The Dragon Lord

by Connie Mason

  In the solar, Rose and Starla sat on either side of their mother, sharing confidences.

  “Are you happy, Rose?” Lady Nelda asked. “Is Lord Dragon kind to you?”

  “It was thoughtful of him to bring us to Dragonwyck,” Starla added. “He must think highly of you.”

  “I am notunhappy,“Rose said after a long pause. “Dragon has done naught to hurt me, though sometimes I deserve his anger.”

  “What have you done, daughter?“Nelda questioned. “I had hopes that you and your husband would deal well with one another.”

  “Lord Dragon does not seem as fierce as he did when he first arrived at Dragonwyck,” Starla observed.

  Rose sighed. She needed to tell someone about her volatile relationship with Dragon, and who better than her mother and twin, who loved and understood her?

  “Dragon is kind in many ways,” she began, “but he let me know from the beginning that he loved another woman. A woman he hoped to wed.”

  “Knowing your husband is in love with another woman must be difficult,” Starla commiserated. She shuddered. “Thank you for saving me from that fate. Lord Dragon’s anger must be frightening.”

  Nelda laughed. “Mayhap it is, but I do not envy His Lordship Rose’s anger, which I know from experience can be quite trying at times.”

  “We get along well enough,” Rose allowed. What would they think if they knew she had wounded Dragon? Rose wondered. Regret filled her, until she recalled how easy it had been for Veronica to coax Dragon into a dark alcove.

  What were they doing in there? Had they been talking? Had Dragon kissed his mistress? Had he caressed her and told her he loved her and wished he were free to marry her?

  “Rose? What is wrong, dear? You seem so distant all of a sudden. Youare unhappy, I can see. Can you tell me what is troubling you?”

  “What could be more troubling than knowing your husband loves another woman?” Rose blurted out. “The woman Dragon loves is in the keep right now, Mama, and it is tearing me apart.”

  “Dragon’s mistress is here? At Dragonwyck?” Starla gasped. “Oh, how horrible. Are they … have they been… together?”

  “Dragon denied it, but I am not sure I trust him.”

  “I cannot believe he would be so cruel as to invite his mistress into your home,” Nelda exclaimed. “Since you have no father to reprimand him, I will speak to him.”

  “He will deny his involvement, Mama,” Rose said. “He swore he did not invite her to Dragonwyck. I want to believe him, truly I do, but I constantly find them together.”

  “For a woman forced to wed, you sound like a jealous wife,” Nelda observed.“Have you come to care for your husband?”

  Rose’s chin went up. “Nay, Mama, you are wrong about that. Dragon is the king’s champion. I cannot care for a man who is loyal to the beast who ordered Papa’s death.”

  “Methinks you protest too much, daughter,” Nelda said. When Rose started to object, Nelda added, “Stubbornness is not a virtue, Rose, nor does it make for a serene life. If you care for Lord Dragon, tell him.”

  Rose shrugged.“I… cannot. I do not know how I feel. My life with Dragon is anything but tranquil. Nothing has been the same since I was forced to wed him.”

  “Are you talking about me, ladies?” Dominic asked as he strolled into the solar.

  Rose stared at him. “I thought you were entertaining our guests.”

  “It has been a long day. Everyone retired early so as to be fresh for the hunt tomorrow.”

  “Then we must seek our own beds, my lord,” Nelda said, rising.

  “Sir Braden is waiting below to show you to your chamber.”

  “Thank you, Lord Dragon, for everything. Being with Rose at this time of year means a lot to us.”

  “This is your home, my lady. I never intended to turn you out.It was your choice to enter the convent.”

  “So it was. Good night, my lord.”

  Nelda started to leave, then turned and stared at something on Dragon’s mantle. Rose followed her gaze to the magnificent brooch Dragon wore. She was sure she had not seen it before.

  “What a lovely brooch, Lord Dragon,” Nelda said.“I do not believe I have ever seen a finer ruby.”

  Dominic glanced down at the brooch, a puzzled expression on his face. Rose held her tongue until Nelda and Starla left, then asked, “I do not recall seeing that brooch before. Is it an heirloom?”

  Dominic brushed her question aside. “Forget the brooch. Are you pleased with my gift?”

  ” Twas a wondrous surprise,” Rose allowed. “I do so miss Mama and Starla. Starla and I are like two parts of a single entity.”

  “Is that why you sacrificed yourself for her?”

  “I would do it again, if I had to.”

  “Does that mean you have no regrets about marrying me?”

  “Not where Starla is concerned.”

  “I have another gift for you. I wanted to give it to you in private.”

  “Another gift? When did you have time to purchase one?”

  “I brought it with me to Dragonwyck. I meant to give it to my wife on our wedding day, but the day I arrived did not seem the right time.”

  Rose frowned. “Why give it to me now?”

  “Because it is the perfect time.” He walked to his chest, opened it and lifted out a velvet pouch. He placed it in her hands.

  “What is it?”

  “Open it and see.”

  Rose pulled open the drawstrings and reached inside. Her eyes widened when she drew out a gold tiara encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

  “I hope you like it,” Dominic said.

  “Are you certain you did not buy this for Veronica? She was the woman you intended to wed.”

  Dragon’s expression told Rose she had hit upon the truth. “I bought it for my wife; that is all you need to know. Do you not like it?”

  “It is truly lovely,” Rose said, fingering the bright jewels. “But I cannot accept something meant for another woman.”

  “It was meant for my wife, Rose. Accept it in good faith.” He lifted the tiara from her hands, removed her circlet and placed it on her head. “I want to see how you look in it. Do you have a mirror? You can see for yourself how well it becomes you.”

  Rose walked to her dressing table, picked up a framed metal hand mirror and admired the tiara in the polished surface.“Tis truly beautiful.”

  ‘Tis yours, Rose, but it does not do justice to your beauty.”

  Rose knew better than to let Dragon’s flattery influence her, but he sounded so sincere, her defenses deserted her.

  “I have no gift for you.”

  His gaze slid over her body, slow and sensual, his wide grin giving hint of his lustful thoughts.“I am sure you will think of something, love.”

  All Dragon had to do was smile at her and Rose felt as if her body were being consumed by fire. His look was darkly sensual, boldly promising. Rose had seen that look before and knew what it meant. Dragon’s passion was a lethal combination of intense pleasure and powerful emotions. How could she endure it again?

  Taking advantage of her distraction, Dragon caught her lips with his and drew her into his arms. His tongue flicked out, licking across the lush fullness of her lips, then prodding them open. Rose offered no resistance as he carried her to their bed and laid her down.

  Too damn many clothes,” Dominic muttered as he unclasped the brooch that Veronica had given him and removed his mantle.

  Rose stared at the brooch, an arrested look on her face. Something about the expensive piece of jewelry annoyed her. But her thoughts scattered when Dragon leaned down and kissed her again. She responded boldly, burying her fingers in his hair, shifting her body to bring him closer.

  “Wait, love,” he whispered against her lips. “Let me undress first.”

  Reluctantly Rose released him, but scant moments later he was back, gloriously naked, his sex rising full and hard against his flat belly.

  “Sit up, love
. I want you naked, too.”

  Unable to resist the lure of his seductive words, Rose was soon as naked as Dragon. She reached for him and pulled him over her, his hard body hot and heavy against hers. She sighed and savored his weight as he teased, taunted and aroused her. When she could tolerate no more of his tormenting caresses, she opened her legs and invited him inside.

  One forceful thrust took him deep, so deep she felt him touch her soul. She tightened around him, wanting to hold him and keep him close forever. Every inch of her body tingled with the sensation of having him embedded inside her.

  She felt his heart pounding against her chest and heard her own keeping pace. He lifted her, going deep, stretching her and filling her. She held on tightly, losing herself in his passion as he brought her to the peak and released her. A hundred times a hundred shimmering lights shattered around her. Dimly she felt his release and thrust her hips upward, wanting all of him, needing everything he had to give.

  Arms and legs intimately entwined, their harsh breathing echoing loudly in the waiting silence, they tumbled together on the bed as passion drained from them.

  The following days passed swiftly. The entertainment and feasting continued at a hectic pace. Dragon met twice more with the barons, but Rose had no idea where his loyalty lay.

  Dragon arose early the morning before the guests were to depart in order to participate in a final hunting expedition. Though Rose was sad to see her mother and sister leave, she tried to contain her melancholy.

  “‘Tis exceptionally cold this morning,” Rose said as she watched Dragon dress for the hunt. “Wear your fur-lined mantle.”

  Dragon sent her a strange look. ” Tis kind of you to care.”

  Flustered, Rose said, “‘Twas kind of you to bring Mama and Starla to Dragonwyck. I am but returning the kindness.”

  “They can both stay if they like,” Dominic offered as he pulled his mantle around his shoulders and fastened it with a brooch of wrought silver.

  “I know, thank you. Maybe Mama will return one day, but Starla seems happy where she is.”

  “Do I get a kiss for luck?” Dominic teased as he leaned over her.

  “If you like.” Rose pursed her lips.

  “I like,” Dominic said. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a real kiss instead of the peck Rose expected. It was just like Dragon to want more than she offered.

  She watched him leave with a bemused look on her face, then washed and dressed. Because she felt chilled, she removed her woolen mantle from a hook and threw it around her shoulders. When she looked for a pin to hold it together, she spied Dragon’s jeweled brooch and picked it up to admire it. Dragon had not worn it since the night she had first seen it, and on a whim, she pinned it on her mantle. She did not think he would care, since he was not using it himself. Then she went downstairs to begin her day.

  The men had already left for the hunt, and she joined the women in the chapel for morning Mass. After Mass, the women began drifting to the hall to break their fast.

  “Everyone seemed to have a good time,” Emily allowed as she joined Rose. “But I can truthfully say I will be glad to see the last of them. Twas an exhausting twelve days.”

  “It has been tiring for all of us,” Rose agreed. “I am certain Cook will be happy to see the guests on their way. The extra mouths to feed have put a noticeable dent in our stores and taxed the kitchen help.”

  Rose continued on to the hall to break her fast with bread and ale. A more substantial meal, the main meal of the day, would be served after the men returned.

  Rose was soaking a piece of bread in her ale and thinking about Dragon when Veronica sat down beside her.

  “Good morrow,” Rose said with more geniality than she felt. Dragon’s former mistress rubbed her the wrong way.“Do you need help packing? If your maid cannot manage on her own, I would be happy to send someone up to give her a hand.”

  “I am sure you would,” Veronica said snidely.

  Rose ignored the remark. “I trust you enjoyed your visit.”

  “More than you know,” Veronica replied cryptically.

  Suddenly Rose realized that Veronica was staring at her brooch. Rose ran a fingertip over the large center stone and smiled.“Tis lovely, is it not?”

  “Indeed,” Veronica bit out.” Twas my Christmas gift to Dragon. It belonged to my dead brother. Does Dragon know you are wearing it?”

  “You gave this to Dragon?”

  “Aye, right here in the hall, on the day gifts were exchanged.”

  “And he accepted it?”

  Veronica gave her a smug smile. “He wore it, did he not?”

  With shaking hands, Rose unpinned the brooch and threw it at Veronica. “Here! Take your brooch back to London with you. Dragon does not need your gifts.”

  “Are you sure about that? He kept it, did he not? What didyou give him?”

  “That is none of your concern.”

  “I have been talking with some of your guests,” Veronica asserted, “and most agree with me.”

  Rose frowned. “About what?”

  “About your violent nature. Those who know you claim you were volatile and unpredictable even as a child, and they were shocked when I told them what you did to your husband.”

  Rose arched her brows. “I did naught.”

  “Did you not? He said you wounded him. Tis a wonder he did not kill you.”

  “How dare you speak ill of me to my guests! Are you sure Dragon told you I wounded him?”

  She ignored the question. “Did you know Dragon is seriously considering locking you away where you cannot hurt anyone?”

  Rose stood so abruptly, her chair clattered to the floor. “Please excuse me. Duty calls.”

  Rose did not want to believe Veronica. Nothing in Dragon’s demeanor suggested that he considered her dangerous. She might have threatened him with a sword a time or two, but that did not mean she was insane.

  Rose’s thoughts kept returning to Veronica and the brooch as she saw to numerous details concerning today’s entertainment and games. Why had Dragon kept Veronica’s gift? It galled Rose to think that she had given him naught while Veronica had gifted him with a keepsake that meant a great deal to her.

  Even more upsetting was the knowledge that Dragon had discussed her mental state with his former mistress. She was so angry, she felt like taking her sword to Dragon again. She grinned. Mayhap she would gain more satisfaction by taking her sword to Veronica.

  After the ladies returned to their respective chambers to pack before the men returned, Rose went to the solar and began to pace, and think and fume.

  How could Dragon make love to her with such passion if he loved Veronica? He told lies with such ease and loved with such fervor that understanding him was beyond her capabilities.

  Rose heard Dragon’s footsteps in the gallery and realized that the hunters had returned. She whirled to face the door, her expression pugnacious. Dragon had a lot of explaining to do, and she was not going to let him charm his way out of it this time.

  The moment Dragon saw Rose’s face, he knew something had upset her, and it did not take a genius to know that Veronica was at the bottom of it. Thank God she was leaving tomorrow.

  “What is it now?” he asked, peeling off his gloves.

  Tell me about the brooch,” Rose said evenly.“Why did you accept a valuable gift from a woman you swore you no longer wanted?”

  “I tried to return it, but she refused to take it back.”He glanced toward the table where he had left the brooch and noted its absence. “I intended to return it before she departed tomorrow.” He removed his mantle and tossed it on a bench. “Where is it? I could have sworn I’d left it on the table.”

  “I wore it to the hall this morning because I could not find my own pin. I did not think you would mind.”

  Dominic stifled a groan. “No, do not tell me. Veronica saw it.”

  “Aye, she saw it and took great pleasure in telling me she had given it to you. A keepsa
ke, she said. Do not try to lie your way out of it this time, Dragon, for I refuse to believe you. You swore you did not want Veronica, but your lies have caught up with you. Very well, you are welcome to her. Tomorrow I will travel to the convent with my mother and sister.”

  She began gathering up her things. “Share the solar with her, if you like. Go ahead and declare me mad, it matters not. Your mistress already thinks me insane.”

  Dominic grasped her arm and swung her around to face him. “You eavesdropped on my conversation with Veronica. You did not hear me agree, did you? You are going nowhere. You are my wife. You belong here with me. And jealousy does not become you.”

  “I am not jealous. I am furious, and tired of your lies. I know you do not care for me, but please try not to make it look so obvious.”

  “Where is the damn brooch? I will return it to Veronica immediately.”

  “Do not bother. I already returned it. Release me. The feasting will begin soon, and I am needed in the hall.”

  Dominic did not try to stop her. She was in no mood to listen, no matter what he said. Damnation, he hated it that Rose had heard that particular conversation between him and Veronica.It had meant naught. He was just listening to Veronica’s inane ramblings until he could take his leave. Rose might be many things but she was not mad. A slow smile curved his lips. She was, however, jealous. Considering everything, Rose’s jealousy was not a bad thing.

  Dominic washed, changed and hurried down to the hall to celebrate Twelfth Night with his guests. He hoped things would be better between him and Rose after they left. Veronica had been a thorn in his side ever since her unexpected arrival at Dragonwyck. He could not imagine why he had once wanted to wed the woman.

  The barons continued to press Dominic to join their rebellion against King John; the urgency of the situation had not diminished. The importance of the charter and Dominic’s participation was openly discussed during all their private conversations, but Dominic sat on the horns of his dilemma. He hoped that the king would mend his ways soon, for he truly did not know what he would do should the barons pursue civil war.