The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight

by Christina Courtenay

  Bryn, of course. She’d often talked to the old gardener about the dog she’d had as a child, a lovely Lassie type.

  She sighed. ‘Fostering, you said? That’s, like, not permanent, right?’

  ‘Nope. Not unless you want it to be.’ Josh’s eyes were dancing, as if he was pretty sure he’d won. Possibly he was also fully aware that if she took this dog into her home, Tess would never be able to let him go. But if Bryn was there to help, what was to stop her? Giles hadn’t wanted any pets, but he was gone. And Tess was lonely.

  ‘All right, he can stay,’ she said. ‘But if I have any trouble, you’re the one who’ll be taking him back. Deal?’

  ‘Deal.’ Josh held out his hand for her to shake. She took it and felt reassured by the solid, warm feel of it. She wasn’t completely alone. Someone had her back, at least for now.

  ‘Want to stay for dinner?’ she asked, without thinking. ‘I’ve made ratatouille and rice.’ She’d made a big pot, thinking she could save money by freezing it in portions, but what the heck … Josh had done her a kindness. He deserved to at least be given dinner, if he wanted it.

  ‘Sure, thanks. That’d be great. Let me just pop out to my car to get Vincent’s stuff. I bought some tins of dog food while I was out.’

  ‘Oh, right, thank you.’ Tess felt stupid. She hadn’t even considered that she’d have to feed Vincent as well. How would she afford that? But maybe dog food was cheap. As Josh came through the door again, she could see that she didn’t need to worry about it for quite a while. He’d obviously been to a cash and carry as he had two whole trays full of tins and a sack of some kind of biscuits too. Vincent thumped his tail on the floor at the sight and Tess smiled at the dog. ‘So you know what that is, huh? Okay, we’ll feed you in a minute.’

  Tess went to the dresser and collected plates, glasses and cutlery. She was slightly regretting the invitation now, as she didn’t really know Josh that well and she hadn’t had dinner alone with a man since … well, since Giles.

  ‘Here, give those to me and I’ll lay the table.’ Josh held out his hands for the crockery. ‘Then you can sort out the food.’

  Tess nodded and tried not to look at him as their fingers met under the plates. She ruffled Vincent’s ears on the way to the Aga, where the ratatouille had been simmering in the oven. She took it out and put in on the table, together with a bag of grated cheese and some rice from a rice cooker. She’d bought one ages ago as it kept the rice warm for up to two days, which was ideal when you lived alone and only wanted small portions.

  ‘Wine? Beer?’ She had a bottle of red somewhere and a crate of beer that Giles had bought but never had a chance to finish before the accident happened.

  ‘Beer please, if that’s okay?’

  ‘Yup. Er, do we feed Vincent first or …?’

  ‘Well, strictly speaking dogs should really wait for their masters to eat but personally I think that’s mean so he may as well have his dinner at the same time. I’ll sort it.’

  He’d brought two dog bowls, one of which he filled with cold water, and he emptied the contents of a tin into the other, together with some dog biscuits from the sack. No sooner had he put the bowls down than the food was gone. Vincent ate in about five seconds flat.

  ‘Good grief! Did they forget to feed him at the centre?’ Tess blinked at the dog, who was now eyeing the table.

  Josh chuckled. ‘Nah, I think he just wanted to make sure no one else got to it first.’

  ‘Not much chance of that! They wouldn’t even see it.’ Tess sat down and gestured for Josh to do the same. ‘Please, help yourself. And sorry, Vince, but you are not having this as well.’

  They ate in silence for a while, but it wasn’t the strained kind, more of a companionable one. Tess had missed having someone to share meals with and it was lovely not to be alone for once. The massive kitchen felt warmer somehow. And once they started to talk, she discovered that Josh was good company.

  ‘Bryn told me you’re a sheep farmer,’ Tess commented. ‘Have you left your flock with family?’ She was curious about him, but didn’t want to ask outright. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but for a working man, that wasn’t unusual. It would probably just get in the way.

  He shook his head. ‘That’s not exactly right – I’ve worked with sheep on and off all my life, but I only recently, uhm … acquired a sheep station. Before that I worked for other people. Anyway I sold it. The whole shebang. High country stations aren’t as lucrative as they used to be and I had itchy feet. I’ve been travelling for months all over the world, visiting all the places I’d always dreamed of seeing. I just wanted to be free for a while, before I decided what to do next.’

  ‘You travelled alone?’

  Josh smiled as if he knew exactly what she was asking. His eyes took on a teasing glint. ‘Well, yeah, I couldn’t afford to bring my wife and ten kids so they had to stay behind and fend for themselves.’

  ‘Ten?’ Tess felt her eyes widening and Josh laughed.

  ‘No, just kidding. Do I look old enough to have ten kids?’

  ‘Er, I don’t know …’ Tess didn’t want to offend him, but she had no idea how old he was. Again, he second-guessed her.

  ‘Okay, maybe I do. I’m thirty-four, so technically I could’ve had them, I guess. But there’s only one, a daughter, and my ex-wife has sole custody of her so it wasn’t a problem.’

  Ex-wife. For some reason that word made Tess want to smile, but she suppressed it. ‘I see,’ she said. ‘You must miss her though. Didn’t you want to bring her over to see your new inheritance? Before you sold it, I mean.’

  Josh’s expression clouded over and he looked away, taking a swig of beer as if he needed to think about the answer. ‘Yeah, I’d have loved for her to come with me, but Isla, my ex, and I don’t get on too well.’ He made a face. ‘No, understatement of the year, actually. She hates my guts so I don’t think she’d let me take Shayla out of the country. Maybe when she’s older …’

  ‘That’s a shame.’ Tess didn’t know what else to say. It seemed selfish of the woman to deny her child a holiday with her dad, just because you didn’t get on with your ex. But it wasn’t for her to comment.

  ‘So what about you? What’s your story?’ Josh was very obviously changing the subject and Tess sensed he’d said more than he’d intended to.

  ‘You mean, how did I end up here in this ancient pile?’

  Josh smiled again. ‘Yeah, that.’

  ‘Short version – I was studying art, working as a croupier on weekends to help pay my way, Giles came in with a group of friends and that was it. We got married six months later.’

  ‘Whirlwind romance, huh?’

  ‘I guess you could say that.’ She’d been young and in love, or so she thought. Giles was the dream boyfriend – rich, titled and with this amazing house – but she’d fallen for him because of his easy charm. A shame he’d stopped using it on her as soon as she no longer fell in with what he wanted.

  ‘So how long were you married for?’ Josh’s question snapped her out of the regrets.

  ‘Four years.’ She sighed. ‘Anyway, no point thinking about it now. Although it’s kind of hard not to, as I’m still here.’

  ‘Don’t you like this house? I’d have thought it was every woman’s dream home.’ Josh glanced around the kitchen, which admittedly was probably most people’s dream even though it was so shabby now. She’d always thought it the best room in the house; warm, cheerful and cosy despite its size.

  ‘Yes, of course I do, but it’s not mine, is it? Never has been, really. Somehow I never felt as though I belonged. Silly, maybe, but there it is.’

  ‘Guess you’re not going to kill me for selling it then, the way your sister-in-law wants to do.’ Josh sent her a mischievous smile.

  ‘Hmm, you know what? I actually might.’

  ‘What?’ His smiled turned into an expression of surprise. ‘Why?’

  ‘As Giles kept telling me, this house has been in his family �
� your family – since the Norman Conquest. That’s 1066, in case you don’t study that kind of thing in New Zealand, so nearly a thousand years – and it would be such a shame if it had to be sold to someone who’d never appreciate that heritage and had no connection with it. How many houses do you think have had that kind of continuity? I should think it’s very rare. And you’re about to break it.’

  She really didn’t want the chain of inheritance from father to child to be broken, now that she finally understood why it had mattered so much to Giles.

  ‘That does sound awesome when you put it like that,’ Josh agreed, looking thoughtful.

  Before he could say anything else, Vincent startled them by jumping up suddenly to bark at the door. Tess put a hand on her chest. ‘Jesus, he nearly gave me a heart attack but at least it proves he’s a good guard dog. What is it, boy?’

  Josh grabbed the dog’s collar just in time as he began to bark even more when the door opened and Rosie walked in. ‘Shh, easy boy. Quiet!’

  Vincent obeyed, but he kept his eyes on Rosie, who glared back, but she only looked at the dog for a short while before transferring her gaze to Tess and Josh. ‘What’s going on here? Entertaining men already, Therese? And Giles barely cold in his grave.’

  Tess gasped. ‘For heaven’s sake, Rosie, do you have to say things like that?’ Talk about insensitive. But Rosie’s cheeks were a bit flushed and Tess guessed she’d had a little too much to drink. She probably shouldn’t even have been driving. Honestly, what was it with members of this family? They all thought they were above the law.

  She tried not to show the anger that threatened to choke her. ‘Why shouldn’t Josh be here? It’s his house. And he very kindly brought Vincent for me.’ She indicated the dog.

  ‘You’ve bought a dog? Whatever for? I thought you said you couldn’t afford food for yourself, never mind a mutt.’

  Even though that had been Tess’s own reaction, she didn’t want to hear it from Rosie. ‘I’ll manage,’ she answered between clenched teeth. ‘And he might only be staying for a while.’

  ‘Well, keep him away from me. I don’t want dog hair all over my clothes, thank you very much. I hope he’s sleeping in the stables. Papa’s gun dogs always did.’

  ‘Actually, he’s sleeping on my bed.’ Tess hadn’t even thought about it, but decided this on the spur of the moment. Where better to protect her, after all?

  She saw Josh’s eyes flash with amusement, but he quickly looked down, finished his beer and stood up. ‘Thank you for dinner,’ he said politely. ‘And I hope Vince behaves himself … on your bed.’ The twinkle was back, but thankfully Rosie didn’t see it as she was busy making tea, yet again dumping her tea bag in the sink. Tess counted silently to ten. One of these days she was going to go and put the damn thing in Rosie’s handbag.

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  She followed him to the door and whispered, ‘Thank you for Vincent. I’ll let you know how we get on.’

  ‘You’ll be fine. Goodnight.’

  Tess decided to forget the washing up and just head straight for bed. She let Vince out to lift his leg and then called him in. He came immediately, as obedient as Josh had said, and trotted after her when she headed for her room.

  Rosie couldn’t resist having the last word though. ‘I hope you realise how disgraceful it is, you disporting yourself with that Aussie when you’re so recently widowed. I suppose you’re hoping he’ll let you stay on permanently.’ She laughed, then hiccupped. ‘I doubt he’ll want Giles’s leftovers. And what will the neighbours think?’

  ‘Sod the neighbours,’ Tess snarled. ‘And for the umpteenth time, he’s from New Zealand and he was just eating dinner, that’s all.’

  She stalked up the stairs and only calmed down when she had cooled her flaming cheeks with water. Damn Rosie. Did she expect Tess to live the rest of her life like a nun? Okay, so maybe six months wasn’t very long, but it wasn’t like she’d been sleeping with Josh. They’d been having a civilised meal, nothing more. And the thought of charming Josh into letting her stay on – as his mistress was what she assumed Rosie had meant – had never so much as entered her head.

  The sooner Rosie went home, the better.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Raglan Castle, 3rd June 1646

  ‘May I help you with that, Mistress Dauncey?’

  Arabella peered round a mountain of bedding to find Rhys with his arms outstretched, ready to help her.

  ‘Thank you, if you’re sure you don’t have something better to do?’

  ‘I’m off duty for the moment.’ He flashed a smile at her. ‘There’s only so much drilling we can do in one day and there isn’t room for all of us at once in the Stone Court.’

  ‘Very well.’ Arabella tried not to show that his smile made her feel as if the day was suddenly brighter. That was a ridiculous notion and she really mustn’t let herself even think such nonsense. She was grateful for his offer of help though and offloaded half the pile – several heavy woollen blankets, some sheets and a bolster. Her arms relaxed as she readjusted the rest of the bed linen she was carrying. ‘I’m not going far, but there are a number of stairs to negotiate.’ She headed towards the south-east range of rooms, situated to the left of the South Gate, and entered via a private staircase just inside the entrance passage to the gate.

  A door stood open on the ground floor, showing that the room inside was luxuriously appointed. A huge fireplace with red stone surround dominated one wall, and the room was panelled in gleaming dark wood throughout. It wasn’t where Arabella was headed, however, and she continued up the stairs.

  ‘To tell you the truth, I was glad to escape,’ Rhys told her as they made their way up to the second floor. ‘The company of so many men can become very wearisome and over on this side of the Great Hall seems like a haven of tranquillity.’

  ‘Yes, well, from what I hear, it won’t be for much longer. I doubt the Parliamentarians will care which part of the castle they attack.’ She hesitated. ‘Is there any news? Do you know when they will be arriving to besiege us? It’s only a question of time, isn’t it?’

  Most of the men in the household refused to discuss such things with the women, perhaps in the misguided belief that they shouldn’t scare them more than was necessary. But Arabella felt that it was better to know – the uncertainty made her more nervous. She was therefore grateful when Rhys replied truthfully.

  ‘They’ll be here soon. No one knows exactly when, but his lordship’s scouts have seen them approaching.’ He looked around as they entered a rather grand bedchamber with windows overlooking the moat. It too was covered in gleaming oak panelling and had window seats and beautiful wall hangings, but the fireplace was smaller than the one downstairs with a simple carved stone surround. ‘Who lives here?’

  ‘Family members usually, although at the moment there are guests staying in this room.’ She indicated the extra mattresses on the floor and two truckle beds peeping out from under the frame of a large half tester bed. ‘As I’m sure you’ve heard, quite a few of the marquis’s neighbours have come to seek shelter in the castle and everyone is having to squeeze in wherever they can.’ She left the pile of bedding on the bed and indicated that Rhys should do the same.

  He deposited his load and sent her a teasing grin. ‘Well, it’s not often I am taken to a sumptuous bedchamber by a beautiful young lady. I’m blessed indeed today.’

  Arabella drew in a sharp breath. He may be jesting, but his words hinted at things no lady should even think about and she felt her face grow hot. Belatedly it dawned on her that she shouldn’t be in here alone with him, even though the door was open, but despite the appreciative glance that accompanied his words, she didn’t think he’d take advantage of this opportunity the way other men might. She sensed he was a gentleman.

  ‘You asked to come along,’ she replied somewhat tartly and went over to one of the windows in order to put some distance between them. ‘I didn’t invite you.’

  ‘True.
Still, now that we’re here …’ He chuckled and she turned to give him a frosty glare.

  ‘Behave, Mr Cadell.’

  ‘It’s Sir Rhys, actually, but you can just call me Rhys if you like.’ He followed her to the window but he was looking at her, not the view.

  ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn’t realise.’ How had she missed that? She must have been so intent on the man himself when he first arrived that she hadn’t heard any introductions. ‘But I can’t be that familiar with you. We barely know each other.’

  ‘I’m sure we could do something about that.’ His lovely Welsh accent washed over her and for a mad moment she almost nodded agreement, but then sanity returned.

  ‘Sir Rhys!’ She pretended an outrage she didn’t really feel.

  He laughed. ‘I only meant we could get to know one another by having conversations, like we are now.’

  ‘Oh. Right.’

  ‘Why, what did you think I meant?’ The teasing note was back in his voice and she sent him another glare.

  ‘Nothing.’ Glancing out the window, she decided it was safest to change the subject and watched the work that was still ongoing outside. ‘Have they many more trenches to dig?’

  She heard Rhys step closer to stand behind her and although he didn’t touch her, she could feel his nearness. It sent a shimmer of awareness down her spine, which she tried to ignore.

  ‘I think it’s more or less done,’ he replied. ‘Trenches, ramparts, bastions, it’s all in place. Now they’re just carrying more supplies out there – muskets, bullets and so on.’