Page 33 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

TWENTY-SIX

Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Guy came awake slowly, his lids fluttering like the wings of a butterfly before finally opening all the way.

He’d been sleeping a lot, since there wasn’t much else he could do in his weakened state.

His arm still felt like a fallen log, and he experienced excruciating pain every time he tried to move it.

This made everyday tasks difficult. Even eating had become a challenge, since he couldn’t cut his meat with his left hand.

Walter had to cut up the meat for him, like he would for a small child.

Nurse had helped him bathe the day before.

She was the only person in his life in front of whom he could never be embarrassed.

She loved him for who he was, and had done so since he was an infant.

Nurse was the closest thing he had to a mother, and although he’d never admit it to Hugh, he cherished her as he would a beloved parent.

Guy glanced toward the window to gauge the time.

He was hungry, so it had to be getting close to suppertime.

He also needed to piss, so he carefully slid off the bed and used his foot to slide the chamber pot from beneath the bed.

After relieving himself, he congratulated himself on completing this important task on his own, and lay back down.

He felt lightheaded and weak after standing for less than a minute.

When Walter quietly opened the door and peeked inside, Guy beckoned him to come in.

“Just checking if you’re awake, sir,” Walter said as he advanced into the room with a laden wooden tray. “With Cook’s compliments,” he added impishly .

“Pour me some wine, Walter. I’m thirsty.”

Walter poured Guy a cup of wine and set the tray on the counterpane next to him. It contained a bread trencher filled with mutton, thick with gravy and onions. The gravy had soaked into the bread, making it too messy to eat with his hand.

“Shall I cut it up?” Walter asked.

“Please. Walter, I thought I heard hoofbeats a few minutes ago.” Guy took a mouthful of bread and mutton and began to chew. It was good, and hot, and he instantly felt better.

“Aye, you did, sir.”

“Well, who was it?”

Walter’s eyes danced with mischief, and he clearly couldn’t wait to divulge whatever news he was withholding. “The master is back. And Sister Catherine is with him,” he said, watching Guy for a reaction.

Guy stopped eating and stared at Walter, his eyes wide with concern. “Are they hurt?” he demanded.

“No, they appear to be quite well,” Walter replied, smiling with glee.

“Walter, I’m going to box your ears if you don’t tell me what you know,” Guy said and resumed eating his supper.

“The master just informed Mistress Joan that Sister Catherine has come to stay. They are to be married as soon as arrangements can be made.”

Guy nearly choked on the piece of bread he was chewing and took a long swallow of wine before turning on Walter. “You’re really asking for it, you ungrateful whelp. I know you like a bit of a lark now and then, but I won’t have you enjoying a laugh at my expense. ”

“’Tis no joke, sir,” Walter replied, frowning. “Heard it with me own ears, I did.”

“Ask my brother to come and see me.” Guy pushed the empty plate toward the boy. “And get more wine. This flagon is nearly empty.”

“Aye, sir.”

Walter took the dirty crockery and departed, leaving Guy seething with irritation. He hated being cooped up in this room. The world went on without him, and if Walter was to be believed, it was moving a lot faster than it had only a day ago.

Guy was seriously contemplating getting out of bed and going in search of Hugh when his brother finally decided to grace him with his presence.

He was clad in dark blue breeches and a matching doublet, his jaw was shadowed with stubble, and his thick hair was playfully tousled.

It suddenly struck Guy that Hugh wasn’t completely without appeal.

Had he charmed Kate into agreeing to marry him?

“How’re you getting on?” Hugh asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed, looking very pleased with himself.

“Clearly not as well as you are,” Guy retorted. “Is it true?”

“Oh, aye,” Hugh replied, smiling. “Kate and I are to be married.”

It’s Kate now, is it? Guy thought sourly. “When?”

“As soon as arrangements are made.”

“What sort of arrangements? All you need is a priest and a bride.”

“Not quite. I intend to use this marriage to facilitate an introduction to the Earl of Warwick, or at the very least make myself known to him. ”

Guy gaped at his brother in astonishment but decided to pursue the Warwick connection later. First, he needed to understand how this betrothal had come about.

“Has Lord Dancy given you his blessing, then?” Guy asked.

He couldn’t see someone of Lord Dancy’s stature condoning a union between his only daughter and a Lancastrian knight of middling wealth.

Surely, Lord Dancy would aim much higher when making a match for his daughter, and choose a husband from among his Yorkist cronies.

“Not exactly, but he’ll come around to the idea in time,” Hugh replied, that sly smile still playing about his lips.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning he didn’t have much say in the matter.

I had a quiet word with the doting papa last night and led him to believe that his daughter had allowed me to sample her favors.

Of course, I would gladly marry the lady, I said, if Lord Dancy would bestow his favor and Catherine’s sizable dowry on me.

If he refused, I would let it be known that Lady Catherine was no longer a maid and might already be with child.

Lord Dancy was livid. He banished Kate then and there, leaving her no choice but to marry me, since she is now dispossessed.

I did manage to convince him that it would be in his best interests to keep the matter quiet and allow me to marry the fair maiden, but I would only do my duty by her if a dowry was forthcoming.

He refused to part with all of it, but the amount he gave me will keep us afloat for years. ”

“And when the money runs out?” Guy asked, his voice tight with anger.

“By that time, the old goat will have died, and Kate, being the only surviving child, will inherit the entire estate, which will, of course, pass to her loving husband. I’ll have no claim to the title, but I will have the lands, the serfs, the house, and all within it.

And I will have the Warwick connection, which I intend to work tirelessly to my advantage. ”

“In what way? Are you no longer loyal to Henry and Margaret?” Guy demanded.

“Guy, let’s face it, the Lancastrian cause is lost. Margaret is a brave and cunning woman, and if she were a man, she’d make a formidable king, but Harry is weak and ineffectual.

Some say that his madness has progressed and he’s barely aware of what’s being done in his name.

King Edward is the future, and I would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to switch sides at a time when it won’t be viewed as treason, but rather as good sense. ”

“William would not have approved.”

“William is dead and I’m now head of the family,” Hugh reminded Guy, not without anger. “If we are to survive, we must take advantage of this God-given opportunity.”

“And what of the Earl of Stanwyck? He’s our liege lord. We can’t simply change sides,” Guy argued.

“Stanwyck is no fool. He can see for himself which way the wind is blowing. He’s ready to declare for Edward, and that makes our desertion of the Lancastrian cause a fait accompli .”

“And what if Kate decides not to marry you and returns to the priory?” Guy asked, hoping Kate would do just that.

“I’ve taken care of that,” Hugh replied with a smirk. “The thought no doubt crossed her mind, so I tumbled her and put an end to that plan. She can never return to the priory now. Her conscience wouldn’t allow it. Besides, she might already be carrying my son,” Hugh added as he got to his feet.

“You forced her?” Guy growled, outraged that the brother he trusted and respected would be capable of such a vile act against a lovely girl who’d been nothing but kind to them.

“Of course not. I’m not some thoughtless brute, Guy,” Hugh retorted, his color rising. “And I am marrying her, so I only took what was rightfully mine. ”

“Hugh, you will make her happy, or you’ll have to answer to me.” Guy’s tone brooked no argument and he glared at his brother with contempt.

“Happy?” Hugh echoed, looking genuinely puzzled.

“What does a woman need to be happy? She’ll have a roof over her head, my affection and protection, children, and expensive gowns.

We must appear prosperous if we hope to get ahead and improve our fortunes, so she’ll want for nothing. Of course she’ll be happy.”

“Do you love her?” Guy asked.

Hugh shrugged. “I desire her; that’s enough. I’d like to think that in time I’ll grow to care for her. I’m not like you and William, Guy. I’m not sentimental,” Hugh explained without any rancor.

“Hugh, please, be kind to her,” Guy said, his voice thick with feeling.

“I will be very kind to her, as long as she never gives me a reason not to be, as would any husband. I think I’ll go visit my bride and see how she’s settling in.

I have an itch that needs scratching.” Hugh winked at Guy, smiling at his own wit.

“Don’t be jealous, little brother. We’ll find you a wife soon.

In the meantime, Nurse can give you a hand.

I’m sure she’d enjoy it.” Hugh made a lewd gesture, leaving Guy in no doubt of what he meant, laughed uproariously, and left the room.

Guy heard his laughter echoing through the empty corridor as he made for the stairs.

It should have been you who died, and not Will , Guy thought bitterly and instantly regretted the sentiment.

That was disloyal, and it was God’s will who lived and who died, not his.

He would miss Will though, not only as a brother, but as a mentor.

William had been an honorable man, loyal to those he cared about and merciful to those he fought against. He had lived by his own code of honor, a code Hugh knew nothing about.

Hugh had always been the most cunning and self-serving of the three of them, but William had believed that once Hugh grew into manhood, he’d outgrow the tendency to scheme and manipulate.

He had been wrong. Deceit was simply a part of Hugh’s nature, just as decency had been a part of William’s.

Guy supposed that some would congratulate Hugh on his quick thinking and finding a way to turn the situation to his own advantage, but when Guy thought of Kate’s sweet face and trusting gaze, he wanted to weep.

She was innocent and kind, and not equipped to deal with a man like Hugh, who’d use his connection with her family to further his own ambitions.

Guy pressed his palms to his eyes as a headache began to build, blurring his vision.

He was sure Kate had not lain with Hugh willingly.

Hugh wouldn’t rape a woman; that wasn’t his way, but he’d surely manipulated the situation to make it easier to take Kate and practically impossible for her to resist. Guy prayed that Hugh hadn’t hurt her and that he would try to be a good husband to her.

Hugh hated complications, so it would make his life considerably easier if he had a sweet and compliant wife.

He would treat Kate well enough as long as she showed him due respect and fulfilled her wifely obligations, but the idea of Hugh and Kate as a wedded couple still burned Guy’s insides until he felt like he was going to be sick.

He had a brief vision of Kate lying beneath Hugh as he thrust into her again and again, and Guy’s right hand instinctively went for his sword.

He cried out in pain, reminded of his injury and the absurdity of his feelings.

Kate wasn’t his to protect or defend from her betrothed.

Surely, she could have convinced her father to refuse Hugh if she didn’t wish to marry him.

Perhaps this was what she wanted, Guy reasoned, as he cradled his aching arm.

He hardly knew her, and his desire to protect her was misguided and self-serving.

He wanted Kate to see him as her champion, her lord, when in fact, he’d be nothing more than her crippled brother-in-law.