by June Francis
Kate sat on the bunk. Why had he had to remind her that he was in the pay of a Stanley? She might have done what he asked if he had kept silent about that family. Although…She glanced down at herself. What a fine lady she made dressed in a smelly, homespun tunic, forsooth. What must his brothers think of her dressed so? What had one of them said? Lovely is she, Owain? And what had he said? You’ll see for yourself. She determined to keep to her cabin until the ship arrived at Chester.
But that was not to be. An hour or so later, Owain brought her a gown of midnight blue, without sides. It was to be worn over a fine wool kirtle of the palest blue; the latter was designed to fit snugly from shoulder to hip. Her pleasure was immediate and she could not conceal her feelings as she fingered the fabrics. ‘I appreciate your gift, but I deem you were not given these garments by Master Milburn’s kinswoman?’
Owain grimaced. ‘Her rudeness embarrassed us both.’
‘Yet you kissed her hand and, from what she said, you were once fond of her.’
‘I am no saint. There have been women in my life…but what I felt for Marguerite died when she plighted her troth to another man.’ He smiled faintly. ‘I’ll leave you to dress…and if you would agree to wear this, too?’ He took his signet ring from his pocket and held it out to her.
She made no move to take it. ‘A betrothal is a serious matter, Master ap Rowan. It was different when we pretended to be married whilst travelling amongst strangers. But to deceive your brothers and others…what reason will you give when the time comes to end it?’
‘Allow me to worry about that, Kate.’ Reaching out for her left hand, he slipped the ring upon her third finger. Then he brushed his lips against hers before leaving the cabin.
She ran the tip of a finger where his lips had touched so tantalisingly briefly. He had left her wanting more…and perhaps she would not have to wait long before he kissed her again. After all, love making was part of the game they played. Removing her soiled garments, she donned the new ones. The woollen fabric of the kirtle was warm and soft against her skin, but, most importantly, it did not smell. She shrugged on the gown, which fell in folds to her ankles. Her spirits rose until she noticed her shabby sandals and pulled a face. She was also in need of a headdress and veil, but knew she would have to make do with the mantilla Owain had given to her. Not for the first time she wished for a looking glass, but, as there wasn’t one available, she was dependent once again on Owain’s reactions to her appearance.
She went up on deck. The catch in his breath and the desire in his eyes told her more than she could have asked. Which made it imperative that she put a guard on her feelings for him. ‘You look very much the lady,’ he murmured against her cheek as she went and stood next to him.
‘I’ve had some practice.’
He laughed and suggested they resume their games of chess. She decided to stop worrying about the future and to make the most of the present. Although, due to the presence of his brothers, it would be different from the last time they had sailed together.
Hal, the youngest of the three brothers, who was as fair as Owain was dark, came to watch them play. Several times she caught him looking at her with a curious expression on his freckled face. But, as soon as he realised that she had noticed him staring, his eyes would light up in a mischievous, boyish smile. She could not help but be amused.
A few days later when Owain was in deep conversation with Davy, Kate was gazing across the sea to where she could make out the south coast of England, Hal came and stood next to her. ‘When you and Owain are married, do you think you could persuade him to allow me to live with you?’ The question took her unawares and for a moment she was at a loss how to reply. Then she murmured, ‘That will surely be up to Owain. You’re not happy at home?’
‘Not since Father married that witch, Gwendolyn.’
Kate remembered his words back in Caen. ‘Witch?’
‘She has cast a spell on Father, and he can see no wrong in her, whilst all the time she deceives him. Owain is the only one who can deal with her.’
‘Why is that?’
‘The blood of seers runs in our family and he has inherited the gift. Because of that she fears him and accused him of deeds most foul.’
His words surprised her. ‘Owain is a seer?’
He nodded his head vigorously. ‘He would deny it, that is why he hasn’t mentioned it to you.’
‘Of a surety,’ she said swiftly, more interested at the moment in his stepmother. ‘Owain said she is beautiful.’
‘Her beauty is a lure. She accused Owain of scheming to have our eldest brother, Martin, killed. She lies. He loved him. She sought out your husband, having learnt that he was staying at Domfront at the same time as my brothers. She told Father that Sir Roger revealed to her that Owain had blurted out such a scheme whilst in his cups.’
Kate said softly, ‘If your father had known Sir Roger as I did, he would not have believed aught he said.’
‘Gwendolyn persuaded him that he was a knight to be trusted more than his heir, by telling him that Owain had tried to rape her.’
Kate’s eyes widened.
‘It is not true,’ said Hal hastily. ‘She lied because she wanted Owain completely discredited in Father’s eyes. She blamed Owain for Martin’s death before she even met Sir Roger. She loved Martin and would not accept that he only cared for her like a brother. Whilst he lived, she never gave up hope of persuading him to marry her. But once he was dead, her grief was terrible to behold.’
‘Tell me about Martin?’
‘He was handsome and charming and with a rare gift for handling horses, which was useful to Father. If my brother had a fault, it was that he was easily led. Unlike Owain, who could never be led by the nose, Martin was placid and did what Father said, Owain would argue if he thought he was in the right. That angered Father, and yet because he knew Owain was the stronger of the two…despite his being the younger…he trusted Owain to take care of his heir.’
‘I see,’ murmured Kate.
Hal glanced in his brothers’ direction. ‘Owain would not like my speaking of this to you, but I thought you should know what Gwendolyn is capable of before you meet her. Owain does not believe she is a witch with magical powers, but she would kill him if she could.’
Kate felt as if an icy hand gripped her heart and, for a moment, her fear for Owain dried her mouth. Then she pulled herself together. ‘I’m glad you’ve told me this as I have some knowledge of women such as your stepmother. Tell me more about her now?’
Hal shook his head and said gruffly, ‘Owain and Davy have finished talking. You will find out for yourself if Father permits it and you stay at Rowan Manor. If he does not, will you speak to Owain about my living with you? I will be a great asset, for I have a way with horses, too.’
Kate said gently, ‘I can make no promises but, if the opportunity should rise, I will do what you ask.’
He looked delighted and pressed a kiss on her cheek. She smiled at him before shooing him away. He left her, a solitary figure, gazing towards England, considering all that had been said.
Owain touched her shoulder. ‘We’ll soon be dropping anchor at Southampton.’
She darted him a glance. ‘But we’ll be sailing on to Chester, once we’ve taken on fresh water and provisions?’
He nodded. ‘It’s no more dangerous than if we went by land. Now fortunes can no longer be made in France, there is a soldiery here with weapons for hire and with a need to look elsewhere for booty.’ For a moment there was silence, then he said, ‘You and Hal appeared deep in conversation.’
‘He wants to come and live with us after we’re married,’ she said with a droll expression.
‘And what was your response?’
‘I said the decision was yours. Didn’t you say I was to leave any difficulties that arose from us being betrothed to you?’
A grin creased his face. ‘Aye. Did he say why he wanted to leave home?’
‘At length…but he
assures me that he’ll be a great asset as he, too, has a way with horses.’ Her tone was light. ‘Isn’t that what you told me about your brother, Martin?’
‘You have an excellent memory, Kate. I wonder what else Hal told you?’ he rasped, his eyes narrowing. ‘I guess he mentioned our stepmother.’
‘Yes. Tell me, how did your father kill hers?’
Owain gazed towards the coast. ‘It was in a disagreement over a field…it was a fair fight and took place at a local tournament. Her mother was dead, as was mine, and, as far as I knew, Gwendolyn had no other kin. So she was brought to our house and brought up as one of the family. Until Martin’s death and her meeting with her uncle she was a sweet girl, if a trifle fey and wild at times. She teased and flirted as young maids do, favouring one or the other of us younger brothers depending on her mood, but we knew it was Martin she had her eye on. Also, she adored my grandmother, who managed to keep a rein on her wilder behaviour. Then Grandmother died and six months later Martin was dead, too.’ His voice was emotionless but Kate could see the pain in his eyes.
‘Hal said her grief was terrible.’
‘So he did speak of her,’ said Owain grimly.
‘A little. Please, continue.’
He hesitated. ‘She greeted Martin’s death with a storm of tears and then a passionate tirade against me, saying that I’d always wanted to be Father’s heir. I denied it, of course, and told them both that I suspected Sir Roger of conspiring in Martin’s death.’ Kate gasped. But he did not give her a chance to speak, only saying, ‘Let me finish. She wanted to know why I believed that was so, but I could not tell them my reasons. Anyway, I had to return to France and Father encouraged me to look for evidence against Sir Roger whilst I was there. At the time I had no idea that he was interested in alchemy or that the King had spoken to him about Merebury and its Lady.’ He paused, as if expecting her to comment, but she remained silent. So he picked up his tale and carried on. ‘Due to the war, I was in France longer than I intended and had no opportunity to find the evidence I sought. I was wounded and that delayed my return further. When I returned, Gwendolyn had not only married Father, but had turned him completely against me. He was coldly condemning and refused to listen to a word I said.’ Owain’s blue eyes were hard as sapphires.
Silence.
‘You have nothing to say?’ he rasped. ‘You must realise now that I had reason for wanting Sir Roger dead?’
‘Does Sir Thomas know this?’ asked Kate.
He nodded. ‘I told him of my suspicions, knowing he had the ear of the King. In my naïveté, I thought Sir Thomas would see justice done as he had known my brother as well. It was then I discovered that Sir Roger was married to the Lady Catherine and his experiments into changing base metal into gold were being funded by the King and others. Sir Thomas told me that the King wouldn’t listen to any accusation of murder against Sir Roger without definite proof.’
‘So what did you do?’
His eyes darkened. ‘I had to find a way of supporting myself. Sir Thomas offered me a position working with his stud and I accepted it. My time was divided between his manors of Lathom and Knowsley.’
She was disappointed. ‘I didn’t think you’d have given up.’
He shrugged. ‘What else could I do? My father had told me never to darken his doors again. My grandmother had left me a little money, but that would soon go if I couldn’t earn a living.’
Her brows knitted. ‘You say you were at Lathom. I don’t ever remember seeing you and I often trespassed on Sir Thomas’s manor in search of wild herbs.’
‘Sometimes he would send me to other parts of the country, as well as abroad, to inspect a horse and decide whether it was worth purchasing.’
She stared at him and said uncomfortably, ‘It seems strange to me that Sir Thomas should choose you to solve the mystery of Sir Roger’s murder, knowing how you felt about him.’
His expression was quizzical. ‘Do you really believe, Kate, I would be such a fool as to kill Sir Roger, knowing Sir Thomas was aware of my feeling towards that evil knight?’
She felt the colour rise in her cheeks and pressed her hands against them. ‘You could be doubly clever making him believe that you weren’t such a fool.’
His eyes sobered. ‘Believe me, Kate, I did not kill Sir Roger. But knowing of my interest in him, as well as my need for land and money, Sir Thomas decided I was the best man to find the person—or persons—responsible for his death, as well as the King’s treasure. So far, I have found only you. Although, if I were to come face to face with the Comte again, there are several questions I would wish him to answer.’
Kate was silent, tempted to tell him what her mother and Diccon had witnessed on the fells. But she had been sworn to secrecy and would not break her vow. Instead, she gazed towards the harbour wall a few yards away and changed the subject. ‘It will be strange hearing so many people speaking our own tongue after being away from England for so long.’
‘Perhaps you should make a few purchases whilst we are ashore. Buy some hose, gloves, cloth, needles and thread to make yourself more clothes,’ he said rapidly. ‘I would have you look your best when you face my father and stepmother.’
‘If I do so, then I’ll be even more indebted to you than I am already,’ she said mildly.
Owain shook his head. ‘You owe me nothing but a promise that you will enjoy yourself. As your betrothed, it is my right to shower you with gifts. I can borrow clean raiment from my brothers, but you cannot go on wearing the same gown until we reach Chester.’
‘I could don my pilgrim garb,’ she said, with a humorous twist to her mouth.
He laughed. ‘You would do me a disfavour if you did so. I would have you throw it into the sea.’
‘That would be a foolishness for someone reared in ways of thrift. Now, tell me what you know of Southampton?’
‘According to legend, it was here that one of the old kings of England, Canute, ordered the waves to retreat.’
‘I wager he got his feet wet.’
He smiled and drew her arm through his. ‘Let us go ashore.’
As she walked down the gangplank, of their own volition her fingers caressed his arm, enjoying the feel of the muscle through the fabric of his sleeve. Now they were in England, parting from him was the last thing on her mind.
Chapter Eight
The streets of Southampton were busy and they soon realised why when they saw the stalls set up in the market square. ‘It appears we have arrived on a market day,’ said Owain.
Kate was fortunate in finding a stall with just the fabric she was looking for and asked Owain’s opinion of a cloth of the deepest green linsey-woolsey. He agreed that it would be suitable for a gown, and also suggested that she buy a length of the red Venetian cotton for a kirtle. ‘And what of this saffron silk?’ He fingered it and asked the cost of both off the vendor.
Kate’s fair brows shot up when he named a price. ‘I’ll not have you spending that amount of money on me just to impress your father and his wife,’ she said firmly.
‘Do not argue with me, Kate. It is not solely for them I wish you to dress so fine. I would like to see you wearing silk. Have you never felt it against your skin?’ His eyes met hers in a teasing glance. ‘Then you must do so. Perhaps you should also have a new cloak. What think you of this russet woollen cloth? It will soon be September and you’ll need a cloak for travelling.’
She agreed that it would do, and also bought a length of undyed linen to make a couple of simple shifts and a wimple. Next to the fabric stall was one stall selling, not only needles and thread, but also buttons and ribands. After paying for their purchases, Owain encouraged Kate to buy some ready-made leather slippers, as well as a pair of kid gloves. She watched all the goods being carried aboard and placed in her cabin with much satisfaction and pleasure.
That evening they dined on roast pork and creamed leeks, apple tart, cheese and fresh bread, washed down by the local ale and a fine red wine. Splend
idly replete, Kate tumbled onto her bunk and fell fast asleep.
When she woke they were under sail. After a breakfast of bread and bacon, apples and ale, she borrowed shears from one of the mariners, whose task it was to repair the sails, and set about cutting out the cream linen to a simple design that she held in her head, having been taught not only by her mother, but also Lady Catherine’s seamstress. By the time she lay down to sleep that night, she had made a plain shift. In the morning she would cut the green material for a gown. She planned on its completion by the time the ship reached Chester.
A few days later, she woke to grey skies and a playful breeze. When she went up on deck it was to discover that they were sailing inland. On either side there was woodland and fields. She went in search of Owain. ‘Where are we?’
He was grimfaced. ‘This is the River Dee and soon we will tie up at Chester. I will see my father, even if it is for the last time.’
A cold hand seemed to grip her heart. ‘What do you mean—the last time?’
He did not answer, only placing an arm about her. ‘At least I will have you at my side.’
Kate was silent, remembering her plan to go in search of her mother and Diccon when they disembarked at Chester. Now that the time had come for her to escape Owain, she found she did not want to leave him. She remembered what Hal had said about Owain being a seer. Had he seen the future and, instead of trying to escape his fate, had decided to face it head on, even if it meant his death? She must pray for his safety and bring to mind all that her mother had taught her about doing battle with such women as Gwendolyn, the so-called witch.
Kate sat on a small, sturdy Welsh pony, hired to carry herself and her baggage. She wore the green gown she had made on the ship, and her short hair was concealed beneath a plain linen wimple. Owain rode beside her on Merlin. His brothers had gone ahead to prepare their father for the imminent arrival of his estranged son and the woman they believed to be his betrothed. She gazed about her, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of her mother or Diccon as they made their way through the bustling streets of Chester, although she was unsure what she would do if she did see them. As it was, she and Owain reached the Northgate of the city without her doing so.