The Border Lord and the Lady Read Free Page B

beloved Firenze to tell all of his daughter’s brilliant marriage to an English nobleman.
    Upstairs in the bridal chamber the earl fingered the heart-shaped mark on his bride’s smooth, plump thigh. “How did he know?” Robert Bowen asked her.
    “A group of us went riding from the city one day. It was hot. We stopped to cool ourselves by wading in the shallows of the river. I raised my skirts too high,” Luciana lied as she kissed his mouth.
    And Robert Bowen chose to believe her, for her passage had been so tight he could not believe any other man had ever gotten into her. And the tears of anguish upon her pale cheeks as he entered her were certainly real. His cock had met enough resistance in her maidenhead that he now believed for sure in her virginity, and there had certainly been a goodly show of blood. She had gained no pleasure from this first joining, he knew. But he would see she did in the future.

    They had planned to leave London the following day, but the bride was unable to ride, being sore. He had used her thrice on their wedding night, and by the third time she had learned the delights of pleasure. She was open to passion, the earl was pleased to find. He would have no need for a mistress for the interim. Finally, three days after they wed, they rode forth from the town. Master Pietro d’Angelo had promised to pay them a visit before he returned to Firenze.
    When several days later they arrived at Leighton Hall, Luciana was well pleased. The house was in need of repair, but she knew her father would give her whatever she desired to make her new home habitable and to her taste. The gardens looking out over the gentle hills needed serious tending, but the servants were delighted to have a new mistress to guide them. And if sometimes the Countess Luciana’s manner was abrupt, they hoped it was just because she was young and inexperienced.
    Master Pietro d’Angelo arrived two months later, in Midsummer, prior to his departure back to Firenze. He was very happy to learn his daughter was already pregnant with her first child. He was relieved to find her content with her life, and with her lord. He spent an enjoyable few weeks before traveling back up to London, and from there across the channel as he made his way home.
    Donna Clara had assured him all was well, and that she would send one of the homing pigeons he had given his daughter with word when the child was born. “She frets only now and again about one thing,” the countess’s companion told her father.
    “His daughter?” The merchant knew how jealous Luciana could be.
    Donna Clara nodded. “The earl visits his child daily.”
    “Have you seen her?” Master Pietro d’Angelo asked his relation.
    Donna Clara nodded. “She is a charming little girl, Carlo. Bright and mannerly. She would make a wonderful companion for the contessa. But Madonna Luciana will not share her husband. The servants have been warned to not even mention the child in the lady’s presence,
for her jealousy runs wild. Perhaps in time.” The older woman sighed.
    Master Pietro d’Angelo shook his head. “Nay, Clara. If she will not accept the child now, she will never accept her. Especially as she is carrying her own babe. You know what I say is truth. Pray Luciana births the son the earl wants. It may ease my daughter’s jealousy, but it will never erase it. Just do not allow her to harm the earl’s little daughter. You know how she can get sometimes.”
    “I will keep them both safe, Carlo. For the love I bear your daughter, and for the many kindnesses you have done for me, especially after my husband died,” Donna Clara said quietly. “I will allow no shame to fall upon the house of Pietro d’Angelo.” Then she bade her relative farewell, and promised to pray for his safe journey home to Firenze.
    The summer slipped into autumn, and then winter. On Candlemas, the second day of February in the year of our Lord 1414, Luciana, the Countess of Leighton, gave birth