June Francis - Rebel Lady, Convenient Wife

‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost,’ said Davy.

‘A devil’s face! It was grinning at me,’ she gasped.

‘It can’t be,’ said Kate, hurrying over to her.

‘There was someone out there,’ whispered Anna. ‘It had a red face and horns!’ She just stopped herself from saying that she had seen it before.

Davy and Owain exchanged glances. ‘One of my sons playing a trick with that old mask?’ suggested the latter.

‘What mask?’ asked Anna, shooting him a glance. ‘Are you telling me that you have such a mask in this house?’

Owain nodded. ‘I’m sorry it gave you such a fright. I’ll tan the hide off whichever of my sons did this to you,’ he said angrily.

‘But why should your boys play such a jape on me?’ asked Anna, unconvinced that either Gareth or his younger brother were responsible.

Kate said apologetically, ‘Boys will be boys. I’m so sorry, Anna.’

Jack frowned. He knew only to well the kind of ploys that boys could get up to, but this was not amusing. The sight of Anna’s strained pale face made him feel he had to find the boys and prove to her that it was simply a foolish prank. He left the parlour and followed the passage to the door that led outside.

He was instantly aware of the scent of honeysuckle, roses and gillyflowers combined with a strong smell of smoke, but there was no one in the garden. He thought he heard a faint sound coming from the stable yard and made his way there. But it, too, was deserted. He went into the stables and asked one of the men there had he seen either of the Rowan lads. He shook his head.

Frowning, Jack returned to the garden, wondering if Anna’s imagination had run away with her. It was not so surprising, considering all she had endured that day. Even so, he thought to check the soil beneath the window and saw large footprints. There was the proof that someone had stood here. He went inside the house and walked into the parlour.

‘Well?’ asked Owain, glancing in Jack’s direction. ‘Did you see anyone?’

Jack shook his head. ‘But there are footprints in the soil outside.’ He kept silent about the prints being the size of a man’s.

Anna thanked him. ‘At least you’ve proven tome that I’m not losing my wits.’ She told herself that there was probably more than one such devil’s mask in the Palatine of Chester. They were made for mummers’ plays or the mystery ones acted out at certain holy festivals.

‘It is to be expected that you might be a little lightheaded and confused after all you’ve been through,’ said Kate sympathetically. ‘I’ll give you a sleeping draught, so you can have a good night’s sleep. From now on we’ll take care of you.’

Instead of easing Anna’s mind, Kate’s words made her feel uncomfortable. She did not relish being treated like a child again. Fortunately, at that moment several servants entered the parlour, carrying trays of food and wine.

‘Refreshments at last,’ said Kate, sounding relieved.

With an effort Anna set aside her anxieties. Now she knew a little more about what Jack had suffered, she wondered whether she might be able to draw him out on the subject. But she lost the opportunity because wain had taken him aside and she heard him say, ‘It’s onderful to see you again, Jack. From the little I’ve eard of your adventures, you’re fortunate to be alive.’

Jack shrugged broad shoulders. ‘I’m glad to have been given a second chance.’

Owain looked vaguely puzzled. ‘You mean that this time you’re in England you plan to find yourself a wife and raise a family. I have a daughter who might suit you.’

His words surprised Anna into joining in their conversation. ‘I thought you’d found a husband for Beth, Owain.’

‘No. She refused him,’ he said with a grimace. ‘Her head is filled with romantic tales of handsome knights in armour, prepared to commit acts of derring-do for a lady. Alas, a wealthy goldsmith with a fine house in Chester is not good enough for my daughter.’

Anna said wryly, ‘I remember dreaming of handsome knights once upon a time.’

‘You did marry a knight,’ reminded Owain.

‘That is true. Giles fought in King Henry’s French wars when he was young.’ She turned to Jack. ‘You never met my husband, did you?’

‘Alas, no. I was in France on business when you were betrothed,’ he said smoothly.

‘Of course. How could I forget.’ Anna removed her soiled gloves and folded them inside her girdle. She accepted a goblet of wine from a serving-man. ‘Sir Giles was a kind and generous husband and I grew to love him. You chose well, Owain, when you accepted his offer for my hand.’

‘Thank you, Anna,’ said Owain, looking gratified. ‘Will you repeat those words to my daughter when you see her? At the moment she is staying at Joan and Davy’s house, helping with the children.’ He turned to Jack. ‘So what do you say to my suggestion? Beth will come to you with a generous dowry if you were to take her for wife.’

‘I doubt I’d fit Beth’s notion of a handsome husband with this scarred ugly face of mine,’ replied Jack in a stilted voice.

Anna made a murmur of protest. ‘Not ugly, Jack.’

He raised disbelieving eyebrows. ‘There’s no need to pretend, Anna. Besides, I’m not looking for a bride. As it is, I can only stay for one night as I still have business in France that occupies my mind.’

Owain’s smile faded. ‘You would leave us so soon?’

‘I have no choice in the matter. The news of events in France, which Davy has brought me, means I mustn’t delay. We both plan to leave at first light and will travel part of the road together.’

‘I will not ask you what this business is, but you will take care?’ saidOwain. ‘We do not want to lose you again.’

‘You must not worry about me, Owain,’ said Jack, his expression uncompromising.

Anna wondered if his business in France had aught to do with what had happened to him six years ago, but received the impression that questions would be unwelcome.

‘Then let us drink a toast to Jack,’ said Owain.

‘Indeed, we will,’ said Kate, smiling at her stepbrother. ‘To your good health, Jack.’ She raised her goblet.

Anna echoed her words as she gazed at the man who had rescued her. He had been handsome before, but he was mistaken in believing she considered him ugly. There was that about his face now which went deeper than pure good looks. Suddenly she wanted to know the man behind that scarred visage. ‘This is a fine wine,’ she said, sipping the rioja.

‘Is it one we supplied to you, Owain?’ asked Jack.

‘Aye. You can trust your agents. They carried on your business as if you were still there giving them their orders,’ he replied.

Jack agreed inwardly that they had proved their worth, but reckoned that was due to his older twin’s belief and determination that he still lived. Perhaps if he had not been so secretive about his relationship with Monique, then Matt might have been able to trace him to Arabia. But what was the use of thinking such thoughts? It was too late for regrets. He had still not told him the true reason for his abduction or about what took him to France, knowing that if he had done so, then his twin would have been furious with him and done all in his power to prevent him.

Jack moved over to the table, which had been cleared of papers and now displayed several dishes of food. The slices of beef, cheese and bread, cakes and tartlets made his mouth water. Anna followed him and, as they helped themselves, she murmured, ‘Owain says that you were sold into slavery, Jack. I find it difficult to believe that such a thing could happen.’

He frowned as he fixed her with a stare. ‘You believe I speak falsely?’