Page 11 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

“Geoffrey, is it not a sin what Martin did to poor Agnes?” Kate asked as Geoffrey took a handful of straw and began to brush down his horse.

He didn’t ask how Kate knew about Agnes, nor did he insult her by telling her that she was too young to fully comprehend the situation.

Geoffrey’s hazel gaze looked pained at the question, but he answered her truthfully nonetheless.

“It is, Kate, but Martin is our father’s heir and can’t be encumbered with a serf’s bastard. Father will find him a bride soon, but until then Martin will sow his wild oats where he sees fit. ”

“Will the Lord not punish him for his sins?” Kate asked, perplexed.

She lived in eternal fear of sinning and incurring God’s vengeance, but her brothers didn’t seem troubled by the stern words they heard from the pulpit week after week, words that threatened God’s wrath for even a stray thought, much less a dishonorable deed.

“Katie, if the good Lord punished every man who lay with a woman out of wedlock, there’d be no one left to worship Him except the bastards they sired.”

“Do women like Agnes have no recourse?” Kate inquired. She’d liked Agnes and grieved for her. She seemed to be the only one to take Agnes’s senseless death to heart.

“Some lords find husbands for the women their sons disgrace, but Father was not kindly disposed toward the poor girl.”

“Why? What had she done?”

Geoffrey shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Katie looked at his closed expression. He knew, but he didn’t want to tell her. Suddenly, she had no wish to find out. The business of men was way beyond her understanding, but it was often cruel, unforgiving, and frightening.

“Do as Mother bids, Katie,” Geoffrey said. “Before Father changes his mind.”

“Why? What do you know?” A frisson of fear ran down Kate’s spine.

“Katie, a daughter is only good for one thing, and that’s to marry her off to form an alliance or settle a debt.

You’re fifteen, ripe for marrying. If you don’t go to the priory, Father will have you wed as soon as he finds a suitable match.

He’s got his sights set on one of the Neville cousins, to strengthen our connection to the Earl of Warwick.

The marriage would bring him one step closer to the Duke of York, who has his eye on the throne. ”

“What are you talking about?” Kate demanded. “How would marrying a Neville cousin bring Father closer to the throne when King Henry is our sovereign?”

Geoffrey patted her cheek in a paternal matter. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. It’s way too complicated for you to understand. Just don’t pass up your chance at freedom.”

“Freedom? You think becoming a nun is a path to freedom?” Kate gaped at her brother. “Is that why you want to become a priest?”

Geoffrey looked momentarily shocked but didn’t bother to ask how she knew of his conversation with their father.

“It is a freedom of sorts, Kate. Now, off with you. I’d like a few moments alone.

I was supposed to practice swordplay with Robert, but I think we might have to wait until the weather improves. ”

Geoffrey and Robert never missed a day of practice.

Sometimes Martin joined them as well, but Martin preferred to train with some of his own friends.

They spent hours at swordplay, fighting until sweat ran into their eyes and their faces were flushed with exertion.

There was a quintain set up in the yard, and they used that as well, taking turns jousting.

For men in their position, war craft and politicking were some of the most important skills they could possess, and although her brothers hadn’t had much opportunity to scheme and plot as of yet, they knew how to fight.

Kate returned to the house, kicked off her wet shoes, and climbed up to the solar where she curled up in the window seat.

From her vantage point she could see the stable yard, the fields, and the woods beyond.

This was her world, the only one she’d ever known.

If she listened to her mother and Geoffrey, she would never see anything beyond the walls of a convent.

But how could she ignore the advice of the two people she trusted most in the world?

How could she dismiss the worry in their eyes when they spoke of her future?

Gerard Dancy was not a cruel man—at least he’d never been cruel to her—but his dealings with Agnes had showed Kate that her father could be ruthless.

She’d never felt the back of his hand or displeased him enough for him to use sharp words to her, being an obedient and respectful daughter, but Geoffrey had struck a chord when he spoke of her father’s goals.

Gerard Dancy was an ambitious man, and he’d use everything at his disposal to further his own ends.

Already he was negotiating a marriage for Martin, looking for a bride among the highest-ranking Yorkist kin.

Geoffrey would be next, and he was prepared to do his bit to further the family’s influence despite his own wishes.

Only Robert had a few more years of freedom before him.

His future would not be decided until his older brothers were advantageously wed.

Kate hugged her legs and rested her head on her knees as silent tears slid down her cheeks.

She was no longer a little girl; she had to start thinking like a woman.

Perhaps going to the priory was the lesser of two evils.

Kate wiped away her tears and stared blindly out the window. Her decision was made.