Wooing Kate

Chapter Nineteen

~~~~~~~~~~

It was anti-climactic in Will's mind when the battle expected did not commence. The enemy came to the door all right, but it was not the huge force they had planned for. Vachel arrived at the home with only a small number of soldiers with him. He'd burst through the door and headed straight for Lady Elizabeth, who'd stood waiting for him by the fire. The plan was to let him come into the room all the way and then engage him. Kit had grudgingly agreed that everything was to appear as normal, so Vachel would not suspect anything. Unfortunately, that carefulness to detail nearly cost the lady her life. Vachel's hands had gone about her throat and only Germaine had been close enough to sink a dagger in the man's back to keep her alive.

She'd stumbled away, coughing and wheezing and watching impassively as her husband died cursing her for loving his brother. Germaine had reached for her, only to draw back when Kit rushed forward and enfolded Elizabeth in his arms. Will wondered at the expression on Germaine's face. The herald had given Kit a look of pain and the lady a one of longing.

He strolled to the doorway and looked out into the courtyard. Kit and Elizabeth were there together. She was standing by as Kit talked with the men that Vachel had brought with him. They were mercenaries. The worst of the lot that Adhemar employed, only out for money. They'd no loyalty to anyone in particular and when Kit had offered them a few more coins in exchange for turning about and leaving, they'd shrugged and held out their hands for payment. Vachel's death was of no concern to them.

The mystery of the nickname 'Bess' was solved. Kit was the only one allowed to call her that. Apparently, when she'd first arrived at the manor, he'd mentioned that he thought of her as a Bess rather than an Elizabeth, declaring her proper name too formal.

"Those men know me," came a low voice behind him.

Will glanced over his shoulder. Germaine had come up behind him and stared outside.

"They saw me well, too. My lord Adhemar will know soon that I've been here."

"You're leaving then?"

"Not that I want to." Germaine shook his head. "There's nothing left for me here. I should quit this family once and for all, but somehow I am pulled back to them again and again. Perhaps my lot is not to be free."

"Or perhaps you're simply not used to the idea of freedom."

They walked about the great hall companionably, stopping before the table still left up from the afternoon meal. Germaine filled a glass with wine and sank into a chair. "What is freedom like, Sir Will? You've done admirably well."

Will laughed, shrugging. "Honestly? This freedom is another brand of servitude, with rules I know little of."

The herald's eyes narrowed. "A cage of a different sort, yet still a cage."

"Yes. Exactly. I serve no other man but myself and my king, but the rules for living are far different. When Jocelyn and I find a house, we'll set up with a full staff and I'll be the head of the house. I've no notion how to do that, Germaine. I'll have to rely on Jocelyn for guidance." He also poured wine. Unlike Germaine, he drank his, setting the cup down with a thump. "It's going to be awhile yet before I see Jocelyn again. I've still got to retrieve Kate and see what sort of house Kit had in mind to give."

Germaine was silent for long moments. With the air of a man expecting to be given a refusal, he asked, "Would you permit me to go to London and inform your lady of the progress here?"

"You want to go to London?"

An expressive glance was tossed towards the doorway. "Better than to be here."

Will braced his hands upon the table top and stared hard at Germaine. "You do love the Lady Elizabeth. I was not imagining it."

"I watched her grow up, Sir Will. I watched her be placed in circumstances that no gentle woman should be placed in. She is...highly esteemed in my eyes."

A grin pulled at his lips. "That wasn't a no." Germaine was adeptly avoiding the question.

"I have done what I can for her here. She will be happy with Kit Guin and I believe Count Adhemar will allow them to marry. Guin influence will still help the family in ways other families cannot."

"Meaning what exactly?" Curiosity pricked at him. This wasn't the first reference he'd heard of the Guin family influence.

Germaine licked his lips and sipped at his wine before answering. "Sir Will, did you not realize that you've made friends with one of the few families that is at peace with both England and France? The Guin family has influence at both courts. You, Sir Will, by befriending Kit Guin, have become one of the most politically well-connected men I know of. Luck is certainly yours." With a small smile, Germaine got up and went up the stairs, leaving Will to wonder how his fortunes managed to keep improving.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Adhemar relations slowly left the house as Isobelle began to improve. A letter came from the youngest, explaining her absence. Vachel Guin had attempted to rile his household against Adhemar. When none would join him, he tried to kill Elizabeth. Kit Guin, the younger brother, had stepped in, killing Vachel and saving Elizabeth. He requested her hand in marriage -- putting the request in political reasons.

Alain stared at the letter from Kit Guin and then at Elizabeth's letter. It was not difficult for him to read between the lines, knowing his sister as he did. She'd fallen quite hard for Kit. He recalled that conversation he'd had with her on love. It was inevitable, he supposed. He could marry her to another, but then the influence his family had enjoyed would disappear. Kit was fully capable of withdrawing any favor his entire family had for the Adhemars. Right now, they needed all the favor they could get in one way or another.

He smelled more wars coming in the future, and not just the wars begun between lords, but rather ones that engulfed entire countries. Unrest was stirring once more between England and France.

Why not allow Elizabeth happiness? She'd had a difficult time with Vachel, he was sure. Vachel had not been the easiest of men in regards to treatment of women. The rest of Alain's siblings were thriving in their matches. There wasn't love, he didn't think, between any of them, but they all seemed to work well together with little strife. By letting Elizabeth marry Kit, he could still say he'd made the best match for her that he was able. Influence would remain, among other advantages Kit had pointed out.

Pulling out a clean parchment, he began to write.

'Dearest Elizabeth,

Our mother is greatly improved, due mostly, in my opinion, to the care of the maid you sent a few months back. She and a guest here --Mistress Kate -- have managed to keep mother entertained through even the worst of the illness. I fear six months will not be enough time for this maid to remain in my household. She has quite endeared herself to mother and to that one guest here. I should like you to consider giving the maid over into my employ for as long as Mistress Kate is in my home. The two get on reasonably well and spend much time together.

While I am sorry to hear of Vachel's death, I am not completely surprised at his attempt. He was always ambitious and I am pleased that Kit intervened. My thank you to all that aided him. I am greatly indebted to them for saving your life. Sister, you are dear to me, though you may not always believe so. In that vein, allow me to say that I have been thinking on something you once asked me and found I cannot deny your want. Nay, your need, for I see that you need the thing for which you asked.

Marry Kit Guin under my blessing, sister. I will be sending a letter to him within the week regarding terms.

Your loving brother,

Alain'

A fine layer of sand was sprinkled over the ink to dry it and the parchment was rolled and sealed, Alain pressing the crest of his ring into the wax. He called a messenger to him and gave him orders. Then, he went up and to the chamber that Helene had occupied. The woman was gone.

Her father had arrived within days of the letter Alain had sent him and she'd been carted off with her back still striped with healing welts. He'd come so quickly that Alain thought the merchant must have ridden the entire way to the manor without stopping. He'd been filled with apologies and curses for his daughter, fearfully asking how amends could be made. Obviously, he thought Count Adhemar was going to demand his business or some such thing in payment for the trouble, but Alain had no interest in seizing the man's business.

Of course, he wouldn't turn down the wagon full of goods that had been brought into the courtyard either. The merchant wanted to give them, so he'd accepted them and called it even as long as Helene did not make her way to this house again. If she did, she would be executed.

He'd given Kate and Christiana orders to make note of all in the wagon and inform his mother of the contents. Isobelle had first look, so to speak, of the items and could take what she liked. Then, he asked Kate what she preferred. As usual, her response startled him.

"I prefer to have nothing coming from a guilty conscience."

"A guilty conscience," he'd asked, resting his arm on the wagon side and regarding her with a frown. "Pray tell, Kate, who's conscience is guilty?"

"Helene's father's," she'd replied, turning an exquisitely carved cup over and over in her hands. "He feels guilty over her actions and hopes this will bribe you into not mentioning it to anyone." Her brows had raised. "Am I right, Alain?"

He'd had to nod at that. "Of course. I prefer to call it 'making amends' rather than a bribe however."

She'd waved a hand, setting the cup down. "You can call it what you like. I don't want anything out of this wagon."

Strolling to the end, Alain had opened up a small chest and reached inside, drawing up a string of gems. "Jewels don't interest you?"

"What use do I have of gems? They certainly wouldn't be an asset while I work."

"Then wear these in private." He'd draped the necklace across her shoulder. "For me."

Kate's hand had covered his warmly. "No." She'd shaken her head. "I would not become used to wearing such fancy items."

Alain had reluctantly returned the necklace to the chest. He'd expected her to refuse the necklace for herself, but why refuse wearing it for him? "Why is that, Kate? I desire to see you wearing fancy things. You seem quite amenable to my desires these days."

"When you tire of me, I would not want to have a longing for luxury in my breast."

Tire of her? He'd frowned at that idea. He could not foresee becoming tired of her soon. Kate was still much a mystery to him in many ways and he'd found he enjoyed revealing the answers of her little by little. "I have no plans to tire of you, woman."

She'd given a low laugh, setting her hands upon her hips. "No man plans to become weary with a woman. Did you plan to turn Helene out when you brought her here to begin with?"

He'd slammed the trunk lid closed, glancing askance at her. "Of course not. However, I hardly think you likely to attempt murdering my mother."

"Probably not, but you have become tired of your other women before. Tell me, Alain, where are the mothers of Olivia, Lisette and Mary? Hmm? I do not see them in residence here. By that, I can only reason out that you sent them away."

His temper had begun to rise. Why was she picking a fight on this matter? The mothers were where each one wanted to be. He'd not made them leave the manor. The choice had been theirs entirely. "The children are mine. Their mothers were compensated handsomely for leaving them with me and should any of them choose to visit, they may. I've not told them they couldn't. If any of them had a burning desire to see the girls, then they could easily come here."

Kate had glanced away with a light scoffing noise. "Somehow I doubt that."

Picking up the cup she'd looked over, he'd glanced at it, then tossed it down. The beginnings of foul temper  rose up inside him. "Why are you on about this? Why do you still think on my releasing you?"

"Because someday you will. You'll look at me and wonder why you dragged me here in the first place --"

"Hardly likely. You're worth twenty of Helene at least and she was here for nearly four years. Going by that, I'll keep you here much longer."

"Helene for four years. My point exactly, Alain. Your youngest girl is four in a few weeks. Helene was here while her mother carried her. You tossed that woman aside while she carried your child and brought Helene to fill her place."

Whirling, he'd grabbed her arm and tugged her with him away from those who might be listening. "Let me tell you something about Mary's mother. She was a maid with my sister Fleur and spent exactly one month in my bed while here on a visit. I found out about Mary only after she'd been born and had her sent here for a very good reason. Apparently, Gwen was not a maid only. She was a companion and already married to a man far too ancient and decrepit to perform his duties. The man threatened harm on Mary and I could not let a child of mine come to harm."

Kate had jerked her arm away. "It's good you've a soft spot for children at least," she muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He'd given a distracted glare at the throng of people staring at them. "Get back to work, all of you! You're not here to gawk!" When she didn't answer, his attention had returned to her. She had her head bowed and her arms crossed. "Kate?"

Her voice had come almost too softly to hear. "I'm pregnant." She'd looked up. There was no gentle emotion in her eyes, but rather anger. "Happy, Alain? Another child to show all about how very virile you are."

Without giving him time to reply, Kate had turned and stalked from him into the manor.

Pregnant. He'd kept staring at the door, willing her to come back out, but she hadn't. Kate was pregnant. He'd tested the idea in his mind -- kept testing it --, attempting to imagine Kate's trim figure filling out. The idea pleased him. It pleased him too well and Alain had begun walking. He'd not been so well pleased in a long while. What was it about this that sent glee coursing his veins?

Was it pleasure in his own virility, as Kate thought? He'd kept walking, ruminating upon the matter and not coming up with one real reason why the news was welcome. He'd walked aimlessly about the grounds, ignoring all about him until he ran full into someone. The figure had gone sprawling.

"Watch where you're going," the woman had said crossly. She then got to her feet and turned to face him.

Alain had almost laughed at the dread that filled Christiana's eyes upon seeing him.

"I'm sorry, my lord," she'd whispered, attempting to look as though it was her fault he'd pushed her over.

"I'll excuse you this time," he'd remarked dryly. The maid had been about to excuse herself, if that was what her indecisive expression had meant, when Alain wondered if Kate had confided in her. "Actually, Christiana, there is a matter I was wanting to speak with you on."

She was most helpful in her answers. Who knew the maid could be so helpful while still guarding Kate's secrets? Her answers had given some illumination on Kate's anger.

It seemed that Kate had spent quite a bit of time with his children recently and jumped to several wrong conclusions regarding them. She assumed that he'd abandoned each woman for a new lover when pregnancy was made known to him. How wrong that was!

His choice of women -- up to Kate -- had all been remarkably similar in character. None cared for the state of motherhood. As far as they were concerned, their own pleasures had been interrupted and both he and the child were to blame. Each had not hesitated to leave the child with him and run home.

Kate alone was different. She adored children. With his family here, he'd had occasion to watch her with the babies and come to his own conclusion. Kate would be a good mother. She'd be the sort to eschew a wet nurse unless her own milk did not come freely and she'd nurture her child with the last breath in her body.

If she was willing to stay and mother their child, then all the better.

He blinked. If she was willing? That tiny word 'if' leapt forward. When had he begun to take her wishes into consideration? Alain frowned, endeavoring to remember when he'd begun thinking actively of her desires along with his. When had she become more than a conquest?

Going to the window, he looked out, thoughts -- as always anymore -- preoccupied with his Kate.

~~~~~~~~~~

A burning desire to be by herself gripped Kate as she pushed through the door into the great hall. She'd given up the secret she'd kept since the Adhemar family had begun leaving the manor. She shouldn't be surprised by her state, not after the past three months. However, she found she was most unsettled by it.

There had been a sense of 'it won't happen to me' of the past weeks with Alain. It hadn't crossed her mind that she could conceive. After all, she'd not done so once with her husband and assumed she might not be able to have children.

What was Alain thinking, she wondered. Was he pleased with himself? Likely. It would suit his vanity to have her belly round. Would it also hasten her time here though?

She wiled away nearly an hour on the bed in the room that was still hers if she wanted it. Her thoughts kept crossing the same path they had for over a day. She had decided that to think on it was useless, when her door opened, Christiana rushing in to the room.

"There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."

The woman seemed to think that she'd found a bosom friend the same as Lady Jocelyn had been. That wasn't to say that Kate didn't enjoy their talks and the time they spent together. She did. It was only that Christiana never seemed to tire of inquiring if Kate was truly happy here.

"You told him." Christiana climbed onto the bed and gave her an expectant look.

"I didn't mean to. It just...came out."

"He seems very pleased by the news," she said carefully.

"Pleased." Kate snorted. "He's only pleased by news he's still fertile."

"Kate." Christiana faltered. "He's not like I remember," she blurted out. "He actually seems to care about you."

"That surprises you? That even the beast has feelings?" Kate sighed. "Everyone has feelings to some degree, Christiana. Even Alain Adhemar."

"Yes, it does surprise me. I don't recall him being particularly concerned about anyone but himself. I mean, he was pleasant to me when he gave me messages for Jocelyn, but there was always a coolness behind any pleasant tone and flirtations. I knew you shared an attraction, but I never thought he had feelings behind it."

"People change." Kate fluffed the pillows and settled back against the luxurious softness. A calm descended upon her. "I've changed. Six months ago, I hated him with a passion, solely from what I'd seen in tournament. Yet now, after spending time with him, I find I'm most intrigued by who he really is as a man." She caught her lower lip with her teeth, worried it a moment before continuing. "I've given in on areas I swore I'd never surrender to him and realized that by doing so I've not compromised myself. I'm still my own person. No matter what happens between us. He does not rule me. I still yield only what I decide to yield."

The woman's expression was neutral, her voice thoughtful in tone. "You don't want to leave."

"Not now." It was an honest answer and the only one she had to give. She couldn't say that she'd want to leave in a month or that she'd never want to leave at all, for who could say what the future would bring? The time would come one day when Alain certainly must marry. Perhaps then, Kate would wish to leave. But not now.

Christiana nodded, getting up from the bed. Her thoughts had rapidly turned elsewhere and her next words were distracted. "I've a letter to write. I'll return later."

Kate watched her go and settled comfortably once more to brood about her situation.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Dear Roland,

I am safe and well. The journey here was only what one could expect and upon arriving, I was disappointed to be found out in my task immediately. The Count maintained that Kate did not need rescuing and I was surprised to find the fact true. I was taken straight away to Kate, who by the way is working as his blacksmith. She re-iterated that statement over the course of that afternoon and claims contentment.

Sometime since Adhemar found her and my arrival here, she gave in to her attraction to him. Yes, you hear correctly from whoever you've asked to read this to you. Attraction. Kate has confessed that she's found him quite attractive for some time.

Now, for the biggest news I have to share. Kate is pregnant. This is a recent development since Lady Isobelle began down the road of recovery. Kate still claims contentment, though I see worry in her eyes since realizing her condition. Forgive me, Roland, but I cannot help think that perhaps we were wrong to come after her. She is a grown woman who more than knows her own mind and is fully capable of dealing with the twists and turns of her life. She did so before we met her did she not?

Therefore, I recommend that we forget the notion of rescuing her and let her deal with this as she sees fit. I will of course stay on as per the plan and shall return --'

Lady Elizabeth stopped reading. Will, Wat and Roland were arguing and hadn't heard a word beyond the fact that Kate was pregnant. They were going back and forth and all she could make sense of was that Roland should have stopped Kate in the first place. She crossed her legs and waited. In her experience with the three men, they'd go on like this for long minutes, then descend into silence, Roland calmly pulling the other two down into rationality.

As she waited, she thought on the past three weeks since Vachel's death. Alain had given her permission to marry Kit. In all of her wildest dreams, she'd never imagined Alain would agree. That spark of forgiveness she had for him was growing. Perhaps by the time she saw him again, she'd be able to call him brother without any bitter resentment welling up.

Kit insisted any rescue attempt for Kate wait until after he and Elizabeth married. He was afraid Alain would deny permission in a fit of rage if they rescued the woman now. Elizabeth didn't even have to think about the outcome in that event. Kit was right. Alain would deny them his permission and possibly become vindictive about it. She'd said as much. Will, Wat and Roland had still wanted to rush over and rescue Kate, but had grudgingly agreed that they'd waited this long, surely Kate would be fine for another few weeks.

This letter from Christiana shed some more light on how another attempt would fare from Kate's point of view. A person who does not desire rescue will not cooperate. Kate didn't want rescue, that was the gist of what Christiana put so delicately. Christiana didn't need to stay there. Except....

Except Alain requested she stay. For Mistress Kate. Her lips twitched with humor. How proper Alain tried to put things sometimes. If she'd not known the situation, she might think Kate was simply another guest at the manor and that he was being courteous.

She glanced at the rest of the letter. Christiana went on, going back over her opinion that Kate was taking on the challenge of Alain Adhemar in her usual manner and he was returning the interest. There were pleasantries, inquiries on if Roland had contacted Sir Will and Lady Jocelyn and if he was healing well.

Elizabeth was tempted to pen a letter to Alain asking about Mistress Kate, but decided she'd better not push her luck. If Alain knew she was privy to the entire tale, he'd be rather cross at her and the others. He might even deny her the pleasure of marrying Kit. Sometimes, it was a blessing to be able to predict how he'd react.

She cleared her throat. "This argument is getting you nowhere. There's no point in going over what who should have done when. You should go forward, not backward."

Will looked over his shoulder at her. "You're right, I suppose."

Roland crossed his arms, a dark frown on his brow. "I know I should have stopped her. No one keeps needing to point it out, Wat."

Wat rolled his eyes. "If you'd stopped her, she'd not be knocked up."

Elizabeth chuckled. "That doesn't necessarily follow. Your reasoning, I mean. Kate could easily have met someone else and been pregnant now anyway. She is pregnant and nothing will change that unless it's fate she lose the child. You really all need to hear the rest of this."

There was silence as she finished the letter and handed it to Roland to put with his things. Roland rolled it, his gaze on the floor.

Wat shook his head. "Kate can't want to stay there."

"Why not?" Elizabeth returned to her seat, fixing a cool stare on each of the men in turn. She was losing patience with hearing at every turn how her brother was detestable. "Alain has his faults, but so does every man. He's no angel, I know, but he's not a bad man."

"My lady, he tried to murder Will," Wat said coming and crouching down at her feet, looking up at her. "He was sneaky and underhanded and did nothing with the honor he should have had."

"It's how he was raised. You get what you want by taking it. Our father thought that way and he raised all my brothers to think that. My brother Timothy stole his bride from her intended a day before the ceremony, carted her off to Italy and stayed there until she was six months pregnant and her father gave permission for them to marry rather than have her returned disgraced."

Will stepped over to her, his kind gaze meeting hers. "I've not called your brother one name, Elizabeth." She'd found him to be a man as good and honorable as she'd ever care to meet.

"I know, Will and thank you. You've been most tactful. I realize Alain behaved abominably at tournament. He's always had a problem with competition in any area. He can't stand having an opponent that might beat him, so he goes further than he ever thought he would to win. Then, he can't stand having to apologize, so he doesn't. He shrugs it off and goes on with his life." She turned her attention to Wat. "He's my brother, Wat. Please use some tact from now on. I may not always like him, but I do love him."

Wat nodded, remaining at her feet.

She leaned forward, studying him. "It's not that I'm apologizing for him. I'm not. I only want you to understand him as a whole. Alain likes beautiful women, he always has and if he's noticed a beauty in this Kate, then he will treat her decently. Is it so inconceivable that she might develop some tender feeling for him?"

He shook his head. "I guess not. I just have a difficult time picturing Kate with the man I met at tournament. He was arrogant and smug and conniving and I don't think Kate would put up with that."

Elizabeth leaned back. "Perhaps you don't know her as well as you thought you did."

The three men glanced at one another and conversation veered quickly from Alain Adhemar and Kate to what plans had been made for the wedding of Elizabeth to Kit.