‘You will do as I command.’ His voice was rigid, emotionless. ‘In this Rosamund, I give you no choice. You must conceive a child or all is lost.’
Anger flared up within her. How could he take the choice from her? He was her husband, but she was not a vessel to be impregnated and set aside.
‘What of my honour?’ Rosamund demanded. ‘You expect me to submit to another man, setting aside my marriage vows?’
‘Yes,’ Alan answered. His voice was like a knife, fiercer that she had ever heard before. ‘I have put aside my own personal feelings for the sake of this estate. You must do the same.’
Rebellion brewed within her, and she turned back to Warrick. He said nothing at all, but he made no effort to hide his interest. His searing gaze slid over her like an invisible caress.
When she stared back at her husband, making no effort to hide her wrath, Alan’s eyes were frosted. They locked in a silent battle, but her husband’s next words stopped her cold.
‘I have given you time enough to grow accustomed to the idea. But now, we must act. You will have Berta prepare you this night. I will come to your room and dismiss her. Then de Laurent will enter through the passageway that adjoins our chambers. No one will see him, and no one will know he is there. Everyone will believe that we lay together.’
Her heartbeat quickened at his orders. She had always known of the small passageway that connected their two rooms. When they were first married, Alan had shown it to her, in the event that she ever needed him.
But from what he’d said, she understood that he would not allow her to create a pretence. Dear God, did he intend to witness the joining? Her stomach twisted at the thought. It was bad enough that he had proposed this idea, but did he intend to ensure that the act was carried out?
Saints help her, she couldn’t do this.
‘How can you simply give me to another man?’ she whispered. ‘Do I mean so little to you?’ The truth was, her fear of lying with Warrick had nothing to do with the sexual act. It was the fear of her own response.
He had the power to make her yield with the softest touch. If she took a single bite from this forbidden apple, it would irrevocably change her marriage.
Though she did not look back at Warrick, she could feel his stare burning into her skin. Awareness rippled over her body, and she wished she held the power to withstand her own unspoken desires.
‘You mean far too much to me,’ Alan said softly. ‘And that is why I brought Warrick here. I know you wanted him years ago, and I believe he will treat you gently.’ His eyes hardened into grey steel. ‘You will send for a bottle of our best wine from the cellar. And I intend to drink all of it tonight.’
She bit her lip, understanding what he was saying. But even so, she knew there was a little power she could still wield. Right now, she needed every weapon at her disposal to protect her heart from the man standing behind her.
No longer could she stand here and listen to them dictating her life. She gave a single nod and glared at Warrick before striding out of the room. From behind her, she heard her husband say, ‘Tell me of your conditions.’
She didn’t want to hear them. Right now, she wanted to break something, to rebel against the two men who were trying to control her. It felt rather satisfying to slam the door behind her when she left Alan’s chamber.
Rosamund wished she could return to the Great Hall and walk outside, feeling the cool spring air. But if she did, she would only be faced with Owen.
How could Alan have told him she was with child? The lie endangered her very life. Even if her husband remained alive a little longer, Owen would find a way to hurt her.
Or had he said this to ensure that she never left Warrick’s protection? If so, then his ruse had worked.
She stormed back to her room, feeling the satisfaction of another door slamming. Berta’s eyes widened, and she asked, ‘What has happened, my lady?’
‘My husband has decided that he wishes to visit my bed this night.’
Her maid gave a concerned look. ‘Is he...able, my lady?’
‘He seems to think so,’ she snapped. But it burned through her that she was to be the sacrificial lamb, that Alan had no intention of letting her elude his plans. And worse, that Warrick was in agreement.
Was this meant to punish her for her choice? Was he attempting his own form of vengeance?
If so, then he would regret it.
She knew not if Alan intended to witness their joining, but she wouldn’t put it past him. Yet, if she was forced into this, she refused to feel anything. She would numb herself to all else, finding a way to guard her traitorous body.
And most of all, her heart.
* * *
Rosamund spent the rest of the day staring out of the window. The spring winds had grown cooler, and outside, a bright amber moon rose over their lands. But the beauty of the night did nothing to dispel the fear rising inside.
