The Pawn

by Aston, Alexa

  Katelyn saw an odd look cross the knight’s face. He paused and stepped to the side and then, lightning fast, threw a glove at Nicholas, who stared at the spot where Rafe had stood moments ago.

  It smacked Nicholas in the face. His hands flew up instinctively to protect himself as the glove dropped to his lap.

  Rafe raced to the bed and bent, his face so close that his nose almost touched his nephew’s nose. Nicholas shoved his uncle away.

  “You’re blind,” Rafe said, stating the obvious. “By the Christ, what happened?”

  “The fall,” Nicholas said dully. “I awoke to blinding pain and pressure in my head. Somehow, my sight has been affected.”

  “We’re hoping as his pain lessens and the pressure eases that his vision will return,” Katelyn quickly added.

  “How are you supposed to lead, Nicholas?” Rafe demanded.

  “Give him time,” Katelyn urged.

  “The Scots will use this to their advantage,” the knight said in a dismissive tone.

  “Then don’t tell them about it!” snapped Nicholas.

  “How are we to keep it a secret, Nephew? You can’t stay hidden away in this manor house forever.”

  “Tell those at Northmere that the Scots have attempted a new raid across the border,” Katelyn suggested. “Say they attempted to attack the manor house. Nicholas often leads the parties guarding the border. Make it known that he does so now. He could be gone a week or more without anyone questioning his absence. No one need suspect a thing.”

  “Meanwhile, he’ll lie in his bed, feeling sorry for himself?” Rafe asked. Then he smirked at her. “Or I suppose you can entertain him, my lady. Of course, you’ll have to take his cock in hand and guide it into you. He certainly can’t see to do it himself.”

  Nicholas threw back the bedclothes and jumped from the bed. Unfortunately, he’d forgotten he’d set the tray beside it. He tripped, falling hard, face down.

  Katelyn gasped and hurried toward him, helping him rise to his feet. Blood dripped from his nose as he stared angrily, his head turning, trying to locate his uncle.

  Rafe sneered at them. “I’ll keep your little secret for a week, Nephew. No more. After that, I’ll expect you to return home.

  “And then you’ll renounce your title—and name me the new earl.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Nicholas’ blood curdled at his uncle’s words.

  Before he could say anything, Kate’s fingers fell from his arm and she said, “Get out. Now.”

  In those three words, Nicholas heard both courage and resolve. Kate didn’t raise her voice to Rafe. She didn’t cry or cajole or beg. She told the knight what to do—and waited for him to respond, certain that he would follow her command. Tension hung heavy in the air, as if it could have physically been sliced through with a sword. Nicholas listened, every muscle in his body frozen, and heard his uncle’s footsteps begin.

  And then recede.

  A subtle change occurred near him, letting him know Kate must be following Rafe. Her steps paused and then he heard the door pushed closed. She came back to him and took his arm.

  “I’m leading you to a chair. It’s about fifteen paces away.”

  They walked slowly. It was the first time he’d moved across the room since he’d awoken with no sight. His heart raced as if he were about to ride into battle. Fear of the darkness surrounding him threatened to swallow him whole with each step he took—yet he refused to give in to it. The person he trusted most had hold of him. She would keep him safe. Kate brought them to a halt and Nicholas reached out, finding the arm of the chair and lowering himself into it. Her skirts swished subtly, her body heat moving away from him. She returned and set something down nearby.

  “I’m going to wash the blood away.”

  He liked that she always told him what she was doing and where things were located. In the world of darkness he now inhabited, it allowed him to paint a picture in his mind. Knowing what she did now, he listened and heard the cloth dipped into water and wrung out. Felt her wiping under his nose and around his lower face.

  “Some of the blood dripped onto your cotehardie. You’ll need to remove it so I can try to wash it out.”

  “Later,” he said. “I have more important things to worry about.”

  She sat in a chair next to him. “Can Rafe force you to relinquish your title?”

  “Nay. But he can make things difficult for me. He is Northmere’s captain of the guard and the eldest member of the Mandeville family. He has the respect of our many soldiers for he is a skilled one himself, proven many times over. They would listen to him—and his words could poison them against me. Normally, I couldn’t have foreseen any circumstance where Rafe might speak out against me.

  “My blindness changes everything.”

  Nicholas thought for a moment and then added, “Custom dictates that a liege lord offers his protection to his people. They, in return, give him their labor and loyalty. If the people of Northmere believe I cannot provide a safe haven for them, especially since we are so perilously close to the border, I might witness a gradual shift in their allegiance. My uncle could stir up enough doubt to make them question their fidelity to me and clamor for me to be replaced.”

  “Why would you name him earl, though?” Kate asked. “I cannot understand that. If, for any reason, you did decide to step down, wouldn’t Bryce succeed you? If anything happened to you, your brother would be next in line to succeed.”

  “Legally, that would be true. I fear that Rafe would not only incite my people but he would be bold enough to take his case and petition the king. Edward alone has the authority to strip me of the earldom and award it to whomever he chooses. It happens rarely but it’s not unheard of.”

  Her fingers entwined with his, bringing Nicholas not only warmth but the knowledge that she still believed in him, despite his impairment.

  “Then that is where I can step in. I may not know my cousin well but I am his cousin. I would have his ear more than Rafe ever could. The fact that Landon is my brother and has served Edward loyally for so many years would sway the king in whatever I might ask of him.” Kate squeezed his hand. “Have faith, Nicholas. We can stop Rafe. Together.”

  Her words ripped his heart in two. If she had spoken to him this way before the incident, he would have been jubilant, knowing she finally committed to him and their marriage.

  Nicholas withdrew his hand from hers. “Circumstances have changed, Kate. I cannot allow you to be attached to me anymore. Any battles to be fought with Rafe will be ones I must fight on my own.”

  “What are you saying?” Her tone was sharp.

  “I no longer think being wedded to one another is the wisest course of action. I will be the one to seek an annulment.”

  “I won’t let you!” she cried.

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said sadly. “As a man, I have more legal standing than you. I made known in front of witnesses my vow to leave you untouched until a month has passed.”

  “But you didn’t,” she insisted. “You have touched me intimately. We are wed, Nicholas.”

  “We have never consummated our marriage, Kate.”

  “I pledged before God and others to be yours. I will keep that vow,” she insisted.

  Knowing it would hurt her, he grit his teeth and then said, “If I have to commit you to a nunnery, I will. It’s my choice, Kate. And I choose to free you from me.”

  Her shocked silence blanketed him. Nicholas sat still, waiting for her to speak.

  Finally, she said, “You would send me back to a convent. Knowing what my life was like among the nuns. All to free yourself from me.”

  Nicholas drove the final nail into the coffin. “I would—unless you agree to an annulment.”

  Kate cradled his face and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. It took everything he had not to respond. She pushed her fingers into his hair, combing them through it as her tongue swept slowly back and forth, insisting he open his mouth to her. He remaine
d firm and resolved not to react.

  Even if it killed him.

  Her fingers and tongue ceased moving. She withdrew.

  “You need me,” she said firmly. “Whether you know it or not. Blind or with sight. You need me—as much as I need you.” Her voice broke on that last word and then she choked out, “I love you, Nicholas. Now and forever. Please, don’t send me away.”

  He stared straight ahead, not blinking, not acknowledging the precious words she’d spoken, keeping secret that he returned her love.

  Her lips brushed against his brow. “Farewell,” she whispered.

  The door opened and closed.

  Nicholas sat in the chair.

  And wept.

  *

  Katelyn fled to the chamber across the hall from the solar. She allowed herself to weep for a few minutes and then angrily brushed the tears away. Tears would not solve her current dilemma.

  How could one man prove to be so stubborn?

  At first, he had pursued her, trying to convince her they should remain in their marriage. Now, when he needed her the most, he pushed her away. Threatening to send her to a convent let her know how serious he was about wanting an annulment.

  Yet, she knew of the bond between them. It had grown slowly, through kisses and conversation. The love in her heart for Nicholas Mandeville was all too real. Whether he returned her love or not, she refused to give him up.

  Katelyn spent hours thinking about what to do and finally decided on a course of action.

  The remainder of the day she tried to stay busy. As usual, she brought meals to Nicholas but didn’t bother to engage him in conversation. She didn’t trust that she could keep from weeping. Others would have to wait upon him come tomorrow. Though no one in the household knew yet of his blindness, they would soon.

  Once she was gone.

  She sought out young Henfrey and asked if he would accompany her on a stroll. He eagerly accepted.

  “How is Lord Nicholas? You know I could be helping you care for him, my lady.”

  “I know. Thank you for your kind offer. I have something else to ask of you, though.”

  Henfrey smiled. “I am your humble servant, Lady Katelyn.”

  “It could be dangerous,” she said.

  The boy’s eyes lit up. “Then you most certainly will need my protection. What am I to do?”

  “I need you to accompany me to Ravenwood early tomorrow morning.”

  “Ravenwood?” The squire frowned. “You have the need to see Lady Catherine?” He thought a moment. “I could always deliver a missive to her for you. That would be much simpler.”

  “Nay. I must speak to her in person on a matter of grave importance.”

  Katelyn had determined that she must travel to Windsor and speak to King Edward in person on Nicholas’ behalf, both to ensure he kept his title and that she would remain as his wife. If she requested knights from Northmere to accompany her on the long journey, she believed that Rafe would prevent that from happening since he might also want to visit with the king, as Nicholas suspected would occur. If she could explain the severity of the situation to Catherine Savill, Katelyn believed her friend would immediately provide soldiers to escort Katelyn south to her cousin.

  And Rafe Mandeville would never know where she’d gone.

  “We would need to leave before daybreak tomorrow. Are you willing to guide me to Ravenwood? ’Twould just be the two of us.” She paused. “And no one can know about our short trip. In fact, you will probably return to the manor house while I remain with Lady Catherine.”

  Though the young man looked uncertain, he nodded. “I will be ready, my lady, as will Ebony.”

  “Good.” She hugged him. As she drew away, she had to hide a smile as she saw his cheeks flame.

  They returned to the manor house and she went to check on Nicholas a final time before bed.

  She kept all emotion from her voice as she asked, “How is your head?” These were the first words she’d spoken to him since he cruelly tried to toss her from his life this morning.

  He gazed out warily in her direction and said, “The headache is all but gone. Even the pressure seems to be relenting.”

  “Good. I’ve brought you some cold ale.”

  Knowing she might break if she touched him, Katelyn pushed the cup against his chest. He raised both hands and wrapped them around the vessel and she released her grip.

  “It’s a new brew that Lucy is proud of.”

  Nicholas sipped it. “It’s very good.” He took another large swallow.

  “Enjoy it. I bid you a good night, my lord,” she said formally, hating that none of their usual teasing went on.

  Then Katelyn returned to her bedchamber and waited. In the dead of night, she rose and removed her clothing, leaving it neatly folded across the bed she hadn’t slept in. Naked, she opened the door and crept across the hall to the solar.

  Meeting in person with the king was only part of her plan. The other half involved making sure she was a full-fledged wife to her husband before she left for Windsor Castle.

  Faint light came from the small fire still burning inside the solar. Taking her time, she moved slowly across the room. The only sound was the even breathing that came from the bed. She reached it and, as expected, he hadn’t drawn the curtains. Why would he? It didn’t matter if any light came in. He would never see it.

  She hoped he’d drunk all of the ale. In it, she’d mixed some of the herbs that Elewys said would help Nicholas sleep and reduce his pain. She wanted him as sleepy as imaginable for what she would now attempt. Idly, Katelyn wondered if it were possible to seduce one’s own husband.

  She would soon find out.

  Lifting the bedclothes, she slid in and let them fall over her. The first thing she noticed was the tremendous heat Nicholas seemed to generate. At first, she’d thought he had a fever when she’d sent for the Northmere healer but soon learned that was his natural state. She inched toward him, grateful he slept on his back in the center of the bed.

  Boldly, she threw a leg over both of his as she snuggled against him, her bare breasts pressed into his side. Her fingers began to lightly play with the fine matting of hair on his chest. He sighed and his arm came about her, drawing her even closer. Katelyn feathered light kisses along his chest and then brazenly repeated what he had done to her.

  She licked his nipple.

  A gasp came from him. He shifted and another arm came around her, so that she lay entrapped against his chest. She returned to her task, circling her tongue around the nipple and then tweaking it with her teeth. Another gasp and then a low moan sounded. Nicholas’ hand slid down her body and firmly cupped her buttock, kneading it. She could feel his manhood growing against her. Tamping down her fear, she toyed with his other nipple, rolling it between her fingertips, the same as he had done to her. She licked her way along his chest, up to his throat, and then captured his lower lip in her teeth. Katelyn bit into it gently and Nicholas growled.

  Suddenly, they shifted in the bed and she lay beneath him. She remained silent, not wanting him to hear her voice, hoping that he might think this a dream. His mouth plundered hers as his hands freely roamed her naked body, each stroke lighting the passion she felt, sending her higher and higher. Katelyn played with his hair and then raked her nails across his back, marking him as hers.

  His kiss became more urgent. More demanding. More possessive. The fire he stirred now consumed her, her body radiating as much heat as his. She matched him, kiss for kiss, as her hands stroked him feverishly.

  Then the moment she’d worried about arrived. She felt his hand leave her and wriggle between their bodies as he sought to guide his cock into her. The tip pressed against her womanly core, which throbbed unmercifully, wanting him desperately. Katelyn tried to relax and failed. She squeezed her eyes closed.

  Without warning, Nicholas rammed into her. She cried out against his mouth, the pain blinding for a moment.

  “Kate?” His voice was hoarse a
s he stilled.

  The hurt subsided and she whispered, “It’s a dream, Nicholas. Love me.”

  Nicholas began moving in and out of her with slow, delicious strokes. She didn’t know if he was totally aware of what he did but it didn’t matter. Her maidenhead had been breached. She was his.

  And she would never let him go.

  His tempo increased and Katelyn found herself clinging to him, calling his name, as he reached a peak and shuddered violently before collapsing atop her. For a moment, she thought his great weight might crush her. She pushed against him and managed to roll him to his side. Her thoughts of slipping from the bed, though, were not to be. Nicholas held her to him fiercely, burying his face in her hair.

  “Is it truly you, Kate?” His words slurred and she knew he’d remained half-asleep through the encounter.

  “I’m here,” she said softly.

  Her words seemed to comfort him and set his mind at ease. He relaxed against her, his grasp loosening a bit as his breathing evened out. Soft snores began. Katelyn smiled and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. She would save words of love for another time. Now, it was enough that he had made their union legal and binding. Annulment would no longer be a possibility.

  Easing from his arms, she climbed from the bed and drew the bedclothes over him again, wishing she could see his beautiful face one last time before she left on her mission. She left the solar and returned to her bedchamber. Only then did she notice the stickiness between her legs. Taking the candle she’d left burning from the table, she saw his seed mixed with a small amount of blood against her thighs and remembered how Landon had told her about the spilling of a virgin’s blood. Nicholas might be groggy now but come morning, he would discover what had happened.

  Katelyn cleaned herself and then dressed. She paused a moment and splayed her fingers across her belly. Even now, Nicholas’ babe might grow within her.

  Using the candle, she made her way downstairs and packed some bread for her and Henfrey to eat as they rode to Ravenwood. She crept past a sleeping Sir Albert, whom she’d also given a large tankard of ale spiked with the sleeping herbs. He was slumped near the door. Opening it, she stepped outside and looked about. A soldier stood guard twenty paces away but he faced away from the manor house. She kept to the shadows and tiptoed carefully, running her hand along the wall of the manor as a guide.