Title: The Lamentable Truth of Planning

Chapter: 13

~~~~~~~~~~

With tasks done for the day, Kate wandered the market. Nothing caught her eye and she found her steps taking her towards the stables. Wat would be there, she knew, taking time to care for the horses and dream about the tavern he still fantasized of owning someday. She smiled as she walked. His dream wasn’t so far-fetched as it sounded. He was steadily gaining such knowledge, for whenever they stayed at or near a tavern, he sought out the proprietor for information on the business. She wondered how many guessed he wasn’t flattering them because they really were that hospitable, but was rather doing so for the information they could give.

Peering through the wide doorway, she watched him a moment. He was good with the horses, gentle when gentleness was needed and coaxing in the same way. Kate crossed her arms. “Are you sleeping here again tonight,” she called.

Wat glanced at her. “The more privacy we give them, the closer they’ll be.”

Their latest idea. They left Will and Christiana together alone in hopes of seeing more progress in their relationship. Adam had shrugged and set off each night for some pretty young thing to seduce and Mark had given them a very disagreeable scowl. He disliked sleeping in the stables and so discovered a nice place somewhere out by the line of trees on the other side of the meadow. Kate suspected he’d also found a pretty young thing to seduce.

Wat had recently given to remarking that Will had reached new heights of stupidity. He said as much again. “I’d thought his antics with Lady Jocelyn were ridiculous, but this business with Christiana? She’s his wife, with all of the sexing things that should be going on --”

“Sexing things?” Kate snickered. This was a new way of saying it. She joined him, setting her bag by his bundle of belongings.

“Yes, sexing things. Is he blind? Because I’d bed her were I he and not wait months to do it. It’s getting to be…” He appeared to flounder about and finally settled on the one word he’d been using, “…ridiculous. ”

“For all Will knows of the world,” she glanced over her shoulder at him, “he’s still an honorable, chivalrous innocent. He doesn’t want to go to her encumbered by his emotions for Jocelyn.”

“He’d better go to her soon. And damn honor and chivalry. Does he not have needs? Men have needs, Kate.”

“So do women.” She made herself at home on the blanket he’d spread out across the cushioning of straw. A few pieces poked her, but she ignored them. Blanket covered straw certainly wasn’t the worst thing she’d ever lain on in her lifetime.

He snorted. “Christiana must either be a saint or extremely naïve.”

She leaned towards the latter. Over the months, she’d heard enough stories from Christiana regarding how she and Jocelyn were raised to conclude the two had been remarkably sheltered. It explained some of Jocelyn’s behavior the previous season. A woman raised on romantic ideals had no true idea of how the world could work. With those ideals love could conquer all and there was no pain of loss in the end. “One need is to never feel we are in the shadow of another woman in a man’s heart. He tries --”

“He tries nothing and that’s the problem! He’s not bedding his wife.”

“He will.” Kate was certain of it.

“Before the world ends do you think?”

“Yes.” She’d seen Will watching Christiana lately and if Wat had been paying attention instead of flirting with Agnes he’d have noticed it too. But no, he’d been spending all his free time sweet talking Agnes so she’d give him food whenever he wanted. “Any day now.”

“You’ve been saying that for weeks.” Wat resumed his task of brushing Will’s horse. “I can’t take any more of this waiting.”

“It’s all we can do.”

He put the brush away and joined her on the blanket. “I know it is and I hate it.” Leaning back, he put his hands behind his head. “Distract me, Kate.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

Wat’s gaze turned mischievous. “I don’t know. Tell me a story. Entertain me with fiction.”

“A story?” She laughed, then nodded. “One story, I suppose. I’m no Geoff though, so don’t be expecting something grand.”

“You’re better than Geoff,” he said, closing his eyes. “Prettier by far, too.”

Kate’s smile faded. He really was sweet, wasn’t he? Sitting back as well, she told the grandest, most far-fetched tale she could think of, about a squire who gambles with a noble and becomes the richest tavern owner in the world.

~~~~~~~~~~

The dancing was as heavenly as Christiana had hoped it’d be. Will had taken to dancing the way he seemed to take to everything else -- like he’d been born for it. Maybe he had, she decided as they walked arm in arm towards their tent. Maybe his entire purpose for being born had been to crash the barrier between noble and peasant and raise to this station. Maybe he’d been born just to marry her.

They entered the tent. A candle was burning, lighting their way. Someone had turned down the bedcovers, probably Adam, she decided. While he didn’t speak much, he had a way of getting things done. Maybe tonight would be the night. Maybe tonight, Will would take her in his arms and do more than kiss her. Christiana hoped he would. She’d an almost desperate yearning for the consummation of their marriage that had begun….

She undid her surcoat. If she was honest with herself, the yearning had become unbearable the moment she’d told Jocelyn the news. She wasn’t a wife in full. Not yet and certainly not like Jocelyn thought. Christiana and Will hadn’t reached that point in their relationship. Hadn’t it been long enough?

A glance over her shoulder found him half undressed, his brows drawn together in a frown. He appeared to be lost in his thoughts, all of the laughter from moments earlier gone from his eyes. With such an expression upon his face, he seemed unapproachable and very far from her.

Christiana finished undressing and slid between the sheets still clad in her shift as usual. She wanted to reach out to him, to touch him and ask him what he was thinking. Instead, she remained silent and after a moment, Christiana rolled onto her side away from him, wondering if seeing Jocelyn earlier had returned that lady to the forefront of his thoughts. She knew he’d seen Jocelyn there in the stands and couldn’t voice the question or bear to think his answer might be yes. If he was thinking of Jocelyn, then Christiana truly didn’t want to know.

She wasn’t going to mention Jocelyn at all. As long as she didn’t mention her, she could pretend that Jocelyn no longer had any bearing upon their lives and it was only the two of them.

~~~~~~~~~~

Christiana would have been surprised by Will’s thoughts if she’d asked. His only concern for Jocelyn at present was that she didn’t do something to provoke Adhemar into killing her in a rage. Or that she wouldn’t kill Adhemar in an equal amount of rage. He knew well Jocelyn’s temper, though he’d never felt the full brunt of it. He’d given the counsel he’d been in position to give and if Adhemar didn’t choose to take it then Adhemar would deal with the consequences. Will would have thought Adhemar was familiar with the ways of angry women by now considering what his reputation was.

No, he wasn’t thinking about Jocelyn at that particular moment, but rather Christiana and how their relationship was going to change yet again when he finally took this next step forward with her. Stripping completely, he slid into bed and close to her, moving to embrace her. He found her tense, as though she was upset by something. No amount of coaxing could get her to tell him what the matter was. She simply wouldn’t say.

He felt his enthusiasm for seduction slipping away and decided that tomorrow was a new day. Tomorrow would be a new beginning.

Will was awake early, watching the sun rise and the clouds quickly obscuring the light. The air even smelled wet. Rain was coming and quickly too by his reckoning. The games were going to be cancelled and he didn’t truly care about it. His thoughts were on his wife. Still. He’d dreamed of her all night, rousing dreams where he’d woken with the urge to just wake her right then and to hell with seduction. For her sake, he’d restrained himself. He wanted her full consent, not sleepy acquiescence.

The truth between them was that Christiana didn’t get it. She didn’t understand. Will was going to have to spell it out for her.

If his love for Jocelyn had been an arrow piercing his heart and taking him over in seconds, then the opposite was true of Christiana. There was not a single moment he could point to as the moment he knew he’d come to love her as well. He simply found thoughts of her growing in number until he realized he now thought more of her and her happiness than of Jocelyn.

As it should be. He’d come fully into the present.

Where once the lady had reigned supreme in all of her glorious beauty, the maid now settled. Christiana was no less beauteous than Jocelyn. Often, he’d go to ask her to do something and fine it already completed or very nearly so. She anticipated him in a way Jocelyn never had. When his shoulders and back ached from training, she rubbed those aches away. Christiana kept them on a regular schedule and gave him the sort of advice he’d once hoped she’d be able to give.

While it was true Jocelyn had never been given the chance to anticipate him thus, he now couldn’t see it happening if they had married. Not unless he’d asked. None of this meant that he’d stopped loving Jocelyn. He’d always love her and keep a place for her in his heart. However, that place was no longer first. She’d slipped back past Christiana and he smiled as it occurred to him that he’d successfully willed himself into loving Christiana -- a woman he’d never really thought anything of until a marriage between them was proposed.

He entered their tent and closed the flap. The others had been given orders not to interrupt them.

Christiana was still in her shift, laying out her clothes for the day, merely giving a quick glance his way. Her long hair was loose and she sipped from a cup as she made her decision. He noticed she’d eaten the bread and cheese he’d left for her. She often woke hungry, unable to wait for a later meal. Will had taken to leaving a little something for her to tide her over to the meal.

Will laid his coat aside. During the wee hours of the night and in-between vibrant dreams, he’d come to a final decision regarding their relationship, one that was no surprise really. He’d known this day would come. The surprise was that he was as excited for this as he’d been when Jocelyn had come to him. He couldn’t wait for her to be his in full.

“It’s the perfect day to go back to bed,” he told her, crossing to her to take the cup and put it aside.

“It is?”

“There’s nothing to be done today that can’t wait until tomorrow, is there?”

“No,” she admitted, lips curving up a fraction. “But I can’t spend all day in my shift.”

Raising one hand, he cupped her jaw, thumb sweeping across her cheek. “So spend the day in here out of it.” His chest felt as though his heart was trying to break through it and Will wondered if she could hear that quick pounding.

Christiana went very still, hands resting against his sides in a tentative fashion. “You’re serious?”

If he wanted to back out and claim he was teasing now was the time.

Placing his free hand on her hip, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Absolutely.” Bending his head, he kissed her. Her response was warm, yet held the slightest bit of hesitation. Drawing back, Will suddenly understood that hesitation. Fear lurked in her expressive eyes.

Fear of him? Surely that wasn’t true. She couldn’t be afraid of him. Jocelyn had certainly held no fear. Indeed, she’d been bold in her seduction…. But Christiana wasn’t bold. That difference highlighted what he needed to do. She had to be put at ease. She needed to relax.

And he needed to seduce her just like he’d planned.

How?

His glance fell on her brush, inspiration striking. Kate had once said that it was a luxury for many women to have someone brush their hair. To the amusement of all at the time, Wat had volunteered to brush her hair anytime she liked. Kate had declined the offer. For awhile after that she’d been almost wary of Wat.

He’d brush Christiana’s hair and seduce her slowly. No quick, tempestuous ride of passion, but rather one that simmered slowly to boil. Taking time would be the key, he decided. He’d simply have to be patient, tamping down his own needs until she was more than ready.

Will set to work seducing his wife.

~~~~~~~~~

I’m not afraid.

Christiana repeated those words to herself over and over, hoping to give herself courage. They sat on the bed, him half behind her, close enough that the warmth of his skin warmed her.

Slowly, he dragged the brush through her hair in long slow strokes. “Tell me one happy childhood memory,” he said.

The strokes of the brush, that gentle pull over and over, were soothing and Christiana let her eyes slip shut. It had been long years since anyone had brushed her hair like this. From the time she’d been old enough to do so herself, it had been her task and she’d hurried through it before Jocelyn woke. Now she still brushed it herself, with Kate only brushing the sections she was braiding to keep them smooth. Will took his time, making it a sensual experience for her.

“It was my mother who held ambition for us in the beginning. She found places for myself and my sisters, then insisted my father negotiate well the terms of service. I was very small when she picked me up, gave me a doll she’d crafted just for me, and told me what was happening.” The brush strokes slowed even more. She felt his fingers along the side of her face, smoothing her hair back. “I was very happy that day. I was the one meant to go to the real lady and I’d learn things my sisters probably wouldn’t. Also, my mother had made that doll just for me. She’d carved the face from a bit of wood, sewed the body and clothes in her few moments of spare time. I was the youngest girl, the last to go, and the only one who received a grand gift of her mother’s own handiwork. See, those dolls she made were special. They were for selling, not for keeping, yet she gave me one of my own to accompany me on my journey.”

The brush was replaced by his hand slipping through her hair. The sensation made her shiver with enjoyment. He moved closer, her shoulder now touching his chest, his head bent very close to hers.

“Perhaps you were the only one who’d appreciate such a gift.”

She opened her eyes. “I was. I’d sneak into her work area just to look at the dolls. I still have it, you know, delicate from much love an packed in the bottom of my trunk.”

“Mmm.” A kiss was placed at her temple. “You’ll have to show it to me some day.” His breath tickled her ear.

Christiana’s stomach did a peculiar flip-flop inside her. “I will.” His tongue traced her ear, her pulse tapping fast. She couldn’t think of a single thing to say, nor did she find she wanted to speak. To speak would be to pull herself from this pleasurable dream.

As his kisses continued, ever pressing on her neck and shoulder, she felt both hot and cold at the same time, her heart a wild thing in her chest. Christiana turned her head to look at him.

His gaze was intense upon her, the need displayed there giving him an almost sleepy expression. His hands urged her to turn towards him and she did, leaning closer. That slight movement was met by him, his mouth taking hers in a kiss far more passionate than any they’d shared previously.

The spark of desire inside her burst into flame, moving through her in steady degrees, razing that tiny sliver of fear she’d held. This was not a man who’d hurt her on purpose. Any hurts she felt would be accidental and most thoroughly atoned for.

The fabric of his shirt was soft against her fingertips and wasn’t there for long. Breaking that string of wild, heated kisses, he leaned back, whipped the shirt over his head and tossed it aside. His skin was hot against her fingertips and she explored that exposed flesh until he stilled her wandering hands and turned her on their bed. There was no time for fears to rise again, both her shift and the rest of his clothes gone before she’d fully registered it happening. She was swept along in that river passion, molded to him, finally learning what ecstasy was. The beauty Jocelyn had told her of was hers to experience and so she did without further qualms.

~~~~~~~~~~

Wat sat with Kate on the bench by the fire pit outside the tent. The driving rain had abated for now, but the dark clouds in the sky swiftly moving this way portended more to come. Neither Will nor Christiana had emerged from their chamber for hours and Wat found his hopes rising. They’d missed the noon meal, the hours flying by until they were in danger of missing the evening one as well. This could only bode well for that plan to get the two together.

The tent flap rustled, Will poking his head out. “Good, you’re here. Umm…we won’t be at banquet tonight. Is there any food? We’re a bit hungry.”

“We’ll bring some.” He shared a relieved grin with Kate and they set out to find a meal for the couple inside the tent.

~~~~~~~~~~

The dawn was pretty, the colors beautiful. Jocelyn watched the sun rise, a bit sad to see what could have been a fine day obliterated by the darkness of stormclouds. It was going to rain and she found herself pensive.

It had seemed like a good idea to hit Adhemar. In retrospect, she was afraid it was going to be disastrous. How was Adhemar going to take charge of his armies and household when he was like this? How was he going to function when all he did was compose poetry for her -- his goddess? He’d blathered on to all hours the previous night until she’d finally managed to slip into sleep. She could almost hear Katherine screeching that Jocelyn had ruined her son. There was going to be no peace in that house at all.

“My lady?” Bess’s voice intruded upon her musings. “He’s awake.”

Perhaps she was worrying for nothing. Surely a good night’s sleep had restored Adhemar to his usual humor. Sleep could do wonders she knew. “How does he seem?” Jocelyn found herself anxious for Bess’s answer.

Bess tilted her head a fraction, hands clasping, twisting nervously together. “He’s not changed, my lady. He’s asking for you.”

Sighing, her hopes of his recovery dashed, Jocelyn walked to the tent and entered it. Germaine was there, and Carys. Jocelyn took a moment to gather her thoughts, then strode into the midst of them, taking a seat at the end of the bed, trying to look like a dutiful, concerned spouse. She was, in a way. Hurting Adhemar as she’d done was going to hurt her she suspected. Her impulsive blow had consequences. This was nothing at all like her retaliation against her brother years earlier.

“Well?”

“I’m feeling perfectly well, my dear,” Adhemar said, leaning forward, his smile widening a bit as he perused her. “Like I’ve been freed. You’re my angel.”

Carys and Germaine were both watching him with identical expressions of cautious concern. Jocelyn made a quick decision. “We’re going home. This’ll be easier without curious eyes watching.” They turned their gazes to her, Germaine quirking a brow. “Without as many curious eyes,” she amended.

“I can compete,” Adhemar announced, “as long as my Venus remains at my side.”

Jocelyn swallowed hard and looked away from him. “Ready him for travel and break camp. Germaine, inform our host that we’re grateful for his hospitality, but that we must take our leave. I want us away by noon.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Wat was gone when Kate woke, but he’d thoughtfully covered her with his blanket. With their mission regarding Will and Christiana completed, she’d slept heavily. Kate yawned wide, rolling her head on her neck. It sounded as though the rain had passed, which meant she could get to work again. Deep mud meant slipped shoes and other things that she could make some money from.

Standing, she stretched. It was still early, she noticed, not much traffic outside. Excellent. Bending, she snagged the blankets and folded them. Life was going to be a bit easier now that Will and Christiana had finished that particular dance. No more would Kate and Wat have to hint and arrange things. Life would progress most naturally from here on out.

She was still thinking such thoughts, when an arm snaked about her waist, dragging her back against a male form. Kate reacted instinctively, hitting and kicking first and when that didn’t get her anywhere, she raised her voice in protest and cries for help. Surely someone would help her!

~~~~~~~~~~

His winnings thus far tucked away, Robert turned to his servant to give instructions and found his attention drawn to a brawl occurring by the stables.

“Remain here,” he ordered, making his way through the crowd. It was not a brawl, he found, unless men fought young women now. A scruffy man was attempting to carry a struggling woman along the street. Robert watched long enough to determine the circumstances. This woman certainly didn’t wish to be carried off. Her protests were vehement, her language coarse and loud.

His glance turned along the street. People were minding their business, ignoring the spectacle. Robert snorted. That wouldn’t do. He started to stride forward and was shoved, a man hurrying past him. The would-be kidnapper was set to route in moments, Robert moving closer to eavesdrop the resulting conversation.

“Gavin, thank you.”

Gavin? Robert peered more closely at the two. Well, well. So this is where he’d gotten to. Robert was going to have to have a chat with Gavin soon. It was long overdue.

“It’s okay, Kate. Why isn’t Wat here with you?” His voice was frantic, worried.

The woman -- Kate -- stared up at Gavin a long moment. “He has duties for Will, for Sir Will.” She corrected herself as though unused to saying that title and Robert realized who she was. This was William Thatcher’s smith, the very one he’d been discreetly inquiring about.

He smiled and waited. Such a slender small woman to make such glorious armor.

“He should be here with you. I can’t watch over you constantly.”

“Wait, what? What’s this? Watching over me?” She stepped back from her rescuer. “Why are you watching me, Gavin?”

Gavin shook his head. “I can’t, Kate. I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Not at liberty? I don’t need you watching me. I certainly don’t need any man thinking he has to guard me from danger. I’m perfectly capable of watching out for myself. I did so long before you met me.”

“I just did save you! If I’d not come running when I heard your voice in protest, you’d be taken right now.”

She crossed her arms, shook her head. “Go. Don’t seek me out again.”

Robert watched several long moments of ineffectual pleading on Gavin’s part and when the man had gone and Kate returned into the stables, Robert followed. He’d a few things to discuss with this pretty little smith.

~~~~~~~~~~

Kate heard footsteps behind her and sighed. The revelation that Gavin had been watching her had brought all sorts of thoughts into play. She’d begun wondering if Wat was right, questioning that trust she’d held for Gavin. “Gavin, I told you to leave me alone.” Turning, she found a nobleman standing there. He looked very familiar, though she couldn’t place him. He’d dark lightly curled hair that had a bit of silver dusting it and the build of a knight. “My lord. I beg your pardon.” Kate lowered her gaze so as not to seem disrespectful. “I thought you were someone else.”

“Yes, I saw the commotion. You’re Sir William’s smith Kate, correct? William Thatcher, the Champion at London?”

“I am.” She watched him come closer, very aware of how empty the stables were right now. If this man chose to harm her, there’d be no one running to rescue unless Wat, Adam, or Mark happened by.

“Good.”

Glancing up at the satisfaction in his tone, Kate glimpsed a coolly calculating smile that made her shiver, recognition clicking into place. That smile was Adhemar’s smile. She could see Adhemar then in the man’s face and bearing. This had to be Adhemar’s uncle, the one Will had asked about. The realization didn’t put her at ease. Instead, her apprehension mounted as he took slow strides towards her.

“Let us have a dialogue together, you and I. Alone. I wish no ears to overhear us.”

Kate swallowed hard. She was suddenly very afraid he was like his nephew.