by Aston, Alexa
“The earl will touch you in . . . intimate places.” Lady Ellyn paused. “What he does may shock you but you are his by right and must accept whatever he does because it pleases him.”
“Like kissing?” she asked, watching the noblewoman blush a bright pink.
“Aye but . . . there is more to it.”
“Where should I touch him?” Katelyn asked.
Shock registered on Lady Ellyn’s face. “You . . . d-d-don’t,” she stammered. “Keep your hands by your sides. Do your duty. If you are lucky, you will get with child soon. Men leave their wives alone then.” She paused. “Are your courses regular?”
“Aye.” Katelyn wondered what they had to do with the conversation. “They usually last six or seven days. Sometimes, eight.”
Lady Ellyn said, “Tell him ten,” and gave her a tight smile. “Many men refuse to touch a woman during that time.”
Dread filled Katelyn. She decided to switch the conversation to something that was more interesting to her.
“Have you been in charge of the domestic duties, my lady?”
“I have. You will now take over for me,” Lady Ellyn said sadly.
Katelyn took the woman’s hand, realizing it was a surprise for her to suddenly give up her duties without warning. She did not want Lady Ellyn to resent her.
“I know the earl will tell me all I need to know about the estate, my lady, but I will depend upon you to help guide me as I ease into my role as Countess of Northmere. Your knowledge is vastly superior to mine. I’m eager to learn everything you can share with me.” Katelyn smiled. “I look forward to being a member of your family. Might I call you Aunt?”
Lady Ellyn squeezed her hand, a pleased look on her face. “I’d like very much for you to think of me as family. Please, call me Ellyn. Aunt is so formal.”
“I would be happy to do so. ’Tis a beautiful name.”
The noblewoman finished combing Katelyn’s hair and then two servants appeared. They helped her dress for her wedding in a gold and cream silk cotehardie. One of the women braided Katelyn’s hair in a complicated manner and then placed a golden circlet atop her head.
“Lord Cedric sent it, my lady,” the servant said.
“Then I must thank the earl.”
The other servant laid out a nightgown for her to wear for her wedding night. “The earl will certainly like this on you, my lady. I will help you remove your wedding finery after the feast and assist you into this. You will look lovely.”
The thought sat like a cold lump inside her belly.
Ellyn led her downstairs, where she found Landon waiting for her. He, too, had changed and looked splendid in green and gold. His emerald eyes shone brightly when he caught sight of her.
He kissed her cheek and offered her his arm. “I am happy to escort you to your wedding, Sister. You make a most beautiful bride.”
She placed her hand on his forearm, her fingers gripping it as her heart raced. Landon led her from the keep and to a large stone chapel that sat opposite from the keep’s doors. People swarmed the inner bailey. Servants. Farmers. Soldiers. Hundreds had gathered to see their liege lord and his intended speak their vows. As she passed by the sea of faces, Katelyn realized that these were soon to be her people. She promised herself to always look after them and see they were taken care of properly.
A priest, who introduced himself as Father Gregory, awaited them. He began the ceremony. Katelyn repeated the vows after the man of God, trying to look her groom in the eye, but found she lacked the courage. She stared instead at his chest. He chuckled at her timidity and placed a ring upon her third finger, repeating after the priest. Father Gregory then led them inside the chapel and conducted mass. At its end, Katelyn found herself being quickly kissed and then pulled along by the earl so that they exited the chapel.
Once they came out into the late summer afternoon, Lord Cedric said, “I did not know you were so shy, my lady.”
“I . . . have never spoken wedding vows before,” she said, her voice faint.
“Don’t worry,” the earl told her. “I have. There’s nothing to being wed.” He gave her a sly smile. “And you have an experienced groom so our wedding night will last well until dawn.”
Katelyn thought she might be sick.
She allowed him to lead her back to the great hall. All the trestle tables had been pulled from the walls and benches places next to them. Lord Cedric took her to the dais situated at the front of the room and seated her as workers and soldiers poured into the enormous room. Soon, course after course came from the kitchen. How the cook had managed to accomplish so much in such a short time astounded her. Many toasts were drunk in their honor and then the earl instructed her to go to the solar and ready herself.
Doing as ordered, Katelyn left the great hall. Before she started up the staircase, Landon called her name. She turned, hoping to keep her tears at bay.
“I am across the hall from the solar,” he shared. “If you have need of me.” He kissed her brow. “Remember, the act isn’t something you’ll do frequently. Lord Cedric’s age will be a factor. The reward is being countess of everything you see.”
“I’ll remember,” she promised. “If I can endure the convent, I can do anything.”
“That’s my brave girl.”
Katelyn walked woodenly to the solar and found the servant waiting for her. The woman had already drawn the bed curtains aside and pulled the bedclothes back. She undressed Katelyn and helped her slip into the beautiful nightgown, embroidered with tiny roses. The queen’s seamstress had done well. Katelyn possessed a fine wardrobe. After what she would go through tonight, she would make sure the earl continued to buy her pretty cloth so she could garb herself as the Countess of Northmere should. Mayhap, he might even give her a jewel or two but she didn’t relish what she would have to do to receive one.
Finally, she was alone. Katelyn prayed Lord Cedric would drink so much that he would be unable to perform his husbandly duties and then decided she would rather get it over with. Once tonight’s mysteries unfolded, she would understand what marriage was about. Knowledge was power. She would take that knowledge and use it and never be frightened of her husband again.
When he finally arrived, she suspected he was drunk from the way he swayed and how carefully he articulated his words.
Words that caused her to go cold.
After greeting her and downing a cup of wine, he stripped off his clothes. Katelyn stared in horror and fascination, having never seen a man unclothed before.
Once his clothing lay in a heap on the floor, he turned to her.
“Get onto the bed,” he commanded, his voice suddenly sharp as steel.
She complied, climbing onto the bed and lying on her back, her hands fisted by her side as she remembered Ellyn’s instructions. The naked, hairy earl joined her, yanking her to the middle of the bed. His hands went to the neckline of her nightgown and then he rent it in two. The sound of the material tearing caused the blood to pound in her ears. Katelyn wanted to box him soundly but lay still as fear encircled her.
Lord Cedric began to play with her breasts, kneading them over and over, then pinching her nipples. She gasped but did not cry out. Something in his eyes told her that he wanted her to. That alone made her decide not to utter another sound, no matter what happened this night.
He began kissing her then, slobbering all over her mouth and face. His mouth moved down her neck to her breasts, where he licked them. Disgust rose within her as she gripped the bedclothes in both hands. Then he climbed atop her, hovering a moment before he started pushing against the place between where her legs joined. He moved again and again against her and she sensed his frustration building.
“Touch it!” he cried hoarsely. “I must be firm to enter you.”
Katelyn looked at what hung between his legs and closed her eyes as she wrapped her fingers around it. It grew for a moment and then became flaccid again.
“Keep trying,” her new husband ordered, gritti
ng his teeth. He placed his hand over hers and moved her hand up and down along the small shaft.
She labored for some time but nothing seemed to occur. His anger grew. Even in the dim candlelight, she could see how red his face became. He threw her hand off and pushed against her repeatedly and then growled in fury. Lord Cedric slapped her once, her face stinging as she willed herself not to strike him back.
Before she could ask what she was doing wrong, he scrunched his face as if in pain. Suddenly he collapsed atop her and didn’t move.
Katelyn waited to see what he would do next and found herself struggling to breathe. Not having the strength to push him off her, she rocked back and forth until she was able to roll him onto his side. Slipping from the bed, she lifted the candle and brought it next to his face.
She gasped. His eyes stared blankly at her. He was dead.
What would this mean for her?
She was his wife but they had not consummated their marriage. Something told Katelyn that would leave her in limbo. What if they thought she killed him? What should she do?
Remembering that Landon was across the hall, she decided to seek his advice. Opening the door quietly, she could still hear the sounds of merriment faintly wafting up the stairs and along the corridor. Gathering the ruined nightclothes about her, Katelyn saw no one and decided to chance knocking upon Landon’s chamber, hoping he had already retired.
She rapped twice against the door. Her brother flung it open immediately. His eyes quickly glanced up and down her, anger filling them.
“Come quickly,” she urged, holding her gown together with one hand and grabbing his wrist with her other.
They crossed to the solar and Katelyn shut and latched the door.
“He’s dead.”
“Dead?” Landon paused. “Did he hurt you? Were you defending yourself?”
“He slapped me once.” She held her palm to her face. “The mark will fade.”
“Was he able to complete the marriage act?”
“Nay. No matter what I did, his shaft wouldn’t stiffen.”
Landon thought a moment. “’Twill be better if we say the marriage was consummated, else the Mandevilles will want to nullify it. I signed the contracts with Lord Cedric before the ceremony began. The king already bestowed gold upon you as part of the bridal price. If for any reason your marriage wasn’t consummated, it was to go to me. I am happy to hand it over to you.”
Katelyn’s heart swelled with love for her brother.
“You also were given land. A part of Northmere. Even with a new earl succeeding, that cannot be taken from you. A manor house resides upon it, Katelyn. You wouldn’t have to live in the keep. You could live at the manor and have enough to pay servants. Why, you might even wed a man of your choosing this time.”
She tamped down her excitement, thinking practically. “The king has already used me once as a pawn. Don’t you think he would do so again?”
Her brother shrugged. “I cannot say. But the wealth and land are yours, of that I’m sure. As long as the marriage act was completed. That makes all the difference.”
He strode into the bedchamber. Katelyn quickly followed, clutching the torn gown to hide her nakedness. Landon pulled a dagger from his boot and pushed the sleeve up his arm. He sliced a small line across it and dribbled blood onto the sheets.
“This will protect you,” he proclaimed. “Stay in the solar the remainder of the night. Try to sleep if you can. Send for Lord Cedric’s brother in the morning.” His fingers tightened on her shoulders. “Cry if you can. Looked bewildered. Lost. Say how kind your husband was and how tenderly he treated you but make it clear to Sir Rafe that your maidenhead was breached.”
Landon led her from the bedchamber and closed the door. “I will ride for Windsor after the funeral mass and inform the king of the tragic events. I’ll tell him how traumatized you are and that you need time to heal emotionally. I know Edward and better yet, his queen. Philippa will make sure you aren’t rushed into another marriage anytime soon.”
“Thank you,” Katelyn said. “Wait a few minutes.”
She went back into the bedchamber. Finding another, less elaborate nightgown, she changed into it and then took the ripped one to her brother.
“Find a way to dispose of this,” she ordered. “If Lord Cedric was to be my gentle lover, we don’t need proof of his viciousness.”
Landon took the wad of material and kissed her cheek. “I will see you in the morning,” he promised. “Stay strong.”
She watched him go, latching the door behind him, and then sank into a chair. She would have to give the performance of a lifetime in the morning in order to convince Sir Rafe and Lady Ellyn that her marriage was real.
Katelyn began planning everything to say and do. In detail.
Her future depended upon it.
Chapter Eight
Katelyn awoke, her neck stiff and her feet freezing. She sat in a chair next to a fire that had gone cold. She couldn’t stomach sleeping in the same bed beside her dead husband and had remained outside the bedchamber all night. Soon, though, a servant would more than likely bring them bread and ale in order to break their fast. Proof would also be sought of the marriage’s consummation. After much consideration last night, she’d decided it would be better to be awakened in the bed with a servant as a witness to the fact that Lord Cedric had died in his sleep and that his new wife hadn’t been aware of it.
Quickly, she went to the door and removed the latch so that anyone could enter. Steeling herself, she entered the bedchamber but left the door ajar so she would have a warning when someone approached. She drew the bed curtains on the corpse’s side of the bed and then came around and climbed into the other side of the bed, pulling the curtain on this side, as well.
Katelyn faced away from the body next to her, burying herself beneath the bedclothes and hoping her feet would warm up soon. Within minutes, she heard the door to the solar open and relaxed her body. With her eyes closed, she started breathing evenly as if still in sleep. The door squeaked faintly as someone pushed it open all the way.
“Here, put the tray down and you may leave. I will awaken the happy couple.”
“Aye, my lady.”
Katelyn recognized Ellyn Mandeville’s voice as the first one who spoke. She heard footsteps receding and kept her breathing steady. Then the bed curtain on Lord Cedric’s side eased open.
“Mother of God!” the noblewoman cried out softly.
Playing her role, Katelyn stirred slightly. A moment passed and soft footsteps came around the foot of the bed, slowly drawing aside the curtain next to her. A warm hand touched her shoulder and gently rocked her back and forth.
“Katelyn? Wake up, dear.”
She blinked several times and then yawned. “Oh, good morning, Ellyn.” She pushed herself up on one elbow, still facing away from the dead earl. “I am so tired. Lord Cedric kept me up half the night.”
“Katelyn, let me help you from the bed.”
She allowed Ellyn to assist her and she stood. “I should greet Lord Cedric.” Turning, she froze as she stared at the wide-eyed corpse on the bed. “Oh. Oh. Dear God in Heaven above . . .” Her voice trailed off.
Ellyn took her elbow and moved her away from the bed. Katelyn shuffled along a moment and then tore away, running to the side where Lord Cedric lay. She stared at her husband a moment and then collapsed atop him. His cold flesh repelled her but she clung to him wordlessly. Her sister-in-law latched on to her arm and forced her away.
“He’s . . . he’s . . .”
“He’s passed on. I know.”
She kissed the white cheek and then threw herself at the noblewoman and began sobbing. The tears were all too real. Katelyn had no idea if Landon’s plan would work. She clung to Ellyn in true fear.
The noblewoman led her into the solar. “Sit here, Katelyn. I will fetch my husband.”
“And my brother,” she quickly added. “I need Landon.”
“Of course.”
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Within minutes, both men entered the solar. Ellyn closed the door and locked it. It was obvious by Sir Rafe’s face that he had not been informed of the events and realized Ellyn Mandeville was being extremely discreet.
“Tears, my lady?” Sir Rafe shrugged. “’Tis to be expected. It’s well known that my brother can be rough in love play. You will grow accustomed to it. In the meantime, I can bear witness that your virgin blood has been spilled and the marriage is now confirmed.”
Katelyn raised her face to him. “My husband . . . is dead.”
“Dead?” Shocked filled the nobleman’s face, then he chuckled. “At least he died doing what made him happy.” He looked to Landon, growing serious. “Come with me to verify, my lord.”
The two men left the room and appeared moments later. Rafe Mandeville looked deflated.
“I can attest that the marriage was consummated,” he said. “Sir Landon, I will see that the monies owed you are paid accordingly.”
“And the manor house on the far edge of Northmere?” Landon inquired. “It was also part of the marriage settlement.”
Sir Rafe frowned. “Aye, it will also be awarded to the countess. The dowager countess,” he corrected himself. “This is a volatile situation.”
“You don’t want the Scots to know that Lord Cedric is dead,” Katelyn said astutely, wiping away her tears.
“Nay. I had intended to send riders out this morning so they could spread the news that the king had sent additional troops to the border and wed one of his cousins to my brother. Word would reach the Scots sooner rather than later. ’Tis important for our northern neighbors to understand the king has great faith in the families closest to the border, especially marrying one of his own cousins to a Mandeville.”
Sir Rafe collapsed into a chair. “I must think on this.”
“Shouldn’t we send for Father Gregory?” Ellyn asked anxiously. “He must see to Lord Cedric and offer comfort to Katelyn.”
The nobleman sprang to his feet. “That’s it!” he cried. “I have an answer that will solve our problems.”
