The Dragon Lord

by Connie Mason

  Piers’s face wore a stunned look.“Lord Dragon has many knights at his disposal, my lady. Any one of them would serve you better than I.”

  “Not so, Piers. You see,” she confided, “Lord Dragon has forbidden me to go to London until he is able to accompany me. You have seen him. He is still recovering, and it could be weeks before he is able to travel.”

  “Can you not wait? I do not mean to question your motives for traveling to London before Lord Dragon is ready, but will he not be angry if you leave without his permission?”

  Rose heaved a sigh. “You will understand when I explain why I cannot wait.” Then she told him about changing places with Starla and why she could not wait for Dragon.

  “Will you accompany me to Westminster and escort Starla back to the convent, Piers? I will inform the head groom that I asked you to serve the remaining time you owe Lord Dragon at the castle, so that he will not think you have abandoned your post. I will not order this of you, Piers; it must be your decision. You have naught to fear from Lord Dragon, for I will shoulder the blame. What say you?”

  Piers remained silent so long, Rose feared he would refuse. He was her last hope, however, and she would not give up.

  “I will not blame you if you refuse, but whatever you decide will not change my mind about going to London.”

  “I can refuse you naught, my lady. I will accompany you on your journey.”

  Relief shot through Rose. “Can you wield a sword, Piers?”

  “When your father was lord, he taught all his vassals how to use a sword in case Ayrdale came under attack. Aye. I am not as proficient as a knight, but I can hold my own.”

  “Do you own a weapon?”

  “Alas, my lady, I own no weapon, not even a cudgel.”

  “I will bring my father’s belt and sword. Can you be ready to leave tonight?”

  “Tonight, my lady?”

  “Aye. Bring my mare around to the postern gate at Matins. I cannot leave until Lord Dragon falls asleep. All I ask is that you wait at the gate until dawn. Should I fail to arrive, return the following night, and the night after that, until I show up.”

  A troubled frown furrowed Piers’s brow. “What troubles you, Piers?”

  “You should not travel without a maidservant to attend you. I am naught but a lowly villein, but tongues will wag nonetheless. May I be so bold as to speak my mind, my lady?”

  “What is it, Piers? Are you having second thoughts?”

  “Nay, but might I suggest that Vella accompany us?If you do not want Vella, mayhap one of your maids will suffice.”

  Rose considered Piers’s suggestion and thought it a good one. “Will Vella agree?”

  “Aye, she will agree,” Piers said with conviction. “She is in your debt, just as I am. We will be waiting for you at the postern gate tonight at Matins.”

  Piers took his leave, and Rose spoke to the head groom about the villein before returning to the keep, content that everything was in place for her departure. Dragon would be angry with her, and she regretted that, but she hoped he would understand her reason for defying him. The feeling that Starla needed her was too strong to ignore.

  That night Dragon spent more time in the hall with his knights than was his wont. As the hours passed, Rose grew impatient and coyly suggested that they retire. Dragon seemed amused as he excused himself and followed her from the hall.

  “It pleases me to see you so eager for my attentions, wife,” he teased. “You might have been more subtle, but I am sure my knights envy me your loving regard.”

  “Your day was a full one,” Rose said. “‘Tis your health that concerns me.”

  His eyes held a mischievous sparkle. “You need not convince me of your good intentions, sweeting. I am most happy to be of service.”

  He patted her bottom as they ascended the stairs, and Rose felt a pang of guilt for what she was planning to do. Her one consolation for deceiving Dragon was the knowledge that it was for a good cause. But would Dragon forgive her? That question bothered her long after he had undressed her, slowly aroused her to passion and made love to her so sweetly it brought tears to her eyes.

  Dragon fell asleep almost immediately after making love. Rose waited until the keep had settled down for the night before easing out of bed and pulling on her clothing. She had already prepared a small bundle of clothing and retrieved it from her chest along with her father’s sword and belt before creeping down the servants’ staircase. She reached the kitchen without mishap and paused to raid the larder. She placed a small round of cheese, bread, slices of roasted meat left over from the evening meal, apples and a bottle of wine into a basket she found on a shelf, tucked her bundle of clothing on top, and left through the rear door.

  Moving stealthily, Rose found her way to the postern gate, stopping abruptly when she saw a knight standing guard. He saw her before she could duck into the shadows and beckoned to her. Her spirits lifted when she recognized one of her father’s vassals.

  “Lady Rose, ‘tis I, Sir Gerard. Piers and Vella await you just beyond the gate.”

  Rose blanched. “You know about them? About me?”

  “Aye. They explained your mission, and I let them pass through the gate. I know you would do naught to harm Dragonwyck so I will tell no one I saw you leave.”

  “Thank you. Keep my confidence, and I vow no trouble will come to you over this, Sir Gerard.”

  Sir Gerard opened the gate and Rose slipped through.

  “Over here, my lady,” a disembodied voice called out.

  Rose had chosen the time well, for the night was moonless and as black as pitch. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw two figures detach themselves from the shadows beneath the wall. Relieved, Rose hurried over to greet Piers and Vella.

  Thank God you waited. Do you have horses?”

  “Aye, your mare Ladybird and two others.”

  “We should hurry, my lady,” Vella urged, “before the guards on the walls notice us and alert Lord Dragon.”

  Piers and Vella led the horses from beneath the shadow of the wall. Rose handed Piers the sword, attached her basket to her mare’s saddle and grasped the reins, then mounted with Piers’s help. Next, Piers gave Vella a leg up, mounted his own horse and set a brisk pace away from the keep.

  Rose kept peering over her shoulder as they rode away. She did not relish the thought of confronting Dragon’s rage should they be overtaken and returned to Dragonwyck.

  It was slow going in the dark, but Rose was heartened when no one came pounding after them. Dawn was breaking when Rose called a halt to rest their horses and break their fast. She was preparing to dismount when she felt the ground shaking beneath her and heard men shouting. Glancing up toward the hills, she cried out a warning. She saw men charging toward them, and moments later they were surrounded.

  Piers leaped from his mount and withdrew his sword, standing ready to defend his mistress. Rose recognized the MacTavish plaid worn by their attackers and realized the men were her uncle’s clansmen.

  “Lay down your sword, Piers,” she ordered. These men are my mother’s kinsmen.”

  Piers obeyed but remained watchful as Gunn and Murdoc approached them.

  “Greetings, niece. Dare I hope ye were looking for me? We heard the Dragon Lord was seriously wounded and near death. Is it too much to hope that he succumbed to his wounds?”

  “Uncle Murdoc, greetings. My husband is alive and very well, thank you. My vassals and I are traveling to London,” she said. “What are you doing so deep in England?”

  “Mayhap ye were looking for me,” Gunn said, moving his horse closer to Ladybird. “Has the Dragon Lord tired of ye already?” He looked at Piers and Vella and dismissed them without a second glance. “Could the Dragon Lord not furnish ye with a proper escort? What did ye do to displease him?”

  “It matters not,” Murdoc cut in. “Rose is my niece, and I will give her succor in her hour of need.” He grasped Rose’s reins from her hands and started to lead her m
are away.

  “Nay, wait! I cannot go with you. Starla has need of me in London.”

  Murdoc scratched his bearded chin. “What is Starla doing in London? And why is yer husband not with ye? That is a story I would enjoy hearing. Ye will be my guest until my curiosity is assuaged.”

  Dominic awakened with a smile on his face, recalling Rose’s passion the night before and wishing she had not left the bed before he could make love to her again. He felt sated and refreshed and eager to resume training again with his men. He knew his refusal to allow Rose to travel to London without him had angered her, but he could not in good conscience place her life in danger. He hoped Rose would forgive him, and he prayed King John had not harmed Rose’s twin.

  As he washed and shaved, Dominic was surprised the sun was so high.It was at times like this that he missed Raj’s steady hand with a blade, but he persevered as he scraped off a day’s growth of beard with the sharp edge of his knife. Once his chin was smooth, he pulled on his clothing and left the chamber.

  Dominic was not unduly alarmed when he failed to find Rose in the hall. He had slept later than usual, and Rose was doubtless about her many duties. No matter, for he would see her when he returned to the keep for the noon meal. He stuffed bread into his mouth, washed it down with ale and hurried out to the practice field.

  The morning went much as Dominic expected. His injured side was weak and would take many more days of practice before he could wield a sword with his former dexterity.

  The hour of Sext had already passed and it was nearly None when Dominic returned to the keep. He went straightaway to the solar, hoping to find Rose there since she was not in the hall. He was disappointed but not excessively worried when he saw no sign of her. But when he returned to the hall, Lady Emily hurried over to intercept him.

  “Is Rose ill, my lord?”

  “Ill? Why would you think that?”

  “She has not left her chambers, and she is usually up and about at daybreak.”

  Dominic felt a sudden chill. “Are you telling me you have not seen Rose this day and it is nearly None? Did she not attend morning Mass?”

  “She was not at Mass, and no one has seen her since last evening. Everyone assumed she was ill.” Emily began to wring her hands. “Is she not in her chambers?”

  “She is not,” Dominic said emphatically as he strode away to speak to his captain of the guard. He wanted Rose found, even if it meant searching every nook and cranny inside the keep and every outbuilding.

  Three hours later Rose had not been found, and Dominic began to suspect that she had deliberately disobeyed him and gone to London. Anger seared through him when he imagined the danger involved in such a foolish endeavor. Did she care naught about her own safety? Rose had disobeyed him before, but this went beyond anything she had ever done. When he had her back he would either wring her lovely neck or kiss her breathless.

  Dominic went to the stables to question the grooms. What he learned sent panic spiraling through him. Rose’s mare, Ladybird, was gone, and after the grooms took stock, two other horses were also missing. The mystery deepened. Though Dominic was relieved that Rose was not alone, he had no idea who would have accompanied her without his knowledge or permission. All his men were accounted for.

  “Beggin’ yer pardon, me lord,” the head groom said, “but I think I know who went with her.”

  “You may speak freely, man. Do you know something about my missing wife?”

  “The only reason I am tellin’ ye this, me lord, is because I would be blamin’ myself if harm came to Lady Rose.”

  “No blame will be attached to you if you tell the truth.”

  “I know naught about Lady Rose’s plans to leave without yer permission, but I did see her talkin’ to Piers yesterday. After they spoke, yer lady told me she had need of Piers at the keep.”

  “Piers.Is he not the villein who married the freeman’s daughter?”

  “Aye, right ye are, Yer Lordship.”

  “There are three horses missing. Have you any idea who might have accompanied Rose and Piers?”

  The groom assumed a thoughtful look. “Mayhap Piers took his wife to keep Lady Rose company on the journey.”

  “Aye, it makes sense,” Dominic agreed. “Thank you for telling me. Rest assured Rose will be home before any harm befalls her.”

  Fear settled deep in Dominic’s gut as he walked slowly back to the keep. What if Rose had too great a head start? What if his knights failed to find her before harm came to her? Piers was a villein and could not possibly provide adequate protection should they be accosted by thieves or predators. Rage consumed him. He would have Piers’s head on a platter when he returned to Dragonwyck, provided he returned at all.

  Dominic questioned each of his knights closely, but no one admitted to having seen Rose leave the keep.

  With the mystery unsolved, he dispatched ten knights to bring back his missing wife.

  Rose prowled before the hearth in her uncle’s hall, her anger palpable. It was despicable of Murdoc, her own kin, to hold her captive. How dare he! What did he hope to gain?

  “Sit down, lass,” Murdoc invited.“Ye make me nervous.”

  “I’ve already explained my reason for traveling to London. Why are you holding me against my will?”

  “I told ye when I left Dragonwyck that ye had not seen the end of me.‘Twas a stroke of luck we happened upon ye today.”

  “You should not have been on English soil.”

  He shrugged.“We were raiding across the border to steal cattle and mayhap a sheep or two,” he admitted without a lick of shame.

  Rose knew that stealing livestock from English barons was a way of life for Scottish border lords, and her uncle was no exception.

  “But that is neither here nor there, lass. Ye are on Scottish soil now and ‘tis all that matters.”

  “I will not be here for long, Uncle. My vassals and I must be on our way soon.”

  Murdoc glanced up. “Here comes Gunn. Mayhap he has something to say about that.”

  “There is naught Gunn can say that will change my mind.”

  “Rose’s vassals are in a safe place,” Gunn said as he joined them.

  “Good lad. Rose wants to continue her journey to London, but I told her ye would have something to say about that.”

  Gunn leered at Rose. “Aye, I do. The Scottish court has declared yer marriage to the Dragon Lord invalid due to a prior arrangement between Murdoc and yer father. Ye will wed me, just as yer father intended.”

  Rose wanted to burst into laughter, but prudence prevailed. What made them think she would agree to wed Gunn? Even if she were free to wed, she would not choose Gunn.

  “You are both mad,” Rose charged. “I am English; your laws mean naught to me.”

  “Ye are Scottish on yer mother’s side,” Murdoc maintained. “As yer only male relative, ‘tis my duty to see ye wed to a man I approve. The court agreed. The wedding will be held as soon as a priest can be summoned. Handfasting might be a better choice, but I want no one, least of all the Dragon Lord, to question the legality of this union.”

  “I am already wed,” Rose asserted. “A Scottish court has no authority over me. Forget it, Uncle. Naught you can do or say will change my mind. Where are my vassals? We will leave immediately.”

  Murdoc heaved a sigh.“Yer being difficult, lass.Mayhap a day or two alone to consider yer situation will change yer mind.”

  “Am I your prisoner?”

  “Nay, lass, yer my beloved niece and my cherished guest. Ye must be tired. Robina will take ye to yer chamber.”

  Murdoc shouted for his third wife, the woman he had wed after Gunn’s mother died, and a few minutes later Rose saw the thin-faced, anxious-eyed woman hurrying into the hall, wiping her hands on her apron.

  “Ye called, husband?”

  “Aye, what took ye so long? We have a guest. Ye recall Rose, my sister’s bairn, do ye not?”

  Robina smiled timidly at Rose. “Welcome, Ros
e. Had I known ye were coming I would have had yer chamber prepared. How fare yer mother and sister?”

  “They are fine, Robina, but do not bother preparing a chamber. I cannot stay. I am leaving as soon as Uncle Murdoc tells me where to find my vassals.”

  “Gunn,” Murdoc said, “our Rose is a mite shy. Mayhap ye should escort her to her chamber.”

  Rose protested vigorously as Gunn flung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and bounded up the staircase, a flustered Robina following close on his heels.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A rose is one of life’s great mysteries.

  —Anonymous

  Dominic stared out over the parapet, overwhelmed by his feeling of helplessness. He had heard not a word from the knights he had sent after Rose and he was frantic with worry. He had expected them to return with his obstinate wife long before now. Four days had elapsed, and Dominic imagined any number of disastrous things that could have befallen Rose. His life would not be the same without his feisty Rose. He could not lose her. He needed her to make his life complete.

  Dominic was not the only one who was anxious about Rose’s welfare. Lady Emily and Lady Blythe went about their duties with long faces and worried looks, and even the castle knights appeared concerned as their gazes scanned the moors and forest beyond the castle walls for their missing lady.

  Dominic had reached a decision the previous night while he lay awake thinking about Rose and how desperately he missed her. He was through with waiting for his body to heal. He was going to hie himself to London and bring his wife and her sister home. His strength was nearly back to normal, and his side did not pain him overmuch when he wielded a sword or threw a lance. Aye, he was as ready as he would ever be to confront the king.

  “Riders approaching from the south!“a guardsman called out.

  Dominic’s heart pounded wildly as he peered through the crenel at the riders. His excitement mounted when he recognized the knights he had sent after Rose, then just as quickly subsided when he realized Rose was not with them. Then something caught his eye. A large man wearing colorful garments and a turban.