Page 27 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

Kate thought about that for a moment and realized she couldn’t answer the question with certainty.

Hugh had promised to escort her back home, which he had.

He had told her father that she’d spent several days in his company, tending to Guy’s wound, which was true.

He’d also told her father that he wished to marry her, a proposal that seemingly came from the heart.

Kate couldn’t be sure what had led to her father’s assumption that she’d lain with Hugh, but she was fairly certain that Hugh hadn’t said such a thing straight out.

Gerard Dancy had made an assumption based on something that Hugh had implied, intentionally or unwittingly, and had cast out the daughter who up to that day had always been virtuous and pure.

Was Hugh to blame? Perhaps, but at the end of the day, he was the one who intended to stand by her, unlike her father who had cut her out of his heart based on nothing more than conjecture.

“No, Father, he didn’t deceive me,” Kate finally replied, somewhat relieved to have come to that conclusion.

Father Phillip smiled, as though glad to have planted seeds of doubt and made her reconsider the situation. “Is he so odious then, this man?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“No, he’s not odious,” Kate replied truthfully.

Hugh was handsome, in his own way. He was neither stout nor balding.

He had a pleasant face, with slanted light blue eyes and a strong nose that bespoke his Gallic ancestry.

He was of above average height, and was strong and fit, a man used to days in the saddle and hours of swordplay.

But there was one thing he wasn’t—he wasn’t Guy .

Kate was shocked by the rogue thought. Guy de Rosel wasn’t hers for the taking, and until yesterday the very idea of marriage had been something vague and threatening.

She supposed it still was, but Hugh had professed to love her and seemed to think that what had passed between them last night was a symbol of commitment.

She had no inkling of what went on between men and women, other than some second-hand knowledge gleaned from eavesdropping on her brothers and now her own unexpected experience.

She couldn’t expect what took place in the marriage bed to be pleasant or comfortable; her mother had made that clear enough.

It was a woman’s duty to lie with her husband and give him children.

As long as Hugh didn’t hurt her intentionally or treat her unkindly, she had no grounds for complaint.

Besides, any man her father would have chosen for her would take getting used to, even if he happened to be handsome and charming.

Hugh had just lost his older brother, and Guy had been near death.

She could hardly blame him for his lack of courtly manners, or his overly emotional response to the woman he thought had somehow saved his brother.

Perhaps Hugh’s feelings were genuine. What did she know of love?

Geoffrey had once told her that love enters through the eyes.

Perhaps that had been the case with Hugh.

He had looked at her differently the moment she removed her veil, seeing her as a woman rather than a bride of Christ. And now he wanted to make her his bride.

“Do you think you could grow to love him?” Father Phillip asked, pushing his point further.

“I don’t know, Father. It was my wish to become a nun. I hadn’t considered loving a husband,” Kate replied truthfully.

“My dear, very few people, men as well as women, get to live the life they envisioned. We must take what God gives us and make the best of it, if we hope to gain any measure of happiness. I know you had your heart set on a religious life, but if that’s not to be, then you must apply yourself to being a good wife and mother, and being loyal to your husband. Do you think you could do that? ”

“I suppose I’ll have to, won’t I?” Kate replied, resigned. She had no recourse, and if Father Phillip believed that the Lord had set her on this path, then she had no choice but to accept His will.

“You’re a practical young woman, Lady Catherine, and I know you will do what’s best. Your father will come to accept your marriage in time. He’s very fond of you.”

Kate nodded. “Thank you, Father Phillip. I knew you’d help me see that which had been hidden from me.”

“It’s not hidden, it’s just not as clear as you expect it to be. Go with God, Lady Catherine, and do your duty without reservation or bitterness.”

“Thank you, Father,” Kate said. “You’ve made me feel infinitely better.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

Kate wished she could hug the old priest, but that would have been highly inappropriate. She knew she’d never see him again, and hoped his illness wouldn’t cause him prolonged suffering.

“God bless you, Father Phillip,” was all she said as she turned to leave the church.

“He already has,” Father Phillip replied and bent double as another coughing fit nearly brought him to his knees.