by June Francis
Beth’s expression sobered. ‘That you need his permission is something I cannot be happy about.’ She paused. ‘Is there aught else you wish to ask me?’
Owain hesitated. ‘Diccon told me that your husband took one of Sir Roger’s chests of coin and hid it. Do you know where it is?’
Beth’s mouth set. ‘I did not want to know. I thought him a fool to get involved in such chicanery. My Lady told me that the Comte was using some of the money to pay mercenaries to cause unrest in the Welsh Marches. It is not only his kin that have land there—so, too, does the Duke of York and the King’s half-brothers.’
His gaze sharpened. ‘Have you spoken of this to anyone?’
She shook her head and said firmly, ‘Let the King’s relatives and the nobility fight amongst themselves and kill each other. It is nothing to me.’
Owain could see there was no changing her mind and dropped the matter. He suggested they returned to the house.
As Beth and Owain entered the parlour Kate lifted her head and smiled tentatively. She noticed signs of tears on her mother’s face. What had Owain said to make her cry? Kate’s questioning gaze met his, but he smiled reassuringly and said he must speak to Diccon.
As soon as he had gone, Beth took Kate aside and repeated the tale she had just told Owain. Her daughter stared at her in amazement. ‘You were married to a Stanley! Father was not my real father?’
‘Aye.’ Beth’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. ‘Perhaps I should have told you when Richard died, but I could see no sensible reason to do so.’
‘But you’ve always spoken against the Stanleys—now you tell me that I’m one of them!’ Kate put a hand to her head. ‘I can’t take it in.’ She paused. ‘Wait a moment! Owain has something to do with this—otherwise you would not be telling me now.’
‘Indeed, he does. Sir Thomas commissioned Master ap Rowan to find us for two reasons. One of them you already know about, but the other was because Sir Arthur died a few months ago. He gave Sir Thomas a sum of money for us.’ Beth’s eyes shone even brighter. ‘Fifty pounds for me, Kate, and a hundred pounds for you! Arthur did not forget us! You do not know how happy that makes me.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ said Kate in a daze.
‘It is true, daughter. Forgive me for not telling you before, but I thought it best for you. Arthur’s remembrance of us has changed matters. I am happy that Sir Thomas sent Master ap Rowan to inform me.’
‘Me too,’ whispered Kate, still struggling to come to terms with all that her mother had told her.
‘Think what a difference this money will make to us, Kate,’ said Beth.
‘I see that now you have met Owain and he has brought you news that meets with your approval, he appears to have convinced you that he can be trusted,’ Kate murmured.
‘As much as any man can be trusted,’ said Beth drily. ‘I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from me. I am glad that I will no longer have to live beneath your uncle’s roof. Once you meet Sir Thomas, he will see to it that Merebury will be yours and Diccon and I can move back home.’
‘I will need help to hold Merebury, Mother,’ said Kate seriously.
‘Of a surety, daughter. But no doubt, between them, Master ap Rowan and Sir Thomas will see to all,’ assured Beth. ‘Now I must not keep Master ap Rowan waiting, but pack my few belongings. Then I must explain all to my sister. Where is she?’
‘Upstairs,’ said Kate.
Beth hurried out. Kate was amazed by the change in her. But then she, herself, felt a different person from the Kate who had woken that morning. In the past she would not have wanted to accept that the blood of powerful and often ruthless men ran in her veins. Now she was starting to consider what a difference being part of the Stanley clan could make to her life. If she was accepted by them, then she would be in a better position to help not only the poor and the needy, but also Owain. Here was another secret he had kept from her. How many more might he have up his sleeve? She felt a momentary vexation with him, and then shrugged her ill humour away. At least his knowing she was a Stanley made sense of his encouraging her to play the part of a lady. He had been preparing her for the moment when she would have to face Sir Thomas, who was…her cousin! It felt strange thinking of him as such after hating all that he represented for so long.
Kate recalled her mother telling her about the ancestry of the Stanleys. Now she understood why. Not only was she descended from a well-born Saxon lady, but also a Norman knight named Stanleigh. One thing was for certain—what she was wearing now would certainly not do to meet her kinsman, she thought with amusement. How strange it felt thinking of Sir Thomas in such a way. She decided that for her first proper meeting with him she would wear the red kirtle and green gown. Which reminded her—as soon as she was in possession of her legacy, she must repay Owain the money she owed him.
At that moment he entered the parlour, ducking his dark head to avoid a beam. His blue eyes were quizzical as he looked at her.
‘You want to know what I am thinking,’ said Kate promptly, ‘you keeper of secrets.’
His mouth creased into a smile and, reaching out, he eased a wayward flaxen curl behind her ear. ‘I would hazard a guess that you are wondering if I am hiding any more secrets from you. Secondly that you can’t wait to reimburse me of the money I have spent on you.’ He ran a finger down her cheek and over her lips.
‘You are a seer. How else can you read my thoughts?’ she marvelled. ‘What would be your third guess?’
His arms encircled her waist. ‘That you want me to make love to you.’ His lips grazed her cheek, hovered over her mouth and then he kissed her. Kate almost purred with pleasure. He lifted his mouth and said unevenly, ‘I’d take you right now if it weren’t that…’
‘My kinsfolk would be shocked to find us writhing on the floor in the throes of…’
He stopped her mouth with another kiss and then with a sigh thrust her from him. ‘I have to swear to Sir Thomas that you are still a maid when I bring you before him.’
‘Then you will tell him that we are betrothed.’
His lips twitched. ‘What a forward maid you are…but, aye, I will tell him I want you for my wife. Hopefully he will give his permission. Although he might already have someone else in mind for you.’
Her eyes flew wide in dismay. ‘I will refuse to marry any other suitor.’
‘Then I’ll have to convince him that I’m the perfect match for you.’ Owain smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
She was about to go into his arms again when the door opened and Diccon and her uncle appeared. Before anyone could speak, Beth came hurrying into the room with her sister at her heels. As soon as Kate saw her, she guessed that something was worrying her. ‘What is it, Mother?’
Beth clasped the handles of her cloth bag with both hands and said firmly, ‘I’ll not go with you to meet Sir Thomas. I’m not one of them and never could be.’
Kate glanced at her uncle, wondering how much he knew of their business. ‘Could you leave us alone for a little while longer, Uncle?’
He muttered something under his breath about being master in his own house and stalked out of the room.
Immediately Kate turned to her mother, ‘You went through a form of marriage with my father, so you are a Stanley.’ She heard the hiss of Diccon’s indrawn breath and knew that their mother had more explaining to do.
‘Nevertheless, I will stand by what I’ve said,’ said Beth stubbornly. ‘It’s different for you—their blood runs in thy veins.’
‘But I need you, Mother. At least come with me,’ pleaded Kate.
Beth darted a look at Owain. ‘Do I have to see Sir Thomas to get my money?’
‘He did request that both of you be brought to him,’ responded Owain.
She sighed. ‘If needs must, so be it.’
‘Good. Now there are other matters we need to discuss.’ His expression was serious. ‘I presume you are aware that Kate is believed to be the Lady Catherin
e at Rowan Manor. In the light of what you, Diccon and Kate have told me, when we return she must continue in that guise and you, Mistress Fletcher and Diccon, must adopt other names.’
Beth protested. ‘I understand your reasoning, but surely this deception cannot continue? Truth will out.’
‘Safer later than now,’ he said. ‘If the friar or the Comte were to hear that the Fletchers were still alive, your lives could be at risk. Not only could they have seen you witness Master Fletcher’s death…but there is also the missing chest of money. Until we know their whereabouts, I suggest you pretend to be a widow named Archer, sister to the dead Mistress Fletcher.’ He turned to Diccon. ‘You remain your mother’s son, but perhaps it would be wiser if you were Harry Archer.’
Diccon grinned. ‘As you wish, Master ap Rowan.’
‘If there is a message from Sir Thomas waiting for me, we will depart on the morrow,’ continued Owain. ‘So say your farewells and let us be on our way. Diccon, you and your mother will ride the mare. Kate will ride with me.’
Beth kissed her sister and said she must come and visit as soon as they were settled at Merebury.
Soon they had left Chester behind and were travelling in a motley company of peddlers, peasants, clerics and knights. The road would eventually lead to the priory at Birkenhead and the ferry across the Mersey, but before then, they would need to take the turning that led to Rowan Manor. Kate was reminded of the journey to La Coruña and how she had felt such a oneness with Owain. Now she dreamed of the day when he would make her his wife.
Owain was also thinking of the future, but knew that his marriage to Kate was far from cut and dried. Whilst aware Sir Thomas had often favoured him above others, he knew that did not necessarily mean he would welcome him as a husband for a Stanley, even one regarded as a bastard child by many. It could be that Sir Thomas would rather see his cousin in a nunnery and take Merebury for himself, situated as it was so conveniently close to Lathom. Of course, he hoped he was doing Sir Thomas an injustice, but one could never completely trust men of power. At least his father’s death meant he, himself, was in a better position to press his suit than he had been when he arrived in England. Also, there was the King to consider. If he were to regain his wits, it did not necessarily mean that he would remember what had gone before. Owain hazarded that his best chance of winning the King over to his side was to find his missing money. With that in mind, he gave some thought to where it might be.
At last they came to the turning that would take them to Rowan Manor. Beth and Diccon gazed about them with interest, murmuring appreciation of the harvested fields, the cattle, horses and orchards and the house as they drew nearer to it. Soon they clattered into the yard to be welcomed by Hal and a couple of stable boys.
Hal’s curious gaze took in Kate’s appearance. Owain dismounted and murmured in his brother’s ear, ‘Don’t ask. Just tell me if there is a message from Sir Thomas.’
‘I have it on my person,’ retorted Hal in a whisper. ‘I haven’t forgotten what you said about leaving important letters and documents in view for all to see. But if you ask me, they’d give themselves away if they tampered with this letter.’
‘There are ways, dear brother, of resealing letters,’ said Owain, watching his brother delve inside his shirt and draw out a scroll. He took it from him and broke the seal.
Kate heard his sharp intake of breath. ‘What is wrong?’ she asked.
He glanced up at her with a frown. ‘Sir Thomas has had to go south and does not know when he will return.’
With a frisson of nervous excitement, Kate said in a low voice, ‘Is it that the King has recovered and Sir Thomas has gone to speak to him on our behalf?’
He shook his dark head. ‘The King is still not himself, but it is possible that Sir Thomas will go to Windsor where Henry resides with Queen Margaret and Prince Edward. Knowing that my father has just died, Sir Thomas suggests that we stay here until his return.’ He lifted her down from the horse. ‘This is a blow to our plans.’
‘Does he mention the Comte or Friar Stephen?’ she murmured.
‘Only that I am to continue my search for your mother and to be on my guard,’ he said grimly. ‘As if I did not know that already.’
‘Was there aught else of interest? Did he mention the Earl of Richmond? I heard that he and the lords Beaufort have visited Chester.’
Owain nodded. ‘Sir Thomas writes of an alliance between the two houses. Lady Margaret Beaufort is to wed the Earl of Richmond, so uniting two families with links to the throne. No doubt the match will be frowned on by the Duke of York and his allies.’
She placed a hand on his sleeve. ‘You sense trouble?’
He hesitated. ‘Not for us…but for England…’ Rolling up the scroll, he placed it inside his doublet and turned to his brother. ‘As you heard, the Lady Kate will be staying with us a little longer. And we are to have the company of Mistress Archer and her son Harry,’ he added cheerfully.
‘Mistress Archer is a widow, Hal,’ informed Kate. ‘And kin to my dear companions, the Fletchers, who were killed on pilgrimage. They are the reason for my absence yesterday. I had intended returning last even, but the storm destroyed my good intentions.’
She was relieved when Hal accepted her explanation with a smiling nod and suggested that they all got inside as it looked like rain again.
Kate whispered to Owain, ‘I will go up the backstairs. I would not have Mistress Carver and the other servants see me so poorly clad—otherwise they might change their good opinion of me.’
He smiled. ‘Best your mother accompanies you. I will explain to Mistress Carver and arrange for a truckle bed to be placed in your bedchamber for her.’ He turned to Diccon, who had dismounted and was helping his mother down from their mount. ‘You will come with me.’ Signalling the stable boys to see to the horses, he climbed the steps with Diccon at his heels and entered the hall.
Trestles and benches were already in place for the midday meal. As soon as Mistress Carver saw Owain, she bustled over to him with an anxious expression on her face. ‘Master Owain, here you are at last. I wasn’t sure when you’d arrive, but there’s plenty to eat and to spare.’ She lowered her voice. ‘There have been rumours that the Lady Catherine is missing.’
Owain smiled at her reassuringly, ‘She is back, but has gone straight to her bedchamber. She went to visit her old nurse’s sister, who is a widow and living with her son in Chester. Mistress Archer and Master Harry have come to stay with us for a while. He will sleep in the small bedchamber next to mine. Mistress Archer will sleep in Lady Catherine’s bedchamber, so if a truckle bed could be placed there?’
‘Certainly, Master Owain. I will see to it. Do you wish for some refreshment now?’
He shook his head. ‘Although perhaps the young master might be grateful for a cup of small ale.’ Diccon agreed with alacrity and Mistress Carver told him to sit down by the fire and it would be brought to him.
Kate had just finished her toilet and was dressed in her blue gown when a knock at the door heralded the arrival of Mistress Carver. She was accompanied by a serving man carrying a truckle bed. He placed it down and left. Kate smiled at Mistress Carver and introduced the two women. They scrutinised each other and appeared to like what they saw and shook hands. Kate enquired after the Lady Gwendolyn.
‘She is demanding that her uncle be sent for, but Master Davy said he is not allowed inside the house.’
‘Has she asked after the child?’
‘Nay. Although she is suffering great discomfort for its lack, but refuses help.’
‘What discomfort is this?’ asked Beth, placing Kate’s pilgrim tunic over the foot of the bed.
Mistress Carver said, ‘She will not feed her baby and her breasts are sore.’
‘Why will she not feed her child?’ asked Beth.
Kate shook her head at her mother and ushered Mistress Carver out of the bedchamber. She closed the door and turned to Beth. ‘I should have told you more about
Owain’s stepmother.’ On that note she told Beth about the birth.
‘Poor deceived lass,’ said Beth, sounded distressed.
Kate scowled. ‘She caused great trouble between Owain and his father and is in league with our enemies and goodness knows what other evil they have involved her in.’
‘I pity her even more. Let’s go and see her,’ said Beth firmly.
Kate shook her head. ‘Mother, she will not want your help.’
‘But she is suffering.’ Beth’s eyes sparkled and she jutted her chin. ‘Daughter, I reared you to help others, even those who had no love for us.’
Kate sighed, knowing her mother would give her no peace until she had her way. ‘If you must try, then you must. But remember you are Mistress Archer, not Fletcher. I will show you the way.’
She escorted Beth along the same passages that Owain had taken her to see his dying father. When they reached the bedchamber, she knocked on the door. No one bid her enter, so she opened the door and went inside. Immediately she recoiled as the acrid smell of sour milk, blood and burning caught the back of her throat. Amongst the burning wood in the brazier she noticed blackened fabric.
‘Come, Lady Catherine, you have coped with worse stenches in the past,’ said Beth, who had followed her into the bedchamber.
Kate covered her mouth and nose with her hand and went over to the bed, where the curtains were fastened back. Gwendolyn sprawled on top of the bed. She was clad in a stained black velvet gown, her hair was in disarray and she was singing a mournful tune. Kate said in a muffled voice, ‘Lady Gwendolyn, I have brought you a visitor, a Mistress Archer.’
Gwendolyn lifted her head and stared at Kate. ‘Agnes said you’d gone,’ she muttered.
‘Well, I’ve returned,’ said Kate, her compassion overcoming her revulsion. Slowly she removed her hand and perched on the side of the bed. ‘We’ve come to see if we can help you.’
