Free Virginia Henley by The Raven, the Rose Page B

cuffs, but then, he would have been hard pressed to find a plain shirt in his entire wardrobe. He wore a large ruby on one hand and a heavy gold seal ring with a cruel-looking spurred raven on the other.
    Ever since he’d returned her to Castlemaine, Roseanna had been with him constantly, almost as if she were haunting him, he thought grimly. The images his mind conjured of her were so vivid, he could almost reach out and touch her cream velvet skin, and when he was abed, he could swear he actually felt her long tresses trailing across his nakedness to inflame his desires. He should have made love to her while he had her in his bed and gotten her out of his system! Then he blanched at the thought of being charged with rape. Again.
    He had forced himself to relive the nightmare of his first two marriages so that he would run like a scalded cock from even the hint of a third wife.
    Now, fortified with the company of ten knights, he rode forth to Castlemaine, secure in the knowledge that by this time tomorrow he would be free of her.
    Sir Neville met his visitors at the stables, where Ravenspur and his men were attending their own horses. Aknight worthy of the name usually did this rather than leave it to others, since so many times his life depended upon his mount. Neville, noting that Ravenspur’s black stallion was almost identical to Zeus, showed off the animal to his guest. Roger was so impressed with the sleek, wild creature that he offered to buy it.
    Neville shook his head and laughed. “Nay, my lord, he is my daughter’s favorite. However, I’m sure we have other animals here that meet your high standards. My daughter is an expert when it comes to horse breeding.”
    Although keenly interested in learning of Roseanna’s expertise with horses, Ravenspur was nevertheless alarmed. “You don’t allow her to ride this wild animal?”
    “My lord, I cannot stop her,” said Neville mildly.
    Ravenspur’s dark eyes searched the other man’s face. Then he said quietly, “I see.”
    “Lady Joanna eagerly awaits you in the hall. I’m sure she is better prepared for your visit today. I’ll show your men to their quarters.”
    “Thank you, Castlemaine. I’ll visit your stables again before I leave.”
    Joanna greeted Roger effusively. She was regally gowned in a deep royal blue tunic and underdress that attractively showed off her blue-black hair. She wore a jeweled posy cap, but no veil was in sight. Like Roseanna, she was inordinately proud of her hair and covered as little of it as possible.
    Ravenspur bowed formally and without hesitation said, “Lady Joanna, before we discuss the betrothal, I wish to speak privately with Lady Roseanna.”
    “Certainly, my lord.” She smiled brilliantly, wondering wildly whatever she was going to do. “Kate,” she called brightly, “inform Roseanna that Baron Ravenspurhas arrived. Come, my lord. I will show you to your chamber. You know how long it takes young girls to complete their toilet these days.”
    He knew immediately that something was wrong. It was unlike Joanna to be so fluttery. And the look she had exchanged with her servingwoman spoke volumes.
    He was pleased with the richly appointed chamber she had plenished for him. Joanna immediately poured them two goblets of her best Chablis. As he sipped the wine, he was alert to the signs of her agitation as she made animated small talk. Finally, Kate Kendall arrived. Her plain features were set in grim lines. She parroted the words she had been rehearsing ever since she had been met with silence at the turret-room door. She was worried to death, in actuality; the child’s safety meant more to her than Joanna’s desire to save face in front of the baron. “Lady Roseanna begs to be excused today. Perhaps tomorrow,” she said vaguely.
    Joanna’s lips tightened. “Go back and tell her she will not be excused, Kate. I insist that she come down.”
    Ravenspur added, “Explain that I wish to have a word with her in