The Lord's Forced Bride

by Anne Herries

  ‘You are safe now, my dearest,’ he whispered so softly that she was not sure if she had really heard him. ‘I must take you back to your father and mother—but I promise that Ronchester shall not harm you again.’

  Catherine leaned her head back against him as they rode through the streets. It was night again, which meant that she had been held captive for one night and a day. A shiver went through her as she thought of what might have happened, but Andrew’s arms were about her and she felt warm and protected as she leaned against his chest. If she could always be this close to him, it would be all that she could ask of life.

  ‘Rob, you must go to the King again,’ Melissa was saying to her husband. ‘She has been gone for a night and a day. I know what it is to be held captive and feel as if all hope is lost…’ She gave a little sob. ‘If you had not come for me when I was imprisoned by the Marquis of Leominster, I should have died. What if Catherine—?’ She broke off as she heard the knocking at the front door. ‘Catherine…’ She rushed from the parlour into the hall as the servant opened the door, giving a little cry as she saw a man enter carrying her daughter in his arms. ‘Is she harmed? Catherine…’

  ‘It is all right, Mother,’ Harry said from just behind them. ‘Andrew found her and he came to me. We were in time to save her. She has not been harmed.’

  ‘Catherine, my dearest child…’ Melissa said as Andrew set her down gently on her feet. ‘Are you ill? Are you able to stand?’

  ‘I was a little faint after Harry and Andrew rescued me,’ Catherine said, glancing at Andrew with such a revealing look that her mother was shocked. ‘Andrew insisted on carrying me, but I am able to walk myself now. My ankles were bound for a long time, and perhaps that is why I almost fell, but they are better now.’

  ‘You must come up to your bed, and we shall have the physician to you,’ Melissa said. She looked at Andrew, recovering her manners. ‘I believe you must be Andrew of Gifford? We owe you a great deal, sir. My husband will thank you—as I shall another day.’ She turned to Catherine, putting an arm around her and signalling to one of the servants to assist them. ‘I shall come up with you and see you safe to bed, Catherine.’

  ‘I am quite well, Mother,’ Catherine said. She glanced back at Andrew. ‘I have not yet thanked you sufficiently, sir.’

  ‘It will do another time,’ Andrew replied, smiling at her. ‘Go with your mother and rest, Catherine. You are safe now.’

  ‘Thanks to you it would seem,’ Rob said, coming forward. ‘It appears that I have much to thank you for, Gifford—but I wish you had come to me in this affair.’

  ‘It was easier and swifter to send for Harry,’ Andrew told him. ‘I was not sure that you would either believe or trust me, Lord Melford. We had to move swiftly, for Ronchester might have tried to move her at any time, and had she been taken from the city we might never have found her…alive.’

  ‘So it was that devil!’ Rob swore angrily. ‘He shall hang for this outrage! The King has promised me that he will be sent to the Tower—and if I have my way he will die there!’

  ‘It is my wish also,’ Andrew said. ‘On that at least we shall agree.’

  ‘Perhaps on other things,’ Rob said. ‘I agreed that we were no longer enemies some weeks back—and for the service you have done us I would offer you my hand in friendship.’ He held out his hand and Andrew clasped it. ‘Good! We shall speak more of this another time, Gifford.’

  ‘I go now to the King,’ Andrew said. ‘I must tell him of Ronchester’s perfidy, for there is no time to be lost. Once Ronchester learns that we have Catherine safe, he will run. I am determined that he shall not escape his punishment.’

  ‘He shall not if I have to hunt for him myself!’ Rob said. ‘But tell me—how did you find her so quickly? I had men scouring the city, but there was no sign of her.’

  ‘I have had men watching Ronchester for days, and others watching over Catherine. One of them saw the abduction, but could only follow at a distance,’ Andrew said and frowned. ‘I thought her safe with Lady Margaret’s party, but I was wrong—for that I beg your pardon.’

  ‘It is given,’ Rob said. ‘One more thing—is there anything I may do for you?’

  ‘For the moment, nothing,’ Andrew told him. ‘There may be something, but it is not yet certain. In a few days we shall talk again.’

  ‘Then for now we have nothing more to say. I shall not delay you.’

  ‘Harry, come with me,’ Andrew invited. ‘Your sister told you what Ronchester planned. I would have you repeat it to the King, if you please.’

  ‘Of a certainty,’ Harry agreed. ‘I do not intend that Ronchester shall escape with a few months’ banishment to his estates again….’

  Rob watched as the two younger men left together. He was thoughtful as he turned to go upstairs. He would inquire how his daughter was now she had her mother to care for her, but he would say nothing of what had passed between Gifford and him. He was not sure if his suspicions were correct, and it was best to keep his silence for the moment.

  ‘Are you sure you feel well enough to attend court this evening?’ Melissa asked of her daughter three days later. ‘If you feel uncertain, I shall send word that you are not well.’

  ‘Father said that his Majesty especially asked that I would attend the banquet, Mother. It is the last to be held in Westminster Palace before the court moves to Sheen—and when that happens we shall go home, for Father has said so.’

  ‘Yes, that is true,’ Melissa agreed. ‘If you are sure, my dearest, we shall go down, for I know your father is waiting.’

  ‘What of Harry?’ Catherine frowned. ‘I have not seen him since he and the Earl of Gifford rescued me.’

  ‘Your brother and the earl have been busy, Catherine. You know there has been a big search all over London for Ronchester, though as yet no sign of him is to be found.’

  ‘He will not dare to visit the court now that a warrant for his arrest has been issued,’ Catherine said. ‘Besides, I should like to thank the Earl of Gifford for what he did for me. Father says that if it had not been for him I might never have been found.’

  ‘We have much to thank him for,’ her mother agreed.

  ‘Mother…’ Catherine looked at her uncertainly. ‘I have heard that my father and his quarrelled…why was this? Is it something I should know?’

  ‘It is over and forgotten,’ Melissa replied. ‘It need not trouble you, Catherine. His father did something that hurt me, but I have put it behind me.’

  ‘You are sure, Mother?’

  ‘Yes, Catherine.’ Her mother smiled. ‘I know that you care for him, for I saw it in your eyes the night he brought you back to us, and I shall say only that if you wished to marry him I should not object.’

  ‘Oh…’ Catherine smiled uncertainly. ‘He has not asked me yet, but if he should…I should like to say yes.’

  ‘Then perhaps he will,’ Melissa told her. ‘We shall see what happens this evening. If you are sure you feel well enough to go?’

  ‘I am quite sure,’ Catherine said. ‘I am ready to leave now.’

  ‘Then we shall go down and join your father.’

  On her arrival at the palace that evening, Catherine was greeted kindly by various ladies and gentlemen of the court. It seemed that most of them had heard about the outrageous way she had been abducted and were firmly on her side.

  ‘Ronchester should be punished severely,’ Lady Anne said when the two families met. ‘We were distressed to hear what had happened, Catherine. Of course it could not have occurred had you been with our party. Lady Margaret should have made certain you were properly protected.’

  ‘She has apologised, and she sent me a basket of fruit and sweetmeats,’ Catherine said. ‘It was not her fault. I had somehow become detached from the others when the riot started and I believed my abductor was a friend—but it was not so. In future I shall not be so trusting.’

  ‘I dare say your father will make certain you are never in that position a
gain,’ Lady Anne said. ‘I had hoped Will would be here this evening, because we might have settled your future now that your parents are here—but he was called away urgently.’

  ‘I hope nothing is wrong, ma’am?’

  ‘Not to my knowledge. He said it was a personal matter.’

  ‘I see…’ Catherine saw that the Earl of Gifford had seen her. He smiled and began to walk towards her. ‘Excuse me, Lady Anne. I must speak with the Earl of Gifford, as I have not properly thanked him for what he did for me.’

  ‘It seems strange that he was able to find you just like that,’ Lady Anne said with a little sniff. ‘But if your father is satisfied…’ She walked away, leaving her comment unfinished.

  Catherine frowned. It was the second time the lady had tried to raise doubts in her mind concerning the earl, but she was not prepared to listen to what she felt might be spiteful remarks. Lady Anne had hoped for a match between her son and the daughter of old friends, and perhaps she was a little put out because it had not happened. Catherine guessed that Will Shearer had had a message from his mistress, Elsa, and had gone to her, for if it had been estate business he would have told his mother.

  ‘Good evening, Mistress Melford,’ Andrew said as he came up to her. ‘I trust you have recovered from your ordeal?’

  ‘Yes, thanks to your promptness in rescuing me no real harm was done,’ Catherine said. ‘It might have been otherwise if you had not found me so quickly.’

  ‘Your own groom Dickon helped me a great deal,’ Andrew replied. ‘He knew in which direction you had been taken, and my men had been watching both you and Ronchester from a distance and they confirmed that you were being held in a house in an area frequented by rogues and thieves. Once we knew where you were, I decided that swift action was needed. Had we waited to gather a larger force, you might have been whisked away out of the city.’

  ‘I can only say again that I am grateful for what you did, sir.’

  ‘I would do as much for any friend,’ Andrew assured her. ‘You must know—’ He broke off as Catherine’s father came up to them.

  ‘Henry wishes to speak to us privately,’ Rob said, frowning slightly. ‘We are to go now, Gifford—you, my wife, Catherine and I. My son is already with him, apparently.’

  Andrew looked surprised. ‘I asked for a private audience earlier, but was refused. Have you any idea what this is about, my lord?’

  ‘None whatsoever,’ Rob replied. ‘He spoke of settling some differences, but I was not certain what he meant by that since you and I have resolved any awkwardness there might have been.’

  ‘I dare say his Majesty has something in mind,’ Melissa said. ‘I have always found the King a wise and fair man.’ She smiled at Catherine. ‘Perhaps he wishes to tell us that the Earl of Ronchester has been taken.’

  ‘That would be good news,’ Rob said. ‘I do not think it is that—but we shall know soon enough…’

  Catherine took Andrew’s arm, following on behind her parents as they accompanied the lackey that had been sent to fetch them. Catherine wondered what her companion had been about to say when they were interrupted, but he seemed preoccupied, so perhaps it had not been important. He did not use the opportunity to continue with whatever it was he had been about to tell her.

  They were shown into a small but richly decorated chamber, hung with thick brocade curtains. It was the King’s cabinet and used for private audiences with members of his court. The only pieces of furniture were a gilded chair with arms and a padded seat, and a table, on which lay several rolls of parchment, some with seals and ribbons attached—and a sword. The King was seated and Harry was standing by his side; they were smiling as if they had shared a joke.

  ‘You sent for us, sire?’ Rob asked, making his bow.

  ‘Yes, indeed I did, Melford,’ the King said. His gaze moved to Catherine, resting on her pretty face for a few moments. ‘I trust you are satisfied that the Earl of Gifford had nothing to do with the abduction of your daughter?’

  ‘Yes, sire. We owe him a debt of gratitude for finding her so quickly.’

  ‘And for saving your son’s life on more than one occasion,’ the King said. ‘I told you that I wanted an end to any bitterness between you, and I have set some matters in hand which I think should settle the business for good.’

  ‘For services to me, I have decided to make your son Harry a baronet,’ the King said. ‘Gifford is to become the Marquis of Gifford and I shall grant him an estate in Hampshire that will add lustre to his titles—and, to seal the bond of friendship between the two families, Gifford will marry Mistress Melford. She will be his marchioness and that should satisfy any grievances between you.’

  Catherine gasped. She glanced at her father’s and then the earl’s face. Both looked as stunned as she felt. Andrew frowned and then nodded, seeming pleased with the honours he had received. Her father hesitated and then smiled, as if he too was pleased with the King’s decision.

  ‘Catherine,’ Andrew said, turning to her with a satisfied look. ‘I hope it will please you to accept his Majesty’s decree?’

  Catherine felt all eyes turned on her. She knew that she had no choice but to accept and look happy, though in her heart it was not the way she had wanted Andrew to ask her. However, petulance was for children and she was no longer a child. She raised her head, her expression calm as she said, ‘It would give me great pleasure to be your wife, sir.’

  ‘Then it is all settled,’ the King said with a nod of his head. ‘I am glad to see an end to the wrangling between your families. The dowager Lady Gifford will no doubt be appeased now that you have been raised to a marquis, Gifford—and the grant of these lands to you, and these to Sir Harry, are my way of thanking both of you for all the service you have done me these past years.’ He handed one sealed parchment to Andrew, another to Harry.

  ‘You are very generous, sire,’ Andrew said, receiving his with an elegant bow. ‘I thank you for all your gifts to me.’

  ‘Your Majesty,’ Harry said, going down on one knee as the King raised the sword lying on the table. He touched the young man lightly on the shoulders and then bid him arise as Sir Harry. ‘You honour me…’

  ‘I have more work for you, Sir Harry,’ the King said. ‘You know my pleasure. You leave for Scotland in the morning to begin negotiations for the marriage of my daughter Margaret and the King of Scots.’

  ‘I shall leave at first light, sire.’

  ‘You did well in Spain, sir. Do as well in Scotland and I shall be satisfied.’

  ‘I shall do my best to serve you, sire.’

  Henry nodded. ‘Gifford, I would have a word with you—the rest of you may leave us.’

  Catherine and her mother curtsied; Rob and Harry bowed, and then they all left the royal chamber. They heard the sound of laughter as the door closed behind them.

  ‘Well, Harry,’ Rob said, looking proudly at his son, ‘it seems that his Majesty favours you. I think that you may rise high at court if you carry on as you have begun.’

  ‘I shall serve the King as long as he has need of me,’ Harry said. He glanced at his sister. ‘You say little, Catherine. I hope you are pleased with the outcome? You will be a marchioness. You could hardly have looked for more?’

  ‘I do not particularly care for such high honour,’ Catherine said. ‘But it will suit me well to be the wife of Andrew of Gifford.’

  ‘I believe you are to be married in the morning,’ her brother said. ‘I am sorry I shall not be here to see you wed, Cat—but I know you go to a good man, and therefore I shall not worry.’

  ‘I am grateful for all the earl did for me.’

  ‘He is a marquis now,’ her mother reminded her. ‘You do not seem as pleased as I thought you would be, Catherine—you told me that you cared for him?’

  ‘Yes, of course I do, Mother,’ Catherine said, blushing as her father and brother looked at her. ‘It was just that I was surprised. I did not expect the King to make a decree concerning my marriage.’
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  ‘You cannot have been more surprised than I,’ Rob told her. ‘Had I not been assured by your mother that it would please you, I might have contested Henry’s right to give my daughter to any man. However, since it meant Gifford was raised to a high honour and received lands, I should have found it hard to refuse. I believe it has settled the matter very well for all of us.’

  Catherine inclined her head, but said nothing. She did not know why she felt uneasy about what had happened, but she did. She would have preferred that Andrew had asked her to marry him after declaring his feelings for her. While they remained unspoken, she was uncertain of her place in his heart.

  She knew that she was being foolish and tried to put the doubts out of her mind. Once the earl—no, the marquis!—had finished his audience with the King, he would come to her. He would tell her that he cared for her, and it would not matter that she had been a part of the contract the King had imposed on them all.

  Chapter Eight

  C atherine looked at herself in the hand mirror her serving woman held for her. She was dressed in her finest gown of cloth of gold, her hair dressed with a cap made of gold and pearls with a fine silk veil that fell over her hair and framed her brow. Her face was a little pale, but her eyes were clear and she held herself with pride as she stood still for her serving women to finish her toilette.

  ‘I wish you happy, Catherine,’ Anne Melford said, kissing her cheek. She had been incredibly excited that she had been able to come to London after all. ‘I was angry when you came to court and I did not, because I thought you would marry Will Shearer. I have loved him since I was a child, and I hope to wed him one day.’

  ‘You should not set your heart on him, sister,’ Catherine said. ‘I know he has a mistress he loves dearly.’

  ‘A mistress is nothing,’ her sister replied with a little shrug. ‘One day he will love me, as I love him.’