When it happened a second time, she thought they were mistaking her for someone, and wondered if she should admit she needed help. Then she remembered that the Percy family had red hair.The servants must think I’m related to the Earl of Northumberland.Perhaps I can use the knowledge to my advantage. This calls for a magnificent lie. Perhaps the English will swallow lies a hell of a lot faster than the truth.
Douglas climbed one of the square towers and found a serving woman who was making beds with fresh linen. “Excuse me, but I need your help. I just rode in from Alnwick Castle and my baggage has gone amiss. Uncle Percy will be furious if he finds me wearing breeches when King James arrives.”
The woman looked her up and down. “I can understand that, mistress.”
“I’m sure my aunt keeps some of her clothes here. Perhaps I can borrow something?”
“Bless your heart, my dear, Lady Dorothy visited Langley only twice. Her ladyship prefers London to the wilds of Northumberland. It’s been more than a year since she was here last. The castle steward has allocated her chamber for Queen Anne’s use when she arrives.”
“Oh, the queen isn’t traveling with King James. He is so eager for the Crown of England that he is riding with all speed. I heard that Queen Anne, her children, and her ladies won’t be leaving Edinburgh for at least a month.”
“You must have seen him at Alnwick. Whatever is King James like?”
“Well, he’s no fashion plate.” Douglas pictured the king in his shabby robes when she’d last been at Court. “His hair and beard are reddish like the Percy’s, but his Scottish brogue is so thick, it is difficult for the English to understand him.”
“Ooh, fancy that!” the woman said laughing. “Since Queen Anne won’t be coming, I’ll accompany you up to your Aunt Dorothy’s chamber. If memory serves, I think she did leave some garments in the wardrobe.”
As they climbed to the top of the tower, the woman asked, “When do you think your uncle and the king’s party will be arriving?”
In fact Douglas hadn’t the faintest idea. “Not until tomorrow at the very earliest, I warrant. I mustn’t take up any more of your time. My uncle is blessed to have someone like you at Langley. I shall be sure to mention how helpful you have been.”
The servant bobbed her a curtsey, visibly pleased at the compliment.
Douglas glanced about the tower chamber. It had clearly been furnished for a lady. The first thing her eyes fell on was a hairbrush sitting atop a tall chest. She immediately slid open one of the chest’s drawers. When she saw the linen undergarments she sent up a silent prayer of thanks. As she lifted out a shift, petticoat, and hose, the scent of roses perfumed the air. She crossed the room to the wardrobe. A silver mirror had been mounted on the door and when she saw her reflection she was aghast.No wonder the servant looked me up and down with dismay.She crossed her fingers and opened the wardrobe door.Oh, I have the luck of the devil!
She lifted out a blue damask gown and laid it on the bed. On the floor of the wardrobe she found a pair of matching slippers. She removed her doublet, then with careful fingers she lifted the silver chain from around her neck and unpinned the antique pendant from Greystoke’s shirt. When she took off the shirt, his male scent stole to her, and sent a spiral of desire curling through her belly. She forced herself to stop thinking of him, folded her clothes and put them in the wardrobe.
Douglas unbraided her hair and brushed it until it crackled, then she donned the undergarments and crossed her fingers as she unlaced the gown and stepped into it. The damask dress was not a perfect fit. There was no farthingale, but the skirt was very full. It came only to her ankles but as she tightened the laces on the front of the bodice, she had to take a deep breath before she could close it completely.Percy’s wife must be exceedingly slim.When she looked in the mirror she saw that her breasts swelled provocatively above the low-cut neckline.Well, at least no one will notice my ankles!
When she could drag her eyes from her own exposed flesh, she noticed that the right side of the bodice had been embroidered with a silver initial. Her mouth curved with delight when she saw the letter D.How appropriate, the D for Dorothy now becomes a D for Douglas.
She picked up the lovely pendant, and saw the image of Greystoke in its mirrored depths.D for Deception!She heard his voice as clearly as if he were in the room with her. Douglas slipped the silver chain around her neck and pinned the jeweled mirror between her breasts. She raised her chin defiantly and shrugged a pretty shoulder.
~~~
It was barely dusk when Greystoke arrived home from Carlisle Castle. The anticipation of seeing Douglas spurred him to cover the four miles to Beaumont in record time. He had even fed and watered his horse before he left Carlisle so that when he reached home, he could simply stable his mount and go straight to the house. He hadn’t felt this way about a woman in years. The beautiful Firebrand heated his blood and made him feel alive. He couldn’t wait to see her golden eyes light with pleasure when he entered the hall.
Greystoke had pictured her before the fire, her mass of molten hair reflecting its flames. When he saw that the Great Hall was empty, his heart skipped a beat. Then a smile curved his mouth.She’s in the library.
His footsteps quickened and he heard the ring of his spurs as he entered the book-lined room. He glanced about. “Douglas?” His heartbeat faltered when he found the chamber empty, then he heard a noise behind him and turned eagerly to the doorway. When he saw it was his servant, Ridley, he asked, “Where is she?”
“The lady has gone, my lord.”
“Gone?” Greystoke held his breath. “Gone where?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
“When did she leave?” he demanded.
“I have no idea, my lord. I served her breakfast here in the library, but when I returned with lunch, the room was empty. It was as if she had disappeared.”
“She didn’t vanish into thin air, man!” Greystoke felt his anger ignite and he knew he was in danger of savaging Ridley. With an effort he held his temper. “Thank you.”
When Ridley withdrew, a foul oath dropped from his lips. “Goddam the wench!” It was a severe blow to his pride that Douglas Elliot was not at Beaumont awaiting his return.The bloody little Firebrand took off the moment my back was turned.It not only stung him that he was a poor judge of character, it was also a cudgel blow to his manhood.
He strode to the window and gazed out with unseeing eyes, as a feeling of impotence gripped him. He noticed that the lock was unfastened and realized that this was how she had made her escape unseen.
The little bitch is laughing at me.
