The Succubus Read online

  Of course, she was already married so there could be nothing further between them. What will he think if I tell him I am his uncle’s wife, and we have used him to create an heir in order to deny him a title and a large estate? Surely he will hate me.

  Perhaps she could tell him she was a creature like Esmeralda? A woman paid to warm the baron’s bed. But how could she explain being free each night to visit Daniel? The wife of another man here at Tewsbarrow? Why did her husband keep her hidden away? Each new lie presented questions she couldn’t answer.

  She was so perplexed she didn’t notice Kendrick entering the room until he said, “Why are you so aflutter, my dear? Anxious to visit your lover?”

  She glared at him and then quickly turned away, hoping he hadn’t seen her hatred of him. He’d made her do this wickedness because he couldn’t beget his own children, and he’d married her because he could force his will on her with threats against her family. He’d used poor Daniel as though his nephew was something less than human.

  She was tired of being Kendrick’s helpless pawn. The least she could do was tell Daniel the truth and let him escape his uncle’s clutches. Perhaps no babe had been planted in her yet, and they could foil part of Kendrick’s plan.

  She looked her husband in the eye. “I’m just restless from being cooped up in this room. Is the way clear?”

  He stepped aside and gestured toward the door. “Be on your way, but remember you are my wife.”

  Holding her head high, she marched past him. “As if I could forget.”

  * * * *

  Daniel sat in the chair near the fireplace with a wine cup in his hand and waited. He heard the faint rustle of footsteps in the hallway and then his door opened. She came timidly into the room and stopped a few feet from his chair.

  As her gaze raked along his fully clothed figure, she pulled the opening of her cloak more tightly together. “I know you met the real Tess today, and I intend to tell you the truth about who I am, but first let me say I didn’t want to do this. I had no choice.”

  He just stared at her for a moment, dumbfounded by her gall. “Didn’t want to do what?”

  “Deceive you. Use you while you were under the influence of a sleeping potion.”

  “That brings up a question almost more fascinating than who you are. Why?”

  “To get with child.”

  He sprang to his feet, flung his cup into the fireplace. The wine created a loud a hiss and short flare. “Who in the hell are you?”

  The woman stepped back and raised her hands as if to ward him off. He followed her, determined to wring the truth from her. “And don’t try to lie to me again.”

  The door flew open banging against the wall. Kendrick limped into the room. With a leering smile, he gestured toward the cowering woman and said, “Allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Isabel. You ungrateful whelp, you accepted my hospitality and then made me a cuckold.”

  Daniel reeled. Of all the things he’d imagined, this had not come to mind. Have I been sleeping with a crazy woman? No. This woman wasn’t crazy. He turned to her expecting a denial.

  She dipped her head and muttered, “I’m sorry.”

  “Why? Why?” he yelled and instantly knew the answer. Turning back to his uncle, he said, “Did you want your own heir so badly that you were willing to whore out your wife?”

  Kendrick’s lips twisted into an ugly smirk. “If you weren’t so stupid, you’d have realized I’d tear Tewsbarrow down stone by stone before letting a son of my greedy, conniving brother inherit it.”

  Daniel shook his head, still finding all of this difficult to grasp. “But you have no problem letting his grandson inherit?”

  Kendrick shrugged. “No one will know, and it keeps the bloodline pure.”

  Daniel turned back to Isabel. Her head was still down, her hair hiding her face. Her shoulders jerked and she made small sniffling sounds. Did the bitch really think tears would wash away her sins? “The first night you came to my room, I thought you were sent by the devil to steal my seed. Now I see I was right.”

  Kendrick grabbed Isabel’s arm and pulled her toward the door as he yelled at Daniel, “Begone from this castle by dawn or I’ll have my guards drag you out!”

  “The faster I get away from you and your sluttish wife the better.” Daniel grabbed up one of the leather bags he brought his belongings in and begin stuffing a tunic into it.

  “Come along, my dear,” Kendrick said to Isabel. “This rascal has served our purposes.”

  Daniel hated the triumphant tone in his uncle’s voice. “After only one week, she may not be with child, you know.”

  Kendrick paused to glare back with him. “Good! Then I’ll find some honest laborer with more sense than you have to do the deed.”

  Daniel clenched his teeth to stop a cry of rage at the thought of Isabel so dishonoring herself. Kendrick dragged her from the room and she never looked back. That was the cruelest blow. She never once looked back at him.

  Part Two: A Knight Triumphant

  Chapter 6

  In the practice yard at Bettany Castle, Daniel sent another squire sprawling with a whack from his blunted practice blade. “You boys are fat and lazy,” he grumbled at the circle of somber young men who surrounded him. “If you ever hope to become knights, you have to sharpen your skills, and the only way to do that is through constant practice.”

  He could see why Lord Giffard had placed him in charge of the squires’ military training. Sir Simon had apparently grown too old for the job. “Who wants to be next?”

  The only response was shuffling feet and hanging heads. Daniel was so disgusted with these boys he was sorely temped to bang a few heads to get their attention.

  A high-pitched voice called, “Sir Daniel, Sir Daniel!”

  He turned to see who was interrupting him. The baron’s page, a boy of nine, was running toward him on pudgy legs. By God, it was time to put the whole lot on short rations. “What do you want?”

  The boy stopped and fought to catch his breath. “Lord Giffard wishes to see you.”

  Daniel glowered at him. “Where?”

  “In the hall, sir.”

  “When?”

  “Now, sir.”

  Daniel swallowed a curse and sheathed his sword. He stopped at a nearby trough, and after pulling the chain mail away from his head, threw hands full of chilly water over his sweaty face and hair. He hated to appear before the baron in such a disheveled state, but he felt sure the lord wouldn’t interrupt his training session for no good reason. Something must be wrong.

  He entered the hall and immediately spotted the robust figure of Lord Giffard seated on his favorite settle near the large fireplace. As he neared his liege lord, Daniel noticed another man standing nearby. The man turned and Daniel stopped and stared in amazement. “Wilmont?”

  The steward from Tewsbarrow stepped toward him, and then dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “My lord.”

  Daniel was embarrassed such an unseemly display occurred in front of Lord Giffard. “What’s the matter with you?” he gruffly asked the kneeling man. “I’m no lord.”

  Wilmont looked up. “Yes, sir, you are. Your uncle has died, and you’re his heir.”

  Daniel felt like the flat side of a broadsword had banged the side of his head.

  A smiling Lord Giffard jumped to his feet and slapped Daniel on the back. “Don’t look so surprised, Daniel. You knew you were Tewsbarrow’s heir.”

  “Er—only if he didn’t have a child, and he had a young wife.”

  After a gesture from Daniel, Wilmont got to his feet. “He did have a child, my lord, but a girl who cannot inherit.”

  “A girl child?” The broadsword blow was followed by the smack of a mace.

  “Yes, my lord. Her name is Chloe.”

  “When was she born?”

  Wilmont frowned at the question, but finally said, “Why, let me see. The baron was stricken right after her birth and he lingered on for more than two months. Coun
ting the time it’s taken me to bring the news, Chloe’s at least three months old.”

  It had been a year since he’d been to Tewsbarrow. I have a child, a daughter. The scheming pair had succeeded in making the baby they so desperately wanted, but their plan had still failed. Mirth began to build in his chest. A smile twisted his lips.

  “It’s finally sinking in—eh?” Lord Giffard asked. “You’re now a baron.”

  Daniel began to laugh, a deep rolling laugh, perhaps the first real laugh he’d had since he’d ridden from Tewsbarrow Castle a defeated man. He threw his head back and let joy roar forth. They had failed. His fiendish uncle and his sluttish aunt had failed.

  Baron Giffard turned to Wilmont. “You must be tired and hungry after your long trip. I’ll have a servant take you to a room where you can clean up and rest, and you’ll be welcome to join our evening meal.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  Daniel heard these words and realized he was ignoring his duty to this man who was now his man. He struggled to curtail his laughter.

  Wilmont glanced at him as if he found Daniel’s mirth unseemly, and Daniel knew it was. After all, he’d just been told his uncle was dead. That thought caused a new ripple of mirth.

  “Ah—will you be wanting to return to Tewsbarrow immediately, my lord?” Wilmont asked him.

  “No,” Lord Giffard answered for him. At Daniel’s curious look, he continued, “You need to go to court. Pledge your allegiance to the king and make sure no one is challenging your claim to the title.”

  Daniel nodded. “Yes, of course.”

  The baron waved a servant over, and gave the orders concerning Wilmont. The steward looked at Daniel before leaving and asked, “Will you want me to go to court with you, my lord?”

  Trying to rouse himself to sensibility, Daniel said, “You probably need to get back to Tewsbarrow and see to things there. We’ll talk after you’ve rested.”

  After Wilmont left, Giffard threw an arm around Daniel’s shoulders and pulled him toward the settle. “Sit with me, Daniel. You’ve had quite a shock. You need time to take it all in.”

  Daniel did as instructed. Being invited to sit with the lord was an honor for a young knight. Only now he wasn’t just a knight, but a baron, Giffard’s equal. No, Giffard had been a baron for a number of years, he knew far more about the responsibilities and the protocols. Daniel needed his help. “Er—I am a bit stunned.”

  “That’s perfectly understandable.”

  “I have no idea what to do at court.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll accompany you and advance you the funds you’ll need to outfit yourself properly.”

  “I’ll appreciate your help. There’s so much I don’t know.”

  “You’re young to have this responsibility thrust on you, but I’ve seen a definite change in you since you returned from Tewsbarrow. You take life more seriously and that’s good, for now you have a baronetcy to govern and a child to raise.”

  “A child?”

  “Kendrick’s daughter. As his heir you are also her guardian. For that matter, unless Kendrick made other arrangements, you’ll be responsible for his widow as well.”

  Daniel felt another wave of mirth building in him, but successfully tamped it down lest his mentor think him a fool. But he couldn’t stop a small grin over the prospect of having Isabel in his power.

  * * * *

  While he dallied at court, waiting for an audience with the king, Daniel filled the long days by dreaming of ways he might punish Isabel for the months of agony she’d caused him. How? That is the burning question. Was there a dungeon in the cellars of Tewsbarrow? He imagined confining her there and using instruments of torture on her. The image of her ivory body stretched to the breaking point on the rack sent a jolt of heat through his groin, but that wasn’t what he wanted.

  She used her alluring body to control men and he definitely didn’t intend to fall under her spell again. Perhaps he should reduce her to the poverty she obviously abhorred and cast her out, but he knew nothing of her family. Are they powerful? Will they turn on me? Even if she didn’t have family to take her in, it wouldn’t be long before she found another rich man and seduced him into slavery. Daniel had to keep her near to protect the rest of mankind.

  He’d like to hurt her as she had him by breaking her heart, but of course, she had no heart, so he could only hope to break her confidence by proving there was at least one man in the world who would not succumb to her charms. Somehow he must teach her she couldn’t get whatever she wanted by opening her legs to the right man.

  * * * *

  Finally, Daniel had his audience with the king and was officially confirmed the Baron of Tewsbarrow. Before the audience was concluded, the king said, “I trust you will see to the welfare of Lord Kendrick’s widow and child.”

  Daniel bowed his head to hide a smile, and said, “Most assuredly, your majesty.” It was as if he had a royal sanction to do whatever he chose with Isabel.

  When Daniel returned to Tewsbarrow Castle, he did not approach as a supplicant but as the new lord clad in the finery he’d acquired for court and accompanied by servants and guards.

  He had sent word of his approach, and flags of welcome flapped from the crenulated walls. As he and his escort clattered into the village near the castle, villagers hurried to the roadside to bow their heads and pull at their forelocks. They recognized their new lord and master. He was both flattered and a bit frightened by their obeisance, for the welfare of these people was now his responsibility.

  The gates of Tewsbarrow stood open. Soldiers in bright green tunics stood at attention as the party rode into the outer bailey. At a signal from a smiling Sir Robert, they drew their swords and touched the tips of them to the ground in a gesture of homage. The stable boys eagerly rushed to take the horses.

  In the inner bailey, Daniel found a reception committee composed of everyone of any importance in the castle except the baroness. After greeting the people he remembered from his last visit and being introduced to others, Wilmont led him into the great hall where the trestle tables stood ready for diners. Trying to sound casual, Daniel asked, “Why hasn’t the baroness joined us? I hope she isn’t ill.”

  Is she hiding in fear of me? She should be afraid. She had betrayed him in the worst way a woman can betray a man but now she must come to him on bended knee for her very sustenance. She needn’t think she could hide from his wrath.

  “Oh, no, sir. She went to live with her mother.”

  Daniel felt his jaw tighten. “What of the babe?”

  “She took Lady Chloe with her.”

  “I hope she didn’t take the babe on a long journey.”

  “Her mother lives in Whitmere, your eastern manor, a half day’s ride from here.” Wilmont must have sensed Daniel’s displeasure for he hastily added, “I assured her she had every right to stay here, but she said she wanted her mother’s advice on raising the babe.”

  The anger roiling through Daniel made it hard for him to breathe, let alone hide his aggravation from those surrounding him. The bitch had succeeding in stealing his seed and now meant to steal the fruit of that seed. He grabbed a cup of wine from a tray a servant held in front of him and took a long swallow.

  Lady Lavinia had apparently overheard his exchange with Wilmont, for she moved closer and said, “I don’t know why she felt she had to leave. I’ve raised three babes of my own and was perfectly willing to advise her. Besides, Lady Miranda’s home lacks many of the comforts available to Lady Chloe here.”

  “Lady Miranda?” a befuddled Daniel asked.

  “Lady Isabel’s mother.”

  “I thought my uncle provided for Lady Isabel’s family.”

  Lady Lavinia pursed her mouth as though reluctant to say more. Then she did. “He provided a cottage, but it’s hardly adequate for Lady Miranda’s large family and the poor woman has few servants.”

  Daniel stared at her in confusion. If Isabel had married Kendrick to increase her
wealth, why hadn’t she required him to provide more adequately for her family? Was she so selfish she cared naught for them? If so, it was poetic justice she now had to flee his wrath by going back to some hovel. Of course, Lady Chloe was his child, and he didn’t intend to see her living in such conditions.

  He turned fully toward Lady Lavinia. “As my uncle’s heir, I’m his child’s guardian. Once I’ve settled in here, I’ll see to her welfare.”

  Lady Lavinia nodded with satisfaction. “I do hope you’ll persuade dear Lady Isabel to come back to Tewsbarrow. She’s had great misfortune in her young life and deserves the comfort her marriage to Lord Kendrick promised her.”

  Daniel was surprised to hear Lady Lavinia, a woman who had once served the queen, speak so sympathetically about a woman as low as Isabel. Could she possibly be sincere? “Are you and Lady Isabel good friends?”

  “Actually, Lord Kendrick was so protective of her that he kept her virtually isolated in the baron’s tower. After he became ill, however, I got to know her better. She’s a sweet girl, but terribly insecure. I suppose that’s why she felt compelled to return to her mother.”

  Daniel had trouble keeping his mouth from gaping. He couldn’t believe Isabel had hidden her true nature so successfully for a mature woman like Lady Lavinia. Perhaps he shouldn’t feel so badly over the way Isabel had fooled him. She was obviously a skilled actress.

  Master Ambrose, the seneschal, interrupted them to urge everyone to the tables where a welcoming feast for the new lord was about to be served. Daniel took his place at the large chair at the center of the head table.

  Before anyone sat down, Sir Alfred raised a wine cup and called out, “A toast to the new lord of Tewsbarrow.”

  Cups were raised around the hall and voices called out, “Hail to Lord Daniel.”

  Daniel smiled his pleasure and gestured for all to be seated. A jolly roar of conversations rose from around the hall. Apparently the people here did not hold the same awed respect for him as they held for his uncle and Daniel was glad. This seemed a far happier meal.