The Lord's Forced Bride

by Anne Herries

  ‘Things have changed,’ he replied, a rueful expression in his eyes. ‘You have changed, Mother. I do not know how or why, but you are…softer somehow.’

  ‘Perhaps it is because I feel loved,’ his mother replied. ‘You and I became almost strangers, my son—but your wife took me to her heart, even though I did not deserve it. You were right to suspect me of wishing to make trouble for her when I came. I was angry with you for marrying her, because of all that had happened in the past. After your father was murdered and we lost Gifford I became bitter. I made a foolish mistake taking in Harold of Meresham when he came to me. I had some plan of making Melford pay for our wrongs, and Harold hated both Melford and his wife.’

  ‘You had some right on your side,’ Andrew told her. ‘You lost your husband and your home, and Harold made your life miserable.’

  ‘That was my fault. I should never had wed him,’ Elspeth replied. ‘Your father never loved me. My father gave me to him in return for favours and property. I told myself I wanted reparation for your sake, but in truth I believe it was merely a need for revenge. That need has gone now. Catherine took the bitterness from me. I did not want to love her, but I do—and I would defend her with my life. Be good to her, Andrew. Both my husbands betrayed me. I would not have you treat her so.’

  ‘You may rest easy, Mother. I love her too much to hurt her. She is my whole life and I count myself fortunate to have found her.’

  ‘Then I wish you both joy,’ Elspeth said. ‘If you will excuse me, I shall go and say goodbye to her. And I shall come again to visit you in the summer—if you will have me?’

  ‘You have a home here if you need it,’ he replied and smiled at her. ‘If you had not defended Catherine, she might have been more seriously harmed. I would honour you for that if nothing else.’

  His mother gave a harsh laugh. ‘We were lost to each other before she came to us, Andrew. Yet perhaps we shall find each other through Catherine. I shall pray for you both. And I hope that you will have no more trouble from Lady Henrietta.’

  Andrew nodded. ‘It is strange that nothing has been heard from her for five days. I cannot think how she has managed to stay hidden all this time.’

  ‘I pray that she will not come here again,’ Elspeth said. ‘I shall bid you farewell, my son, for I must speak with Catherine before I leave.’

  ‘I wanted to give you this, Catherine,’ Elspeth said, handing her a package wrapped in aged silk. ‘It belongs to a time when life was happier for me, and I hope you will use it.’

  Unwrapping the silk, which had yellowed with age, Catherine found a christening gown of exquisite lace. She gave a cry of surprise and pleasure, her eyes flying to Elspeth’s.

  ‘This must have been Andrew’s?’

  ‘Yes, it was,’ Elspeth said. ‘I had been married but a year when my son was born, and although I knew my husband was not faithful to me, I believed that I could be happy in my children. I would like you to use this for your first-born—if you wish it?’

  ‘I shall be honoured to use it. Thank you so much for giving it to me.’ Catherine flew to hug her. ‘How generous you have been to me. This is not the first gift you have given me.’

  ‘You have given me something far more precious,’ Elspeth said. ‘When I came here I had nothing to live for. Now I have a daughter, my son has forgiven me—and one day I hope to have grandchildren.’

  ‘I hope for that too,’ Catherine said. ‘You must stay with us soon, dear Elspeth.’

  ‘I have spoken to Andrew and—’ Elspeth broke off as the door was thrust open and her son entered. She knew from his expression that the news was grave. ‘What is it, my son? What troubles you?’

  ‘Lady Henrietta has been found,’ he said. ‘Her body was discovered caught in a patch of reeds in the river on my estate. It had been in the water for some days. They think she must have thrown herself from the bridge when she left here.’

  ‘The poor lady,’ Catherine cried and made the sign of the cross over her breast. ‘It is what I feared.’

  ‘It is a tragedy,’ Elspeth said. ‘But perhaps it was best for her, Catherine. Think of her alternative. She must have known that she carried her mother’s madness in her blood, and she knew that after what she had done she would be locked away somewhere. Rather than give up her freedom, she took her own life. God rest her soul.’

  ‘Amen to that,’ Andrew said, his eyes on Catherine’s face. ‘Do not pity her too much, my love. She had none for you.’

  ‘I know,’ Catherine replied. ‘Yet I would pity anyone in her situation. Perhaps it is best that she did what she did, because her fate would not have been a happy one.’

  ‘Well, I must go, for my horses are waiting,’ Elspeth said. ‘Be happy, Catherine. I shall see you both in a few months. Farewell for now.’

  Andrew moved towards his wife as the door closed behind Elspeth. He saw the lace christening gown Catherine was holding and smiled.

  ‘My mother gave you that? I did not know she had kept it.’

  ‘She said it is for our first child,’ Catherine said, gazing up at him. ‘I dare say she hopes we shall have a son, as I do.’

  ‘A son?’ Andrew’s eyes were warm with love and laughter as they dwelled on her face. ‘I care not whether you give me daughters or sons, my love. You are the most important part of my life. As long as I have you, I shall be content—though I hope we shall have children to complete our happiness.’

  ‘Then come to me tonight and we shall do our best to make our first child, Andrew. I want to be one with you again.’

  ‘No more than I, my sweet Cat,’ Andrew said, drawing her into his arms to kiss her lips. ‘Indeed, I do not see why we should wait for night. It has been as if a shadow hung over us since the night that mat caught fire, but now the shadow has gone. We shall spend a few more days here, and then I shall take you to my home.’

  Afterword

  C atherine was seated on a padded stool brushing her long hair when Andrew entered her bedchamber. She stood up, turning to him with a smile of welcome in her eyes. Her heart gladdened, for she had news that she believed would please him. They had been at his home for three months, and she was certain now that she carried the child they both wished for.

  ‘You always look so beautiful when your hair is loose like that,’ Andrew said and came to put his arms about her. ‘I do not know why, but you seem lovelier with each day that passes.’

  Catherine laughed softly, putting up a hand to trace the line of his mouth with her fingertips. ‘Perhaps it is because I have a secret…’

  ‘A secret?’ His gaze narrowed. ‘What secret is this, Catherine?’

  ‘One that I would share with you,’ she said. ‘I believe that I am carrying our first child, Andrew. It is some weeks now since my last courses, and I have noticed little changes in my body—just as Elspeth told me I would.’

  ‘My mother…’ Andrew nodded. ‘You will want female company as your time nears. Would you like me to write to her and invite her to stay with us soon?’

  ‘Yes, please, for I shall need her advice. I have no experience of childbirth, Andrew. Besides, I like to pass time with her when you are busy on the estate.’

  ‘I have been busy too often of late,’ he said a little ruefully. ‘But I have been planning a surprise for you, my love.’

  ‘A surprise?’

  ‘I have set the building work in hand at Malchester. It should be finished by next Christ’s Mass, and I thought we would return there in the autumn, though it may be best to wait for the spring if you would find it difficult to travel any earlier?’

  ‘Malchester in the spring would be lovely,’ Catherine said. ‘I love your home, but I like our other estate well too. It will be pleasant to spend some time there again.’

  ‘The North Tower has already gone,’ Andrew said, ‘and I have commissioned extensive alterations to your apartments, Catherine. The walls have been covered in light oak panels to make the rooms warmer and safer. I thought the ch
ange would take away any dark memories you might have of your first visit there.’

  ‘I have only happy memories—I have forgot all the rest,’ Catherine told him. ‘And now, my love, I have a request to make of you.’

  ‘You know that you may have anything you wish.’

  ‘My mother wrote that she and my sister and youngest brother wish to visit with us soon. Have I your permission to write and invite them here?’

  ‘You have no need to ask, Catherine. This is your home and you may do as you please. Your family is always welcome here.’

  ‘Then I shall write,’ Catherine said.

  ‘Does your father not accompany them?’

  ‘I believe he has been called to London to attend the King,’ Catherine said. ‘But he may come when he returns. He would be welcome here?’

  ‘Any quarrel that was between us is long forgotten,’ Andrew assured her. ‘I shall welcome them all, Catherine.’ He smiled and kissed her softly on the mouth. ‘And now we have such news to tell them…’

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-1404-4

  THE LORD’S FORCED BRIDE

  Copyright © 2007 by Anne Herries

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