The Pawn

by Aston, Alexa

  Nicholas broke the silence. “Would you give me a tour of the manor house? ’Tis been many years since I was here.”

  “Of course.”

  He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and she led him across the great hall to a staircase on the right.

  As they climbed the stairs, she said, “Dorinda and Lucy are working on making these two bedchambers inhabitable.”

  They greeted the two servants and then descended the stairs after seeing both rooms. Katelyn took him to the opposite staircase.

  “This side of the manor has another bedchamber and the solar. Unlike Northmere’s solar, it is one long room instead of separating the family area from the bedchamber.”

  “You’re sorely lacking in furniture. I will send some tomorrow, as well as more servants to help finish cleaning the entire house.”

  They returned to the great hall and she showed him the kitchen.

  “Walk out with me,” he urged.

  She saw his horse tied to a post outside. “What a beautiful coat!” she cried out as she hurried toward it and stroked the animal lovingly.

  “His name is Sunset. He is named for the colors in his coat and my favorite time of day—though bedtime might soon prove to be my new favorite,” he added, a devilish smile playing about his lips.

  His suggestive words caused her cheeks to heat and she stared at Sunset, afraid to meet his eyes.

  As he mounted the horse, Nicholas said, “I want to walk with you at sunset sometime.” He lifted her hand from where she still petted the horse and kissed her fingers. “Until tomorrow, Kate.”

  Katelyn watched him ride away and thought Nicholas might be as lonely as she was. His mother was dead. His relationship with his father had been fractured. He’d lost his closest friend. His brother was no brother to him. She wondered if fate had brought them together so that they might find a way out from their loneliness.

  And become one.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Katelyn had just finished dressing in a simple smock and kirtle, leaving off her luxurious cotehardie. She had no reason to dirty it while she continued cleaning today. Though Nicholas had said he would send someone else to help, it had to be a low priority when he had so much else to deal with. Hoping with Dorinda and Lucy’s help to have the manor house to her liking, Katelyn had set a goal of three more days to complete all the tasks that revolved around making the manor livable again.

  An urgent knock sounded and Lucy threw open the door before Katelyn could bid her to enter.

  “My lady, wagons approach!” the servant said breathlessly. “Sir Gerald saw them and rode back from his patrol to let us know.”

  “Who is it?” Katelyn asked, wondering who might be arriving when the sun had barely broken over the horizon.

  “They are from the castle.” Lucy glanced at her. “Quick. Let me help you into one of your cotehardies.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, my lady. I will help you dress now as befits a countess of Northmere,” Lucy insisted.

  With the servant’s help, Katelyn donned a cotehardie of deep green and came downstairs to await the arrival of those from the castle. She counted eleven carts total. The first three contained servants. The next two looked like supplies, both for cleaning and cooking and some things to help restock the larder. She was glad for that. Feeding so many would have diminished their food supplies substantially. The remaining carts housed furniture and several men, most likely to carry in the heavy objects that rose from the beds.

  The wagons came to a halt in front of the manor and a youth of ten and three or possibly four leaped from his horse, which had led the group. He came toward her, eyes bright, brimming with energy.

  “Good day to you, my lady,” he said as he bowed. “I am Henfrey, squire to Lord Nicholas. He sent me to assist you in any way I can. As you see, I’ve brought enough servants from the castle to ensure that your manor house will be in order before the end of the day. Address the women first so they may begin their cleaning tasks and then you can view the furniture we brought and instruct the men where it might go. If none of the pieces please you or you have something else in mind, I’ve brought a carpenter along, as well. Simply tell him what you’d like and he will build it for you.”

  Katelyn smiled at the boy’s self-assurance and eager manner. “Have the women gather so I may speak with them.”

  By now, both Lucy and Dorinda had come outside and Katelyn motioned to them as the castle servants made their way over. They stood in a semi-circle. She was glad she’d taken Lucy’s advice and dressed according to her position. Her clothes from the king fit her well and gave her confidence as she spoke.

  “Thank you for coming to right the manor house. Some of the cleaning has already begun. I will divide you into two groups. Dorinda and Lucy will be in charge since they know exactly what I wish to be done.”

  Katelyn divided them equally, sending the first group with Dorinda to work upstairs in the solar and bedchamber across from it. Lucy’s group would finish cleaning the kitchen and then organize the items brought to stock it. She’d glimpsed pots and cups and hoped that the carts contained new bedclothes and bath linens, as well as herbs and spices.

  After dismissing the women, she walked with Henfrey to the first wagon of large goods. It was so crowded with furniture that she couldn’t see what the pieces looked like, even if she’d climbed into the bed.

  “Mayhap the men could unload the wagon?” Katelyn suggested. “It will give me a better idea of what has been sent.”

  “You heard the countess,” Henfrey said to the men nearest them. “Unload it.” He raised his voice and shouted to the others, “Unload all the wagons.”

  After the beds had been emptied, she walked among the contents, pointing out pieces and having them separated from the group. The carpenter introduced himself to her and joined her and Henfrey as she walked them through the various rooms of the manor house. Both men made suggestions as to what could be removed and replaced. Soon, men carried older, less stable pieces from the manor and exchanged them for sturdier ones brought from Northmere.

  Her favorite discovery was an enormous tapestry that had taken up most of the final cart. It took eight men to bring in the unwieldy roll. She had them place it on the north wall of the great hall, knowing it would not only brighten the room but help keep the hall warmer come the cold winds of winter as they blew down from Scotland.

  Katelyn walked through the chambers again, having some of the new furniture rearranged to her liking. She especially liked the grouping of chairs placed near the fireplace in the great hall. The carpenter suggested crafting a dais since the room had none. He also looked over all of the benches and trestle tables, telling her he would sand some to smooth out the rough spots and construct a few new additions to substitute for ones he felt didn’t hold to a high enough standard.

  The hours flew by as she supervised the large group from the castle. They stopped for a noon meal and worked another two hours. Henfrey reported that everything seemed in good order so Katelyn went through the entire manor for a final inspection.

  “Have everyone come to the great hall,” she instructed Henfrey after she made her rounds.

  When all arrived, she told them, “You have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts nor convey how pleased I am with the results.” She grinned. “What I can do is open some of the casks sent by Lord Nicholas so we can lift a drink to all your hard work.”

  The men and women cheered loudly. Within minutes, everyone had a cup of wine in hand. Katelyn knew it would probably exhaust what had been sent but she doubted she would be doing any entertaining. She would rather the wine be drunk and enjoyed by those who had endeavored to make the manor house a home for her.

  “I see you are liberal with dispensing my wine,” a low voice said next to her.

  She turned and found Nicholas at her elbow. Finding her mouth had gone suddenly dry, she took a sip from
her cup and then offered it to him. He took it and drank down the rest.

  “I cannot thank you enough, my lord. My manor house has been transformed in but a few hours’ time.”

  “Nicholas,” he reminded her, drawing her hand through his arm. “Why don’t you show me what you’ve accomplished?” He handed the cup to Lucy, who hovered anxiously nearby.

  “I can’t say I was the one who accomplished anything,” she replied as they moved toward a staircase and ascended it. “I merely managed what went on. Your people did all of the work.”

  “Our people, Kate.” He gave her an affectionate smile. “That is, if you wish to have them belong to you.”

  They reached the top of the stairs and she showed him the two bedchambers. She did the same for the other side of the manor, watching as he assessed each room.

  “I like it. I hope you do,” he said.

  “Oh, I do. Very much.”

  “Good.”

  His steady gaze had her grow warm and she began to fan herself with a hand.

  “Are you hot? You’ve been rushing from here to there all day. Mayhap, you’d like to walk outside with me? Or better yet, why don’t I take you for a ride and show you some of Northmere?”

  He placed his hand atop hers, which still rested on his arm. His nearness caused her heart to pound fiercely. A very masculine scent came from him, something that appealed to her—the mix of leather and horse. She thought what it would be like to be caught up in his arms, atop Sunset, and decided a ride would be far better than a walk.

  “I would enjoy riding. You know I am fond of horses.”

  “Aye.” His eyes glowed at her. “I know I said I would bring you one but I haven’t had time to find the proper mount for you just yet. Besides a horse, is there any else you might require?”

  “Could I have parchment and ink?” she asked.

  “You read and write?” She saw his surprise as he added, “You wish to write to your brother?”

  “I do read and write,” she told him. “In fact, I was tasked to teach both to the oblates at the convent.”

  Nicholas’ nose crinkled. “Oblates? What are oblates?”

  “They are young girls, usually six or seven years of age, who are sent away from their families to become nuns.”

  “That young? Do they ever see their families again?”

  “Nay. They are given up to God—and Mother. The abbess and nuns become their family.” Katelyn held back the grimace that thought brought. She was far away from Mother Acelina now and would never have to look upon her face again.

  “So you taught them to read and write. How else did you spend your time at the convent?”

  “I tended the chickens and goats. In fact, I’ve told Bethany I would teach her how to milk a goat. She seemed most interested in learning.”

  He smiled. “She did?”

  “I think she is intelligent. The fact that she shies away from others may have held her back some but I think she could learn to do many things if given time and patience.”

  “When I’ve spoken to her this week, it’s been more like a true conversation. She’s tried to speak in groups of words. I know that is thanks to you.”

  “I hope you will bring her to visit me.”

  “I will. And I can certainly bring you parchment and ink to write to Landon.”

  Katelyn shook her head. “I don’t wish to write to him yet. He is a long way from Northumberland. As it is, it will take him weeks to reach Windsor—or even London—if the king has ventured there.”

  “You will write him when you decide about our marriage?” Nicholas pressed.

  She nodded. “I will. He would need to know of my decision and inform the king as to whether I will remain your wife or let you find one of your own choosing.”

  Guilt still hung heavily over her, knowing Nicholas had been compelled to accept her as his wife, his uncle pulling the strings. The more she knew of her husband, the more she respected him.

  And wanted him to find a wife better suited to being a countess than she could ever be.

  “Despite the fact that I told you I want to remain in this marriage, you still resist, Kate.”

  She loved hearing him call her that. No one had ever shortened her name. Somehow, she felt more a Kate than a Katelyn—when she was with Nicholas. Her background deemed her unsuitable to be the wife of a powerful nobleman, even though she was the king’s cousin. Growing up in a convent hadn’t prepared her for life outside it. Nicholas would need a much different kind of woman than Katelyn de Blays to share his life and Northmere. When the month ended, she would request the annulment. Until then, she would enjoy his company.

  And those promised kisses.

  “Remember, I have a month to make up my mind,” she said lightly, trying to put him off. “And we are to learn something about each other every day.”

  “And share a daily kiss,” Nicholas reminded her, a glint of desire surfacing in those deep brown eyes.

  “That, too,” she said dismissively, not wanting him to guess how badly she longed for it. “Come. Show me a little of Northmere. I am eager to see it.”

  They returned downstairs. Those from the castle were loading up the unused or unwanted furniture and climbing into the wagons in order to return, Henfrey making sure everyone had a place to ride.

  Nicholas signaled the squire over. “Henfrey, I hope you did a good job today for Lady Katelyn.”

  She said, “I could not have accomplished all I did if not for Henfrey’s wonderful help.”

  The squire beamed. “I would do anything for you, my lady.”

  Katelyn hid a smile, seeing the young man was taken with her.

  “I want you to stay at the manor house for now, Henfrey,” Nicholas told his squire. “Albert and Gerald are guarding the outside but I have no one inside to protect the countess and her servants. I trust you to defend them.”

  Henfrey couldn’t contain his delight. “Oh, thank you, my lord. Thank you. I will be happy to guard Lady Katelyn from harm.”

  “She will be in residence for a little less than a month then you may return to the castle grounds. For now, you can bring Sunset here once everyone has departed for the castle. I wish for the countess to see some of Northmere.”

  “Aye, my lord.” Henfrey look to her. “You’ll only be able to see a bit of the estate, my lady. It would take you riding through the night and well into tomorrow before you could take in all the land.”

  The squire scurried off to where the last of the wagons was being loaded.

  “He is certainly enthusiastic,” she pointed out.

  “Henfrey has been at Northmere since he was seven. He’s now ten and three and has recently become my squire.”

  “You won’t miss him?”

  “He’ll be of more use to you than me. Let him move a few things about for you so he can feel manly,” Nicholas suggested.

  Katelyn laughed.

  Nicholas took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed it. “I love hearing your laugh, Kate. It makes it seem as if everything is right in my world.”

  “Here you go, my lord,” called Henfrey.

  Nicholas released her hand and swung into Sunset’s saddle. She stood near and allowed him to lift her in front of him. His left arm came about her waist, drawing her into him. Her fingers locked on to his strong forearm to secure herself and he turned the horse away from the manor, instantly breaking into a gallop. Katelyn gripped him tightly, enjoying the feel of the wind against her face and the possessive arm holding her against him.

  They slowed a few times in order for him to point out various things to her and then he brought Sunset to a halt.

  “There’s a stream nearby,” Nicholas said. “I want to water him.”

  He dismounted from the horse and then clasped her about the waist, bringing her back to the earth. His hands remained on her waist, his eyes searching her face. Katelyn thought he might kiss her but he merely rubbed his thumbs back and forth several times, grazing
her ribs, causing her pulse to jump. Nicholas released her and took up Sunset’s reins in one hand.

  And wrapped his other hand around hers.

  He led them into a wooded area and she heard running water. They reached a brook and Sunset lapped up water until his master tugged him away and looped the reins around a low bush. Nicholas hadn’t released her hand the entire time and a glow had spread through her.

  Now, he backed her against a tree trunk and captured her other hand in his free one.

  “I think it’s time for our kiss,” he suggested.

  “All right,” she said, her breathing growing shallow in anticipation.

  Nicholas stepped toward her until their bodies grazed one another, pinning her loosely against the bark.

  “I have thought of nothing else but this kiss,” he revealed. “Ever since the last one ended.”

  When she remained silent, he cocked his head and studied her. “And what about you, Kate? Have you thought about kissing me?”

  Her face flamed as he flirted with her. Her nipples began to ache. Her tongued darted out and nervously licked her lips.

  “Ah, just what I wanted to do. You are full of good ideas, Kate.”

  Nicholas’ mouth moved toward hers. As he reached it, his tongue touched the center of her bottom lip. Without meaning to, Katelyn moaned.

  He whispered, “I want to taste you, Kate.”

  His tongue glided agonizingly slow along her lower lip, causing her knees to buckle. Nicholas pressed closer to her as his tongue swished back and forth, driving her mad, then moving and doing the same to her upper lip.

  “Nicholas,” she gasped.

  He took her parted lips as an invitation and plunged his tongue inside, kissing her deeply. His hands tightened on hers, almost crushing her bones, and yet Katelyn welcomed the pain mixed with pleasure. He kissed her again and again, her sighs urging him on. He broke the kiss and softly bit into her lower lip. She startled and groaned, sensations running inside her like lightning.