"What do you think?" Isabella's voice filled the room. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hat and coat. Tonight, she was dressed as her alter ego, Richard. Excitement coursed through her body as she tipped her head like a gentleman.
"My lady—" Judith began.
Isabella cut her off, knowing exactly what the young girl would say. "Judith, you worry too much. I'm telling you, everything will be fine," she said, trying to reassure Judith for the hundredth time.
Despite her mistress's attempts to sound confident, Judith couldn't shake the worry that had clung to her ever since Lady Isabella discovered the new gambling house.
"What if Lord Leofric finds out? He'll be furious!"
Isabella rolled her eyes. "The damn man is away. Everyone's asleep. I'm bored out of my mind here. I need some excitement. Your honourable lord could be somewhere cozy with a pretty woman in his arms." Her heart sank at the thought. She wasn't blind to Leofric's striking features, and she was sure other women wouldn't hesitate to sink their claws into him.
"My lady, you know he's not like that! Everyone knows the lord's loyalty lies with you…" Judith paused, her eyes widening."You miss him! You miss Lord Leofric!" Judith's lips pulled into a wide grin, while Isabella did the opposite.
"Nothing like that. Don't get it twisted, young lady," Isabella chirped, waving her hand dismissively. "All I'm saying is I want to take advantage of his absence."
Judith tamed her smile. "But Lady Isabella, you're a married woman now. You can't go about doing the things you used to. It's not proper."
Isabella nodded with another eye roll. "'Proper,' you say. Judith, I'm a lady, yes, but I'm also a human being with blood running through my blasted veins. Humans need excitement and challenge in their lives. I'm not hurting anyone—I'm just going to play some cards, have a good time with the gentlemen, and win some money from those greedy lads. I'll be back before you know it," she said excitedly.
"You're not a man!" Judith stated firmly, her eyes sweeping over Isabella's attire.
"Milady, there are other things you can do for fun that don't involve risking your life at this ungodly hour. What if you get into trouble? What if something happens to you?"
Isabella smiled and patted her chest. "Nobody will believe I've got two magnificent, round breasts under this coat, right?" She secured a large pouch of coins around her waist.
"Milady!" Judith whisper-yelled, frustrated that Isabella wasn't listening—as usual. The lady was pigheaded!
"Damn it, Judith, nothing will happen to me. I'm always careful. You've got nothing to fear. Now come help with these damn buttons—they're stubborn."
Judith reluctantly helped Isabella with her coat. When they were done, she stepped back.
"Please… be careful."
Isabella laughed. "You're making it sound like I'm going into a war zone. I'm ready to leave. You can get some rest now."
Judith shook her head and quietly excused herself.
A sigh escaped Isabella as she stood alone in the room, her gaze drawn to the bed. The image of Leofric's powerful form stretched out on his side filled her mind, quickly followed by a rush of heat as she imagined them beneath the sheets, indulging in pleasures best left unspoken. His burning gaze seared through her memory, igniting a fire within her.
A shiver ran down her spine, goosebumps rising across her skin.
She blew out the candles and left the room, not giving herself another second to think about Leofric. It was only a matter of time.
Isabella slipped away from the manor easily, using the hidden path she'd stumbled upon during one of her walks. It spared her the unpleasantness of dealing with the gate guards. She walked until she found the horse tied beneath the tree.
She had discovered quite a few things—and made a couple of friends—in Robert and Judith's absence.
The horse neighed upon seeing her. "Hello to you too," she said, wasting no time untying and mounting for a quick takeoff.
As she rode through the poorly lit streets, the familiar surge of excitement and sense of freedom returned. All this while, she'd felt trapped in the manor, forced to play the role of a dutiful wife—which she was doing a horrible job at. But tonight, she was breaking free. Free from Leofric and the strange feelings he stirred in her.
After a couple of hours, Isabella arrived at the gambling house, a seedy-looking building on the outskirts of town. She dismounted and handed the reins to the man waiting by the door. She tipped her head in greeting, then took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The room was smoky and loud, filled with men laughing and shouting over cards and dice. The few women present were barely covered, clinging to the sides of men and rubbing their sweaty bald heads.
Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar chaos. She'd been here twice before, after overhearing two guards describe the place as the Devil's Den. According to them, it wasn't for the faint-hearted—thank heavens she was anything but.
She staggered slightly as someone latched onto her, nearly knocking her hat off.
"Sir Richard!" The overly sweet voice made her cringe. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it tonight."
"Bite your tongue. Why would you think such a thing, Ella love?" she asked, adjusting her hat. She didn't want to imagine their reactions if they saw the hair beneath it—it was far from gentlemanly.
She smiled at the beautiful woman like a proper gentleman should—if only she were a proper gentleman. "Did I miss something, Ella love?" she asked, deepening her voice.
Ella shrugged. "Nothing serious. I missed you. You know you're my favorite customer." She linked their arms and led them to a table.
Oh, poor Ella… if only she knew who she was dealing with, Isabella thought with a silent chuckle as they joined the other men.
They welcomed "Richard" warmly. She felt safe among these strangers who had no idea who she truly was.
"Who's ready to lose some money?" she called out, drawing a round of laughter.
Meanwhile, Leofric stormed into the empty hall, his eyes scanning the space for any sign of his wife. He'd been away for several days, attending to business at the palace. He still had unfinished matters with the king—but damn the king—he missed his wife.
He wanted nothing more than to make love to her and hold her until sunrise.
He went straight to their chamber, not bothering to knock. The room was dark, cold, and undeniably empty.
He frowned, unease creeping into his chest. Did she…? No. He refused to finish that thought. It couldn't be.
He marched to Judith's room, his footsteps heavy. He hoped Isabella was there with her handmaid. His frustration tripled when Judith revealed that her lady wasn't in her chambers.
Where the hell was that woman?
Next, he went to Robert's room, hoping he'd have an answer. That hope faded when Robert explained that he'd last seen Isabella when she mentioned she was tired and wanted to rest.
Leofric was panicking—frustrated, angry, and unsettled.
She ran away.
She had finally run away from him—after making him trust her, after lowering his guard. What a fool he'd been. He had to find her. He must find her. And heaven help them both—because it would take divine intervention to stop him from either throttling the woman or locking her up for eternity.
Just as he was about to lose his mind, Judith appeared in the doorway. "My lord," she said, her voice catching his attention.
She visibly gulped when she saw the fear and sadness swimming in his piercing blue eyes. How long will it take Lady Isabella to realize this big oaf of a man loves her? she wondered.
"I think I might know where Lady Isabella is," she said.
Leofric stopped pacing, eyes narrowing. "Where is she?"
Judith warred with her loyalty, then finally said,"I'm not sure where the gaming house is, but she mentioned something about the place being called the Devil's Den."
"Devil's Den?" Leofric and Robert echoed in unison—recognition dawning in one's eyes and confusion in the other's.
Leofric turned to Robert. "Do you know the place?"
Robert reluctantly nodded. "I've been there a few times. It's a den of thieves and scoundrels—not a place for ladies." He shook his head in disbelief, picturing the rough building.
Leofric's fury flared. What kind of woman had he married? He was beginning to think she was utterly mad.
But his rage quickly melted into fear. What if something happens to her? What if someone tries to take advantage of her?
Oh, heaven help him! "Get the horses ready," Leofric ordered, striding out of the room.