by Jo Beverley
“Rothgar is ready for trouble,” Elf remarked without great concern.
Chastity shuddered. “This could end up as war.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. The days of the feuding barons are well past. He’s doubtless just making sure your father cannot try any mayhem.”
They passed the journey in light conversation of social matters, and Chastity was pleased to have it so. It created an island of normalcy in a stormy sea. It was a temporary haven at best, but she welcomed it.
But then Elf said, “Here I am chatting about theatrical excitement, when you must have had such adventures in real life. How I envy you!”
“My adventures were not particularly enjoyable.”
“I know they must have been horrid—” Elf sighed. “—but I still envy you. How will I ever meet a dragon-slayer, if I never come within breathing distance of a dragon?”
Chastity didn’t know what to say and found herself sharing a speaking look with the maid. Despite Elf’s extra years, she seemed in some ways an innocent child. “You have an older sister,” Chastity said. “She must have found a man to her liking.”
“Oh, yes, but Hilda’s always been so placid. She just quietly fell in love with Lord Steen, and quietly married him. Now they’re off in Dorset quietly producing quiet babies. I’m afraid I have a taste for stronger men, but my brothers chase them off on principle. They want me to marry another Lord Steen.”
Chastity’s lips twitched. “And you want to marry a Rothgar…”
Elf laughed. “Or a Brand, or a Bryght, or a Cyn. A man who’d face down the devil. Alas, I fear I am destined to be an old maid.”
They rolled into Long Knotwell in mid-afternoon, causing considerable excitement. People came out of their houses to gape at the cavalcade. Children ran alongside, trying to peep into the coach. Chastity heard one girl call, “Is it the king, Jimmy?”
They drew up before the vicarage, and Rothgar came to open the carriage door and lead them into the house.
It was a modest place, and soon seemed full of Mallorens. The vicar, Reverend Thomas Frazer, came forward. “Ah, Lady Chastity, I’m pleased you are here.” He cast a nervous glance at the two large Malloren men in his parlor. “Your sister and my brother are above stairs. We only await the license.”
In a moment Verity was with them, hugging Chastity. “How well you look! I have been so afraid something terrible would happen to you while I stayed in comfort. Mary Garnet was all that was obliging, and then Nathaniel came and brought us here. No adventure to it at all!”
Verity sounded just a touch disappointed. Chastity decided to leave her sister in ignorance. “And little adventure to my story either,” she said. “Cyn should be here shortly with your license. Come and be introduced to Lady Elfled Malloren, Cyn’s twin. She is lending you some clothes. You must pick what you like for your wedding.”
Verity smiled tearfully and thanked Elf. “In truth, it’s silly even to think of such a thing when it’s being married to Nathaniel that matters, but I did want to have something special for the ceremony.”
Chastity turned to greet Nathaniel, an old friend and neighbor. In a room full of Mallorens, he appeared rather ordinary, but he was a fine figure of a man, with even features and shrewd eyes. Clearly in Verity’s eyes, he outshone even the marquess.
“I must thank you for looking after Verity, Chastity,” the major said. “I know you must have been the spine of the operation.”
“Really, Nathaniel. Is that any way to speak of your bride?”
He colored. “You know I adore her, but no one would claim she has the nerve to hold up a coach.”
Chastity smiled. “Perhaps that was crass stupidity, not cool nerves, though I hope it has worked out in the end.” She drew him a little apart. “Nathaniel, I have to warn you, Rothgar intends that you and Verity return to the Abbey after the ceremony, but he has invited both my father and my brother there. He has even told them that the wedding is to take place here! With any luck they’ll not arrive in time to do mischief, but…”
Nathaniel flashed an angry look at the marquess, arrogantly formidable in gray velvet. “The devil you say! What’s he about?”
“Who can tell, though his intentions seem good. I just thought I’d warn you. But I don’t think Verity should know. She’d have the vapors.”
He raised a brow. “Is that any way to speak of your sister?”
Chastity had to give him that point.
Elf and Chastity then went upstairs with Verity to explore the boxes Chantal was unpacking. The maid eyed Verity, then nodded. “The blue,” she said. “It also becomes Milady Elf, but it is for a wedding…”
Elf silenced Verity’s objections with a negligent hand. “It must assuredly be the blue. I have a dozen more, I promise you.”
Verity’s wedding gown, therefore, was a sky-blue grosgrain, closed in the skirt, but open in the bodice to expose an echelle stomacher of white bows, going from tiny at the waist to wide at the cleavage. The neckline was wide and made the most of her beautiful chest and full breasts. There was also a matching choker collar of blue silk, embroidered with pearls and fastened at the front with a bow.
With her hair dressed high, she looked every inch the grand lady. The vicarage did not boast a full-length mirror and so she had to accept their assurances that Nathaniel would be delighted by her appearance.
A knock on the door brought the Reverend Frazer’s middle-aged maid. “They said to tell you all’s ready below, miladies.”
A flutter of excitement unsettled Chastity. That meant Cyn was here. She nervously twitched at her pink skirts.
Verity took her hand and squeezed it. “You look beautiful too, dearest. More beautiful than you were before. In the spring you were a pretty girl. Now you are a ravishing woman.”
Chastity started, wondering if it was so obvious that she and Cyn were lovers.
The vicarage parlor was bursting at the seams with the addition of two more Mallorens. Cyn looked up quickly as the door opened, and stared at Chastity almost as if she were a stranger. Instinctively, she flicked open her fan to shield her face from that heated gaze.
She heard Nathaniel say admiring, loving things to Verity.
She heard Rothgar arranging details with the vicar.
Her eyes were drawn to Cyn.
He came over to her. “If I had seen you like this,” he said softly, “I don’t think I would have dared aspire so high.”
Chastity found her voice had abandoned her and used the fan, fluttering it in a way that expressed agitation and interest.
“When Rothgar sorts it all out,” he said seriously, “I won’t hold you to anything. You can do better than a rough soldier.” He suddenly saw Rothgar’s pearl pinned to her stomacher and his eyes widened. “Perhaps you already have.”
Chastity stopped fluttering. “Cyn, really…!”
But then the reverend was chivying them to the church. Cyn escorted Chastity, but it was as if there were a wall between them. She should be glad, really she should, but she hated it. She needed to say something to breach the wall, but knew this wasn’t a time for personal matters. She remembered Rothgar’s strange invitations to her father, brother, and Henry Vernham, and told Cyn about them.
“Interesting,” he said, still very cool. “He will have his reasons, and having asked his help, we mustn’t quibble.”
The ceremony went forward without disturbance. Chastity remembered Verity’s first wedding, when she’d spoken her vows woodenly, staring straight ahead. This time she said them with love, looking into Nathaniel’s intent eyes.
Chastity swallowed tears, and by great willpower she did not once look at Cyn during the ceremony.
Elf and Rothgar stood as witnesses, thereby putting the full weight of the Mallorens behind the match.
When it was done Rothgar said, “Now we must get you all back to the safety of the abbey. We have a celebration planned, and there’s light enough if we leave now.”
With the remin
der that Walgrave could turn up at any moment, no one needed encouragement. Even the Reverend Frazer was persuaded to accompany them. The excuse was that he too would want to celebrate his brother’s wedding, but everyone knew it was to make sure he wasn’t available to take the brunt of Walgrave’s rage.
Verity and the baby joined the other ladies in the coach. The men all rode. Nathaniel kept his mount close to the coach, as if he could not bear to be further away.
Elf sighed. “Another dragon-slayer.”
Verity gave Chastity a perplexed glance.
Cyn didn’t ride by the coach, but seemed to be in conference with Rothgar, probably being filled in as to their suspicions. She wondered if she should tell Verity about it now, but she put the moment off. The idea that their father had dabbled in treason would tarnish this moment of happiness. When they arrived at the Abbey, and Verity’s baggage was available, Chastity would ask for the document. Would it prove to be as important as they thought, or a disappointment? Would it make any difference to Chastity’s future? Was there any chance on earth that her reputation could be salvaged, that she too could have a wedding day?
She couldn’t allow herself to hope for anything so unlikely. As well hope to be a virgin again.
They arrived at Rothgar Abbey just as the sun set, and were soon within its elegant opulence. Rooms were already prepared for Chastity, and for Verity and Nathaniel. A nursery maid stood prepared to help with the baby. A celebratory dinner was about to be served.
When Chastity thought to ask Verity about the document, she found the newlyweds had already disappeared to the privacy of their room. She glanced at the marquess, but he exhibited no great impatience.
She caught Cyn staring at her, but he made no attempt to talk to her.
She should have been glad.
Her heart ached.
She sought the sanctuary of her own room, determined not to cry. After all, if he thought she was under Rothgar’s protection, he would leave her be. She was pacing, bolstering her resolve to cut Cyn free, when Verity knocked and entered. A bright-eyed Verity, made radiant by happiness.
“I can hardly believe it, Chastity!” Verity exclaimed as they hugged. “We’ve done it! And the marquess says he can ensure Nathaniel does not suffer by it.” She colored with the blush of love. “Nathaniel would not even listen to my concerns, dearest. He said if there was any problem with the marriage, he’d spirit me abroad to do it.”
Chastity kissed her. “I’m so happy for you, Verity. Did the marquess say how he will keep you safe?”
“No,” said Verity with a trace of anxiety. “Do you doubt him?”
“Oh, no, but…” Chastity set herself to explaining the incredible. “This is going to sound strange, Verity, but we think that everything that has happened could be explained if Sir William had a hold over Father—a hold that came because Father committed treason back in 1745. We think that Sir William must have had a document linking Father to the Stuarts.”
“Treason? Father?” said Verity, exactly as Chastity had, but then nodded slowly. “I confess, it would have to be something of that magnitude to account for it.”
“And we think,” said Chastity carefully, “that the document you have carried around was not a legal one, but the incriminating evidence.”
“Heavens!” gasped Verity.
“So will you give it to Rothgar so we can see what it is?”
“Of course,” said Verity, then her eyes widened and she went pale. “Oh, lud!”
“What?”
“It was in the pocket of my servant’s gown.”
Chastity remembered bundling that up when they changed in the coach. “What happened to it? You didn’t throw it away, did you?”
“No, I left it with Mary Garnet. In the excitement of seeing Nathaniel, I forgot all about the document.” Verity clapped a hand to her mouth. “I said she could give those clothes to the poor!”
Chastity picked up her skirts and flew downstairs to find Rothgar. A footman told her he was in his study, and she rushed there.
Rothgar looked up. “Chastity. What is it?”
She explained about the evidence.
“Ah,” he said alertly. “It is as well you asked her. There is no time to lose.”
“What will you do?”
“Send for it immediately. I think Cyn had better go, as he is known to these people.”
“He’s been in the saddle for two days,” she protested.
“He’s a soldier, and assures me he’s well.”
This was taking nonprotectiveness to extremes, but Chastity was distracted by another thought. “I’ve remembered something else.”
“Yes?”
She told him about the women at Rood House, only then realizing that he had been there, and doubtless knew the place had been full of supposedly respectable women. She carried on, determined to be thorough, and explained about Nerissa Trelyn’s note. It had nothing to do with treason, but she had promised to tell him all.
His eyes glittered with interest. “Ah. You said the note was explicit. Can you remember any of it?”
Chastity blushed to think of it, but she dug in her memory. “She called him her Hercules… There was something about his handkerchief between her legs at the theater, and a ribbon around his…” She looked at him and shook her head, her cheeks burning. “I cannot recite such stuff…”
“It’s all right,” he said gently. “I see the tone. I just wanted to be sure it was more explicit than the usual love note.”
“Oh, it was certainly more than that.”
“And you left this note behind the fireplace? Tell me again how to find the house.”
She gave him directions as best she could, and he wrote them down. Within moments Bryght Malloren had been summoned and sent off to retrieve the evidence. He seemed pleased to be able to avoid the celebration.
“You think it is of use?” Chastity asked. “I have no desire to harm Lady Trelyn. She only told the truth when she confirmed my shame.”
“You’re too kindhearted. Nerissa Trelyn would ruin anyone in a moment if it served her purpose. But I doubt we’ll have to harm her spotless reputation. Half the world knows she’s a trollop, you know. It amuses them to pretend otherwise. Most of the world knew you were an innocent victim—such things can be sensed— but it amused them to vilify you. Every now and then we require a sacrificial victim on the altar of propriety. It reassures us that there are some standards left. It’s not a pretty picture.”
“You are part of it,” she pointed out.
“A major part,” he acknowledged amiably. “But I never hurt the innocents.”
He came forward and raised her chin to kiss her lips. “I almost envy my brother…”
Chastity knew with a sixth sense that Cyn had entered the room. She twitched out of Rothgar’s lax fingers and faced him.
“Is that how your name is to be restored?” Cyn asked with a chilly tone worthy of Rothgar himself. “True enough. No one would dare question the honor of Rothgar’s bride.”
“Not to my face, at least,” said Rothgar calmly. “But we are concerned, I think, with what is said behind our backs.”
Chastity felt like a lamb between two wolves.
Rothgar looked at his brother in a way that sent a shiver down Chastity’s spine. “If you doubt Lady Chastity’s honor for one second because of that kiss, Cyn, you are not worthy of her. I have a task for you, but it will wait a few minutes.”
The door clicked shut behind him. Cyn and Chastity were left alone. “What the devil’s between you two?” Cyn demanded.
Chastity knew that she could use this moment to cut Cyn free, but only at the price of destroying his relationship with his brother. “There is nothing between us,” she said.
“Then why are you wearing that pin?”
She had forgotten it, and her hand fluttered up as if to conceal it. “He gave it to me at Rood House.”
“Why?”
Chastity could not bear his icy
tone. Wrong though it might be, she wanted, she needed, his tender care. “You can’t really think anything of this, Cyn,” she protested, and moved into his arms.
He held her off. “Why?” he demanded.
Bewildered, she touched his cheek.
He shook her hand off. “Chastity, why did Rothgar give you that pin?”
“For services rendered!” she snapped, backing away. “You are the stupidest man!”
“I’m sure I am, but I’m amazed you managed to fit him in.”
“Cyn Malloren, you’ve run mad! He teased a kiss out of me.”
He grabbed her arm and dragged her close. “And paid with that pearl,” he scoffed. “What kind of fool do you think I am?”
She rapped his knuckles hard with the fan. “Release me, sir! I have nothing more to say to you until you are sane again.”
He released her, but only to pull her into his arms again. “I’ll never be sane again. Oh, Chastity, I don’t know what to make of you as a fine lady. You terrify me. You’d make such a wonderful marchioness.” His hand traced gently down her cheek. “Please don’t let Rothgar kiss you again.”
It was sweet to be in his arms, but bittersweet. “Do you really think I could be interested in him?”
“How can you not be? I meant what I said earlier. Once your reputation is restored, you will have no need of me. There will be many finer suitors for your hand, doubtless including Rothgar. He kisses no woman without a reason.”
It was hard, so hard, but she left his embrace and forced the cool words out. “Very well. Perhaps I will marry Rothgar after all.”
He flashed her a bereft look, but nodded. “Good. If your reputation is not restored, though, we must marry.”
She faced him sharply. “I won’t allow that sacrifice!”
“I took advantage of you…”
“I was completely willing…”
He groaned and pulled her back to him for a kiss. Then his lips explored the curve of first one breast, then the other, weakening all her resolve. “You look delicious, like raspberries and cream…”
“Cyn, food again… ?”
