Red Deception (4 page)

“Oh, this?” she rubbed her hands over the snowshoe neckline. “It was a gift from some other suitor who wanted my hand. My mother insisted I bring it with me.”

He ran his fingers over her waist. “Didn’t your mother pass some time ago?”

“She did?”

“Your father said so, unless he was deceiving me.”

She blinked. “She did pass away. She died, yes. She was dear to my heart. I always refer to her like she is still here.”

“I see. A mother is irreplaceable. You have my condolences,” he said taking her hand.

“Thank you,” she said avoiding his eyes.

He led her over to the stained-glass windows near the hearth. Rain droplets trickled down the brightly colored panes like tears.

“This room once belonged to my mother. She had these stained glass windows put in…she always said this manor needed color. Every time I see the sun come through them, I think of her.”

“They are beautiful, the centerpiece of the room.”

He took up her hand, and his warm lips covered her knuckles, “Much like you.”

She gave a soft smile.

“Do you desire to be a mother someday, Lora?”

“Of course I do, but there is no rush.”

“If you decide to be the baroness of Caldwell, we will have someone to care for our children, wet nurses to suckle them, tend to them…all you would have to do is give them life.”

“That sounds wonderful, but would you love me if I grew wide and plump from giving you children?”

He smiled. “I’d love every child you gave me, and the womb in which you carried them, no matter the size.”

She giggled. “That is easy to assume.”

He led her over to the bed and sat her down at its edge. She felt a gust of cool air on her lower leg and found it exposed. She reached down to cover it, but his hand captured hers. She glanced up into his dark eyes, and he planted a kiss on her lips that made her toes curl.

“Tell me, Lora, have you spent time with any other men?”

“Some, but none as handsome as you, Baron Blacwin,” she said, combing her hand through his hair.

“Cal,” he corrected.

“Cal.”

He seemed pleased to hear saying his name. “May I inquire how well you became acquainted?”

She sucked on her lower lip and stared into the hearth. “A kiss here and there...and I allowed one to touch my unmentionables.”

She felt the heat coming off him as he sat beside her.

“Where exactly did he touch you?” he asked, looking over at her with ravenous eyes.

Her cheeks burned as she took his hand and placed it over her left breast. “Here.”

His adam’s apple bobbed.

“And…?”

She brushed his fingertips over her midriff. “And here.”

His fingers tickled her as they inched lower between her naval and pelvic bone. “And here?”

“Yes…” she whispered, closing her eyes.

His breathing deepened as his hand brushed over her pelvic bone. “Here as well?”

“Mm…yes…” she whispered, her body aching for more of his touch.

His hand slipped away, and before she could protest, he dropped to one knee and stared into her eyes.

“Would you allow me to please you as I see fit?”

His proposition sent a burst of warmth rushing through her. “I would.”

She felt light-headed as he pulled her robe open and exposed her to the open air. She wrapped her legs around his shoulders as his tongue delighted her wet center. She cried out in pleasure, raking her fingers through his silken hair as she came to a finish shortly after he began.

She fell back on the bed and he climbed over her, looking like a wolf about to ravish its prey. She removed his black doublet and their tongues met in slow, tender brushes that made her burn with desire. She did not hesitate when he parted her trembling thighs; his breath on her neck was warm and intoxicating.

“How much of you would you allow me to have, Lora?” he asked, rubbing his palms over her parted thighs.

“I’d allow you whatever you wish,” she whispered. She had never felt such desire.

“Even your innocence?”

Her innocence? She was by no means a virgin but the baron obviously assumed Lora was. She would have to play the part.

“If you desire it,” she answered cautiously, hoping he did.

“I do. But if you give yourself to me, I would have to marry you. I do not believe in taking the innocence of a young woman and discarding her. Would you oblige to becoming my wife?”

“
I would,” she answered without hesitation.

His dark eyes burned into hers. “Then it shall be.”

She could see her own reflection in his eyes, and she looked like the young maiden she claimed to be: Lora Noire, all for his taking.

She feigned pain when he entered her for the sake of her virginal status, but by the end of their lovemaking, she had cried out in pleasure so often she was hoarse. She had never experienced anything so wonderful. Their lovemaking continued into the early morning hours, until they were both too exhausted to go on and fell asleep entwined one another’s arms.

Chapter 3

She sat up in bed, her heart racing as confusion set in. A blush warmed her cheeks as she recalled her night with Baron Blacwin. Pulling the soft blankets up to her neck, she glanced over at the stained-glass window where warm sunlight spilled into the room, leaving a mosaic of vibrant colors on the marble floor.

Birds called to one another from the trees outside the window. It was a perfect morning.  

Baron Blacwin entered the solar carrying a tray of tea. He smiled finding her still abed.

“Good morning,” he said, setting a cup of tea on the bedside table for her.

“Morning,” Judith replied, rubbing her hand through her untidy hair.

He settled at the foot of the bed. “I trust you slept well.”

“I did, thank you.”

He rubbed his hand over her covered leg and watched her sip her tea. “I hope I was not too forceful with you last night.”

“No, you were a perfect gentleman,” she assured him.

He stepped over to her bedside and planted a kiss on her lips. “It was the best night I ever had with a woman.”

“There will be many more to come, I hope,” she said, smiling over her teacup.

He paused and his satisfied look faded into concern.

“Is something wrong?”

“Your face…it is bruised,” he said, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. “How did this happen?”

“Oh.” She blushed and turned her face away. “It is nothing.”

“You must tell me,” he insisted. “Did someone strike you?”

She looked into his eyes, so full of concern. “I fell.”

“You fell?” he drew her chin up so her gaze met his. “Do not be afraid to tell me the truth, Lora. No one will hurt you here. Was it your father?”

Judith opened her mouth to answer, but a knock on the door interrupted her.

The baron rose to his feet to greet the unexpected guest. “You may enter.”

A servant stepped in and bowed. “Good day, Baron Blacwin.”

“What is it?” he demanded.
 

“We checked on Lady Noire this morning, but she was not in her room.” The old man’s gaze moved over to her, and his puckered face became pink. “Oh, there you are, Lady Noire. My greatest apologies.”

“Yes, she is with me. Now, if you are through interrupting us...”

“Forgive me for the intrusion.”

“Before you go, let it be known that she has accepted my marriage proposal and a date has not been set.”

His words made her body throb with anxiety. She almost forgot that promise she made in lust.

“Congratulations. Shall I send out a formal announcement?”

“Not now. We will see to it later.”

“Forgive my interruption once again. Enjoy your morning.” The servant backed out of the room and closed the door.

The baron turned back to Judith, who wore an apprehensive look on her face. 

“Do you have an appetite?”

“No, I am still full from our supper.”

“I know much has transpired since you arrived last evening. Are you having second thoughts about our arrangement?”

“No, of course not.”

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Good. I would be miserable if you changed your mind.”

His stare fell on her bruised cheek again.

“I should go dress. I’ve been abed all morning.”

He helped her into her robe and turned her to face him. “Will you meet me when you are finished? I’d like you to assist me with the announcement.”

“Yes, I will meet you in the hall.”

He leaned in and kissed her brow before releasing her.

She hurried to the door, brushing a hand over her hair.

“Lora,” he called before she could escape.

“Yes?”

He strode over to her and lifted her chin with his fingertip. Chills ran over her as his dark eyes burrowed into her. “You are my betrothed now—we will have no secrets.”

She knew what he meant. He wanted an explanation for her bruise.

“I understand.”

That was not the answer he wanted. “I want to discuss it later.”

“We will, I promise.”

He seemed pleased with her answer and let her go.

She hurried to her room and closed the heavy doors behind her. Leaning back against them, she felt the weight of her lies upon her.

What have you done, Judith
? Her mind chastised her. In just a day she had lied to countless faces, lured the most powerful man into marriage thus breaking her previous marriage vows, and putting her life at risk. Every moment that passed, she became more tangled in her web of deception. Tears burned her eyelids. She wondered, just how much longer would she be able to play the part of Lora Noire?

She entered the hall later that morning to see the baron sitting at the head of the table. He rose and pulled out her seat for her. A servant poured her a fresh cup of tea.

After they were both seated, Baron Blacwin took a pastry from the tray between them. Any other time, Judith would have gladly nibbled one of the sweet rolls, but that morning, she had not the stomach for it.