Lindsey, Johanna - Prisoner Of My Desire

by Prisoner Of My Desire (lit)

  realization, for she should not care either way.

  Warrick was ignoring her again, his mind on his waiting guests. Rowena could not

  ignore him as easily, though her mind was likewise on his guests. But even as

  her worry increased about how this new situation would affect her, her eyes were

  fastened to Warrick?s splendid nakedness, the long bare flanks so thickly

  muscled, the tight curve of his buttocks, the muscles bunching and rippling on

  his broad back with his movements. Strength and power in every hard line, and?

  beauty, aye, there was beauty in such stark masculinity. In no wise could she

  deny it, nor the need still coursing through her to feel that splendid body

  pressed tightly to hers.

  He turned slightly before he bent to put on his braies, and she saw that the

  same need was still prevalent in him also, though he was ignoring it just as he

  was ignoring herat least that was what she thought until her eyes drifted up

  again to find that he had caught her in her blatant scrutiny of him.

  He came back to the bed then and, without a word, caught her behind the neck and

  drew her toward him until his mouth was grinding hard against hers. Her heart

  thudded with relief, but before she could get her arms even halfway around him

  to urge him back into the bed, he released her. His visage was a terrible

  mixture of desire and anger just then, anger, no doubt, because she was tempting

  him to ignore his precious Isabella. Obviously the temptation was not quite

  enough.

  In that she was not entirely correct.

  ?Stay exactly as you are, wench,? he ordered harshly.

  ?I will return ere the fire dies from those sapphire eyes, and we will see if

  you can fulfill the promise in them.?

  He did not see the blush creep up her cheeks as he turned away to finish

  dressing with haste. She was not supposed to be as easy to read as he was, but

  obviously this once she had hidden naught from him. It made her feel more

  vulnerable than she had at any other time with this man. It was one thing for

  her to admit to herself that she could want him, did want him, at least right

  then. It was something else again to let him see it for himself without her lies

  to convince him of it. Lies? Mayhap earlier when she had been in control of

  herself, some of her actions and words had been lies, but they were not lies now.

  He left the room without looking toward her again. Vaguely she noted that he had

  yanked on a bare minimum of clothing, none designed to impress a long awaited

  bride. In fact, she thought smugly, he looked quite sloppy and harried, and with

  his emotions still on the angry side, the cruel lines of his face were well in

  place. He would be lucky if his lady bride did not take one look at him and

  burst into tears.

  The thought made Rowena smile, but only for a moment. Then her anxieties

  returned with a vengeance. No matter how Isabella reacted to Warrick, she was

  still here to wed him. A bride?s fear was the last thing that could stop a

  wedding from taking place, so it would happen, and that meant Rowena?s situation

  would change, and no matter how she looked at it, she did not see her own lot

  improving with the change.

  She might still inflame Warrick?s lust, but he would now have a wife to slake it

  on, leaving only his subtle cruelties and little revenges for Rowena. Without

  the intimate contact that his lust had brought so far, she would have no hope of

  altering his treatment of her. Verily, it would only get worse.

  She had been ordered to stay in his bed, but she could not. She got up, dressed

  quickly, then paced the floor in her agitation, awaiting his return. But he did

  not come back as soon as his parting words had predicted. And whatever desires

  he had stirred to life in her were long since cooled.

  She finally curled up on the hard bench of the window embrasure to do her

  fretting. Twas not long before she drew the definite conclusion that it would

  behoove her to reevaluate the possibility of escapemayhap during the excitement

  of the wedding.

  Warrick returned suddenly without warning, only he was not alone. The woman who

  followed on his heels was tall and richly gownedand pale as new parchment. She

  was hauntingly lovely in her paleness, with her raven hair and dark green eyes.

  She was also terribly nervous about something, though there was a resigned,

  determined look to her.

  Rowena noted this with wide eyes. She could not understand why Warrick had

  brought the lady here, when if Rowena had followed his orders she would still be

  lying naked in his bed. He could not have forgotten that, could he? Nay, he

  looked toward the bed first, and when he found it empty, his eyes searched until

  he located Rowena tucked deep in the embrasure.

  She saw immediately that he wanted something of her. She sensed it the same way

  as before, when he had been chained in front of her and she had felt she could

  read his thoughts. But she could not grasp what it was that he wanted this time,

  until she heard what Isabella began saying.

  The woman was afraid, aye, and with reason. What she was confessing to Warrick?s

  hard back was why she did not love him. And now Rowena knew exactly what he

  wanted of her. He wanted to show Isabella that what she was telling him mattered

  not at all to him, but just to say so would not suffice. Rowena was not sure if

  ?twas only his pride he wanted to protect, or if he also wanted to relieve the

  lady?s anxieties. Either way, he obviously had hoped he would find Rowena where

  he had left her, a position that would have spoken more clearly than words.

  She was not sure why she wanted to aid him or even how she could, but she stood

  up to reveal herself to the other woman. That, unfortunately, was not enough.

  Isabella was too deeply into her explanation to care that a servant was present.

  She was trying earnestly to make Warrick listen to her, while he would not even

  turn around to face her, but continued to watch Rowena instead.

  Rowena approached them both, but she stopped before Warrick, telling him without

  words that he could make use of her presence however he chose. What he chose to

  do was face Isabella now with Rowena behind his back, but he put his hand behind

  him until she took it, then drew her closer until she actually leaned against

  his back. What this tableau would appear like to Isabella, if she deigned to

  notice, was Rowena shyly hiding behind Warrick, with him trying to reassure her

  without actually drawing attention to her.

  Mayhap it was a bit too subtle for Isabella, for she had not even paused in her

  lengthy explanation of how she and someone named Miles Fergant had loved each

  other since childhood. Rowena could have been invisible for all the norice she

  was getting. Better to have just brazenly returned to Warrick?s bed, mayhap even

  stripped off her clothes again. She smiled to herself at the absurd thought,

  then almost laughed aloud when it occurred to her that Isabella still might not

  have noticed thatbut Warrick certainly would have.

  The moment of whimsy put her in a mischievous state of mind that she had not

  experienced in a goodly number of years. She considered wrapping her arms around

&nb
sp; Warrick?s waist from behind. Nay, too bold. She slipped her hand out of his

  instead, saw his back tense, but he relaxed when he felt her hands settle on his

  sides, just above his hips. Her fingers were not actually noticeable, but she

  was no longer even thinking about giving Isabella something to see. Twas Warrick

  she felt like teasing now, and tease him she did, running her hands slowly up

  his sides, feeling him stiffen, then try to stop her movement by pressing his

  arms tight to his sides. She merely worked her fingers loose and moved them down

  to his hips.

  She almost burst out laughing when she heard him suck in his breath. But when

  she brought one hand back to pat his buttock, he startled her by swinging around

  and pinning her with a look that for once she could not read. She gave him an

  owl eyed look of innocence in return, which brought the tiniest curve to his

  lips before he recalled himself and glared a warning at her. She was supposed to

  be aiding him in dealing with Isabella?s confession, not distracting him from

  listening to it.

  And then they both noticed the sudden silence behind them, just before Isabella

  asked impatiently ?Warrick, who is that woman?? J

  He turned back around. Rowena stuck just her! head around his wide shoulder.

  ?She is my prisoner,? was all Warrick offered in answer.

  I

  ?Lady Rowena of Kirkburough,? Rowena added at about the same instant, well aware

  that he would not have, and aware too that he would not like it that she did.

  She was right. The rejoinder he came back with made her flinch.

  ?Lady before she became my prisoner. Now she is the wench who will bear my next

  bastard.?

  Rowena sank her teeth into the back of his armhardto thank him for that

  unnecessary disclosure. He moved not a muscle to acknowledge he had even felt it.

  ?I see,? Isabella said coolly.

  ?Do you finally? Good. Mayhap now you will explain why you found it necessary to

  follow me in here with this tale of childhood lovers when I expressly told you

  in the hall that I was not interested in hearing it. Think you that your love is

  a requisite of our marriage??

  The brutal coldness in his tone made Isabella pale even more. Rowena, behind him

  again, winced and felt a moment?s pity for the other woman.

  ?II had hoped to make you understand,? Isabella said miserably.

  ?Indeed do I understand. You love me not. I care not. Love does not happen to be

  what I require of you.?

  ?Nay, Warrick, you do not understand at all. I cannot wed you now. II am already

  wed to Miles.?

  A long silence followed. Rowena was shocked. She could not begin to imagine what

  Warrick must feel.

  His voice, however, was amazingly mild when he finally asked ?Then what do you

  here, with your father, who seems to think he brought you here for a wedding??

  Rowena stepped to Warrick?s side, too curious now to miss a word of this. The

  lady was wringing her hands, but Rowena was surprised to see that Warrick did

  not seem to be as disturbed by this news as he should be.

  ?When my father found me in London, Miles was sent to York on the king?s

  business, so not with me. II could not tell Father the truth. He had forbade me

  to see Miles again after he had refused his suit. He wanted you for a son

  bymarriage. No one else would do.?

  ?Lady, I cared not for your father?s approval to wed you. Twas your consent I

  asked for, and you gave it.?

  ?I was forced to give it. For the same reason, I could not tell my father I had

  wed with the king?s blessing. Miles is Stephen?s man. I have given up much to

  have him, but he is all I want. But my father, he would kill me if he knew what

  I had done.?

  ?Think you that you have less to fear of me??

  Rowena was sure the woman was going to faint, so horrified did she become at

  that question. Rowena could have kicked Warrick herself for deliberately

  frightening Isabella. And she did not doubt ?twas deliberate. She knew him well

  enough now, and was too familiar herself with his ways of quick retaliation.

  Isabella, obviously, was not.

  Seeing someone else being the recipient of f VVarrick?s enmity was strange. Even

  stranger was her desire to defuse his anger for his own sake.

  ?You will like his dungeon, Lady Isabella,? she said into the tense silence.

  ? Tis really quite cornfortable.?

  Warrick looked at her as if she had gone mad. But Isabella just stared at her

  blankly, not understanding what Rowena was implying.

  ?Well, you are going to toss her in your dungeon, are you not, my lord?? she

  continued.

  ?Is that not where you put all females while you wait to see if they are?

  ?Rowena,? he began warningly.

  She gave him a sweet smile.

  ?Aye, my lord??

  Whatever he would have said would not come out while she was smiling at him like

  that. He made a sound of exasperation instead, but when he glanced at Isabella

  again, his expression was not as dark.

  ?So you hied yourself to London to wed your sweetheart?? he said to Isabella.

  ?Tell me, my lady, was this your plan when you journeyed to me, or did it

  precipitate when I was delayed in meeting you??

  Rowena held her breath, praying the woman?s answer was not going to add another

  mark to her own list of transgressions. She was not that lucky.

  ?Miles had joined my escort that noontide. I had not seen him for months. I had

  been without hope. But when you were not there with your men, it did seem

  fortuitous I mean Miles and I, we saw it as our only?

  Isabella finally stopped, flushing furiously, but added after a moment ?I am

  sorry, Warrick, truly. I did not mean to deceive you, but my father was so

  desirous of a marriage to you.?

  It was uncalled for, outrageous, but Rowena simply could not resist interjecting,

  ? Tis too bad he could not wed Warrick himself.?

  She regretted the impulsive remark immediately. Levity was misplaced with such a

  serious subject. Warrick could not appreciate it and would be enraged with her.

  Isabella must think her crazy. And then Warrick burst into laughter. His eyes

  caught Rowena?s surprised look and he laughed even harder. Twas Isabella who did

  not appreciate it.

  ?How dare you make light of this?? she demanded of Rowena.

  ?My father is still like to kill me when he?

  ?Not if Warrick breaks your betrothal contract,? Rowena pointed out.

  Warrick stopped laughing at that suggestion.

  ?God?s blood, ?twould start a war. Better she gets the beating she rightly

  deserves and I assure Lord Reinard I am not aggrieved over the loss of her.?

  ?That does not relieve her plight,? Rowenc reminded him.

  ?Do you imagine, wench, that her difficulty is now a concern to me??

  Rowena ignored that.

  ?The alliance was gooc enough for you, my lord. Are your daughters spoken for,

  that one of them could not form tht alliance in your steadif the family has

  unwed sons??

  Warrick shook his head at her in bemusement.

  ?Get you gone about your duties, Rowena, ere you think to promise away my castle

  as well. This matter does not concern youexcept for your own indirect part in

  itwhich I am not li
ke to forget.?

  ?Ah.?

  She sighed, unimpressed with the warning.

  ?I see I am due for more of the dragon?s fire?

  ?Go!? he cut in, but his expression was not daunting. In fact, it was just short

  of breaking into a grin.

  She smiled at him for good measure and heard Isabella say before she closed the

  door on them ? Twas an excellent suggestion she made, Warrick.?

  ?I am not surprised you wouldst think so, lady, as it solves your dilemma nicely.

  It does not, however, get me the son I desired.?

  Rowena did not wait around to hear the lady renew her apologies. But she left

  wondering about the sex of the babe she carried. A son would be nice for a

  firstborn, but a son was what Warrick wanted. The question was, would a son gain

  her an offer of marriage, or guarantee her losing her firstborn child?

  Chapter 31

  Warrick was not sure what complexity the wench was perpetrating on him, but he

  had already drawn the conclusion that he did not mind it. What Rowena hoped to

  gain with her strange behavior he could not guess. Not that it mattered. What he

  had planned for her would not changewell, mayhap only slightly, for he no longer

  had any desire to make her suffer. Her puckish wit was also a pleasant surprise.

  As solemn and determined as she had been at Kirkburough, he would not have

  expected a playful side to her.

  Kirkburough?twas not her town, nor would it be now. But for the first time, he

  wondered who Rowena was and where she had come from.

  ?Have you spoken to the lady yet about Emma??

  Warrick turned from watching his men testing their skills against Sheldon?s

  knights on the training field. For a moment he had no idea what his friend

  referred tountil he saw whom Sheldon was staring at. Rowena was crossing the

  bailey to the washhouse, her arms piled high with linens. So easily was she

  noticeable, her long braid glittering in the sunlight, her bright red chemise

  only visible at her neck, arms, and feet, but such a contrast to the drab dun

  bliaut she wore. In no conceivable way did she look like the servants around her.

  ?Twas almost ridiculous to call her so, yet he would continue to do so,

  regardless of how others sawi heror called her.

  He was chagrined, however, that he had cornpletely forgotten the new task he had

  agreed to give her. Obviously, when she was near him, his thoughts gravitated in