Page 67 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

FIFTY-SEVEN

Kate left Guy in the company of Eleanor, Hugh, and Walter after dinner and retired to her bedchamber.

Her head throbbed as if someone had used it as a war drum, and her belly twisted with menstrual cramps.

She could barely move her wrist and her hip was bruised and stiff.

She undressed down to her chemise, climbed into bed, and pulled the furs up to her chin, grateful for their warmth and the deep silence of the chamber.

She closed her eyes. Seeing Guy had brought her immeasurable joy, but also deep pain.

She’d never fallen in love with Hugh, but she’d tried to be an obedient wife.

This morning, Kate had realized with startling clarity that she hated the man.

She’d been na?ve when she allowed Father Phillip to convince her that Hugh was an honorable man and she should be a devoted wife to him despite her reservations.

Looking back after nearly four years of marriage, Kate now saw clearly how Hugh had manipulated events in order to gain her family’s connections and fortune.

She wondered how different things might have been had Hugh been the one wounded at Towton rather than Guy.

But then, Guy would never have taken advantage of the situation as Hugh had.

Guy would have escorted Kate home, thanked her for her help, and ridden out of her life.

She huddled deeper into the covers, pulling her legs up against her belly to staunch the ache.

Her heart had soared at the sight of Guy, and her spirits had lifted just knowing he was well and safe, but the chasm between them was as unbreachable as ever.

If he chose to remain at the castle, hiding her feelings for him would prove difficult, especially under the watchful gazes of Eleanor and Joan.

She had to be twice as careful and maintain a constant guard where Guy was concerned.

After a restorative nap, Kate came down for supper.

She was physically better, but the pall of misery hadn’t lifted, and she tried to keep her eyes from sliding to Guy as she took a seat at the table.

Hugh was jubilant. He’d received a message from Stanwyck Hall inviting them to come an hour earlier for the annual Christmas celebration.

Kate suspected the invitation had been issued as soon as Guy’s squire, lent to him by the earl, returned to Stanwyck Hall and reported Guy de Rosel’s return.

The earl would wish to hear all the latest news and enjoy court gossip before the rest of his guests arrived.

Current information wasn’t easy to come by, isolated as they were so far up north, and Guy’s account of what was happening in the capital wasn’t to be missed.

“Will there be minstrels and mummers?” Adam asked for the tenth time. This would be his first time attending a Christmas celebration with the adults.

“Yes, Adam, there will be minstrels and mummers,” Hugh replied happily. “And the earl plies his guests with rare delicacies and fine wine.”

“What about bear baiting? I’d like to see that.”

“Adam, I don’t think bear baiting is an appropriate activity on the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord,” Eleanor admonished him.

“And minstrels are?” he demanded.

“Christ’s birth is a joyous occasion, to be celebrated with music and feasting. Bear baiting is a sport, bloody and common, not at all the kind of pastime our Lord would have approved of.”

“Did they have bear baiting in his day?” Adam asked, earning himself a reproachful look from his mother. Hugh looked amused.

“I daresay, Our Savior, who was kind and gentle, would not have approved of the torture of any creature,” Eleanor replied to Adam sternly.

“Well put, Eleanor,” Hugh said with nod of agreement. “No bear baiting, Adam, but I think the dice might come out later in the evening. ”

“Gambling on the day of the Lord’s birth is a vice,” Eleanor cried.

“So it is, my dear. So it is. Adam, you can’t play.”

“And you?” Eleanor demanded, turning to Hugh.

“I think the Lord will forgive me,” he replied, putting an end to Eleanor’s righteous indignation with a severe look.

She could lecture Adam, but she had to keep her own counsel where Hugh was concerned.

He was the head of the family, and she was there on his sufferance, even if her son was the rightful heir to the estate.

“Will there be many people?” Adam inquired, seemingly oblivious to the tension he’d created between Hugh and his mother.

“Nigh on fifty, I’d say,” Hugh replied. “What do you think, Guy? He’s had that many in the past.”

“Sounds right,” Guy replied. He seemed distracted.

“Eleanor, have you a gown to wear?” Hugh asked, his question surprisingly intimate. Men didn’t ask such things of ladies they weren’t married to, especially in front of others.

Eleanor blushed and nodded. “I have the green damask trimmed with sable. It’s most appropriate for Christmas.”

Guy turned to Kate as though expecting her to tell them what she planned to wear, but Kate remained mute for a moment.

She had several gowns, but there was one she hadn’t yet worn.

It was of deep blue velvet, trimmed with the pelt of a red fox.

The fiery color of the fur brought out the auburn highlights in her hair, and the deep blue accented her eyes and pale skin.

The gown was the finest thing she owned, and suddenly she couldn’t wait to wear it, just to see the admiration in Guy’s eyes.

“I have just the thing,” Kate finally said.

She felt a telltale flush creeping up her cheeks and thought that Hugh would see right through her, but he barely glanced in her direction.

His attention seemed focused on Eleanor this evening.

She did look lovely, in a gown of deep brown velvet.

Her creamy breasts swelled above the bodice and her fair hair, uncovered since she was at home and in the presence of family, glowed in the candlelight.

She was still a beautiful woman, one who’d be even lovelier if she had the love of a good man.

“Guy, I wager Stanwyck’s celebration will be nothing compared to the festivities you attended at court,” Hugh said, pouring Guy more wine. “Tell us about Westminster, brother. What’s the mood like at the palace this Christmas season?”

Guy forced a smile and went on to describe the entertainments planned by the king and his new queen, making the ladies gasp with delight.

“But that’s nothing compared to what the king has planned for his lady’s coronation, which is to take place in May,” Guy continued.

“The preparations have already begun, and it will be the most splendid celebration London has ever seen. The king will see to that.”

Hugh nodded. “He would, given the manner of his marriage.”

“What do you mean, Hugh?” Eleanor asked. She was always a little slow on the uptake, and needed things explained to her.

“Well, His Royal Highness married in secret,” Hugh replied patiently.

“Not only did he take a bride who’s beneath him, but he denied his subjects a royal wedding.

You can’t imagine the pageantry and expense that goes into celebrating a union between two royal houses, Eleanor.

And had the king married a princess, the wedding would have been a sight to behold. ”

“Oh, I see,” Eleanor replied, nodding vigorously. “I would so love to see the coronation,” she went on, directing a pleading look at Hugh.

Hugh looked momentarily taken aback but then smiled at Eleanor, his eyes twinkling with the kind of excitement Kate hadn’t seen since they were newly married.

“Well, why not? Perhaps we can undertake a trip to London for the festivities. What say you, Adam? It will be an education for you, boy, if my lord Stanwyck can spare you from his service for a fortnight.”

“Oh, yes, please,” Adam begged, so excited at the prospect that he actually ran toward Hugh and threw his arms around his uncle’s neck.

Hugh, who was always reserved with his affection in company, seemed gratified by the attention and hugged his nephew back, then winked at him. “I’ll give you something to tell the other boys about,” he promised, smiling broadly.

“I think the Earl of Stanwyck will be attending the coronation, as will most nobles in the land. He might take Adam along as part of his own retinue,” Guy pointed out.

“Even better,” Hugh replied with a chuckle.

“Less expense for me. Ordering new gowns and suits of clothes for us will come dear enough, not to mention accommodation in the capital. Every innkeeper will hike up the rate, keen to make a profit off the occasion. Perhaps I overestimated my willingness to undertake this journey,” he mused.

“Hugh, please,” Eleanor breathed, her eyes pleading with him to reconsider. “It’ll be such fun.”

“I’ll have a think on it, my dear,” Hugh promised, blessing her with an indulgent smile. “Perhaps we don’t all need to attend.” He hadn’t singled anyone out, but Kate thought he might be referring to her. He meant to punish her, and this would be one way to do it.

“We’ll all go,” Guy said, his narrowed gaze daring Hugh to contradict him. “I’ll shoulder part of the expense if you find it too crippling, Hugh.”

“I was only joking,” Hugh replied with forced joviality.

“We’ll all go. Ah, let’s eat,” he said, rubbing his hands as Joan brought out a platter of sliced beef accompanied by buttered peas prepared with bits of salted pork, and mashed turnips.

Alf came tottering behind her with two fresh loaves of manchet bread and another flagon of wine.

The rest of the meal passed in pleasant discussion of their possible trip to London.

Kate didn’t say much, but the idea of going to London for the coronation appealed to her.

It would be nice to see the capital, and perhaps she’d even get a glimpse of her father and his new wife.

She knew that was unlikely, given the number of people that would be thronging the streets on Coronation Day, but perhaps Guy would know where her father would be and direct her there.

The thought of seeing her father soured Kate’s stomach. Deep down, she knew if he saw her, he’d either ignore her or curse her outright. She was dead to him, but unlike his sons, who had died an honorable death, she was a traitor and a disappointment.

Kate sighed and accepted more wine. She didn’t much like the taste, but at least it might help her fall asleep. She feared being alone with Hugh after the way he’d treated her that morning, and hoped he’d be inebriated enough to pass out as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Supper lasted several hours, but finally, the last spoon of syllabub was consumed and the final drop of wine had been drunk.

Everyone rose from the table, eager for their beds.

Hugh had been in good spirits all day, but that didn’t mean his mood wouldn’t sour as soon as the door to their chamber closed behind him.

Kate waited for him to join her, but Hugh turned to Guy instead.

“I’d like to speak to you alone for a few minutes,” he said. “Alf, bring us more wine.”

Guy didn’t look eager to talk, but he inclined his head in agreement and bid the ladies and Adam good night.

Kate trudged up the stairs after Eleanor, glad to have been spared an awkward interlude with Hugh as they prepared for bed.

At least she’d get to go to bed in peace, something that didn’t happen often.