Wooing Kate

Chapter Twenty-one

~~~~~~~~~~

The weeks passed quickly and it was a shock for Kate to realize she'd been in Alain's company for nearly seven months. In that long, her life had changed considerably. She dressed and left the chamber, walking beside him.

It was Sunday, which found the entire Adhemar household in the chapel. Isobelle was up and about, joining them on the family benches. She was greatly recovered and had begun to put on some of the weight that had come off while Helene was poisoning her. She was no longer all bony angles, the gauntness slipping slowly and steadily from her features.

Kate was not allowed this time to stand with those of her station. No, Alain had clasped his hand firm about her wrist and tugged her to the family benches, forcing her to sit beside him. He wanted no arguments, tucking her there with his cloak about her shoulders to ward off the chill.

Treasured servants sat in the row behind the family, Fawkes among them. Kate sat with her spine stiff as voices whispered behind her. She could make out the gist of the conversation. Complaints mostly about where she was sitting. Kate should not be in the family row, no matter what her expectant state. Alain had placed her where a wife should sit, which was in poor taste to her mind. He was going too far in flaunting her to all in church. She was not his wife and knew that she never could be, not unless her business took a sudden climb and she amassed a great amount of wealth.

By sitting her beside him, he was placing her above others, something she'd not expected him to do. Kate didn't think it was a conscious decision he'd made, but one that had come about gradually until how he treated her was natural to him. That consideration he'd shown her in the beginning had become habit to him, something he didn't even think about.

"Hold your tongues or I dare say you'll find them cut out of your heads," Fawkes' smooth baritone drawled out just loud enough for the grumblers to hear, yet not loud enough for Alain to take notice. "It's not anyone's place to question our lord Adhemar."

"He goes too far," came a hissed reply.

"He goes as far as he wishes and if you keep up this talk, then I'll be the one to cut out your tongues."

There was a strange comfort in having the swordmaster standing up for her. He reminded Kate of Will. She sighed. While it was pleasant to have him as a sort of reminder of one friend she'd left behind, it also pained her. With Christiana gone, she was once more lonely. She'd enjoyed having another woman to talk with and had become used to the company. True, she could easily speak frankly with Lady Isobelle, but that one had set herself to the task of thoroughly confusing Kate of late.

She glanced around Alain at the woman. The lady would spend an entire conversation giving voice to her belief that her son had fallen at Kate's feet in the throes of a full romantic surrender and would marry her if he could figure out a way around the class restriction. Never mind that Kate had repeatedly told Isobelle that she planned to never marry again, as it would mean giving up a business she loved.

Not that I've been able to work it like I want, she thought with a dark glance at Alain's handsome profile. He still refused to let her put in a full day's work, which was a rule she was chafing under. She didn't like being restricted. In fact, if there was a single thing she resented about being here, it was that. Kate was not a woman of leisure and could never be such a creature. She'd worked for as long as she could remember.

Her thoughts returned to Isobelle. After such a conversation, she'd then sit in the Great Hall and read letters out loud to Alain. Letters regarding young women. She'd sit there and read the choice bits of where the land the girl came with was in relation to Adhemar lands and then remark how the monies a girl brought would greatly increase the coffers. Occasionally, there'd be a sketch of the girl included and she'd comment on it, wondering if the girl had 'child-bearing hips' or an 'adequate bosom'. She'd shove letters under Alain's nose and loudly proclaim her preferences among the current batch of choices.

Alain, for the most part, ignored her, his only indication he heard her being a daily steady tightening of his lips and a narrowing of his eyes. He would make a show of putting his arm about Kate and escorting her to the master's chambers when they retired.

Isobelle was undaunted. She daily told Kate one thing and behaved in a way that made those words false. Kate had thought the woman liked her, but supposed that the lure of legitimate heirs for Alain spoke louder than a warm regard for his favorite woman. It made sense, yet still hurt a bit more each time Isobelle read a letter out loud.

Kate began once more to let her thoughts tread the path of the future. When Alain married, Kate could likely expect censure from the bride. After all, the sort of woman he would have to wife would have similar values as he, yes? Would hold similar views as a whole? Kate was a peasant by class and that's how she would be viewed by the new lady of the manor. In the event of his marriage, she would find this place unwelcome and would need to retreat. She imagined Alain would give her a tiny cottage somewhere on the property in that case. He wanted her to not talk of leaving, so she'd simply imagine a nice little cottage when the day came.

She hoped that day was far off. Imagining it, gave her a desperate sensation in her breast and a sick trembling in her stomach.

The mass was long and tedious. The priest, after taking one look at her sitting with Alain, had seemed determined to make the household spend the entire day in the chapel. His sermon spoke of hellfire for sinners and pity for weak-willed women. She'd been careful not to roll her eyes at that. She did not think of herself as weak-willed.

The afternoon progressed pleasantly. A hunting party was established, Lady Isobelle and Kate joining them. They were successful and the rest of the day was spent in good humor and lively spirits, Alain attempting to coax Kate into a game of chess. She hated playing chess with him. He let her think she was winning and then pounced. Much like real life. Too much like real life. He always had to be the victor. It was simply the man he was.

The household settled down after the evening meal and Kate was startled when Lady Isobelle's voice rang out loud and clear.

"You should look at this, Alain. She comes with quite a bit of land. It's in a --"

Alain slammed the book he'd been about to read to those gathered around him onto the nearby table with a snarl. He fixed his mother with a glare, as though daring her to continue.

She returned the glare with a calm stare. "As I was saying, this land," she tapped the letter with a finger, "is in a fertile region. The fields have a good, consistent yield, this says."

"Mother." The one word was like a whip cracking in the air. Silence descended upon the Hall.

Isobelle went on, ignoring the warning in the word. "Or this one. Little land, but monetary wealth." She squinted at a piece of parchment. "Though by this sketch of her, your horse is far handsomer."

"Desist at once." A red flush spread up over his face.

"Really, Alain. You're not getting any younger and while illegitimate children are proof of virility, you should have a legitimate heir to leave this fortune to. You know how to accomplish that, I trust?"

It was clear that Alain's gentle mother harbored within her the same able cutting manner he held when she wished. Perhaps he'd even inherited the ability from her to begin with. All Kate could do was stare at the woman.

Without another word, Alain strode from the room, the outer door slamming behind him. He didn't reappear in the Hall, nor did he come to bed. When Kate woke in the morning, the sheets beside her were icy cold and she was greeted with news that Count Adhemar had taken a horse and gone out the night before. He'd not told any where he intended to go or how long he'd be.

Kate kept to herself for a week, trying to think positively about his flight from the manor, but when another week passed with still no word, she began to wonder if the worst was in progress. He'd gone to find a bride and make his mother quite harping at him. This conclusion would not leave her mind and it was after many hours of heavy thoughts that she decided she could not bear to see him return with another woman.

Those who'd been upset with her placement above so many in the household were relentless in their taunts. Normally, Kate could ignore them, shrug off the insults and sly remarks, yet now she wondered if maybe they were right. Her time here was done.

She put her hands on her belly, stretched the cloth tight about that slight, telling bulge, and decided on a course of action. Why wait for Alain to return with a bride on his arm? Her resolve to stay no matter what slipped away under doubts and hurt feelings and Kate packed her bag. Fawkes caught her at the back gate and tried to dissuade her. Unsuccessful, he begged her to at least wait until he could tell Lady Isobelle where they were going and that he'd be escorting her. Kate agreed. As soon as he disappeared around the corner of the manor, Kate mounted the horse she'd taken from the stables and set out. She took an indirect route north and Fawkes did not appear behind her.

She was not proud of deceiving him. On the contrary, she was more than a bit ashamed of herself for doing so. He'd been a decent friend there and would consider her leaving after giving her word to wait for him a betrayal. She hated deceiving a friend even in circumstances as these.

Kate rode until morning, when exhaustion claimed her and she had to rest.

~~~~~~~~~~

Damn her for lying, Fawkes thought, glimpsing the rider going away from the manor through Lady Isobelle's window. Damn him, he then thought of his lord Adhemar. He'd have thought the man would know better than to leave Kate at the mercy of those who disliked her. He should know that his actions with her had made her disliked to begin with. He hadn't though. For once in his life, Alain Adhemar had not thought something through with military precision and Kate had fled.

"Where did he go," he demanded of the Lady Isobelle. She did not chide him for disrespect. No, the woman was too upset at the news of Kate's flight. Her shaking hands were pressed to her mouth and she was pale as the bleached linen she'd set up to embroider.

"What have I done," she murmured, staring up at him with tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "I never meant for her to go."

"My lady, it's extremely important that I find him immediately. He has to know of Kate's leaving and the reason for it. I'll not have him jumping to conclusions like she's done."

"I should have told her, but I thought she'd see through it in a second and understand." Isobelle shook her head and Fawkes resisted the urge to shake her.

"My lady," he said testily.

She composed herself with difficulty. "I've been wanting Alain to settle this once and for all, to do something to make their arrangement permanent, Fawkes. I like Kate. She's the sort of woman he needs; one who will fight him when he's wrong and love him so those hard edges soften just a bit." She swallowed. "He's gone to King Charles I believe, to get a royal decree allowing him to declare all children Kate bears him to be legitimate heirs. He can't marry her, so that's as close as he'll get to it. I goaded him, trying to get him to finally ride out and do it. He'd been stalling, putting it off...."

Fawkes nodded. "Send a rider to Lady Elizabeth's. Tell him to ride straight through. Have Christiana informed of what went on here and what my lord left to do. If Kate arrives there, they are to keep her there until either I or my lord arrives. Send another rider to Bordeaux to see Prince Edward -- if he is there -- or Princess Joan. Ask for the whereabouts of William Thatcher and dispatch a message to him the same as Christiana. I suspect Kate will head directly for her friends. She's hurt emotionally and she'll want friends about her."

"This is all my fault. I've been stupid in my plotting." Lady Isobelle bit her lower lip. "I'm sorry Fawkes."

"I'm going after my lord." With a curt bow in her direction, Fawkes left to prepare for his journey.

~~~~~~~~~~

Geoffrey Chaucer relished his job. He was back in the swing of things, performing his diplomatic duties with relish. He was leaving in the morning to return briefly to London and was looking forward to having some time with Philippa. As usual, he was being pressed into double duty and was supposed to take a letter to London with him and deliver it. Princess Joan had requested a brief meeting with him in regards to the letter.

He went to his meeting with the Princess and returned to his room thoughtful, holding a roll of parchment sealed with the Adhemar crest. How very interesting. Who in the Adhemar household was writing a letter to Will?

It only took Geoff a moment to rationalize that he'd have to open it anyway to read it to Will, so he might as well go ahead and read it. There was only a slight pricking of his conscience at this. Will would understand, he decided.

The contents of the letter caused a gentle sweat to break out on his brow.

Dear God....Kate. And Adhemar.

Hurriedly, Geoff gathered only those things he needed to take with him and headed for the stables. He had to find Will.

~~~~~~~~~~

Kate just missed Will, Roland and Christiana. She'd made her way towards Lady Elizabeth's and been told by that one that the trio had just left. However, if she cared to wait, Wat would return soon with the hunting party and she could speak with him. The Lady Elizabeth made her feel welcome. Kate accepted the hospitality, taking a much appreciated bath and enjoying a good hot meal.

She was waiting when Wat returned and his bear hug of greeting brought tears to her eyes. He looked at her as though he couldn't believe he was seeing her there before him and he kept staring at her belly, though she knew her dress hid the pregnant curve rather well.

The lady left them alone, or as alone as they could be in the busy manor.

"You're staring, Wat." Kate crossed her arms.

He nodded. "You're pregnant Kate." A humorless smile turned his lips. "By Count Adhemar."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to have that conversation with you. I've had it with Christiana and I'll not keep going over old ground. What's done is done. I'm alive and I'm healthy. Does it really matter?"

"Yes. You can't..." He paused, then tried again. "You've got a life you're going to be responsible for in a few months, Kate."

"Your point?" She knew his point, but wanted to hear him say it.

"Aww hell." He ran a hand through his hair. "Christiana said he was taking care of you, treating you well." When she didn't reply, he put his hands on his hips and glanced about them. "Where do you want to go?"

"Away," she said simply.

"I thought you'd fallen for him. It's what Christiana thought."

"I did. That's why I can't watch him with another woman."

Wat thought that through, then nodded. "Will's going to meet Jocelyn in London, then set up house. We could go there for a bit, then move on."

After a moment, it occurred to her what he was offering with that 'we' and Kate shook her head. "No, Wat. Just escort me there. You don't need to do anything more. It's sweet of you to offer, but I can't keep you with me."

The next morning, they rode out together, giving a cordial greeting to the messenger they passed just down the road. He didn't return the greeting and they decided he'd been in far too much of a hurry to observe niceties.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was a surprise to Alain when Fawkes arrived at the court searching for him. His mission had been accomplished and he had his contacts through Kit Guin to thank for being able to get a private audience with Charles. Somehow, he'd managed to explain the situation in a way that had the man nodding in understanding. Alain was well aware that royal whim was the only reason his plea had been granted. If he'd seen Charles on another day, he might have been denied. As it was, a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

He was ready to return home and give Kate the good news. He knew she'd been worried about the need for him to marry and this, in his opinion, solved the problem neatly. Their children would be considered legitimate and he didn't need to marry. He'd not have to deal with a wife, which came with a different set of rules as a mistress did. There were advantages for Kate as well. She could keep her business and enjoy her position in his household. His mother liked her and his family had accepted her. As far as he was concerned, it was all settled and they could begin the business of providing heirs at regular intervals.

Therefore, the news Fawkes brought floored him.

"Where has she gone?" He made mental notes to demand apologies from all those in the manor who'd insulted her and was well on the way for rationalizing the flogging of the lot when Fawkes shook his head.

"I don't know. We sent riders to Bordeaux and to Lady Elizabeth's. I'd hoped Christiana was still at your sister's and the two could keep her there, but also thought it wise to find Sir Thatcher in case Kate went searching for him."

Alain nodded, wondering if Kate would even bother with Elizabeth's. Then again, she'd have no idea where to find Thatcher and if Christiana was still at Elizabeth's, the woman might shed some light on his location. "We'll go to Elizabeth's."

But Elizabeth's did not yield them Kate. The rider bearing Fawkes' message had ridden in just as Kate rode out to London. Elizabeth was upset over this and Alain found himself comforting her. She sat with him through the night and told him about the past months and what had occurred. She mentioned how William Thatcher had ridden there with Kit to save her and even sought to protect Alain's neck from Vachel with the battle plans. She mentioned how Thatcher and his men thought of Kate like a sister and that they would protect her like Alain protected his family. Lastly, she told him where Lady Jocelyn was staying in London and which house Kit had given them.

Alain and Fawkes set out at dawn, neither having had much sleep at all. They rode hard to reach London, though Fawkes kept remarking that it'd do his lord no good to fall exhausted at Kate's feet when they did find her.

Only when London was in sight, did Alain allow himself to relax. He would find Kate.