Page 56 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

FORTY-EIGHT

Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Kate stepped outside and turned her face up to the sun.

It wasn’t becoming for a woman to have a sun-tinted face, but she allowed herself a few moments on sunny days, just to enjoy the warmth on her skin.

She tried to take a walk every day after breakfast, even on stormy days, desperate to get away from the keep, and from Hugh.

She no longer walked toward the castle, and hadn’t done so in years since the castle warden held it in the name of Lancaster and she suffered harassment when encountering the inhabitants.

The north was still largely Lancastrian, except for pockets of Yorkist support, so Kate had to be mindful of where she went.

Normally, she headed toward the woods, which were safe enough if one didn’t encounter any poachers.

She only wished to be alone so she could drop the facade of contentment and allow her true emotions to surface.

She was glad Guy was gone. She missed him sorely, and longed to hear his voice and confide in him, but the situation with Hugh would cause friction between the brothers, and she never wanted to come between them.

Hugh had grown more abusive since the day he’d slapped her in their bed.

Gone were the tender words and courtly manners.

Something had snapped inside him when he learned of Gerard Dancy’s marriage, and his fury was directed at Kate.

Some men didn’t deal well with disappointed hopes, and Hugh was one to dwell on his failings.

He’d given his forty days per year service to Lord Chadwick, but had chosen not to fight a single day more.

Instead, he spent his time on the estate, trying valiantly to increase output and raise rents to generate more income.

The Earl of Stanwyck had granted Hugh a tract of land for his service, a gesture which Hugh deserved, and greatly valued.

The land had been mostly forest, but Hugh had commandeered men from the estate to clear the trees once the harvest was in and they could be spared for several hours a day.

Now the land was being farmed, and there were several new tenants, which had lifted Hugh’s spirits—until his gaze fell on his wife, who had yet to conceive.

Kate’s heart nearly broke when she saw Hugh with Adam, who was nearly eight.

Adam was a fine boy and resembled his uncles in coloring despite his mother’s fairness.

Hugh poured all his affection into the boy, spending hours teaching him how to handle his sword and playing chess in the evenings.

Adam needed a father figure, and Hugh desperately wanted a son.

Hugh was always solicitous and courteous to Eleanor, who had recovered from her grief and regained her beauty.

Eleanor was only twenty-five and still marriageable, but Kate could see that Hugh dreaded the idea of Eleanor remarrying because he feared losing his home and the income from the estate.

He’d held on to the monies he’d received for Kate’s dowry, fearful of spending the lot should he find himself dispossessed.

Kate could understand his fear and his resentment, which made her respect him all the more for the affection and attention he showed the boy who would one day leave him with nothing, and to the boy’s mother.

It wasn’t until a few months ago that Kate had begun to suspect that Hugh might harbor more than brotherly love for Eleanor, but she tried to suppress the gnawing unease in her gut and told herself he was just being kind to his brother’s widow.

But Eleanor was beautiful, and Hugh was displeased with his wife, more so every day, so it stood to reason that his attention would turn to the only other woman who was there, pouting and acting as coy as a young bride in his presence.

Kate sat down on a tree stump to rest and sighed with irritation.

Eleanor had never become the friend and confidante Kate had hoped for, but would Eleanor really try to come between Kate and Hugh in her desperation?

She was lonely, she’d admitted that, but would she take Hugh as a lover if the opportunity presented itself?

Kate suddenly realized that the possibility didn’t distress her as much as she’d thought it might.

At least if Eleanor took Hugh to her bed, he might leave Kate alone, a prospect that wasn’t at all displeasing given his treatment of her of late.

Kate got to her feet and began to walk back toward the keep.

The bright sunshine of earlier had dissipated and storm clouds were rolling in, signaling another dark and cold day within the walls of the keep.

Kate hurried her steps as the first drops of rain plopped on her nose and cheeks and began to spot the fabric of her gown.

She saw Hugh hurrying inside just as she came through the gate. His hand was on the small of Eleanor’s back, and the two of them were laughing and carrying on like they didn’t have a care in the world. For a brief moment, Kate thought they looked right together.