“Lady Catherine, I’m very sorry for your loss,” he said as he approached her. “It’s a tragedy to lose one child, but three is beyond words. Your parents must be beside themselves with grief. I’ve yet to see either of them.”
“My mother’s taken ill, and my father has been tending to her.”
“Poor lady. She must be devastated. And your lord father, of course. What a blow,” Father Phillip said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I will call on them later today to offer whatever comfort I can.”
“I’m sure they’d be most grateful, Father.”
“You seem in need of comfort yourself,” Father Phillip said as he beckoned Kate toward the front pew. “Come, sit, my lady.” Father Phillip paused while a hacking cough wracked his thin frame for several minutes and left him exhausted and trembling. His hand shook slightly when he mopped his brow with a much-used linen handkerchief.
“Are you ill, Father? Is there anything I can do to help?” Kate asked. “Should I fetch some water?”
“Thank you, child. I’m afraid it will take more than water to restore my health. I’ve written to the bishop. ’Tis only fair to give him time to find a replacement.”
“Are you going somewhere?” Kate asked. Father Phillip had been at All Saints’ since he was a young man, fresh out of the seminary.
The old priest chuckled, which turned into another coughing fit. “I’m going to stay right here at All Saints’. I will be buried next to Father Paul, who was the priest here before me. He was a good man, and taught me much. I still miss him.”
Kate turned away for a moment to hide her tears. Father Phillip was dying, but he seemed accepting of his fate, and not at all bitter or frightened.
“Lady Catherine, don’t grieve for me. I’ve had a long and happy life. I don’t fear death. ’Tis but a stepping stone to the afterlife, and it will be glorious; I know it.”
“Do you think my brothers are in Heaven, Father?” Kate asked, wondering if Martin had ever confessed his sins to Father Phillip. He had much to answer for, but he had died fighting for his king. Surely that earned him some measure of forgiveness.
“I’m sure they are, my dear,” Father Phillip assured her. “Now, tell me about yourself. Are you back from the priory for good? Have you sacrificed your own desires to support your parents at this difficult time?”
Kate opened her mouth to speak, but a desperate sob tore from her chest. She hadn’t meant to give in to self-pity, but for some reason, Father Phillip’s kindness undid her.
“Father, I grieve for my brothers, and I’m sick with worry for my dear mother,” Kate admitted reluctantly, “but today my grief is also for myself.” She hung her head in shame, but Father Phillip patted her hand in a gesture of support.
“You’ve nothing to be ashamed of, Lady Catherine. Your brothers are beyond caring about the physical world, and your dear mother is in the hands of God. Now, tell me what’s troubling you.”
“Father, a week ago I was at the priory, preparing to take my vows. I was happy and at peace with the choice I’d made. I knew exactly what my life would be like, and I was eager to devote myself to the service of our Lord. Since then, I have lost not only my brothers, but my parents as well, and I’m about to marry a man whose motives I have reason to question. I feel as if God has forsaken me.”
Father Phillip shook his head, his eyes full of sympathy. “My dear Lady Catherine, the Lord has not forsaken you. He loves you, and values you, which is why He’s sending you where you’re needed most, as He did with His own beloved son. Perhaps you would have served Him faithfully at the priory, but He clearly has a different plan for you. He has chosen this new path for you, and you must follow it, for you don’t know where it’ll lead. This man you are to marry, what has he done to make you mistrust him?”
“I think he manipulated the situation to his own advantage to ensure an outcome he’d hoped for, and has greatly angered my father.” Kate decided not to elaborate on exactly what her father now believed, too ashamed to speak the words in the house of God.
Father Phillip smiled kindly. “He wouldn’t be the first man to do that, certainly. Did he deceive you?”
Kate thought about that for a moment and realized she couldn’t answer the question with certainty. Hugh had promised to escort her back home, which he had. He had told her father that she’d spent several days in his company, tending to Guy’s wound, which was true. He’d also told her father that he wished to marry her, a proposal that seemingly came from the heart. Kate couldn’t be sure what had led to her father’s assumption that she’d lain with Hugh, but she was fairly certain that Hugh hadn’t said such a thing straight out. Gerard Dancy had made an assumption based on something that Hugh had implied, intentionally or unwittingly, and had cast out the daughter who up to that day had always been virtuous and pure. Was Hugh to blame? Perhaps, but at the end of the day, he was the one who intended to stand by her, unlike her father who had cut her out of his heart based on nothing more than conjecture.
“No, Father, he didn’t deceive me,” Kate finally replied, somewhat relieved to have come to that conclusion.
Father Phillip smiled, as though glad to have planted seeds of doubt and made her reconsider the situation. “Is he so odious then, this man?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“No, he’s not odious,” Kate replied truthfully. Hugh was handsome, in his own way. He was neither stout nor balding. He had a pleasant face, with slanted light blue eyes and a strong nose that bespoke his Gallic ancestry. He was of above average height, and was strong and fit, a man used to days in the saddle and hours of swordplay. But there was one thing he wasn’t—he wasn’t Guy.
Kate was shocked by the rogue thought. Guy de Rosel wasn’t hers for the taking, and until yesterday the very idea of marriage had been something vague and threatening. She supposed it still was, but Hugh had professed to love her, and seemed to think that what had passed between them last night was a symbol of commitment. She had no inkling of what went on between men and women, other than some second-hand knowledge gleaned from eavesdropping on her brothers and now her own unexpected experience. She couldn’t expect what took place in the marriage bed to be pleasant or comfortable; her mother had made that clear enough. It was a woman’s duty to lie with her husband and give him children.
As long as Hugh didn’t hurt her intentionally or treat her unkindly, she had no grounds for complaint. Besides, any man her father would have chosen for her would take getting used to, even if he happened to be handsome and charming. Hugh had just lost his older brother, and Guy had been near death. She could hardly blame him for his lack of courtly manners, or his overly emotional response to the woman he thought had somehow saved his brother. Perhaps Hugh’s feelings were genuine. What did she know of love? Geoffrey had once told her that love enters through the eyes. Perhaps that had been the case with Hugh. He had looked at her differently the moment she removed her veil, seeing her as a woman rather than a bride of Christ. And now he wanted to make her his bride.
“Do you think you could grow to love him?” Father Phillip asked, pushing his point further.
“I don’t know, Father. It was my wish to become a nun. I hadn’t considered loving a husband,” Kate replied truthfully.
“My dear, very few people, men as well as women, get to live the life they envisioned. We must take what God gives us and make the best of it, if we hope to gain any measure of happiness. I know you had your heart set on a religious life, but if that’s not to be, then you must apply yourself to being a good wife and mother, and being loyal to your husband. Do you think you could do that?”
“I suppose I’ll have to, won’t I?” Kate replied, resigned. She had no recourse, and if Father Phillip believed that the Lord had set her on this path, then she had no choice but to accept His will.
“You’re a practical young woman, Lady Catherine, and I know you will do what’s best. Your father will come to accept your marriage in time. He’s very fo
nd of you.”
Kate nodded. “Thank you, Father Phillip. I knew you’d help me see that which had been hidden from me.”
“It’s not hidden, it’s just not as clear as you expect it to be. Go with God, Lady Catherine, and do your duty without reservation or bitterness.”
“Thank you, Father,” Kate said. “You’ve made me feel infinitely better.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
Kate wished she could hug the old priest, but that would have been highly inappropriate. She knew she’d never see him again, and hoped his illness wouldn’t cause him prolonged suffering.
“God bless you, Father Phillip,” was all she said as she turned to leave the church.
“He already has,” Father Phillip replied, and bent double as another coughing fit nearly brought him to his knees.
Chapter 21
By the time Kate returned to the inn, Hugh was back, pacing impatiently in the dooryard. He stilled when he saw her, and gave her an elaborate bow. “My lady, I have concluded my business with your father earlier than I expected,” he said by way of explanation. “I’m ready to leave, if you are.”
Kate nodded. She had no belongings save her rosary, so all she had to do was mount her horse and follow Hugh. He, however, had something in his possession that he hadn’t had before. He stowed a silver coffer in his saddlebag, tied it securely, then turned to help Kate mount.
“What is that?” Kate asked, jutting her chin toward the small casket.
Hugh’s eyes blazed and an angry blush stained his cheeks. He didn’t immediately reply, but then looked at Kate, his stance defiant, and said, “That’s your dowry.”
“Really? Has my father sanctioned the marriage?” Kate asked. The notion of being forgiven by her father and accepted back into the family was overwhelming, but Hugh quickly dashed her hopes.
“No. He relinquished the dowry on the condition that neither one of us ever sets foot at the Grange again.”
Kate felt the prickle of tears, but said nothing. Why was her father so angry? Hugh might not be his choice for his only daughter, but surely, if her father loved her, he could come to accept this union, even if Hugh was a Lancastrian. King Edward was victorious and well-liked. Hugh would have to accept the new king whether he wished to or not, so his politics were no longer relevant. Hugh de Rosel wasn’t wealthy in his own right, or titled, but he was still young and his fortunes could change. Did it really not pain her father at all to lose her, or had he steeled himself to losing her when she entered the convent and no longer held her in his heart as he had when she was a little girl?
Kate sighed and followed Hugh out of the dooryard and toward the northbound road. She was setting off on a new life, but she felt no frisson of excitement or flurry of hope. She felt frightened and depressed, and the thunderous countenance of her new lord did nothing to lift her spirits.
Thankfully, Hugh’s sour mood didn’t last long. The sun had come out and a gentle April breeze caressed their faces as they traveled north. The trees were already in leaf, the juicy green of new foliage bright against the brilliant blue sky. Birdsong filled the air, and the sun on their shoulders was warm enough to make the ride more pleasant. Hugh held the reins in one hand and patted his horse’s neck with the other, softly promising the mare a treat once they got home.
“I think my lady might be ready for a treat as well,” he said, smiling at Kate. “Shall we stop in the next village? It’s just over that hill.”
“Yes, please.”
Kate was glad when they reached the village and found a tavern. She was hungry and needed to answer the call of nature. By the time she returned from the privy, Hugh had ordered a hearty meal and a jug of ale to wash it down with. He seemed in good spirits and eager to talk, so Kate seized on his jubilant mood in an effort to draw him out.
“Hugh, may I ask you a question?”
“You may ask me anything you like, my dear.” Hugh drained his cup of ale and refilled it. The stew he’d ordered was hot and fresh, and accompanied by a loaf of crusty bread straight from the oven. Hugh took a spoonful and sighed with contentment. He was a happy man.
“How old are you?”
“I’ll be seven and twenty in July.”
Kate lowered her gaze to her stew. There were things she wished to ask, but she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject in a way that wouldn’t anger Hugh. At his age, most men were either married or widowed, but she didn’t get the impression that Hugh had been married before. He seemed devoted to his brothers, but there was something remote and private about his demeanor. ‘A lone wolf,’ her mother would have called him.
“You’re wondering why I’m not wed,” Hugh said. He tore off a chunk of bread and used it to soak up the gravy from his bowl.
“Yes, I am,” Kate admitted.
Hugh finished his meal and leaned back in his chair, looking for all the world like a man at peace with himself. “After I was knighted—that was nearly five years ago now—William, being the head of the family, arranged a marriage for me with Eleanor’s sister. Our fathers were distant kin, so we’d known Eleanor and Faye all our lives. We were to marry once Faye turned sixteen. Her father was very fond of her, and didn’t wish to part with her too soon, especially since Eleanor was already wed and with child, and his wife had died the year before.”
“Did you marry?” Kate asked.
Hugh shook his head. “Faye loved to ride and went out nearly every morning. A few weeks before the wedding was to take place, she tripped while in the stables. One of the stable boys had left a pitchfork on the ground and she didn’t notice it beneath the straw. She grabbed onto a post to steady herself and cut her hand on a nail. It wasn’t a deep cut and should have healed in a few days, but it festered. I fetched a physician from Newcastle, but the infection had spread quickly. She died within a week. Toward the end she was so delirious, she didn’t recognize anyone, not even Eleanor. The day after Faye died, Eleanor’s pains started. It was too soon and William feared she’d lose the babe, but Adam arrived safe and sound.”
“Poor girl,” Kate breathed. “Did you love her?” Hugh had spoken of Faye with affection, which led Kate to believe that he’d wished to marry her and hadn’t simply been complying with his brother’s wishes.
“I cared deeply about her. I’d known her all my life,” Hugh replied. “Marriage to Faye would have been no hardship. She was a sweet and obedient girl.”
“And did she love you?” Kate asked. She knew she was prying, but couldn’t help herself. She supposed she was wondering if Hugh was worthy of a woman’s love.
Hugh smiled wryly and reached for his cup of ale. “She loved Guy.”
“Did you not mind?”
“Faye and Guy were close in age, whereas I must have always seemed older and more intimidating. It was only natural that she felt more at ease with him, but Guy was too young to marry, and it was William’s wish that I marry Faye. We would have got on fine in the end.” Hugh glanced toward the window. “It’s well past noon. We’d best be on our way if we want to get home before dark. Are you finished?”
“Yes. Thank you. It was delicious.”
“Nothing like a good meal to lift the spirits, eh?”
Hugh paid for their meal and they headed outside into the sunshine. Kate was about to mount her horse when Hugh turned her to face him. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, smiling into her eyes. “We’ll get on fine, you and I. You’ll see. I’ll give you no cause to regret marrying me.”
I hope I can say the same, Kate thought as she forced herself to smile back.
Chapter 22
July 2014
London, England
Quinn eagerly set aside the stack of party invitations when she saw Dr. Scott’s name pop up on the screen of her mobile. She and Gabe had dropped off the boxed remains and all the samples a few days ago when they’d returned to London, and Colin had promised to work on the skelly as soon as possible. He was up to his eyeballs in postmortems, he’d sa
id, but his true love was forensic archeology, and he relished the opportunity to unearth someone’s past through science. Colin’s assistant, Dr. Dhawan, performed many of the tests, but Colin studied each skeleton in person, paying attention to every detail, no matter how minute.
“You two just keep tripping over bones, don’t you?” Colin had joked as he accepted the box and the half dozen plastic bags. “And you found a medieval sword. Now that’s something I’d like to see.”
“I plan to show the sword to a medieval weapons expert we have on staff, but once he’s finished his examination, you are welcome to take a look,” Gabe offered.
“I’ll gladly take you up on that,” Colin replied. “I have something of a thing for medieval weaponry. I bet Logan would enjoy seeing it as well.”
“Does Logan like history?” Quinn asked. Her brother had never mentioned an interest in anything that took place before the turn of the century, so Quinn wasn’t sure. Their acquaintance was still new, and she was learning things about him day by day.
“If watching Spamalot constitutes being interested in history, then yes,” Colin joked. “Logan is more of a science fiction buff. He likes all those apocalyptic disaster and clones-take-over-the-world programs.” Colin shuddered dramatically and rolled his eyes.
“I can just imagine the epic battle for the remote at your house,” Quinn quipped. “Do I suspect Logan usually wins?”
“We compromise.” Colin chuckled.
“What does that entail?” Gabe asked.
“It means that we watch Call the Midwife followed by Torchwood. Everybody wins.”
“Sounds like you two have it all figured out,” Quinn said. “I’m more partial to Call the Midwife myself.”
“Excellent program,” Colin agreed as he glanced at his watch. “Well, I have an autopsy in a few minutes. Good to see you both. I’ll ring you as soon as I have anything.”
“Thanks, Colin,” Gabe and Quinn said in unison.
The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past Book 4) Page 12