The Pawn

by Aston, Alexa

  And prayed.

  *

  “My lady?”

  Katelyn dragged her eyes from Nicholas and saw a birdlike woman entering the solar. She was the size of a large child, with deep green eyes and hair as white as snow. Her face was unlined. She could have been between two and four score. Katelyn didn’t care. All she needed to know was if this woman could bring Nicholas back to her.

  She released his hand and stood. “I am Katelyn Mandeville. Are you the Northmere healer?”

  “Aye. Young Henfrey summoned me. We slipped from the castle unseen, using the sally port. The squire told me you told him to tell no one we came here.” She nodded in approval. “I am Elewys. It’s best that the Scots not get wind of the earl’s accident.” She paused. “If it is an accident.”

  Katelyn frowned. “I hadn’t thought about the cause. One minute we were galloping. The next, Lord Nicholas flew from the saddle.”

  Elewys’ lips thinned. “The earl has been an expert rider from the time his father put him in the saddle. He rode as soon as he could walk. There has to be a reason he fell.” She glanced to the bed. “Tell me everything.”

  Quickly, Katelyn related how she’d checked him for broken bones immediately after his fall and found none. That she’d undressed him and seen nothing but bruises on his body.

  “What’s given me concern is the large knot on the back of his head. His head took the brunt of the fall when he hit the ground. The swelling has continued to grow. He’s not regained consciousness since then.”

  The older woman took her time examining Nicholas. Katelyn stood nearby with watchful eyes, ready to do anything the healer asked of her.

  Finally, Elewys stepped back, her lips pursed. “Head wounds can be complicated,” she began. “The earl might wake up and have no knowledge of what occurred, either during the incident or even the few days before.”

  “He wouldn’t remember Sunset bolting and tossing him?” Katelyn asked.

  “Aye. Or he could awaken and merely have a bad headache.” Elewys frowned. “Sometimes, though, it can be worse.”

  “How much worse?” she asked, a lump forming in her throat.

  “I have seen severe head wounds kill a man,” the healer said. “Or when the injured person comes to, they are not the same as they were before.”

  “What do you mean?” Katelyn’s heart began pounding fiercely.

  “An outgoing man may suddenly be quite shy.” She paused. “A once happy man might grow . . . sullen. Or angry.”

  “Would the person return to as he was after time passed?” she asked hopefully.

  Elewys shook her head sadly. “Usually not. We won’t know until Lord Nicholas awakens how this blow will impact him. And those around him.”

  Katelyn blinked back tears. “I love him,” she blurted out.

  The healer touched her arm lightly. “That is good. You will be able to help him recover from whatever ails him.” She paused. “And help him learn what truly happened.”

  She thought a moment. “Sunset ran off after he threw Nicholas. When the horse returned, he no longer wore a saddle.”

  “Find the saddle—and you’ll discover the truth.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

  “Nay, my lady. I plan to mix some salve to slather on his bruises to promote quick healing. I’ll fashion a poultice with herbs such as lavender and rose to place on the swelling. When he awakens, we’ll know if he has a headache or nausea and deal with those things.”

  “I’ll let you care for him then,” Katelyn said. “For now, I need to find his missing saddle. Excuse me.”

  She left the solar and returned downstairs to where Sir Albert still stood guard, even though Henfrey had returned. She sent the squire upstairs to assist the healer if needed.

  “My lady, how is the earl?” the knight asked anxiously when she came to stand next to him.

  “Still fast asleep. Elewys is tending to him. I need your help, though.”

  “Anything. I am at you service.”

  “Elewys tells me Lord Nicholas is an excellent rider. That’s certainly what I’ve seen. I want you and Sir Gerald to ride back to where the accident occurred and locate the earl’s saddle. Sunset galloped off and came back without it. It’s imperative to locate and examine this saddle.”

  Albert’s eyes lit with understanding. “You think someone tampered with it.”

  “I do. But I need proof. Speak to no one about this.”

  “I’ll go now. And send another knight inside to stand watch. We have plenty to choose from.”

  She remembered seeing more soldiers about than usual. “Did the earl send more men to the manor house?”

  The knight nodded in confirmation. “He felt it wise after dismissing his brother from Northmere.”

  “I see. Bring me the saddle the minute you return, Sir Albert.”

  Katelyn returned upstairs. She and Henfrey watched how Elewys made the poultice so they could do the same and then helped apply the salve to the bruises that covered Nicholas’ body. The healer explained how to brew ginger root and chamomile in steeped water and have Nicholas drink it once he awakened in order to treat any nausea or headaches that might occur.

  “There’s not much else I can do for him, my lady,” Elewys said. “I have showed you all you need to care for him and will leave with you the herbs we discussed. If you truly want to keep what happened to the earl a secret for now, I should return to the castle.”

  “Will anyone have missed you?” Katelyn asked anxiously.

  “I often leave to search for herbs and flowers. I have my satchel with me. When I return with it, that is where others will think I have been.”

  “Henfrey can take you back to Northmere now.” She thought a moment. “Will you give me a few minutes? I want to send a missive to Sir Rafe.”

  Katelyn went to the table and put aside the drawing that Bethany had been working on and took out a fresh parchment. Dipping her quill into the ink she penned a few lines to Rafe Mandeville.

  Sir Rafe –

  I have foolishly turned my ankle while Nicholas and I walked this afternoon. He insists on staying with me a few days to keep me company while I mend. He allowed me to write to you because I have not practiced my letters since I left the convent and do not want to lose this skill. You are to take care of Northmere for him. Give my best to Lady Ellyn.

  Lady Katelyn Mandeville

  “Bring me Lord Nicholas’ signet ring, Henfrey,” Katelyn directed as she rolled the parchment and tilted a candle to its edge. After the wax dripped on the paper, she gave Henfrey the candle and pressed Nicholas’ ring into the warm wax, marking it as officially from him. She only hoped Rafe didn’t question her words or the reason why Nicholas would be absent from Northmere.

  “Drop Elewys off near the castle walls and ride alone to the keep. Give this to Sir Rafe.”

  “Am I to wait for a reply?”

  “If he chooses to respond.” Quickly, Katelyn explained the excuse she had given the knight in case he quizzed Henfrey. “If he asks when Lord Nicholas will return, play ignorant.”

  “Whatever you wish, my lady.” The squire looked to Elewys. “I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”

  Once he left, Katelyn drew the old woman into an embrace. “Thank you for caring for Nicholas.”

  Elewys smiled. “Thank you for loving him, my lady. He’s a good man and has been a lonely one. You will make him a fine wife.”

  Katelyn refrained from telling the healer why she could never be Nicholas’ wife and merely said, “Take care.”

  The healer left the solar and Katelyn returned to her bedside vigil, looking for any small sign that Nicholas might awaken. She didn’t know how much time had passed when a knock sounded on the solar’s door.

  Quickly, she got to her feet to admit the visitor, hoping it was Sir Albert. Opening the door, she was relieved it was the knight and ushered him and Sir Gerald in. Henfrey followed behind them. Between them they carried
Sunset’s saddle and hoisted it onto the table as the squire shut the door.

  Albert’s face told her what she needed to know before he even spoke. “You were right, Lady Katelyn. Someone meddled with the girth.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Show me,” Katelyn demanded, anger at an unknown person who’d set out to harm Nicholas building inside her.

  “Here.” Sir Gerald lifted a piece and pointed to a spot. “Someone sliced through the girth. Not all the way. Lord Nicholas would have to have ridden a while before the stress on the damaged leather gave way.”

  She sat on the bench and took the girth in her hands, studying it carefully.

  “Lord Nicholas is very particular with his horse,” Henfrey said. “He usually saddles it himself. Occasionally, he lets me do it for him. Since I was at the manor house, he would have done so himself.”

  “He would have noticed it at once,” Sir Albert added.

  “Which means someone meddled with it after he arrived here,” Katelyn said. “Since Nicholas and I usually stroll outside instead of riding, the girth would have broken apart once he was on his way back to Northmere.”

  “Aye,” Sir Gerald agreed. “Lord Nicholas would have been alone and vulnerable to attack if thrown from Sunset. ’Tis possible the Scots would have captured him and held him for ransom.”

  “They do that?”

  “Aye, my lady,” Sir Albert replied. “It’s a common tactic and helps to fill their coffers in times of need. The Earl of Northmere would have been a valuable prize to them.”

  Katelyn turned to Henfrey. “Did you care for Sunset when the earl arrived?”

  The boy nodded. “Lord Nicholas instructed me to take Sunset and Ebony behind the manor house so Ebony would be out of sight. He wanted to surprise you with the palfrey. He asked for me to return to the soldiers gathered in front, those who were intended to escort Lady Bethany back to the castle.”

  “That left Sunset unattended for a few minutes then,” she said.

  Henfrey nodded, his eyes filling with tears. “I should have stayed with the horses,” he whispered, guilt obvious on his face.

  Katelyn put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You did exactly what the earl told you to do, Henfrey. No one would have expected for the Scots to be so close and cause such mischief.”

  But she wondered if this was truly the work of Scottish rebels. Only yesterday, Nicholas had exiled his brother from ever returning to his home. She leaned toward believing that somehow Bryce might be involved but held her tongue.

  “I’ll make sure the soldiers on duty are alerted that a few Scots slipped across the border without sharing any specifics,” Sir Gerald said.

  When he started to lift the saddle, Katelyn stopped him. “Nay. Leave it here. Lord Nicholas will want to see it.”

  The three excused themselves and exited the solar. She returned to her vigil at Nicholas’ side. Lucy brought broth and bread for the nobleman in case he awoke and begged her to eat something, as well.

  Katelyn waved the servant away. “I’ll eat when I’m hungry. Go to bed, Lucy. I know it grows late.”

  After Lucy left, Katelyn yawned and decided to put out the candles so she could try and get some rest herself. Taking a seat in the chair again, she held fast to Nicholas’ hand and soon fell asleep, a prayer for his swift recovery on her lips.

  *

  Nicholas frowned as the image of a laughing Kate riding Ebony began to dissipate. His eyelids fluttered a few times and he discovered himself in total darkness. Before he could think where he might be, a wave of nausea rolled through him. He swallowed the bile and then realized his head pounded something fierce. Reaching a hand to his head, he touched material wrapped around it, smelling the herbs from a poultice. Underneath it he felt a bulge that was quite tender and decided that was the cause of his headache.

  Lowering his hand, he caught the scent of vanilla in the air and realized Kate held his other hand. He tried to sit up but the throbbing grew worse so he stilled.

  “Nicholas?”

  “Aye, Kate. Is that you?”

  He heard a choked sound and then Kate wrapped both of her hands around his. She pressed fervent kisses to his knuckles, which suddenly grew wet with her tears. He slipped his free hand atop hers.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “I thought . . . I thought you might never wake up.”

  He frowned. “How long have I . . . where am I?”

  “You are in the solar at the manor house,” she told him. “Do you remember what happened?”

  Nicholas tried to remember the last thing he’d done. “We were riding.” He smiled, her image coming to him again. “You seemed so happy on Ebony’s back.”

  “I was,” she said softly.

  “Then . . . I don’t know. Something gave way. I felt—or heard it—and then I was falling.”

  “Your head slammed against the ground.”

  “That’s where the knot comes from,” he mused.

  “Does it hurt much?”

  “My head does ache.”

  He sensed that she stood and was about to move away and gripped her hands to keep her from leaving.

  “I have something to help you,” she explained. “Elewys left some herbs I can use to alleviate any headaches or nausea you might experience.”

  “Elewys? She was here?”

  “Aye. I had Henfrey bring her. No one knows, though. I didn’t want word to leak that you had been injured. Henfrey returned Elewys to Northmere after she’d been here a few hours.”

  “So, it is the same day?”

  “It’s night now. The dead of night.” She tried to pull away again. “Let me fetch the herbs.”

  “Nay. Stay with me, Kate. Please.”

  “But your head—”

  “It doesn’t ache much,” he lied. “It’s a hard one, you know. Mother always teased that it was as sturdy as a stone wall. I was always falling and tearing about when I was young.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I am. For you.”

  Nicholas sensed the air grow heavy between them.

  “Would you come lie beside me?”

  Kate didn’t say anything.

  “Please? It would comfort me.”

  “All right.”

  He released his grip on her hands and felt her weight come down on the mattress. She nestled against him, her cheek against his beating heart. His arms went about her. He pushed the pulsating pain away so he could enjoy the feel of her. One warm palm rested against his bare chest and he realized that he was naked.

  If only Kate were.

  Gradually, she relaxed against him. In the darkness, he was more aware of the scent of vanilla rising from her skin. Her soft breaths. The feel of her smooth cotehardie. Having Kate in his arms made him feel complete. Nicholas only hoped she believed the same.

  It startled him when he suddenly understood why this felt so right. His heart finally told his head what he’d known all along.

  He loved Kate. Loved her. Loved her.

  She was still so skittish that he knew he could never say the words aloud to her. There was a time for words—and a time when actions spoke in place of words.

  He kissed the top of her head, her hair silky against his lips.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  She raised her face. “For what?”

  “For taking such good care of me.”

  Without asking, he brought his mouth down, brushing his lips against hers. It seemed a lifetime since he’d kissed her. Slowly, he teased her lips open and leisurely began exploring. His tongue ran along her straight teeth and slid along the roof of her mouth. She giggled and he grew bolder, stroking her tongue and then capturing it between his teeth. Soon, Kate joined in his games and kissed him with a matched fervor.

  His hand moved to the back of her neck, holding her steady as the onslaught of kisses grew more heated. Then he broke the kiss and feathered light ones along her jaw. His teeth grazed the side of her ne
ck and Kate moaned softly. Emboldened by her reaction, his lips trailed lower, moving to the valley between her breasts. One hand cupped her breast and she trembled.

  “Nicholas . . . I thought you weren’t going to kiss me anymore,” she murmured.

  Through her gown, he rolled her nipple between his fingers and heard her gasp.

  “You can tell me to stop,” he said, praying fervently that she wouldn’t as he pushed aside her cotehardie and licked the upper curve of her breast.

  “Oh!”

  “Does that mean stop?”

  “Nay,” she gasped.

  Nicholas continued, his tongue finding her nipple and teasing it. Kate trembled beneath him.

  “What are you doing?”

  He heard curiosity in her question and decided that this was one thing his father hadn’t done. Cedric Mandeville had been a selfish man and Nicholas could easily believe him to be a selfish lover. He doubted his father had done anything for Kate’s pleasure. Only his own.

  Breaking the contact, he lifted his head, wishing he could see her eyes. Instead, only the pitch black of the dark night surrounded them.

  “I am doing what I can to pleasure you. Kissing is but one way we can know pleasure.”

  “And what about consummation?” she asked anxiously. “You said you were going to wait a month.”

  He laughed. “There are many things we can do that fall between kissing and completing the marriage act. I would like to show you a few. None will get you with child. They will only bring you satisfaction.” He paused. “Are you interested?”

  “Aye.” The word was so soft, he barely heard it.

  Nicholas went back to lavishing attention on her breast, enjoying her squirms and sighs before moving to the other one. His hands stroked her curves, running along her sides from her breasts to below her hips and back again. He kissed his way down to her belly, holding her hips steady. Though he longed to go lower and taste her, he knew not to press her too quickly. Instead, he returned to her mouth and kissed her deeply as his fingers reached under her cotehardie and glided along her smooth thighs. He found the nest of curls and pushed a finger inside her.