Wooing Kate

Chapter Twenty

~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn settled upon the Adhemar household, sliding into morning in slowly lightening degrees. Alain was awake, resting on his back and staring up at the canopy of his bed with a disgruntled expression. He'd not gotten much sleep the night before.

Kate would not budge from the other chambers. After nearly a week of keeping a cold manner towards him, she'd taken herself back into the chambers she'd been given on arrival.

He'd become so used to a warm and wholly willing woman that this turn towards detachment bothered him. It wasn't like her. She was far too upset over something he'd thought would not make her bat an eye. It wasn't as though he'd impregnated her without any help from her at all. She'd been just as enthusiastic as he, sometimes deliciously more so. She'd never once mentioned preventative measures. Of course, he was well aware such measures were chancy at best. Witness his three girls. Not one of them was planned, so to speak.

Alain sniffed loudly, scratching at his unshaven chin absent-mindedly. There was no way he could return to sleep. Old habits prevailed no matter what his exhaustion and he tossed the covers aside to get up. He could hear the manor stirring and paused at the window, waiting a moment for the soft pings in the air that indicated Kate was already up and busy with her work.

They didn't come. A frown tugged at his brow and he quickly finished his morning routine. Upon opening the door, he found Kate's door still shut. Surprise filled him. Kate was usually an early riser and it was not like her to lie abed unless ill. Was she suffering from morning sickness so terrible that she could not rise? Or worse, was she contemplating a rash action?

Alain was further surprised to find that she'd not barred the door. Somehow, he'd expected her to. As he entered, she rolled over in the bed so that her back was to him.

"Go away," she said, voice flat and unemotional, as though all feeling had been drawn from her.

"Are you unwell? Does your stomach roll with queasiness?"

She made no reply. Alain rolled his eyes in impatience.

"Have I judged you wrongly, Kate? All this time, were you just like them?" He'd thought her the sort who'd want children, yet she behaved as like the world was ending at the news.

"What?" She glanced over her shoulder at him. "Just like who?" Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. It seemed she'd been crying.

"Does the thought of this child bother you? Hmm?" Little by little, he forced himself to pull back emotionally, to look at her as he had the other, but his control kept slipping, anger that she wasn't giving him answers -- hadn't given any -- rising up inside him.

Kate sat, her hair a wild tangle about her shoulders. The shift slid down her left shoulder, baring it. "The consequences --"

He moved onto the bed, grabbing her face with rough hands. She turned and twisted, but he subdued her. "Consequences?" He leaned very close to her, held her gaze with his. There, in the depths of her eyes, was a spark of fear.

Fear of him?

Or fear of him guessing a plan to rid herself of the child and call it a miscarriage?

"Yes, consequences --"

His shaking fingertips covered her lips, stopped her from saying whatever she'd been about to say. "You'll not have a chance to harm the babe."

Her eyes went wide, head shaking in denial. The seed of doubt was planted in his mind and even that denial seemed unreal. He wanted this child she carried and was not going to let anything happen to it.

Alain adored his children. He enjoyed spending time with his girls; talking, joking and teasing. There was such innocence in a child, before they realized the harshness of life and the treachery of others. He'd thought Kate was different. Indeed, there was still a chance that this doubt of her beating about his brain in feverish circles was only a figment of imagination. Nevertheless, he wasn't going to take that chance. He'd take chances on many other things, but not that.

"I wouldn't --"

Again, he covered her lips. "Sshhh."

Alain dragged her from the bed, carried her into his chambers and set her on his bed. She did not struggle. It didn't occur to him to wonder why. "I won't chain you naked in here as you once suggested, but you are confined here until I am certain you'll not be...hasty." He stepped backward to the door. "I can't take a chance with this, Kate." She sputtered protests that he heard and did not fully register. The bar for the door was set outside the door. "I'll take this. Wouldn't want to have to break down the door later."

Alain stationed two men outside with strict orders that none but he go in and she did not come out. Going below, he called for Christiana to be brought to him. He'd asked Elizabeth to let the maid stay. However, that was not set in stone.

~~~~~~~~~~

Kate paced, rubbing her hands soothingly over her still flat belly. How could anyone jump to the conclusion that she would harm any child of hers at any stage in it's life? Kate adored children. Every chance she'd had recently to hold an infant in her arms she'd done so, a longing stirring deep within her for the pleasure of holding her own baby. Until now, she'd not had the joy of anticipating her own baby.

Well, not hers alone. Alain's child as well.

And while she was at it, joy wasn't exactly what she'd felt so far. Her feelings had been so confused since realizing her state, that she wasn't sure which way was up. The consequences kept rearing in her mind. There was no going back. Until now, she'd always had the choice of leaving when this affair was done. Now, it had become complicated to a great degree. Alain would never let this baby leave with her if she did leave. Not while he was around to stop her. Even if he tired of her and wished her to go, she'd not travel far. Kate didn't think she could leave her child as so many mothers did.

There was no going home.

Whether right or wrong, wise or foolish, her heart had grown fond of Alain Adhemar. He was selfish, contrary, explosive and cruel. But he was also generous when the mood struck him, loving towards family and protective of what he considered his.

He was hers, flaws and all. He was hers just as much as she'd become his.

Some of her confusion melted away. He obviously wanted the child. What puzzled her was his conclusion. She sighed, shaking her head. How could he watch her with his sister's children and his own and think that as truth? How? It made no sense.

Unless.... She paused. Yes, that had to be. One of the other women had tried to be rid of a baby and been caught just in time. What other reason was there? What else could send him into the panic he'd been in?

A cool panic, yet one just the same that he'd been trying to hide.

She stared at the fire burning cheerily in the hearth, chewing on a thumbnail. Perhaps she should have shared her feelings with him on this; let him know of her state of confusion. Then again, he'd have likely used it to his advantage and tried to manipulate her. Even now, after reaching an understanding, he still tried to manipulate her into doing what he wanted her to.

Kate sat in the nearby chair and let the warmth of the fire take the chill from her.

~~~~~~~~~~

The maid Christiana responded quickly to the summons Alain sent and now stood waiting. He finished the letter he was working on, signed his name with flourish.

"Do you want to go home, Christiana? Do you wish to return to Lady Jocelyn's employ?" He raised his gaze to hers. "I'm sorry, I mean my sister's employ?" A flicker of longing passed across her face, yet she didn't nod her head in eagerness. Instead, she gave a negative shake.

"No, my lord. I am content companioning Lady Isobelle and Kate." She clasped her hands together, looking very much the calm servant.

Alain stood, came around the table to her, circling as he had the day she'd arrived. "You can admit it, Christiana. I give you leave for honesty. You'll not be penalized for it."

She was silent a moment, then said with the tact he'd noticed in her long months earlier, "My wishes my lord, mean little in employ. If you wish me to go, I shall do so. If you wish me to remain, then I shall. Lady Elizabeth sent me here and here I stay until you and she decide otherwise."

He considered her reply, what he'd expected her to say and crossed his arms. "I see. What if I tell you that you may go home, but only if you perform one tiny little task?" He kept up his slow steady pacing around her, a deliberate tactic to unnerve her if he could. There was curiosity in her eyes before she quickly lowered them.

"What task?"

"Discover Kate's intentions."

"My lord?"

"Does she intend to harm the child," he clarified. "The possibility of such an occurrence is on my mind with how she's carried on this past week. I can't ignore it. If she would, then I'd know about it before hand and deal accordingly with her."

Christiana turned her head to stare at him. "My lord, Kate would no more harm her child than she would herself. It's my understanding from speaking with her that it's not the child that bothers her, but rather the consequences --"

"What consequences are those?"

"I'm not privy to what she thinks of as consequences, only that they are what is weighing heavily upon her, not the child itself. Kate is pleased to be expecting a child, my lord."

"You know this for a certainty?"

"Yes." Her tone implied that he should know it as well. "Kate is not the sort to even think of such things in the first place. In the vein of honesty, my lord, I'd have thought that you, knowing her far better than I, would know that."

Ignoring the impertinence in her voice and noting that anger had lent a pretty color to her cheeks, Alain returned to his seat and ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you, Christiana, for that honest appraisal. You may go." His shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I'll have men ready to escort you to Elizabeth's directly after the noon meal."

Her mouth opened and closed several times before she found her voice again. "My lord?"

"I did say you could go home if you performed that task, did I not?"

"Well yes --"

"Consider it performed. You may go home. I'll tender your regrets to my mother. I release you from any obligation you may feel you have here. Go to Elizabeth's with my blessing and then on to Lady Jocelyn's." He gave her a thin smile. "Please inform the lady and her husband that Kate is well and should she choose to have a letter penned to them, it will be sent straight away." He waved a hand at her. "That is all. Pack your things."

Should he believe the maid? A sly voice in the back of his mind told him not to, yet the rational and more dominant voice finally took over. Believe her. Talk with Kate and don't simply lock her away out of fear. She's not Marian to attempt to kill the child. You know that.

He sat for a long time thinking.

~~~~~~~~~~

It felt as though she'd been hit over the head with a block of wood. Christiana sat, half packed, on the bed that was hers, wondering at this turn. Why had he suddenly decided to send her away? He'd seemed pleased recently with how she and his mother got on. He'd pushed her and Kate into spending time together.

She tucked her hair behind her ears. There was only one thing she could do: go. If he didn't want her here, then there was no way she could stay. A glance took in the tiny chamber that was hers. She only had a few things left to put in the trunk and then it would be time to go. Already, a man stood waiting in the hallway, ready to carry her trunk out to the small wagon that would take her away from this house. She could not keep him waiting.

Rising, she tossed the last of her belongings into the trunk, closed and locked it. She smoothed the sheets on her bed and motioned for the man to take the trunk. Stepping into the hall, she saw two more men coming towards her, waiting for her. They blocked the hallway towards Lady Isobelle's chamber. There'd be no saying goodbye to her, as Adhemar had said. At the door to the master's chambers she paused, wanting desperately to speak with Kate one last time, yet no matter what she or Kate shouted, the guards there would not open the door.

Adhemar appeared at the bottom of the stairs, beckoning to her and Christiana found herself swept away from the door by her escorts. A pouch of money -- her wages -- was pressed into her hands and then she was in the courtyard, lifted into the wagon. She had a brief glimpse of Kate at the window before the wagon took her out of the manor walls and on towards home.

~~~~~~~~~~

Christiana had gone and she'd not been given a chance to say a proper goodbye. Shouting at each other through a closed door did not constitute proper in Kate's mind, but it would have to do. The guards would not even open the door a crack, putting Kate thoroughly out of sorts with them.

With the scraps of her meal set by the door, Kate had watched from the window as six men escorted Christiana away from the manor. She wondered what had happened that Alain decided to send her away. Whim on his part or something more?

The door opened.

Speak of the devil, she thought, as Alain strode in.

"Explain your remark about consequences," he demanded in an imperious tone she had not heard from him in a long time. He expected an answer and was going to get one if he had to force it from her.

Her first instinct was to refuse. She quickly reconsidered that instinct. Refusal would send him into an even worse mood than he was already in. "There's no going back," she spat out. "Not now. Before, there was a chance that if I left here, I could go on as I had before. Now, that has changed. Even if you tell me to go, I'll stay as close as I can for this child." She made a noise of frustration. "How could you watch me with the children and assume me of such a character as to harm any child?"

He stared at her. After a long while, he nodded. "My children mean quite a bit to me, Kate. I won't apologize for being protective of the latest."

"Then apologize for your opinion of my character, for it is apparently less than flattering."

His lips compressed into a thin line, his nostrils flaring. The breath he took in was harsh, his eyes narrowing. For a second, she thought he was going to leave, but then he turned his gaze out the window and said through clenched teeth, " Kate, forgive me for my assumption."

"Apologize," she said quietly and firmly. Why test fate unless you took it all the way?

"That is my apology."

"I want to hear you say that you're sorry."

A thunderous frown darkened his features. "Woman...."

"Say it." Kate crossed her arms, took six steps towards him so that their bodies nearly touched. "Or are you afraid to apologize to a peasant. A peasant and a woman at that." She deliberately taunted him.

He blinked, sneered. "I fear little, least of all that."

"Then tell me you're sorry. You can ask for forgiveness all you like, but it doesn't mean you're sorry."

"Saying I am doesn't mean it's true," he countered with petulant tone.

Standing up on her tiptoes, she looked in his eyes. "It's true, you just need to admit it."

He took a step back from her, crossed his arms. Noisily, he cleared his throat. "Kate. I am...sorry for thinking low of your character."

The apology was perfect. That is, until he snorted and rolled his eyes. "Happy now?" She fully expected him to stick out his tongue at her.

Oh well, she couldn't expect his childish streak to dissipate completely, could she? "Yes, Alain, I am happy. Now am I still confined here or must we have another wasted day because you're paranoid?"

He shrugged. "I suppose not."

The urge to slip her arms about him and draw him against her was strong. Kate found she wanted to soothe away the tensions she glimpsed on his face. She compromised with herself, putting a hand on his chest and pretending to straighten the edges of his coat. "I had thinking to do, Alain, and couldn't do it with you hovering over me."

"You were cold, Kate. Your words and manner were ice for a full week."

"I didn't mean to worry you. Truly." Kate leaned her head back to look in his eyes. A bit of the tension had slipped away, the lines of his face relaxing.

"I want you here, in this chamber with me and I'll not take a 'no' in answer. We made an agreement and I fully intend to hold you to it. You agreed to stay, to willingly remain here with me. I want no more talk of you leaving." His hands grasped her waist, squeezed lightly. "You're mine, Kate."

Stretching her hand up, she slipped it about his neck. He leaned down. The kiss she expected did not happen. Instead, his arms went about her and she was lifted high in his embrace.

~~~~~~~~~~

Christiana's arrival, directly on the heels of the letter that requested her continued presence in the manor, caused a flurry of questions from all. Regrettably, she was in no shape to answer any questions. Her escorts had pressed her on at a breakneck pace, scarcely allowing time to rest and she was exhausted, nearly fainting from both it and hunger.

Lady Elizabeth took charge of her, ushering her up to Elizabeth's own chamber. She had a bath prepared then ordered a meal brought. Once Christiana had bathed, changed into a warm robe and eaten, Elizabeth took her to the tiny room Christiana had used weeks before. She waited until the woman drifted into an exhausted sleep before leaving to speak with the escorts.

Vexation took hold of her upon finding they'd unloaded Christiana's belongings, exchanged all the horses and gone without pause. She let out an un-lady-like curse. What the devil was Alain up to?

She sent the rest of the household to bed, firmly telling Christiana's friends that they'd just have to wait until morning to talk with Christiana. Wat gave her trouble about it, insisting they wake her up and find out what had happened. Will and Roland calmed him, Roland stationing himself outside Christiana's door. Elizabeth took pity on the man and gave him both a pillow and a couple blankets. She suspected he'd look in on Christiana several times at least.

"She settled?"

Elizabeth jumped. Kit had come up behind her. "Yes."

"I spoke with one of the men your brother sent while they switched out the horses." He put an arm about her shoulders, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "They all think Christiana was meddling in the arrangement, trying to convince Kate to leave and that's why she was sent away so quickly."

"She wrote that she thought --"

"I know. I'm only repeating what those men think. Knowing Alain, I think they're right. I think he decided it wouldn't be prudent to keep Christiana there any longer if she might influence Kate in a way he didn't want. He did write that she and Christiana had become friendly."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Kate defied Alain, Kit. She has a strong will from what Roland, Will and Wat tell me. I doubt anything Christiana would say would influence her." She considered the idea though. "I suppose Alain might not realize it however. He sometimes behaves irrationally --"

"Sometimes?" Kit squeezed her shoulder. "Alain has irrationality down to an art form in regards to his women."

She laughed. Her brother did tend to focus on the woman of his desire with a single minded intent that caused his actions to seem irrational to those who did not know him. "Anyway, whatever the reason, she's here now and while I do enjoy her company, I think it would be best if she, Roland and the others return to their home."

There was silence as they walked, the couple stopping their stroll outside Elizabeth's chamber.

"I'm giving Will that house in the country just outside London. It's far enough away from the city to please Will and close enough still that should Lady Jocelyn have the urge to visit London shops, they'll not have to travel far. It's a small manor, but the fields are decent and should yield them a bit of good income."

"You're giving it freely? No monies exchanging hands?" How different Kit was from Vachel! Vachel would have demanded all of Will's money for the house.

He smiled gently down at her, fingers twining with hers. "I gave him a promise. I'll not break it. Besides," the smile became a roguish grin, "What other friend have I who has the ear of the Black Prince if he but whispers he might wish a conversation?"

"You also promised to save Kate, didn't you?"

He looked away, thoughtful. "Will has not mentioned it since the letter, though Wat and Roland still do." He returned his gaze to her. "I love you, Bess."

His kiss was everything Vachel's had never been. Consideration and tenderness colored it and Elizabeth nearly wept from the sweetness of the caress. Vachel had never once treated her with anything other than contempt, as though she was an inconsequential necessity.

Kit cherished her.

It was a new experience to have his concern rained upon her constantly and Elizabeth found that she adored Kit's manner even more. No longer were his attentions a candle flame in the bleak hours of her days, but rather he'd become her sun, shining blessed bright warmth into her life.

"Good night, my Bess. Until the morrow." With a last press of his lips to hers, Kit left and Elizabeth entered her chamber.

~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't know." Roland shook his head. "Really. I've no idea what we should do this time." He held up a hand to stall Wat from speaking. "Before, it was plain that I had to follow Kate, but now I simply do not know what to do."

Will also shook his head. "Nor do I."

"We go after Kate," Wat said. "She's our friend and won't fault us for thinking she's in trouble. I won't accept the idea she's got feelings for him until I hear it from her lips."

"True," Will agreed. "Kate would not fault us." He folded his arms on the table, leaning forward to rest his chin on them. "However, Kate would also chide us for believing she cannot take care of herself."

"Hmm." Roland scratched his chin. "Kate is independent that way."

"Oh rot!" Wat slapped his hand on the tabletop. "Kate knows we care for her. She'll take that into account. I say we go ahead and rescue her, whether she wants us to or not."

There came from behind them the delicate clearing of a throat. Christiana, still in her robe and looking rested, joined them at the table, sitting on the bench in the seat that opened up between Will and Roland. Will was glad to see that the alarming dark hollows about her eyes the previous night were now only light shadows.

When greetings and warm welcomes had been exchanged, Christiana said, "You mean well, all of you, but leave Kate where she is."

Wat made a disgusted noise and she looked around Will at him. "Really Wat. Do you think I'd say that if I was not certain Kate was exactly where she wished to be? For God's sake, she's having his baby and was not coerced into it! I saw them cuddle in the Great Hall, sneak kisses in the hallways. I saw a side of Count Adhemar I'd never thought existed. He has feelings. Can you imagine that, because I couldn't. I saw him as an unfeeling, scheming man, then discovered that I'd apparently been wrong. He feels and he even loves."

Will covered one of her hands and gave it a squeeze. "Of course he does." His matter-of-fact tone caused her to gape at him and he continued. "Roland and I've discussed this before. Even Wat and I've talked about it. Someone who can hate intensely, must feel other things with equal intensity. His manner never meant an absence of emotion Christiana, but rather tight control of an abundance of emotion." He indicated Wat. "Take Wat as an example."

The man rolled his eyes. "Does she have to?"

Roland took over the illustration. "Wat's emotional, yes?"

Christiana's expression indicated she thought that was too easy of a question. "Of course. Anyone who has ever met Wat knows he's an emotional man with a bit of a temper."

"Think of Adhemar the same way, then add the necessity for control in delicate warfare situations. He and Wat are alike in the regards of temper and emotion, except Wat doesn't hold it all in."

"Why we love him," Will quipped and was rewarded by a slightly less disgruntled look on Wat's face.

Christiana sighed. "Don't go after Kate. The count has promised she can send word if she chooses, so please wait. See if she does."

"Did he inform her of that," Wat asked. "Because, he can say what he likes. Actions always speak louder than words."

Christiana had no answer for that and the four sat in silence until the hall filled for the morning meal.