The Unconventional Maiden

by June Francis

‘If you are asking if I have been to visit my ward, then I would not deny it,’ he replied, looking at her with exasperation. ‘I am her guardian and there are decisions only I can make about the business.’

  ‘I don’t believe you. You are in love with her, aren’t you?’ cried Mary, flying at him and poking him in the chest. ‘Well, she will not have you!’

  ‘Keep your voice down,’ ordered Gawain, seizing hold of her wrists. ‘You forget yourself and I will not have you upsetting the girls.’ He turned to Catherine. ‘Aunt, take my daughters to their bedchamber.’

  His aunt nodded and hurried the children away.

  ‘You should not have taken them with you! They are my daughters!’ panted Mary. ‘As God is my witness, you will be punished for your wrongdoing!’

  ‘My wrongdoing!’ exclaimed Gawain, exasperated almost beyond bearing. ‘I deem you are confused, Mary. Perhaps it would be good for you to go and stay somewhere quiet where you can rest and regain your wits.’

  ‘So you can bring her here?’

  ‘She would not come,’ retorted Gawain, hanging on to his temper. ‘She has her business to oversee.’

  There was the sound of a throat being cleared. ‘Sir Gawain, a messenger arrived for you from the king whilst you were away. He requests your company at Eltham Palace.’

  Gawain experienced a surge of relief and, releasing Mary, turned to face the manservant. ‘Have me a fresh horse saddled. I will leave straight away.’

  The man nodded and hurried out.

  Mary stared at Gawain. ‘Can I go with you?’

  ‘No!’ he replied firmly. ‘You know that only at the king’s invitation can you attend.’

  She pouted. ‘Do you not fear what I might do whilst you are away?’

  He frowned. ‘You would threaten me?’

  She hesitated. ‘What if I were to tell you that I might be able to help you find her brother’s murderer?’

  Gawain stilled. ‘What do you know?’

  ‘I know who sent him to Smallhythe.’

  ‘Jonathan Llewellyn told you?’

  ‘Aye, but not only that—I saw them together a few days later and they were …’ She paused and her colour was suddenly high and she moistened her lips. ‘I will say only that if Jonathan Llewellyn was to have exposed the other man for what he was as he threatened, it would have ruined him.’

  Gawain’s eyes narrowed. ‘Who was this other man?’

  ‘I will tell you only if you promise to have naught else to do with Mistress Llewellyn and to be a proper husband to me.’

  Gawain stared at her for a long moment, thinking that the word she had hesitated to use could be unnatural and an almost-forgotten memory from his childhood surfaced. He felt certain the person she had seen with Jonathan was Father Hugh, as Beth had suspected. If Father Hugh had been responsible for Jonathan’s death, then it was likely he had also killed Beth’s father and Monsieur Le Brun. He had certainly been in France at the time.

  ‘Well, what are you thinking?’ demanded Mary, rousing him from his reverie.

  ‘Of murder!’

  ‘I meant about giving her up!’ cried Mary.

  Gawain’s face darkened and his eyes glinted. ‘I made a promise to her father that I intend to keep. As for this other matter, I would not speak of it to anyone else if I were you. I have a fair idea of whom it is you refer to.’

  She paled. ‘I don’t see how you can. But never mind that now! Why can’t you keep the promise you made to me at the altar?’

  ‘You mean just as you did?’ he said scornfully. ‘Besides, you have admitted in writing that our marriage was bigamous.’

  She licked her lips. ‘You will regret it if you don’t do what I ask.’

  ‘You are a fool to threaten me. I give you fair warning—if you were to attempt to hurt the girls or take them away from me again, then it will be you who will be sorry,’ said Gawain softly.

  Mary stared at him, then turned on her heel and rushed from the hall.

  Gawain wasted no more time, but prepared to leave to join the king’s court. As he headed north he was considering exactly what he would tell Beth about her half-brother and Father Hugh when next he saw her, which regrettably might not be for some time.

  Beth was thinking of Gawain when she had a visit from Nick Hurst, who called to see how the printing of his journal was progressing. His arrival was greeted by a flurry of barking from Cerberus and she had to make him known to the hound. She had thought Nick would be off on his travels again, but he told her that he was not planning to leave England before spring and until then he would be staying in Greenwich. He asked after Gawain and she told him that she had not heard from him. He looked surprised, but did not comment.

  A week later Nick called again and could not conceal his delight when he held the first complete copy of his original journal, beautifully bound in vellum, in his hand. ‘I cannot wait to see Christopher’s face when he sees this,’ he said.

  ‘I am glad you are pleased with it,’ said a wan-faced Beth.

  ‘More than pleased,’ he said, turning over a page and admiring a woodcut of one of his drawings. ‘I must tell you that I saw Gawain in Greenwich village,’ he added casually, glancing at her.

  Her heart seemed to flip over. ‘How—how did he appear?’ she asked. ‘Was he well?’

  ‘I would say he has much on his mind. He would have walked past me if I had not hailed him.’

  ‘Did he say what he was doing in Greenwich?’

  ‘Apparently the king had sent for him and he is staying at Eltham Palace nearby.’

  ‘I—I see. That must be why I have not heard from him.’

  ‘If I see him again, do you have a message for him?’ Nick’s eyes were intent on her face.

  She hesitated. ‘You can tell him that I hope all is well with him.’

  ‘You do not look well,’ said Nick with concern. ‘You have no roses in your cheeks.’

  ‘I am little off my food, but it is naught to worry about,’ she answered easily. ‘No doubt you could tell him how the work is progressing next door and naturally you will show him your printed journal.’

  ‘Of course, I will show everyone I know and tell them that soon they will be able to buy a much cheaper version of it for themselves and their friends,’ he said, smiling.

  ‘That is good. They should be ready in a few days’ time.’

  ‘November, then,’ said Nick. ‘I look forward to seeing you again and perhaps I will have another proposal to put before you.’

  Beth caught her breath and for a moment she thought that perhaps the proposal would be one of marriage. Then she told herself that was unlikely when they scarcely knew each other, even though his brothers had probably mentioned she was in the market for a husband. She prayed that she would hear from Gawain before Nick’s next visit.

  A few days later she was surprised to have a visit from Phillip Hurst. His arrival, too, was greeted by barking from her watchdog. After making sure Cerberus knew him to be a friend, Phillip told her that he had returned home to visit his family. Having heard that the stirring tale of his brother’s adventures could be in print any day now, he could not wait to see a copy. She handed him one and, despite the worry and indecision that was nagging her, could not prevent smiling at the expression on his face as he gingerly turned a page.

  ‘It’s marvellous,’ he said. ‘I cannot wait to show it to my friends. I am immensely proud of it. By the way, I saw Gawain yesterday down by the river at Greenwich.’

  She stiffened. ‘He is still at court?’

  ‘Was. The king had given him leave to return home that day.’

  Beth clasped her hands tightly together. ‘Did you tell him that you planned to come here?’

  ‘I did mention it. He asked whether Nick would be accompanying me. I told him not this time, but that no doubt he would be visiting you shortly.’ Phillip smiled, but said no more.

  ‘Gawain did not give you a message for me?’ she asked.

  ‘
No.’

  Beth was hurt and wondered if Gawain believed that Nick’s visits to her were more than purely business. Did he deem her to be so fickle? Suddenly she came to a decision. After Phillip had left, she went upstairs and, before she could change her mind, took a sheet of paper and wrote swiftly to Gawain that something had happened that made it vital that she see him. Then she sealed the missive and called Sam and asked him to deliver it into only Sir Gawain’s hands at Raventon Hall.

  When Gawain came out of the boatyard at Smallhythe after having visited James, he was deep in thought as he walked along the river. He was surprised to be hailed by Sam, but was glad to see him. He wasted no time greeting him. ‘You have news for me from your mistress?’ he asked eagerly.

  ‘Aye, Sir Gawain. Glad I am to see you here. It will save me the journey to Raventon Hall,’ said Sam, taking the missive from a pouch and handing it to him.

  ‘You will come into the yard and partake of a drink of beer and a hot pasty? Your mistress will surely want a reply to this message, although I would prefer to visit her myself,’ said Gawain. After giving an order for refreshments for Sam, Gawain broke the seal and, spreading the paper on the table, began to read:

  My dear Gawain,

  Something momentous has happened and it is urgent that I see you before making any decisions that will change both our lives irretrievably. Do not keep me waiting for time is of the essence. Yours, Beth

  Gawain wished she had written more. Had this to do with Nick Hurst? Had he proposed marriage? He clenched and unclenched his fists. He must see her. He went and spoke to Sam. ‘I will have to go to London. I would appreciate it, Sam, if you would make the journey to Raventon and inform my aunt that an urgent message has arrived for me that needs my immediate attention. You will stay there until my return.’

  ‘Aye, sir,’ said Sam.

  Gawain gave orders to those in the boatyard and then, taking a couple of men with him, set sail for London.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gawain arrived the following evening and, leaving the men in charge of the boat, made his way to Pater Noster Row. He was fortunate to find Beth upstairs partaking of supper in the room that had once been her father’s bedchamber. She looked so relieved to see him that he wondered how he could have doubted her and would have kissed her there and then if it had not been for Jane’s presence, but the maid instantly made herself scarce.

  Then Gawain was unable to resist taking Beth in his arms. Only for a moment did she succumb to his embrace, then she held him off. ‘There is something important I must tell you, Gawain.’

  He released her abruptly. ‘Has it to do with Nick Hurst? Has he asked you to marry him?’

  ‘No, but I suspect he might do so.’ She wrapped her arms around herself and gazed at him. ‘Phillip was here and he told me that you knew he was coming to see me. Yet you sent no message for me. Why?’

  ‘Because he told me that Nick had been to see you. I thought that perhaps you should have the opportunity to get to know Nick better,’ said Gawain, removing his hat and running a hand over his dark curls.

  ‘Why the change in you? Have you spoken to the Cardinal about Mary and he has told you her return means that your marriage cannot be annulled?’

  Gawain frowned. ‘It is not as certain as it was before.’

  Her bottom lip quivered. ‘So you decided that I could be happy married to Nick, knowing I have strong feelings for you. Are you happy living with Mary whilst you have such feelings for me? That is, if you still have them.’

  He frowned. ‘Of course I still care for you. You must know I’m not happy with Mary.’

  ‘I know nothing of the sort. I can only imagine what is happening between you and her,’ said Beth.

  His frown deepened. ‘What is this about, Beth? Surely you don’t believe that I am sleeping with Mary?’

  ‘Why not? You are a man and have needs!’

  ‘I am not sleeping with her,’ said Gawain, grabbing Beth by the arms. ‘I do not want her! I no longer regard her as my wife.’

  ‘Your mistress, then?’

  He swore. ‘What is this about, Beth?’ he demanded for the second time. ‘This is not like you.’

  ‘No.’ She gazed up into his worried face and tears filled her eyes. ‘But then I have never been with child before. Your child, Gawain.’

  He stared at her and there came such a light into his eyes that a thrill of delight went through her. Then the light in his eyes died and he released her. ‘What do you want me to do?’

  ‘Do not suggest that I marry Nick to legitimise our child,’ she warned.

  ‘I would not. It would be dishonest if you were to make a cuckold of him.’

  ‘I agree. You might say that even the king has foisted a bastard child on his mistress’s husband, but—’

  ‘But I am no king and I admire and like Nick Hurst,’ said Gawain.

  ‘Then I must make it obvious to him that I am not in the market for a husband, despite what his brothers might have said to him,’ said Beth. ‘I must face the wagging tongues of my employees and neighbours alone. No doubt the scandal will be a five-day wonder and most probably I will lose the respect of some of our customers, but what does that matter?’ she cried. ‘I always planned to remain a spinster.’

  Gawain seized hold of her again and pressed a kiss on her lips. ‘Do you really believe that I would let you face the future alone? You do not have to live here for the business to prosper. I will buy you a house where you and our child can live and—’

  ‘Visit me when you can?’ retorted Beth. ‘I will not be your mistress! Besides it being immoral, it is not a position I wish to fill. I love you and I want to be your wife and for us to live like a proper family. I do not wish for our son to be called a bastard child. He is worth more than that and is entitled to your name.’ Her voice cracked and she could not go on.

  Gawain wrapped his arms around her trembling body with his head in a whirl. Beth loved him—how could he fail her in this? ‘I will speak to Wolsey again and tell him that you are carrying my child and that we are desperate to provide it with a proper family home.’

  ‘Mary will fight against it tooth and nail,’ warned Beth.

  ‘It will avail her nothing, even if she were to go to Father Hugh and try to persuade him to help her prevent the dissolution of our so-called marriage.’

  ‘You have spoken to her about him?’

  ‘No, but she told me that she saw Jonathan with the man she suspects could be our murderer, but she laid conditions on naming him to me. I refused to do what she asked, but I told her that I had a fair idea of the person responsible and that did not please her at all.’

  ‘You mentioned none of this to Wolsey?’

  ‘I saw him only for a short time and was more concerned with terminating my relationship to Mary. Besides, I still have no proof that Father Hugh is our murderer.’

  Beth nodded. ‘So what will you do next?’

  Gawain hesitated. ‘I must return home and see that the children are safe and I will send Catherine with Sam to be with you. She knows how we feel about each other and I am certain will be of support to you in this time of your great need until we can be together as husband and wife.’

  ‘I would like that,’ said Beth with a sigh. ‘Yet I cannot help wondering how your children will feel about it all—they will miss your aunt and she them.’

  Gawain touched Beth’s cheek with a gentle hand. ‘You’re always considering others, but now you must think of yourself and our child. You must not worry. I will ensure that all will be well.’

  Beth could only accept his word. They talked for a while until he had to take his leave of her. Only after he had gone did she wonder how long it would be before she would see him again. Yet whilst she hated being parted from him, she looked forward to welcoming Catherine to London.

  Several days passed and still there was no sign of Sam or Catherine. Then she had a visit from Nick Hurst. At any other time she would have welcomed h
im, but her nerves were like tightly coiled springs, wondering how she could prevent him from proposing marriage to her without spoiling the friendship she felt towards him. But his first words took her aback as they were not at all what she expected.

  ‘Is Gawain here?’

  ‘He was here a few days ago, but he returned home. Why do you ask? Have you seen him again?’

  Nick frowned. ‘Obviously, you have not heard the news from Raventon Hall?’

  She was filled with apprehension. ‘What news? Tell me!’ she urged.

  ‘Perhaps after all it is only a rumour, but it was brought to us by a ship’s captain from Smallhythe and he seemed very certain that what he told us was true,’ said Nick.

  ‘What is true?’ demanded Beth. ‘Please tell me.’

  ‘Gawain’s wife is dead.’

  ‘What?’ gasped Beth, shocked to the core. ‘How?’

  ‘She was found at the foot of the stairs. Mistress Ashbourne is abed, as it appears she also fell, and I was told that she was still unconscious.’

  Beth wrung her hands. ‘But that is terrible. She was supposed to be coming to visit me. I must go to her.’ She turned and would have hurried upstairs to pack when Nick stayed her with a hand.

  ‘Do you really think you should?’

  She stared at him and what she saw in his face frightened her. ‘Why do you say that? What is on your mind?’

  He hesitated. ‘It is possible that Gawain might come here to bring you the news himself.’

  ‘He would not leave his aunt.’

  ‘But he has done so because he was not to be found at home and the children are also missing.’

  Fear gripped Beth’s heart like a steely hand. ‘What are you suggesting? That he has something to do with his wife’s death?’

  ‘Why should you think that?’

  ‘I didn’t say I did, but do you?’

  ‘It seems strange that he and the children are missing,’ he said slowly. ‘It was known that he was extremely fond of his aunt and there have been rumours lately, during the months his wife was away, supposedly tending a dying aunt, that in truth she was living with another man who has since died.’