grab a pillow, pulling it closer to her for warmth. Smiling, he kissed the top of her head, dressing quickly.

  When he was sure that he looked presentable, he padded across the floor, unbolting the door to the anteroom, where there had been a mess of pillows and blankets piled. One of them was supposed to be for him, Alexander curled up against the wall on the other.

  Quiet as a mouse, Ricardo tiptoed across the cold stone floor and then the nest that was kept for him, pulling the blanket over him. Alexander grunted, on the edge of wakefulness. The glass bottle that he had taken was on the floor at his head, empty. For any other man, it would guarantee a hangover, and perhaps Alexander did suffer from them. However, if he was needed on duty, Ricardo never saw any ill effects.

  If he woke on his own now, Ricardo knew he would be caught. Therefore, to stage the situation, he gave him a light kick.

  “Stop snoring, you oaf,” he muttered, pretending to be half awake himself.

  Alexander opened one bleary eye to stare at him for a moment. “Do that again and I’ll punch you so hard that your eyebrows switch sockets,” he muttered, his mouth dry.

  “Then stop snoring like an ogre,” Ricardo grinned, rolling over onto his back. For a while, he was treated to the sounds of his best friend’s quiet breathing, coming in slow steady waves. Then, Alexander turned over as well.

  “It’s dawn?”

  “Almost,” Ricardo replied with a yawn. “Nora got back barely before midnight from the baron. Who, apparently, is a very nice man. She just can’t…marry him.”

  “Because he’ll drop dead before their wedding night, likely,” Alexander replied. “We have to find her a way out of this.”

  “I just wonder,” Ricardo spoke. “If there will ever be a suitable match for her in your eyes?”

  “Of course there will be,” Alexander replied. “But Baroness Nora does not have a good ring to it. Now stop talking to me.”

  “Grumpy,” Ricardo grinned, but stayed quiet, glad that his charade had worked. He laid awake the rest of the morning though, his mind whirling with thoughts of his night with Nora and his heart beating fast. She had been enchanting, despite it being her first time, and already he craved more. Her touch on his skin, her hot breath against his ear, the way she muted her cries into her hand. This was a girl who clearly gave with all her heart, and with all her body, falling into the pillows exhausted afterward. A woman who wasn’t faking anything to keep a man happy, nor was she wondering exactly how she looked in his eyes. Ricardo had convinced her that she was beautiful, and she believed it. He was sure she would hold her head a little higher now.

  When the dawn light became unbearable to sleep through, Alexander sat up, running a hand through his tussled hair, his eyes still closed.

  Ricardo gave him a minute before speaking. “Alright?” he asked, and Alexander nodded, no pretense to strength as he struggled up, groaning. The glass bottle went crashing to the floor, making them both jump a little. He took a moment to regain his senses before he knocked on the door separating the two rooms.

  “Nora?” he asked, his voice thick with morning gruffness. Ricardo sat up as well, running a hand over his face and trying to act like he wasn’t eager to get back to her.

  To their surprise, the door swung open and Nora was behind it, already dress
ed and ready for the day. Her eyes were wide, and she looked a little shell-shocked. “I need one of you to come with me,” she said, and Alexander leaned against the door frame.

  “What’s happening?”

  “The baron has summoned me to a private breakfast,” she said, thinking over the events of her conversation with him again and again. However, every time she tried to go back to last night, Ricardo flashed into her mind. She tried to avoid eye contact with him as he remained on the floor, pretending to wake up. “Alexander?”

  “Give me a minute,” Alexander replied, strolling into her room, no doubt for another drink to rid himself of the hangover.

  She glanced at Ricardo then. “What do you think he wants?”

  “Another drink,” Ricardo replied, as if it were plain as day.

  Nora rolled her eyes. “Not Alexander. The baron.”

  “Oh,” Ricardo said. “Well, you said it went well. He might want to propose.”

  “Bah,” she said as Alexander beckoned her. “Wish me luck then.” Her eyes lingered on his face. Knowing he was shielded by the door, Ricardo blew her a kiss, which she blew back before heading toward the hallway. Peter was asleep on the chair outside her door, and they crept past him down the long stone hallway. “If the baron proposes marriage, what do I do? It’s at the wish of the king….”

  Alexander’s conversation with Ricardo the day before was fresh in his mind as they walked. Love matches had only gotten him into a horrible mess, and one twisted part of his brain thought that perhaps it was better if she didn’t love the baron. It would be better if it were nothing more than a business relationship. He could not steal her heart, and she could not crush his, for that was the worst kind of pain.

  “Then you will accept,” he said through gritted teeth, trying not to let the emotions of the past come through. “Because that was the duty you were born into, marchioness or not.”

  “Mmm,” she answered, distracted as they got to the baron’s chambers. “Wish me luck then.”