“How long have you known Angus?” she asked, nudging his hand back towards the small of her back.
“Years,” declared Otto. “His father and my father fostered together.” He lowered his head and nibbled at her earlobe, clearly more interested in his young wife than his family history.
“I find it all so strange. I didn’t know your father, of course, but I’ve always imagined him as an austere man. A warrior. Not someone given to excess.”
“You have him exactly right.” Otto’s breath was warm on her face. She knew she had but seconds left before his touch and his kiss would drive all other thoughts from her mind.
“But all this.” She pulled away from him, opening her arms to encapsulate their chamber, the lake, and the magnificent castle. “It’s all so different, isn’t it?”
“On the surface.” Otto inclined his head, finally giving her words due thought. “But in a way, it’s all just another form of warfare.”
Ariana watched the stately progress of the swans, gliding across the gleaming surface of the lake. It didn’t look anything like the warfare she was accustomed to. “How do you mean?”
Otto was not a man to countenance distractions. One hand inched up her back, slowly untying the laces of her gown even as he answered her question.
“This extravagance is not purely for show. Or rather, itisfor show. But deliberately so. It’s a display.” He smiled as the shoulders of her gown gaped open. “A display of strength. Lucan is no fool. He trained at Lindon, although he left long before I arrived. I tell you, there is no better knight than the Earl of Wolvesley. He is one of the great warlords of England. But these days, he prefers to use his brain rather than his brawn.” Ariana closed her eyes as Otto dropped butterfly kisses onto her collarbone. She no longer cared why an unknown man had swans swimming in his lake, but Otto had hit his stride. His warm hand slipped beneath her silken gown as he carried on explaining. “Lucan plays to his strengths. And his strengths are the size of his castle and the depths of his coin chests.” He sighed as more of Ariana’s gown came undone and he eased it over her shoulders. “Right now, he is facing unrest to the west. He has enemies in Powys, distant relatives who seek to lay a claim to his fortune. So instead of riding out to meet them with muscle and blade, he invites them to a ball, where they are successfully intimidated by his all too obvious might, rich resources, and powerful connections.”
“He is a clever man.” Ariana’s eyes were glazing over with pleasure as Otto’s hands ran over her naked flesh. But she snapped to attention and sharpened her gaze as he shrugged off his tunic, enjoying his whipcord strength and tanned body.
“A clever man,” Otto agreed, scooping her up and carrying her over to the bed. “But not a man so lucky as I.” He gently placed her down and then raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Do you have any further questions, or may I make love to my wife?”
Ariana reached out her arms. “I have no further questions.”
*
The Great Hallat Wolvesley Castle dazzled with light. Flickering candles were arranged atop long tables and around white-washed pillars while flaming torches blazed from high walls which were patterned with a rainbow spectrum of color. Open-mouthed, Ariana realized this was the reflected gleam from a multitude of jewels worn by the most notable families in the realm. Outside, the evening sun cast a burnt orange hue through the darkening sky, although shadows stretched across the courtyard and in the floral glades of the well-tended lawns. A trio of musicians played on a raised dais at one end of the hall, and the surrounding long tables had been pulled back to allow for dancing and entertainment. The air was heavy with the scent of perfume, heated bodies, and roasting meat.
Ariana held tightly to Otto’s hand, conscious of both her heavy jewelry and her heavy skirts. But despite her physical discomfort, she found herself transported by the glittering spectacle. Elegantly dressed ladies fanned themselves against the summer heat while their menfolk drank deeply from silver goblets and clapped along to the music. The atmosphere was bright and festive, and she couldn’t help her lips inching up into a smile.
“Happy?” Otto asked against her ear.
“Happy,” she confirmed, as a smiling serving wench beckoned them forward to take their seats near the dais.
No sooner had they sat down than the musicians blasted out a startling tune and the background chatter of conversation ceased as lords and ladies craned their necks to see what was causing the disturbance. After a moment’s wait, a rippling sigh of appreciation passed through the hall, followed by a faint scattering of applause. From their position near the back of the large room, Ariana still couldn’t see what was happening, butOtto, who was a head taller than she, looked mighty pleased with the view.
Finally, she saw it. It or rather them. The loveliest young woman she had ever beheld was proceeding through the great hall, carried aloft by two bare-chested strong men who had hoisted her onto their shoulders. The woman had long blonde hair hanging in waves down to her narrow waist. Her silken dress was sky blue, just like her eyes, and her voice was raised in a song of such unearthly beauty it brought goose-pimples out over Ariana’s bare arms. Next to her, a petite lady got to her feet so she could more easily watch the display, and after short consideration, Ariana did the same. Now she could see that the three performers were not alone. Several more stood waiting near the heavy oak doors, all robed in sky-blue, with the men displaying their rippling muscles.
The first woman’s voice soared up to the smoky rafters of the hall, capturing the attention of everyone within it. Otto’s mouth was slightly agape, and his hunter’s eyes were fixed on the singer, but no sooner had Ariana noticed this than he glanced up at her and treated her to a wide smile. Moving slowly, the two strong-men pirouetted on the spot, so everyone had the opportunity to admire the angelic face of their lady, before they slowly lowered her to the floor and all three of them dipped into a gracious bow. A roaring tide of applause burned through the room, but the performers were only just getting started. Now it was the turn of the tumblers, who advanced forward with a series of death-defying somersaults that had Ariana clasping a hand to her mouth. Next, the group formed a human pyramid, with the blonde-haired beauty balancing right at the very top, her arms outstretched to the heavens.
Ariana was overwhelmed with it all. She sank back down onto the cushioned bench next to Otto and took a restorative mouthful of good red wine. While she’d been watching the show,some diligent servant had delivered platters of delicious looking food to their table. Ariana’s stomach rumbled and she followed Otto’s example in helping herself, enjoying the opportunity to eat unobserved while those around her were transfixed by the entertainment.
But as Ariana’s eye travelled across the hall, she saw one man who, like her, was not watching the show. Instead, his deep blue eyes gazed unseeingly towards the darkening window. He was tall and fair, with long tresses of golden hair falling forward over muscular shoulders. His robes were sumptuous, his face entirely devoid of expression.
This must be Lord Lucan, the powerful earl. He looked as lonely as his story suggested. Ariana quickly looked away, not wanting to pry on the man’s grief.
Minutes later, the performers took their final bow and filtered out. Gradually conversation resumed and the hall thrummed with laughter.
“What did you think of my acrobats?” Angus demanded as he strode towards them. He was clad in a dark tunic trimmed with so much gold Ariana felt almost blinded by it. He banged his goblet down onto the table and beckoned for a chair to be brought for him. “I found them at Beltane and convinced Lucan to hire them for tonight. Rather good, aren’t they?”
“The best I’ve ever seen,” Otto declared, forking sweet pastry into his mouth.
“I’ve never seen anything like them,” Ariana added, honestly.
“I rather liked her.” Angus winked at Otto.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Otto raised his eyebrows and smiled broadly, his hand covering Ariana’s and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“She was very beautiful.” Ariana was flushed with wine and excitement. In that moment, she truly didn’t mind if herhusband’s eye was turned by a beautiful performer. Only his eye, mind.
