Chapter 36

The messenger opened the door. The Lord entered, and afterwards the messenger who was clutching a letter ran out the room. He kept his head down, and the young messenger knew if anyone in the castle saw this letter apart from the recipient, he would be getting a beating. The Lord hadn't said it, but this letter was important and the messenger had to reliever it, quickly and discreetly. And it was a letter to the king.

"Cousin," Daniel's voice echoed into the library of the King. It was the perfect place to start a fighting match, when it came to that.

"My lord," Dominic bowed and waited for his cousin to sit."I hope you have been well."

"Well enough." David sipped some of his wine. His eyes locked on his cousin."We need to talk. Dismiss your servant."

"You can go." Dominic waited for the servants to leave. The strong sense of irritation was strong in the air."How was Ireland?"

"Do not try and change the subject. Look at you. You are a mess." Daniel snapped."If it wasn't for Francis I would not of even been here. I would be in Ireland living the bliss life I always had until I realised my cousin is a abuser."

"I'm a mess! You travel around Ireland lost, alone and your estate crumbling beneath your feet."

Daniel shot him a look evilly."And you walk about in your city clothing, your Arabian horses and ton of servants. But your still the cold hearted bastard I know."

"Don't you dare critic me!" Dominic snapped.

"At least I whore around with women I don't beat them after." Dominic paled. His cousin seemed to know everything but he never told anyone how."I picked her for a reason. She needed no discipline. I said look after her you fool!"

"Discipline? Women need be trained otherwise they turn into whores." Dominic slammed his glass down."And how is dear Pauline?"

Daniel would kill him."My mistress is well. She is better than your wife."

"My wife is no one's whore." He said with regret. Soon he would not be able to utter those words again. Soon he would not be able to talk about his wife, Lady Jacqueline DeFleur. Soon she would be the Dowager, he would leave France and go to England. Lord Dominic DeFleur, the violent and lonely cad was dead.

"Pauline is no whore. She tends to my sexual needs well and I respect her. She fears she is with child and if that is the case I will marry her, I have not told her but she has earned it. The scorn of a disgraced woman is too much for me to bear especially on such a man pleaser."

"She is a whore all the same. She gives herself to a man without marriage. Even I could fuck her for a bauble or two and she would say nothing." Dominic said icily. He would be gone soon.

Daniel laughed humorlessly."You disgust me. You disgust me Dominic. I am not Francis, I will not shout and expect you to listen to me."

Daniel lifted his eyebrow."I will punish you like the child you have become."

"I do not have to listen to you,"

Daniel looked at the time, he had no time for this foolishness."Maybe you would like to discuss this with Francis? You think we both won't hesitate to banish you to your father's house to bare the shame. You have disgraced the DeFleur name too many times."

Dominic clenched his glass and placed it on the table beside him. He glared at his cousin and let him continue."Your father would be glad for his bastard don't you think?" Daniel ran a hand through his hair."Don't you?"

Dominic nodded and reduced himself to a little child. Ignoring the bitterness inside, he wanted to cry do much but he hit his lip and looked on the ground. He couldn't ignore the horrible feeling inside. He wanted to leave these lands as soon as possible.

"You have hurt one too many people! I have nothing better to do than manage my estates and Arnold is perfectly capable of this whilst I stay at court."

The two men glared at each other. One stronger than the other and Dominic breathed deeply as Daniel called a name."Gordon!"

The door opened and a young boy of Dominic's age entered. He bowed, his sleeves rolled up and looked up. His eyes flashed green and he bowed towards Dominic."Yes, my lord?"

"Have all my things transported to my room. It seems we will be staying, and have a messenger take a later to Pauline and your families of her delayed return. Me and the earl have decided to do some work."

"Yes, my lord." Dominic's eyes closed. He would have to keep up this appearance till everything was final. He would have to keep his plan for his escape secret and that included remaining the scared little child, till everything was done.

"You may leave us," The boy bowed again and shut the door with his orders.

"We'll what are you waiting for?"

Dominic got up and quickly changed into a simple riding habit. Underneath he wore brown shirt and hose and he wore no jewels."Let's go,"

Daniel walked quickly. He had gone to far. He held a respect for his cousin and his king like no other."Leave now," Daniel spoke to the workers and they scuttled out. Emily waved to Dominic and he waved back before she shooed out.

"Daniel? What am I to do?"

"The stables need to be mucked. You will do it for every horse and then report to me. I am sick of it. Ireland was only a sea away yet you acted as if I was dead."

"It's not only about you." Dominic quietly mumbled.

"Yes it is. I wrote to you from afar each day with a prayer on my lips to make sure that you were well and happy. I got you a wife so your father wouldn't pick a two year old for you to conceive with. I'm not perfect but I tired."

Dominic silently grabbed a shovel and began working."I didn't ask you to."

"And I wanted to." Daniel counteracted. "I asked for nothing but for you not to shame our family and yourself. To hit the maiden is that and much worse."

Dominic swallowed and then Daniel went deeper."Your mother would be shamed in her grave. I pray she forgives you. I wouldn't."

"My mother was a good woman, unlike you. You don't think I know you arrived yesterday? What were you doing? Lurking in the shadows, fucking a child?"

"Talking your wife,"

Dominic's face paled. He hoped she hadn't told him of the divorce."What did she say?"

"Nothing of importance, babbling, she talks to much though."

Dominic laughed in relief."Aye, she does. But she's amazing for it."

+++

No. Francis had said no. And Dominic crumbled the letter in his palm and buried his head in his hands. Damn.

What was he to do now? But inwardly Dominic knew what he would do. He would stil divorce her, but by a priests hand. A man higher than Francis when it came to life. A pope.

He would have do discuss this with Jacqueline but for now he was quite content in telling her that Francis had demanded she buy some wedding items for her next wedding, whilst she was still countess. This was to keep up with appearances, the less people that knew about the devious plan, the better.

Truthfully, Francis had moved up the wedding date to avoid Dominic running away or doing something stupid. Well whatever Francis said Dominic would have the messenger send the letter to Rome immediately. He hoped a reply would be returned by the wedding date.

He would coolly tell her the news and allow her joy to sink in before telling Francis. If Francis could not accept his choice he would show Jacqueline as evidence of his sick attitude. She would testify against him, he could feel it. He had locked her like an animal, treated her like a pet and not a wife. He deserved his loneliness and even married, it being arranged and unequal made him feel as empty as before.

He sat at the fire waiting for her to finish having the dress fitted. He was not allowed to see, so he waited for her in the rooms of the store with ale and bread. He wondered what her next husband would think. Would he love her? Adore her? Just as he should have.

James Wilson had convinced him to do this. He wouldn't let love consume him. He would do what was best for him. He would let her find a man who could make her happy.

"My lord, I've finished." Dominic nodded at her words and took her gloved palm. The leather felt warm in his and he motioned for the footman to put on his gloves.

"Good day, my lord, my lady."

"Goodbye," Dominic answered and he led Jacqueline out the shop. The footman shut the door whilst two brought the horses round.

"Do you still want to ride?"

"I will ride."

Dominic nodded and got onto Storm. Jacqueline swung onto her horse and waited for the road to be parted."We could go and eat,"

"I'm not hungry." She replied hurriedly.

He nodded and charged in front on Storm. His herald in front announced his way and they moved easily through the peasant crowd. Jacqueline was behind him but she enjoyed it as she could look around the town, it was easier for him not to tell her to hurry up and she could look around.

The town was crowded, people selling their wears and singing. A carriage blocked their path and automatically Dominic's guards raised their swords.

"Ah Dominic!"

Dominic recognised the doormen that opened the door and sighed at the black livery."My father," Dominic turned to Jacqueline who was now at his side. She nodded.

He stepped out the carriage. His icy blue eyes looked at his son with distaste."Where have you been?"

"Shopping for the wedding," He answered quickly. Jacqueline kept her head down.

"And you allow your wife to ride, like a merchant's wife." He said with disgust."She looks likes she's been shagged, no essence of a lady. She should of been in the carriage,"

Dominic's jaw clenched."She did not want to, besides riding is a relaxing sport and I will not force her to do otherwise."

"You should of, as her husband. You know what's good for her,"

Dominic swallowed and looked at her. She was the very picture perfect image of a demure wife, to him, like his mother at the moment. Her head was bent down looking at her horse, her hair loose and covering the red stain on her cheek as the cold hit it.

He looked around, they were getting attention."I apologise father, you are correct of course. Unfortantly I do not have access to a carriage and I have no intention to ruin your journey by asking for your assistance. I will of course deal with my wife when we return."

"Domini-"

Dominic knew this was his moment to make her hate him more. "Be quiet. I will deal with you when we return. And fix your coif, your hair snakes."

She tucked it in before his father spoke again."I'll be at the Palace,"

"Have a good journey sir," Dominic bent his head and waited for his father to return in his carriage. Once he was gone he turned to Jacqueline who had donned a mask of sadness."I'm sorry I had to do that,"

She didn't look up and still had her hands on her horse. The reins on the horse were being pulled on harshly, by Jacqueline, and the horse could feel the tense attitude of its mistress.

Dominic looked to the crowd. Then to his herald. The man knew his job and soon the crowd had disappeared, apart from a few who got a deadly look from the master swordsman and then they left too.

Jacqueline was still on her horse, she wanted to cry, she wanted to be swallowed by a dark monstrous beast. Anything to get away from the humiliation of being a woman, a wife. She had no power, why did she think she had anything?

She looked to Dominic who was waiting for her to speak, and a tear slid down her face. What was wrong with her? She hated being confused, she really did. And now she was so confused. She felt like she had disappointed him, and she felt as if he had disappointed her.

The man himself was calm, all this pain would be worth it. When she lived in a luxurious estate with the husband she so clearly deserved, this would be a pea memory. He trotted closer and touched her hand.

The crowd was now watching but she was too angry to care."Don't touch me, my lord. Until you have dealt with me!"

She cantered away and Dominic followed. He felt like an ass. It was only acting, he thought. She always looked beautiful but she didn't know that. He had never told her that, because as he was an idiot. He would tell her at least once, before he said goodbye.

The streets were cleared but Dominic knew she would do something stupid if he caught up to her straight away. "Jacqueline wait! I have a reason."

Her answer was quick and sharp."Piss off! I'll come back by myself, and take my punishment later."

Storm neighed. "Jacqueline! I'm not going to punish you, come back." He wished she wasn't so fast, as they turned a corner Dominic had to calm Storm down whilst she watched. An angry frown on her face.

"My lord, go away, please leave me alone. I'll take your beating later." She cantered further and left Dominic in the the dust.

Dominic stayed on the side of the road, he wouldn't leave her and if she returned he would be right there, waiting.