Page 14 of The Sword and the Damsel (The De Veres #2)

W hen Alais walked into the grand hall for the feast, it was clear that something was wrong. At her entrance, all conversation stopped. All eyes were on her. She could see fury radiating from her mother’s eyes and cold disapproval from Carenza. Iselda stared at her, wide-eyed. Daniel and her father were whispering together with furrowed brows. Ladies Mathilda, Simone, and Eugenie all looked at her like she was covered in plague sores. What was going on?

Her mother swept over to her with a false smile plastered on her face and grabbed her elbow, guiding her from the room. But she dropped the smile as soon as they were out of sight and dug her nails into her elbow, dragging her down the hall to her receiving room. She shoved Alais onto one of the low cushioned benches that lined the walls. Alais stared at the colorful medallion patterns on the carpet, knowing from experience that looking her mother in the eye would only enrage her further.

“What did you do, Alais?” her mother demanded, looming over her, her fists clenched.

“I…I don’t know, Mother.” She began crumpling her skirt in her hands, trying to imagine what could have happened to produce such a reaction. “Honestly, I have no idea what this is about.”

“Sir Robert left town in a fury after you turned down his proposal, and on his way out, he apparently told anyone that would listen that he compromised your virtue.”

“What?” Alais yelled, standing to face her mother with balled fists. “That lying, no good, rotten, conniving…”

“Did he?” her mother interrupted.

Alais looked at her mother in horror.

“Of course, he didn’t,” she screamed. “How could you believe him? You’re my mother!”

Her mother began to pace, wringing her hands. “He said he was alone with you the day you were injured because of that runaway cart. He helped you onto his horse and brought you back to the castle without a chaperone.”

“I was hurt, and Carenza told me to! It was only a short distance. I was with him for a trice. Nothing happened, I swear.”

Her mother stopped pacing. “I have been forthright with you about the specifics of what a man and a woman do together. I need to be absolutely sure. Did he touch you between the legs?”

“No.” She shivered in revulsion.

“Did he press any part of himself between your legs?”

“No.”

“Was there any sticky white liquid?”

“No. I told you, nothing happened.” My own mother doubts me?

“He didn’t spill the blood of your maidenhead?”

“How could he if he didn’t touch me?”

Her mother stood still and glared at her. Alais glared back with all of the outraged fury she could muster.

“None of this would have happened if you’d only said ‘yes’ to his proposal.”

“I’m sorry. What?” Her mother might as well have sprouted another head; it was incomprehensible.

“He was a perfectly respectable match. I can’t understand why you turned him down.”

Alais was speechless. “I can’t talk about this.” She rushed to run from her mother’s study and flee down the hall. Her mother grabbed her arm before she could leave the room.

“Go wait for us in the solar. I’ll send Dora. The rest of us have to go through with this farce of a dinner. We’ll speak in an hour or so. Stay out of sight.”

Alais made her way to the solar, her eyes blurred with tears. She sat in a dark corner, wishing she could disappear into the wall. Dora came in to see to her but wouldn’t make eye contact. When Alais begged her for a hot mint infusion to calm her nerves, Dora finally offered a brief, sympathetic look.

“Nothing happened, Dora. You know nothing happened. You do all of my laundry. I couldn’t have hidden it from you.”

Dora blinked. “You’re right, my lady. I’m so sorry for doubting. I’ll get you that infusion.” She gave Alais a quick hug and scurried out. At least one person believed her, not that the word of her maid was likely to be sufficient to clear her name with anyone else, but it was something.

Her marriage prospects were doomed. No one would want to tie themselves to her now. She felt hot bile in her throat as she thought about Sir Victor hearing Sir Robert’s lie. Shame coursed through her veins. She didn’t want to see the look on his face, didn’t want to see the shadow of disapproval in his eye. For some reason, his disapproval would be the most damning of all.

*

When Victor arrived at the castle, the whole family was gathered in the solar. Lady Alais sat weeping silently in the corner. She looked up briefly when he came in, deep shame in her eyes, but she immediately dropped her gaze back to her lap. He ached for her, certain she thought he was one more person, come to condemn her.

“Sir Victor, I’m glad you’re here,” said Lord Daniel. “I’m sure you’ve heard.” He glanced at Alais. Her eyes were squeezed shut.

“I have, but I don’t believe it. I think this is Robert’s revenge for Lady Alais’s rejection.” He risked another glance at Lady Alais, who was now staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes. He tried to convey faith and courage to her as he returned her gaze.

“Whether it’s true or not hardly matters if everyone believes she’s compromised,” Lady de Vere said, glowering at Lady Alais. “If you’d only accepted his offer…”

“Isabella, enough,” said Lord de Vere. To Victor’s surprise, Lady de Vere relented and took her husband’s hand. “It’s clear what needs to happen. She needs to marry immediately, or, if no one can be found, she needs to go to the abbey.”

“No, Papa, please, not the abbey!” Lady Alais’s eyes filled with tears again.

Forcing her to live a religious life would crush her spirit, and the mere thought filled him with dread on her behalf. If only Victor could sweep her up in his arms and carry her far away from their accusing stares!

“Sir Victor, are any of her suitors still here, or have they all left?” Lord Daniel asked, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but where he was.

“I’m sorry to say they’ve all left, my lord.” Victor exhaled. “Cowards,” he added through gritted teeth.

“Then, Alais, I’m afraid you’ll have to go to the abbey,” said Lord de Vere as gently as he could manage.

Lady Alais looked like a caged animal. “Wait! No! There has to be some other way. Carenza, you know I’m not cut out for life at the abbey. I hate it there.”

“You have to go somewhere until this blows over,” said Lady Carenza. “In a few years, maybe—”

“A few years ?” Lady Alais wailed.

Victor had to clench his fists by his sides to resist the urge to reach out for her.

“I’m sorry, Alais, but you brought this on yourself.” Lady Carenza shook her head.

Lady Alais stared at her sister in horror. “You don’t believe me?”

“I want to believe you, but you haven’t exactly been a model of restraint.” Lady Carenza mouthed something that looked like “Gilbert.”

Lady Alais looked like she was about to gouge her sister’s eyes out, and Victor couldn’t blame her. He wondered if he should step between them. Fortunately, Lord Daniel got there first.

“Alais, I’m sorry,” Lord Daniel said, “but I don’t see an alternative right now. You can’t stay here, unmarried. None of us want to see you go through that kind of humiliation. At least at the abbey, you’d be safe from gossip.”

Victor watched Lady Alais sag as Lord Daniel’s words sank in. As the earl, he was her last recourse. She was defeated. Hope disappeared from her eyes and her lip began to quiver. Iselda started toward her to offer sympathy, but her mother held her back. No one else came to Alais’s defense or comforted her. She folded in half in her chair and her head dropped into her lap. He had to do something but had no idea what.

And then she sat up abruptly and looked at him. The plea in her gaze sharpened. There was one way he could save her reputation, but did he dare offer?

He was about to speak when she beat him to it. “Sir Victor, marry me. Please.”

Her words left him thunderstruck. For a moment, all he could do was stare, his mouth hanging open.

“What?” asked Lord Daniel. “Alais, he hasn’t asked for your hand. What makes you think—?”

“I’ll marry her.” Victor heard the words coming out of his mouth but had no recollection of forming them. Though he spoke to Lord Daniel, his gaze was fixed on the woman he loved.

Lady Alais closed her eyes for a moment and whispered, “Thank you.”

Lady Rossignol and her mother gasped.

“If you and Lord de Vere will grant me your approval,” he added, glancing at Lord Daniel when his brain caught up to his mouth.

“You have my blessing and my thanks,” said Lord de Vere.

“Sir Victor, I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment,” said Lord Daniel. Victor followed him to a small room across the hall.

His heart and mind raced. Was he really going to marry Lady Alais de Vere? It seemed so obvious to him that it was impossible, that she would never consider him. But moments ago, she’d asked for him. Yes, she was desperate. Yes, he was a solution to a problem for her. But she was willing, had even proposed it.

Lord Daniel invited Victor to sit and took the seat opposite. He always made the furniture he sat in look uncomfortably small. “Are you sure you want to do this? She put you on the spot. You don’t have to agree just because there’s no other way.”

Victor appreciated that he didn’t prevaricate. “I’m sure.”

“You already know the details of her dowry. Under the circumstances, do you require more?”

He shook his head in vigorous refusal. Lord Daniel observed him in silence for a long moment.

“Did you make the foolish mistake of falling in love with her despite our warnings?”

Victor looked at the ceiling. He’d tried so hard to keep it all hidden. He closed his eyes and nodded.

Lord Daniel chuckled and shook his head. “We’re all fools for love, I suppose. Welcome to the family.” He clapped a meaty hand on Victor’s arm. “One last thing.” He looked Victor in the eye. “No more trips to Birdie Street.”

Victor exhaled. “One more trip, and not for pleasure. I need to do right by someone who has been kind to me.” Jane would be well taken care of. He would see to that.

“One trip.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Call me Daniel.”

They returned to the others. Lady Alais’s eyes were wide with apprehension, following his every movement. He wanted to go to her and speak with her, but he wasn’t sure if he was allowed. Would they have a chance to speak before they wed? There was so much he ought to know but had never even considered. Most of all, he wanted to reassure her that he understood his role and would not press for anything she didn’t want to give. She must be terrified. It had all happened so fast.

“We’ve reached an agreement,” Daniel announced. “I’ll speak to the priest to see how quickly we can schedule the ceremony. I’m hoping we can do this tomorrow unless there are any objections.”

Lady de Vere clapped her hands and said, “I do love a wedding!” as if nothing was amiss in the world. Lady Carenza and Lady Iselda rolled their eyes. Lady Alais stared at her mother in obvious disbelief.

As the family started to go their separate ways, Victor asked Daniel if he might have a word with Lady Alais. Daniel gave a nod and asked his wife to stay and chaperone. She was not the chaperone Victor would have chosen, given the naked hostility in Lady Alais’s eyes when she looked at her sister, but he would take what he could get. He moved to stand beside her.

Lady Alais still sat in her corner, crumpling the fabric of her dress in her clenched hands.

“Lady Alais, I was hoping we could talk for a moment.”

She looked up and then, before he even realized her intentions, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest. “Thank you,” she murmured.

He folded his arms around her gingerly, uncertain how to respond, especially with Lady Carenza watching. She fit well against him, and the delicious scent of lemons and thyme rose up to his nostrils. He inhaled deeply as his heart began to pound.

“I’ll be a good wife, I promise! You know the rumor is a lie. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you believe me. But I’m untouched. I swear. And I’ll always be faithful. And I’ll give you as many babies as you want. And—”

“Lady Alais, slow down. I wanted to check that you truly want to go through with this. I’m yours if you want me, but if you change your mind, I promise I won’t be offended.”

“Change my mind? I don’t understand.” She pulled back to look up at him. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes luminous.

“You were cornered. I was your only escape, but I’m under no illusions that you would choose me were circumstances different. I know I’m scarred and that you don’t think I’m—”

She raised a hand to his face and caressed it. He froze. She traced a finger along his scar, down his cheek, across the bridge of his nose, and down to the corner of his mouth. Then she trailed it along his lower lip. He closed his eyes as she traced his scar, fearing what he might see in her eyes. The thought that she might pity him twisted like a knife in his gut while her gentle touch pulled him in closer. It was agony, and he couldn’t pull away.

Their lips met. He knew he should step away. She must have been doing this out of gratitude rather than true affection, but there was no escape. His body wouldn’t respond to his mind’s frantic pleas. Her lips brushed against his, sending lightning to his extremities. He didn’t respond. It was all he could do to keep breathing.

“Is something wrong?” she whispered, pulling away slightly. “Why won’t you kiss me?”

Everything was wrong. He was wrong for her. She was doing this out of desperation. She could never feel for him what he felt for her. But his body wouldn’t listen. Ferocious need flooded his veins, and he could no longer hold back.

His hands cupped the back of her head. He pulled her to him, and he kissed her as he’d dreamed of kissing her, night after night. He lost himself in her. He was no longer a man but merely a collection of impulses and sensations. And in some distant corner of his mind, he became aware that she was kissing him back with equal fervor. There was no hesitation, no resistance. She was hungry for him.

It wasn’t possible. He must be mistaken. And yet there was no denying the heat that had sprung up between them. Her hands clutched at him. Her body pressed against his own. Her mouth was soft, sweet, and demanding as they tasted each other for the first time. It was unbearable, and he needed more. He pulled her closer, his hand caressing her curves with hungry reverence, but at that moment, Lady Carenza cleared her throat.

They pulled away from each other, trembling. Victor tried to think of something, anything, that would calm his body’s desperation before he had to face Lady Carenza. He closed his eyes and imagined jumping into a frozen pond.

“Are you done with your talk?” Lady Carenza asked with dry amusement.

“Carenza, I’m going to kill you,” Alais said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry, Alais. You don’t have long to wait. You can survive for one more day. And as for you,” she said, turning to Victor, “you had me worried for a moment there, but you’ll do fine.”

He had no idea what she meant by that and continued to focus his attention on icy things as he exited the room, avoiding eye contact with Lady Alais.

He made his way to his tiny room in a daze. He collapsed on his bed and lay staring up at the ceiling without bothering to undress. Lady Alais de Vere had kissed him. She. Kissed. Him. Passionately, too. And tomorrow, she would become his wife. But it made no sense. None of it made any sense.

Before the sun set on another day, he would be the husband of the woman he loved. Did he dare hope that someday she might grow to love him too? But he couldn’t get ahead of himself. She was wedding him out of necessity and was probably terrified. It was his chivalric duty to give her the time and space she needed to accustom herself to marriage.

He groaned as he realized what that meant. He was going to have to sleep in the same room as her without touching her, all the while knowing he couldn’t visit Jane to keep his urges at bay. It could go on that way indefinitely. In fact, it had to because he couldn’t face the consequences of giving in. The only thing worse than Lady Alais’s pity would be her regret. This was going to be absolute hell, and there was no going back.