The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past Book 4)

by Irina Shapiro

  Guy stopped eating and stared at Walter, his eyes wide with concern. “Are they hurt?” he demanded.

  “No, they appear to be quite well,” Walter replied, smiling with glee.

  “Walter, I’m going to box your ears if you don’t tell me what you know,” Guy said and resumed eating his supper.

  “The master just informed Mistress Joan that Sister Catherine has come to stay. They are to be married as soon as arrangements can be made.”

  Guy nearly choked on the piece of bread he was chewing and took a long swallow of wine before turning on Walter. “You’re really asking for it, you ungrateful whelp. I know you like a bit of a lark now and then, but I won’t have you enjoying a laugh at my expense.”

  “’Tis no joke, sir,” Walter replied, frowning. “Heard it with me own ears, I did.”

  “Ask my brother to come and see me.” Guy pushed the empty plate toward the boy. “And get more wine. This flagon is nearly empty.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Walter took the dirty crockery and departed, leaving Guy seething with irritation. He hated being cooped up in this room. The world went on without him, and if Walter was to be believed, it was moving a lot faster than it had only a day ago.

  Guy was seriously contemplating getting out of bed and going in search of Hugh when his brother finally decided to grace him with his presence. He was clad in dark blue breeches and a matching doublet, his jaw was shadowed with stubble, and his thick hair was playfully tousled. It suddenly struck Guy that Hugh wasn’t completely without appeal. Had he charmed Kate into agreeing to marry him?

  “How’re you getting on?” Hugh asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed, looking very pleased with himself.

  “Clearly not as well as you are,” Guy retorted. “Is it true?”

  “Oh, aye,” Hugh replied, smiling. “Kate and I are to be married.”

  It’s Kate now, is it? Guy thought sourly. “When?”

  “As soon as arrangements are made.”

  “What sort of arrangements? All you need is a priest and a bride.”

  “Not quite. I intend to use this marriage to facilitate an introduction to the Earl of Warwick, or at the very least make myself known to him.”

  Guy gaped at his brother in astonishment, but decided to pursue the Warwick connection later. First, he needed to understand how this betrothal had come about.

  “Has Lord Dancy given you his blessing, then?” Guy asked. He couldn’t see someone of Lord Dancy’s stature condoning a union between his only daughter and a Lancastrian knight of middling wealth. Surely, Lord Dancy would aim much higher when making a match for his daughter, and choose a husband from among his Yorkist cronies.

  “Not exactly, but he’ll come around to the idea in time,” Hugh replied, that sly smile still playing about his lips.

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning he didn’t have much say in the matter. I had a quiet word with the doting papa last night and led him to believe that his daughter had allowed me to sample her favors. Of course, I would gladly marry the lady, I said, if Lord Dancy would bestow his favor and Catherine’s sizable dowry on me. If he refused, I would let it be known that Lady Catherine was no longer a maid, and might already be with child. Lord Dancy was livid. He banished Kate then and there, leaving her no choice but to marry me, since she is now dispossessed. I did manage to convince him that it would be in his best interests to keep the matter quiet and allow me to marry the fair maiden, but I would only do my duty by her if a dowry was forthcoming. He refused to part with all of it, but the amount he gave me will keep us afloat for years.”

  “And when the money runs out?” Guy asked, his voice tight with anger.

  “By that time, the old goat will have died, and Kate, being the only surviving child, will inherit the entire estate, which will, of course, pass to her loving husband. I’ll have no claim to the title, but I will have the lands, the serfs, the house, and all within it. And I will have the Warwick connection, which I intend to work tirelessly to my advantage.”

  “In what way? Are you no longer loyal to Henry and Margaret?” Guy demanded.

  “Guy, let’s face it, the Lancastrian cause is lost. Margaret is a brave and cunning woman, and if she were a man, she’d make a formidable king, but Harry is weak and ineffectual. Some say that his madness has progressed and he’s barely aware of what’s being done in his name. King Edward is the future, and I would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to switch sides at a time when it won’t be viewed as treason, but rather as good sense.”

  “William would not have approved.”

  “William is dead and I’m now head of the family,” Hugh reminded Guy, not without anger. “If we are to survive, we must take advantage of this God-given opportunity.”

  “And what of the Earl of Stanwyck? He’s our liege lord. We can’t simply change sides,” Guy argued.

  “Stanwyck is no fool. He can see for himself which way the wind is blowing. He’s ready to declare for Edward, and that makes our desertion of the Lancastrian cause a fait accompli.”

  “And what if Kate decides not to marry you and returns to the priory?” Guy asked, hoping Kate would do just that.

  “I’ve taken care of that,” Hugh replied with a smirk. “The thought no doubt crossed her mind, so I tumbled her and put an end to that plan. She can never return to the priory now. Her conscience wouldn’t allow it. Besides, she might already be carrying my son,” Hugh added as he got to his feet.

  “You forced her?” Guy growled, outraged that the brother he trusted and respected would be capable of such a vile act against a lovely girl who’d been nothing but kind to them.

  “Of course not. I’m not some thoughtless brute, Guy,” Hugh retorted, his color rising. “And I am marrying her, so I only took what was rightfully mine.”

  “Hugh, you will make her happy, or you’ll have to answer to me.” Guy’s tone brooked no argument and he glared at his brother with contempt.

  “Happy?” Hugh echoed, looking genuinely puzzled. “What does a woman need to be happy? She’ll have a roof over her head, my affection and protection, children, and expensive gowns. We must appear prosperous if we hope to get ahead and improve our fortunes, so she’ll want for nothing. Of course she’ll be happy.”

  “Do you love her?” Guy asked.

  Hugh shrugged. “I desire her; that’s enough. I’d like to think that in time I’ll grow to care for her. I’m not like you and William, Guy. I’m not sentimental,” Hugh explained without any rancor.

  “Hugh, please, be kind to her,” Guy said, his voice thick with feeling.

  “I will be very kind to her, as long as she never gives me a reason not to be, as would any husband. I think I’ll go visit my bride and see how she’s settling in. I have an itch that needs scratching.” Hugh winked at Guy, smiling at his own wit. “Don’t be jealous, little brother. We’ll find you a wife soon. In the meantime, Nurse can give you a hand. I’m sure she’d enjoy it.” Hugh made a lewd gesture, leaving Guy in no doubt of what he meant, laughed uproariously, and left the room. Guy heard his laughter echoing through the empty corridor as he made for the stairs.

  It should have been you who died, and not Will, Guy thought bitterly, and instantly regretted the sentiment. That was disloyal, and it was God’s will who lived and who died, not his. He would miss Will though, not only as a brother, but as a mentor. William had been an honorable man, loyal to those he cared about and merciful to those he fought against. He had lived by his own code of honor, a code Hugh knew nothing about. Hugh had always been the most cunning and self-serving of the three of them, but William had believed that once Hugh grew into manhood, he’d outgrow the tendency to scheme and manipulate. He had been wrong. Deceit was simply a part of Hugh’s nature, just as decency had been a part of William’s. Guy supposed that some would congratulate Hugh on his quick thinking and finding a way to turn the situation to his own advantage, but when Guy thought of Kate’s sweet face and trus
ting gaze, he wanted to weep. She was innocent and kind, and not equipped to deal with a man like Hugh, who’d use his connection with her family to further his own ambitions.

  Guy pressed his palms to his eyes as a headache began to build, blurring his vision. He was sure Kate had not lain with Hugh willingly. Hugh wouldn’t rape a woman; that wasn’t his way, but he’d surely manipulated the situation to make it easier to take Kate and practically impossible for her to resist. Guy prayed that Hugh hadn’t hurt her and that he would try to be a good husband to her. Hugh hated complications, so it would make his life considerably easier if he had a sweet and compliant wife. He would treat Kate well enough as long as she showed him due respect and fulfilled her wifely obligations, but the idea of Hugh and Kate as a wedded couple still burned Guy’s insides until he felt like he was going to be sick.

  He had a brief vision of Kate lying beneath Hugh as he thrust into her again and again, and Guy’s right hand instinctively went for his sword. He cried out in pain, reminded of his injury and the absurdity of his feelings. Kate wasn’t his to protect or defend from her betrothed. Surely, she could have convinced her father to refuse Hugh if she didn’t wish to marry him. Perhaps this was what she wanted, Guy reasoned, as he cradled his aching arm. He hardly knew her, and his desire to protect her was misguided and self-serving. He wanted Kate to see him as her champion, her lord, when in fact, he’d be nothing more than her crippled brother-in-law.

  Chapter 27

  Kate was in the Lady Chamber with Eleanor when Hugh came to find her. She supposed the room’s name would make more sense if there were more ladies, but Eleanor had been the only woman to use the room since Marie de Rosel died nearly twenty years ago. The two women sat companionably as Eleanor mended Adam’s hose, which he was forever snagging, according to her. Adam sat in front of a low table, his father’s chess set before him. He didn’t know how to play, but he enjoyed moving the pieces around the board, acting out a great battle in his imagination.

  “Can you teach me how to play, Uncle Hugh?” Adam asked, looking up from his battlefield.

  “I don’t see why not,” Hugh replied. “My father taught me to play when I was about your age.”

  “Your father taught you?” Adam asked, staring up at Hugh.

  “Yes, he did. He was still alive then, as was my mother,” Hugh explained.

  “How old was my lord father then?”

  “He was ten, but he no longer lived at home because he was a page to a great lord.”

  “And Uncle Guy?” Adam asked.

  “Uncle Guy was hardly more than a babe in arms. He still wore a gown,” Hugh replied with a wistful smile. “He toddled after me all day long, whining for me to play with him.”

  “He played chess?” Adam asked, his eyebrows disappearing into his hair in astonishment.

  Hugh laughed. “No, he was too young to play chess. Guy had some wooden pegs that he wanted me to stack for him. As soon as I built a tower, Guy would knock it down. He seemed to find that particular pastime very amusing.”

  “Will I be a page to a great lord?” Adam asked, dismissing Guy from his mind.

  “When the time comes. Is that what you want?”

  “I want to be a knight like my father. I want to fight and slay evil King Edward and regain the throne for our rightful king.”

  “That’s a noble sentiment, Adam, but by the time you’re a knight things might have changed somewhat. King Henry is an old man.”

  “Then I’ll fight for his son,” Adam exclaimed, fired up. “I will avenge my father.”

  “I’m sure Edward of Westminster will be glad of your support,” Hugh replied.

  Adam nodded, as if confirming something to himself, and returned to the board, no longer interested in the conversation.

  Hugh ruffled Adam’s dark hair affectionately and approached the ladies. He gave a courtly bow to Eleanor and smiled at Kate. “Will you oblige me by joining me at the writing desk for a moment, my sweet?” Hugh asked.

  “Of course.” Kate rose to her feet, gladly setting aside the mending.

  “I’m glad to see you two are getting to know each other,” Hugh commented, his gaze on Eleanor. “I hope Kate will be of some comfort to you in your grief.”

  Eleanor nodded miserably as her eyes filled with tears. “I’m grateful for the company,” she mumbled.

  Hugh rested his hand on the small of Kate’s back as he guided her toward the ornate desk situated beneath the window to capture the light. He was all smiles but had a purposeful look in his eyes. She obediently took a seat behind the desk when Hugh asked her to.

  He pulled out a sheet of paper from a drawer and handed her a quill. “I’d like you to write a letter to the Earl of Warwick. Invite him to our wedding.”

  Kate gaped at him. She’d thought he wanted her to write to her father, to perhaps ask for forgiveness or more money, but this request came as a shock. “Hugh, I’ve never met Cousin Richard. Why would he want to come to our wedding? Surely he has more pressing business to attend to.”

  Hugh smiled at her indulgently. “I don’t expect him to come,” he replied, all patience. “He will decline the invitation, or more accurately his lady will, but Her Grace might invite us to visit them in Westminster or even at Middleham Castle. You are kin, after all. And if you assure your kinsman that your future husband is his great admirer and wishes fervently to be of service, surely he can find some use for me.”

  “Hugh, I really don’t think…” Kate began, but Hugh silenced her with a severe look.

  “Write the letter, Kate. Thinking is not required.”

  Kate cringed with embarrassment as she penned the letter, acutely aware of how sycophantic it sounded and how transparent her invitation was, but she could hardly refuse. Hugh had asked her to do it, and as of last night, he was her lord and master. Kate signed the letter with a flourish and handed it to Hugh, who reached for her hand and planted a kiss in her palm.

  “Thank you, dearest. I’ll send a messenger to deliver this tomorrow, and I’ll have him stop off at Newcastle and ask Master Reynolds to pay us a visit,” Hugh said, his earlier pique forgotten.

  “Who’s Master Reynolds?”

  “He’s a cloth merchant. His wares are vastly superior to anything you can find in Berwick. We’re rather provincial here, on the border, so it’s either Newcastle or Edinburgh if we desire quality goods.”

  “Master Reynolds comes with an added benefit,” Eleanor interjected from her place by the hearth. “He brings his sister along, who’s skilled with a needle and has keen eyes. She’s made all my gowns since I married William.”

  The gown Eleanor was wearing that evening was made of rich brown velvet and trimmed with fox pelt. The color combination brought out Eleanor’s lovely brown eyes and accentuated her fair hair and complexion. Mistress Reynolds was indeed gifted, but Kate had no desire for such finery.

  “Two serviceable gowns will do, Hugh,” Kate objected. “I don’t require anything so fine.”

  Hugh looked at Kate in surprise, as if seeing her for the first time. She supposed it was unusual for a woman not to wish for beautiful things, but she’d spent the last two years at a priory, preparing to take her vows. She’d renounced worldly goods, and found it difficult to go back on her promise, especially when fashionable gowns exposed more flesh than she was comfortable showing after being covered from head to toe even when alone in her cell.

  “Kate, I admire your sense of economy, but you can’t spend your days wearing a sack gown or my mother’s castoffs. You are to be my wife, and your appearance is a reflection on me and my place in the world. I might not be a great lord, like your father, but I won’t have my wife looking like a peasant. You’ll need several gowns, one suitable to be wed in and worn to an important occasion should one arise, and several for every day. And you’ll need new undergarments, stockings, several veils, and a new cloak. That thing you wear looks like a moth-eaten horse blanket. I’m probably forgetting something, but I’ve no dou
bt Eleanor will be more than happy to assist you. She knows what a woman of your station will require. Don’t you, Eleanor?”

  “I’d be happy to help,” Eleanor replied demurely, and cast a melancholy look in Hugh’s direction. She pouted prettily until Hugh finally caught on.

  “And, of course, you must order a new gown for yourself, Eleanor. And whatever else you require,” he added. “Master Reynolds doesn’t come this way often, so we must take advantage of his visit.”

  “Thank you, Hugh. I could do with a few things,” Eleanor replied, a small smile tugging at her full lips.

  “Shall we sup? I’m famished,” Hugh announced. His eyes raked over Kate’s body as his hand brushed against her thigh, giving a whole new meaning to his innocent words.

  Kate blushed with embarrassment, but Hugh winked at her and moved toward the door. The prospect of sharing a bed with Hugh again tonight soured Kate’s mood, but she obediently followed him. She could hardly refuse. She was his for the taking now.

  Chapter 28

  May 1461

  Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

  After more than a month at the keep, Kate began to long for something to do other than sit in the Lady Chamber and sew. Sewing and mending had their place, of course, but the hours of physical inactivity left her feeling sluggish and frustrated. She couldn’t imagine devoting years of her life to mending hose. There was a flutter of activity before the wedding, but once the day passed, life settled into a more tranquil routine.

  The wedding was held at the parish church in Berwick at the end of April. It would have taken place sooner had Kate’s gown been ready, but Mistress Reynolds had caught a chill and couldn’t finish the gown in time. Hugh had planned a feast to celebrate the marriage, but the Earl of Warwick sent his regrets, via a curt note from his duchess, and Hugh’s liege lord had taken ill with the ague and couldn’t attend. He sent a gift of two silver wine goblets with his son, Robert Ambrose, which Hugh accepted with great pleasure and displayed in pride of place on the mantel in the great hall.