Lords Of Desire Part 12

Peregrine shook his head. "It could have been a lucky guess. Everyone knows the mythological story of Pandora's box."

"Think hard.... do you remember having a leopard for a pet?"

"From the dim recesses of the past, I can vaguely picture her."

"In what setting do you see her?" she asked quickly.

"Swimming in the moat."

"Exactly! She did it every night at sunset."

"This Falcon was rather a flamboyant character. You said he was a pirate and a smuggler. Did such things not trouble you?"

"Not the smuggling. He didn't do it for his own benefit. He did it for the villagers of Hawkhurst, who were poor fishermen. They lived a hand-to-mouth existence and the money they made from their midnight treks with contraband made their lives easier."

"So, he had a compa.s.sionate heart for those less fortunate than himself. But what about his pirating?"

"It troubled me constantly. I begged him not to go and tried my d.a.m.nedest to keep him at Bodiam on moonless nights. But it was in his blood. He craved the marauding and couldn't help himself."

"Yet in the history books no such lawless deeds were attributed to Lord Hawkhurst of Bodiam."

"Isn't that amazing? Captain Drudge, head of the militia, suspected him, but when he came to arrest him, Falcon was already dead from a bullet that had torn into his lung the day before. When Drudge ordered his man to arrest me, Pandora lunged at the captain and I warrant she tore out his throat.

"Lord Hawkhurst had a loyal manservant called Mr. Burke. I know he would do his utmost to see that no scandal was attached to Falcon. Burke was most efficient and completely trustworthy."

Peregrine scrutinized her face. "So Falcon died?"

Victoria spoke softly. "He died slowly, losing more and more of his essence. Death was a thief that moved into our chamber and there was nothing we could do about it. It ate away at my heart. At first I prayed that he would not die, but he suffered so much that before the night was over, I began to pray that he would."

"So your only escape was to jump from the tower?"

Tory nodded. "It was either death or travel back to my own time. I don't remember choosing. In fact, it didn't much matter to me. I didn't want to live without Falcon."

"So Fate chose for you and I am very glad that you came back."

"You believe my story?"

"A part of me believes you. That isn't of paramount importance, though. You are here and what happens next is what is vital."

Tory leaned forward to emphasize her words. "Just before he died, Falcon said: Love is more powerful than death. I'll find you no matter where you are."

"If he had not died, you would not have come back, would you?"

"No. I would have stayed with him forever."

"So, Victoria, you need me to be Falcon?"

"I know you are Falcon!"

"If I were not," he held up his hand and added, "just for argument's sake, would you consider marrying me?"

"I would consider marrying you, Peregrine, because in my heart I am sure you are Falcon."

His smile held a trace of regret. "That isn't the answer I hoped for, but I will accept it, Tory." His eyes again searched her face. "You are not agreeing to my proposal because your mother said that you must, are you?"

"There are no scandalous accusations Mother could throw at me that would induce me to wed a man I did not wish to marry. I am also accepting because I believe with all my heart that you have a tendre for me. Whether you come to believe you are Falcon or not, I am sure we are well suited to each other, Sir Peregrine."

"Falcon is a far more masculine name than Peregrine."

"But he, too, was christened Peregrine."

"Yes, but he had the courage to change it."

"Would you like me to call you Falcon?" she asked eagerly. "It would please me above all things."

"Then by all means address me as Falcon. I'm sure I could easily become accustomed to such a romantic name."

"You truly are open minded." We are halfway home, Falcon, my love!

"I have much to take care of...a ring, for one thing. I want you to be wearing my betrothal ring before you return home."

Tory sighed. "Must I return home, Falcon?"

"I'd much prefer to keep you with me, if you are willing."

Tory threw him a saucy look. "I'm willing and eager. We need to become intimately acquainted."

Falcon swept her into his arms and brushed his burning lips against her temple. "Lord G.o.d, how you make me quiver."

"Let's be married soon. I'd like my brother Edmund to perform the ceremony."

"That would be perfect. You had a marvelous adventure, Tory, but the last hours were heartrending for you. We'll marry whenever you feel up to it. I'll be back soon-rest while I'm gone."

Sir Peregrine went downstairs and asked Mr. de Burgh to help him find a rope and a grappling iron. They found them in the stables, and then Peregrine led the way to the moat. "Let's drag along here. I'm searching for some oilskin-covered crates."

He and de Burgh took turns dragging the grappling iron, but their search seemed in vain. Then suddenly the iron hook caught on something that lay deep on the bottom and it took both of them to haul it up. Fuller knelt down to examine their find. The oilskin was intact, but when he cut it open with his knife, the wooden crate had fallen in upon itself and rotted along with its contents. It was impossible to identify what the oilskin had held by looking at the crumbled ma.s.s, but the aroma that rose up was unmistakable. The smell was indisputably chocolate.

"Thank you, de Burgh. I'm going into town for a while." Peregrine needed to be alone. He wasn't often given to introspection, but he had a lot to think about and much self-searching to do. Victoria was convinced that he had lived before at Bodiam Castle, a hundred years ago. I am starting to believe such a thing is possible. Am I losing my grip on reality?

He saddled Bess, rode beneath the portcullis, and headed toward Ashdown Forest. The trees had turned color but had not yet shed their leaves and the golden canopy above him captured and held a mystic sense of timelessness because it had looked the same for centuries. He knew the secret paths through the forest so well that he often imagined he'd ridden them on moonless nights to smuggle contraband tobacco and brandy.

He could imitate the hoot of the owls perfectly and whenever he did it, long-forgotten memories stirred in the deep recesses of what? His imagination? His heart? His soul?

The impressions that came to him most vividly were those of Victoria. Deep in his bones he was sure he had known her before, in another time, yet in this same place. They had laughed together, ridden together, sailed together, and they shared a pa.s.sion for Bodiam.

When she had gone missing, Peregrine had a.s.sumed she had run off to London. Life with her mother was extremely restricting and he thought she had taken the risk for a chance at freedom. It had saddened him that she had felt she needed to escape from him also. His heart overflowed with joy now that she had returned and he knew he must not risk losing her again.

I truly feel as if I loved her before. Nay, I never stopped loving her.... I love her still. She thinks of me as Falcon.... Am I ready to admit that I think of myself as Falcon?

A hare crossed his path and for a brief instant he wondered if it were a magical shape s.h.i.+fter sent by the Celtic G.o.ddess Brigantia. He smiled, knowing he'd read about it in a book of myths. Tory would enjoy that book; I must find it for her.

His mind moved on to another book he'd read and words that the wise Solomon had said formed clearly in his mind: The thing that has been is the thing that shall be; and the thing that is done is that which shall be done: There is nothing new under the sun.

He thought about how Falcon had died. Apparently, a lead ball had torn into his lung and he had suffered a painful death. A few times in his life, during particularly cold winters, Peregrine had come down with pleurisy. Liquid gathering in the lung made it difficult to breathe and brought on coughing. The pain was often excruciating. We have too much in common not to be the same man.

He threw back his head and laughed. I entered the forest as Peregrine and I shall leave it as Falcon. He turned Bess around and rode toward the Port of Hastings, where he knew there was a fine goldsmith's shop.

Falcon knew which ring he would chose for his bride the moment he saw it. The emerald surrounded by diamonds stood out from the other rings as if they were set with gla.s.s. It was expensive and he bargained hard with the goldsmith for a price he deemed fair. Then he headed home to Bodiam Castle and the woman he loved.

Tory was watching for him from the tower windows. The moment she saw him she ran down the spiral staircase to greet him. "I'm so glad you are back; I missed you."

"What a lovely homecoming. Will you always welcome me home so eagerly?" He placed his fingers under her chin and raised her face so he could look into her eyes. "Will you call me Falcon?"

Her smile was radiant. "Oh, I will, I will!"

"I smell food. Are you hungry?"

"Ravenous," she declared happily.

"Then let's go and eat. I warrant that appet.i.tes should be satisfied whenever possible."

"There are many different kinds of appet.i.tes. It would be rather decadent to satisfy them all."

He c.o.c.ked a dark eyebrow. "I can only try, sweetheart."

Tory blushed. Antic.i.p.ation for the night that was yet to come filled her with excitement.

Hands clasped, they made their way to the dining room, where a fire had been laid. Brilliant autumn leaves stood in a large pewter jug on one side of the hearth, and a cast-iron holder stacked with logs sat on the other.

Falcon poured them port wine. "Perhaps you prefer French brandy?" he teased.

"Since it's no longer illegal, I don't. Contraband always tastes sweeter."

"Taking risks makes life sweeter."

"d.a.m.nation, we are birds of a feather!"

"A falcon and a dove?"

"That would make you a predator and me your prey. I would prefer to be something small and beautiful like a merlin."

"Merlin is most apt. You have cast a magic spell on me."

"I believe we each have a spiritual core."

"More and more you make me aware that we share a psychic resonance."

Falcon carved a wood duck with chestnut dressing and let Tory serve herself with roast potatoes, leeks, and braised carrots.

"This wine gravy is divine. Is Mr. de Burgh a French chef?"

"Bodiam's majordomo is a man of all trades. He has made life considerably more comfortable for a bachelor like myself."

"Mr. Burke was indispensable to Falcon in the last century. Perhaps he has always served the owner of Bodiam Castle since it was built in King Edward's time."

"You make me think all things are possible, Tory." He came around the table and pulled her into his lap. "Even that you will become my wife." He took the ring from his pocket and held it out to her on his palm. "I bought you a betrothal ring."

Tory's eyes were like stars as she looked at it and then at Falcon. She held out her finger so he could slip it on. "An emerald-how did you know my favorite color is green? It's a perfect fit." She touched his cheek. "We are a perfect fit."

He covered her hand with his. "I have always been self-conscious about my birthmark. Yet it doesn't seem to offend you."

"It endears you to me. I wish you didn't have it, but I'm the one who st.i.tched your cheek back together when you were wounded."

"You have a long memory," he teased.

"But it is infallible," she declared. "It was preordained that we should meet. We, who love Bodiam Castle so much, were chosen to restore it to its original magnificence. I cannot wait to get started.... It will be a labor of love for both of us."

Falcon changed the subject. "Where would you like to go for your honeymoon, sweetheart?"

"Why to London, of course. We'll scour all the antique shops and warehouses searching out ancient treasures for Bodiam." She slid off his knee and took his hand. "Come, I'll take you on a tour and try to describe how everything was a hundred years ago."

Somewhat reluctantly, he followed her lead as she swept up the staircase and took him down the long pa.s.sageway that led them to the minstrels' gallery. "See how dilapidated this railing is? In fact it's quite dangerous. Once, it was exquisitely carved, polished black oak. We will have to employ a wood-carver to duplicate the oak leaves and cl.u.s.ters of acorns. The balcony was draped with gold velvet and the chairs for the musicians were all high-backed with padded seats." She smiled at Falcon. "This was where I first glimpsed the Georgians being entertained at Bodiam.

"The floor of the ballroom down there was highly polished and there were half-a-dozen chandeliers that held myriad candles. The light was reflected by scores of crystals that dangled from the candleholders." Tory sighed. "It's such a sorry mess of dust and cobwebs, but we'll restore it to its original beauty in no time.

"There were buffet tables at this end for the guests' food and drink, and at the far end were gaming tables for card and dice games. Georgians were addicted to gambling, but I have to admit I quite enjoyed the risk involved, especially when I wasn't wagering my own money."

"Falcon was unfailingly generous with you, was he?"

"Not only Falcon. All the gentlemen were anxious to garner my favor." She rolled her eyes. "Falcon told them I was his sister."

"Well, I'm glad he...I...tried to protect your reputation."

"Come, I want to show you the library." She took his hand and urged him to follow through the archway and down the stone pa.s.sage. "Down there is where the crew of the Seac.o.c.k were accommodated. That's the oldest part of Bodiam, where the soldiers were originally garrisoned."

"I've only been in that section of the castle once. It needs so much renovation, I am intimidated by such a large undertaking."

"Liar, I warrant naught intimidates you." Tory looked about her uncertainly. "There are so many square towers, I'm not sure this is the right one. Falcon had his library on the ground floor of a square tower. It wasn't large, but it was extremely cozy."

"Down this pa.s.sage is where I found some books stacked. I added my own to what was already here, but there are no shelves."

When they entered the chamber, Falcon lit a torch on the wall. The light fell on stacks of old books. Tory was distressed. "Heavens above, these books are rotting away. This is where we will start," she said decisively.

Falcon took her hands. "Tory, I'm afraid I have a confession to make. There isn't enough money left to refurbish Bodiam. When you disappeared, I thought you were gone for good. The idea of restoring the castle to its original condition without you at my side lost all its appeal. The heart went out of it for me. I spent at least half the money and I've made commitments for the other half that cannot be rescinded."

Tory looked at him as if she didn't comprehend what he was saying. "What do you mean, there's no money to refurbish Bodiam?"

"Exactly what I say. Oh, I have enough money for us to live comfortably, but restoring Bodiam will have to wait a few years."