The Countess Bride

by TERRI BRISBIN

  “Then who is she?” Geoff took the cup and drank from it as Christian poured his own and took a swig.

  “She is Catherine de Severin, sister of William.”

  “You told me she was Emalie’s cousin, an orphan who needed sanctuary. Wait! You killed de Severin….”

  “Aye. And I promised on his death that I would protect his sister from Prince John. She was the instrument of William’s downfall, and I pledged to him on the field, even as I struck the death blow that took his life, that I would see to her care.”

  Geoffrey huffed out his breath, feeling as though Christian had punched him in the gut. He dropped the cup on the table and it wobbled precariously before settling. “That is the basis of your hatred for her? The reason why you treat her so roughly when she is here?”

  “I do not hate her, Geoff. I am not happy that Emalie brings her here. I think of her brother and all of his evil when I see her, and I admit to not being able at times to separate her from him.” He sat back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. “But I do not hate her.”

  Catherine was de Severin’s sister? ’Twas difficult to accept that her goodness was connected to that villain, who had nearly succeeded in destroying everything here in Greystone Castle, including its lady. No, this did not make sense. How could Emalie befriend Catherine, indeed even create a link that did not exist, with the sister of the man who had dishonored her and tried to seize her lands and titles on Prince John’s behalf? How could Catherine keep the truth from him?

  “But how could Emalie accept her if she is de Severin’s sister? I do not know all of it, but I know that he tried to claim Emalie and Greystone….”

  Chris sighed and met his gaze. “Emalie feels a kind of bond with Catherine, since both of them were caught in John’s web of deceit. She is content in her life and would see that same contentment in Catherine’s, so she works with the reverend mother to encourage her and give her the opportunities that were stolen from her.”

  “And all of this in secret?”

  “It must be so, Geoff. John is not known for accepting defeat well nor for allowing his plans to fail. He is ever questing for revenge on those who cross him. Until now, John believed that I’d had her killed on the same morning I killed her brother in battle.”

  “Until now?” A sick feeling grew in his stomach.

  “One of Evesham’s vassals was involved in her imprisonment and one of his men recognized her yesterday. Evesham saw her last night and even now sends a messenger to John. Her only safety is at the convent.”

  “There is another way.” Geoff knew marriage to himself could protect her as well. “I could—”

  “Nay,” Christian shouted. “Do not even say the words, for I will not consider them.” He pushed himself up from his chair and began to pace the room. “She has no wealth. She has no family. She brings nothing to a marriage but herself and the small dowry I have set aside for her. She is unsuitable. You must marry one of the women from the Continent in order to strengthen our claim and our position between the Plantagenets and the Capets.”

  “The de Severins were a noble family. I could do worse in choosing a bride.” Geoff could feel the emotions seething in his brother. How could he convince him of the rightness of a match with Catherine?

  “The de Severins were wiped off the face of the earth three years ago by me, in order to protect what is mine and what will be yours. To admit now that she lives will be exposing my actions and my honor to disrepute, and that is something I will not do. I risked my life and saved yours to regain all that we lost because of our father’s treachery against Richard. I will not stand here and see you threaten all I have worked for because you think that love is sufficient reason to bring her back from the dead.”

  Christian had it right, at least in part. He had risked all to reclaim their name, their lands and their honor. If Chris was correct, the unstable situation on the Continent would continue and worsen. The pope had made his feelings about the unrest and fighting and destruction known, as had most of the various princes, dukes and counts who ruled the lands. Now, a strong alliance with one of the heiresses from one of the provinces held by Capet vassals would allow the Dumonts to keep their lands and titles no matter which king controlled the country.

  But if this was at the cost of a woman’s past and future, how could it be honorable? Why did Catherine have to suffer and lose all because of the battle among the royal families?

  “I do love her, Chris. I know that for a certainty.”

  His brother stopped and stared at him from across the room.

  “And it is not right nor honorable to make her to pay for the sins of her brother.” Geoff glared back, his anger over Catherine’s treatment growing. But he tried to offer a compromise. “If we tell no one her true identity, she will be acceptable as Emalie’s relation. The de Severin girl died three years ago and can remain dead.”

  “I have done all that I can to keep her safe. She has been educated and thrives in her new life, Geoff. She has accepted her future, and now you as well must make your decision.”

  “I have made my decision, Chris. I would have her to wife. And if I must relinquish that which you hold for me now, so be it. She may not be suitable for the Comte de Langier, but she is more than acceptable for the second son of Guillaume Dumont.”

  “But she will not have you.”

  Geoff shot up from his seat and was in front of Chris in a few strides. Leaning in until they were face-to-face, Geoff clenched his hands into fists.

  “She loves me.”

  “Emalie has assured me that you love each other, Geoff. But Catherine has accepted her life as it is and is not willing to become the weapon that tears us apart. She will take her vows when she returns to the convent.”

  “A nun? She becomes a nun?” Stunned by this revelation, Geoff reeled back. “She did not tell me.”

  “Emalie said that Catherine has talked with the reverend mother and confirmed that this was to be her final visit to Greystone.”

  “Nay,” he whispered, finding it difficult to breathe, let alone speak. Was it his heart that pained him so?

  Christian placed his hand on Geoff’s shoulder. “Come, brother. Surely you knew. Your visits here after your marriage will be few and not frequent. Hers will be fewer still.”

  Geoff took in a deep breath and let it out. He had admitted to himself that his life would change after this time at Greystone. He knew it. A part of him deep inside even knew he would marry elsewhere. That painful truth, as well as the knowledge that he could not turn his back on what his brother had done for him, what he had done for their family name and honor, even what he had done for Catherine so far, made Geoff face the responsibilities he knew were his own. He finally shook his head.

  “She will be safe at the convent?”

  “Aye. My protection extends to it. And the reverend mother can be quite the lioness when one of hers is threatened.”

  Geoff walked to one of the windows in the chamber and looked out at the courtyard below. Although the keep was busier than normal because of the number of guests, life went on as usual. His entire world had just shifted in a different direction, but everything moved on. Acknowledging that his would proceed without Catherine, he shook his head and looked at Chris.

  “So long as she is safe, I will be at peace with this.”

  He said the words, but the acceptance was not there yet. ’Twould take some time to adjust to this. He had not had a chance to say goodbye to Catherine and he regretted that. He would never hear her explanation for keeping secrets even from him.

  “If we are done with this matter, the king’s messenger awaits you.” At his questioning look, Chris clarified, “I have already received him and read the message for me. I know not if yours will be the same or different.” He walked toward the door of the solar.

  “’Twere not good tidings then?” At his brother’s dark look, he feared the worst. “A call to arms?”

  When Christian didn’t an
swer, Geoff waited for the messenger to enter and present himself. Albert, Girard and Luc as well as Walter, the captain of Greystone’s men-at-arms, followed the man into the chamber. Geoff stood, while Christian sat.

  “My lord, King Richard bade me to bring his greetings and warmest regards to you. Here is his letter, which he entreats you to answer with as much haste as is possible.” With a flourish and bow, the messenger held out to Geoff a folded parchment, from the bottom of which hung the king’s royal seal.

  “Where is the king now?”

  “I left him in Normandy, my lord.” When Geoff frowned at the man, he added, “In Caen.”

  Geoffrey inspected the seal and opened the letter. After profuse greetings and pledges of support, the real issue of the letter was made—Richard was mustering troops and wanted his loyal vassal to join him immediately in Caen. Geoff was admonished not to let the choosing of a bride interfere with his quick response. The king had written: “Bring the lady of your heart, the one who would be the new Countess de Langier, with you in all haste to present her to us. She will be accepted as your choice and you will accede to your titles if you support my actions by your presence and by that of your knights.”

  With everyone waiting for his reaction, Geoff was careful not to show any. Whatever the king planned, it was sufficiently important for Richard to negate that part of the agreement with the Dumonts that gave Christian control of whom Geoff was to marry, and that held off his accession until later this year, after such marriage. This was a test of Geoff’s decision-making abilities, for the king manipulated better men than the fledgling count of Langier.

  “Are you summoned as well?” he asked his brother.

  “Either I and ten of my knights, or a necessary amount of my gold must be delivered to Richard within a month. He knows I wish not to leave Emalie now, so he gives me the choice,” Christian answered. “What does he ask of you?”

  “The king desires that I meet him in Caen, but that I send my knights to Château Gaillard within the month.” He hedged a bit and did not give a full reply. Geoff was not certain what he would do about selecting a bride, but he liked knowing that he controlled that now.

  There was silence in the chamber as each thought about the orders they’d received. Christian looked at him expectantly, as though waiting for more, but Geoff kept the rest of the missive to himself. A month did not give him much time to return to his lands, collect his knights and travel back up to Normandy to meet the king. Geoffrey knew he must leave quickly, even this day.

  The others in the room waited for their lords’ orders now.

  “Will you transport my contribution to the king?” Christian finally asked, breaking the silence.

  “Aye. When will it be ready?”

  Christian looked at his men, who both nodded at his unasked question, and then back to Geoff. “I will have it here by this time on the morrow.”

  Geoff was about to go and make his own arrangements when his brother stopped him.

  “This must be kept quiet. The allies and vassals of Phillip are all about us and I would not want the king’s plans known too soon. ’Twould be wiser if I were to appear to send you on a mission to one of our other properties while I continue to negotiate with those here.”

  Geoffrey nodded at his wisdom, realizing it was a sound plan. “Does Emalie know of the king’s summons and the cost of it going unanswered?”

  “Nay, and I would not have her know of this yet.” Christian met the gaze of each of the men and made his point clear. “These are the affairs of men and kings, and not for her to worry about.”

  They were brave words, but Geoff did not doubt for a moment that Christian would pay for them when the countess was apprised of the situation. Some things had not changed between the earl and his wife in their three years of marriage, and Geoffrey had witnessed it before. It would not be an enjoyable scene to watch unfold.

  A sense of excitement grew within him as he realized that, although this wouldn’t be his first battle, it was the first time he’d been called upon as a vassal to the king. The first time he would defend his king under his own banner. Geoff waved his hand, gesturing for Albert and Girard to follow him. He wanted to have a private discussion with them about his arrangements, mayhap even send Albert and another on ahead to Château d’Azure to prepare for their arrival and the needs for their march north to Normandy.

  To keep this out of the sight of those who might report the movement of vassals and knights, he would need to keep up the marriage-mart activities and his wooing of each of the women here. And since the choice of a wife was now in his own hands, he decided to take a closer look at the ladies Melissande, Marguerite, Maude, Mathilde, Phillippa and Petronilla.

  He sent word to the lady Marguerite, apologizing for his delay, and promised to be there presently to have their afternoon of hawking. He’d broken his fast with Maude, he’d walked the gardens with Mathilde, he planned to take Phillippa on a tour of the battlements of the keep before supper and he would end his wooing with Melissande at supper and Petronilla at the morning meal. That would not work, he realized, since the P ladies favored not the morn. He would sit with Petronilla at supper and Melissande in the morn. Then, with a clearer idea of whom he should marry, he would leave under the king’s orders and ask Christian to complete the arrangements.

  With his plans made, Geoff instructed his men to be ready to depart in the morning, and then went to the mews to meet Lady Marguerite. Mayhap the strenuous work of hawking and paying court to five other women would tire him out and help him ignore the heaviness of his heart, now that Catherine was gone from his life.

  Chapter Eight

  “I will have Marguerite of Brittany to wife.”

  If Christian was surprised by his brother’s quick decision, he did not show it. They stood in a small chamber off the great hall and made final preparations for the journey and the transport of Harbridge gold to Richard in Caen. Christian had decided to send several knights after all, so their traveling party was made larger by four. Two were knights from the Dumont estates who wished to return home, and the other two were English knights who had never traveled to the Continent and wanted this opportunity.

  The gold was loaded onto several packhorses and sent ahead of Geoff’s men, so as to not draw too much attention. They would catch up within a few hours and travel down the coast, then by sea to La Rochelle, and finally inland through part of Brittany to Château d’Azure. The journey would take nearly a fortnight and the march up to Normandy would take another. Even using the available rivers to shorten the journey, Geoff would reach Richard just before his deadline to do so.

  “Send me word of Richard’s plans and I can see to the arrangements.” His brother held out his hand and Geoff grasped it tightly.

  “If I have your permission, I would like to tell Emalie before I leave. Unless she is ill?” His sister-by-marriage had not been present in the hall this morn, and no mention had been made of her. He suspected other causes, but thought that childbearing might be taking its toll on her.

  Chris released him and began muttering under his breath. Finally, he looked up and met his brother’s gaze. “You may tell her, since she will hear nothing I say.”

  “She is angry over the gold?”

  “No, there is no question of her compliance in that matter,” he said, waving his hand and shaking his head. “She is furious at other things I’ve done.” His brother looked more miserable than pleased, so Geoff could only wonder at what had transpired between him and Emalie.

  “Is she in the solar or her chambers?”

  “She has vowed not to cooperate with any of my efforts and will not leave her chambers.” Chris sank into one the chairs next to a table. “You will find her there.”

  Geoff nodded and stepped away. Chris stood and they walked through the door together.

  “Godspeed in your travels, brother, and in the coming battles.”

  “And to you in yours, my lord,” Geoff answered. “I
fear yours are no less dangerous than mine.”

  “’Ware your head when you open her door.”

  Geoff laughed, not without a full measure of sympathy for his brother, and strode through the corridor and up the stairs leading to the lady’s chambers in the corner tower. He knocked on it and waited for an answer before entering. Emalie stood and rushed to him, greeting him with much enthusiasm.

  “You go to do your duty with the king? You must truly be excited.”

  She seemed to understand his thoughts and he nodded in agreement. “’Tis an honor to be called as vassal to aid the king in his plans.”

  “Pah! Stupid men killing other stupid men, and for what gains?” She shouted her question, but before he could answer, she did it for him. “More land, more wealth, more power. It never changes.”

  “Is this argument with me, my lady, or did I enter someone else’s?”

  This appeared to lessen her anger and she let out a breath. “Your pardon, Geoff, for my outburst. ’Tis someone else’s battle indeed.”

  Now he did feel sorry for his brother. Whatever the issue of this fight, ’twould not go well for Christian until he settled things with his wife. And the strange symptoms of breeding seemed to make the countess even more emotional and less willing to listen to reason.

  “I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wish you much success in your endeavors for the king.”

  “My thanks, Emalie, for all of your work on my behalf. How long will you have to suffer the presence of the brides?”

  “Until you and Christian make a decision or until word of your departure and Richard’s summons is known.”

  “Chris wants to delay knowledge of my departure for as close to a sennight as possible. Can you endure that long?”

  “I am ever the dutiful wife to my lord husband, fulfilling his every command.”

  He winced at the sarcasm in her voice. Things were not good between the Earl and Countess of Harbridge. The blame for this was partly his, and Geoff wondered if the news of his decision would make things better or worse. And he feared having her anger aimed in his direction.