The Dragon Lord by Connie Mason Page B

evident. She gasped in dismay when she saw his male part stir and begin a slow rise upward.
    “Keep looking at me like that and ‘tis unlikely we will leave this room any time soon.”
    Rose flushed and looked away. What was wrong with her? Her ruthless husband had just ravished her; she should be looking at him with revulsion instead of admiration.
    “I did … did not mean …” she stammered.
    His voice held a bitter edge.“Of course you did not. Tis too much to hope that you would welcome me into your bed.” He turned away and began pulling on his hose. “We must make the best of this marriage, Rose. Neither of us is wed to a mate of our own choosing, but I suspect it will not be as bad as we expected if we keep out of one another’s way during the day.“He grinned at her over his shoulder. “The best will come when we retire to our chamber.”
    Rose said nothing. Dragon thought too much of himself and his ability to beguile women. She knew about his mistress, knew he did not care for her, so why did he pretend? How could her innocence please him when he had known women with considerably more knowledge about sexual matters than she ever wanted to know?
    “There is much to do before your uncle arrives,”Dominic said once he had finished dressing.“He brings a large fighting force with him.”
    “Uncle Murdoc always brings a large number of clansmen when he comes to visit,” Rose offered. “We had no reason to fear him while my father was alive.”
    “I do not fear him,” Dominic replied. He reached for the door handle. “We will talk later, Rose.”
    Leaving Rose lying in bed all warm and flushed was not easy for Dominic. His prickly bride had surprised him. She might have been unwilling in the beginning, but her responsive body had melted in his arms. She pleased him so well that he had not once compared her to Veronica.
    Raj met Dominic at the foot of the stairs, his face as enigmatic as ever. “Did you find something in your bride to please you, master?”
    “More than I expected,” Dominic acknowledged.“Any sign of the Scotsmen?”
    “Not yet, but the men are watchful. Do you expect trouble?”
    “I always expect trouble. If anyone wants me, I will be on the battlements.”
    As Dominic strode across the hall, he spied Lady Emily speaking with her husband and turned in their direction.
    “My lord,” Sir Eric said. “Have you instructions for me?”
    “Aye. Double the guards. No one is to be allowed inside the gates without my permission.”
    “I will see to it immediately,” Eric said, hurrying off.
    “Excuse me, my lord,” Emily said timidly. “Is Rose all right?”
    Dominic’s brow lowered.“Is there some reason why she should not be?” Did everyone at Dragonwyck expect him to beat Rose?
    Emily’s cheeks flamed, but she held her ground. “You would know better than I, my lord. Rose can be rather fractious, but she is the sweetest, most caring—”
    “Enough! Your lady may be everything you say, but she is also stubborn and contrary. For your information, my lady, I do not beat my women. None have been foolish enough to challenge my authority.”
    “I am sorry if I offended you, Lord Dragon,” Emily said, backing away.“I care for Rose and would be most distressed if she were hurt.”
    “Go to her and judge for yourself if you do not believe me,” he said curtly. “Mayhap she has need of another woman’s counsel,” he added thoughtfully.

    Rose was still lying abed, trying to make sense of her response to Dragon, when she heard someone moving around in the sitting room. Dragon? Her pulse raced. Had he returned for… more? Then she heard Lady Emily’s voice calling softly through the door.
    “Rose? May I come in?”
    Rose sat up, pulled the covers around her and gave Emily permission to enter. Emily nudged the door open and slipped inside.
    “Are you all right?” she asked, wringing her hands as she hovered over Rose.
    Sweet Mary, did everyone know what she and