Katrina faced Blake head on, her damned pride making her impossible. Hurt by her stubbornness, Blake explained frankly, “It was all for nothing, Katrina. Had you waited but a minute longer, you would have known there would be no blackmail. You sacrificed yourself for nothing. Did you never stop to think of our son, Katrina? Am I to raise Jason with no mother?”
The shock of his words brought tears to her eyes. “Y-You believe Jason is your son?”
He nodded and engulfed her into his arms. Words caught in his constricted throat and his own tears blurred his vision. It took a moment before he could say what was in his heart.
“When Trevor and I found out about Langsford, I started to see things more clearly. Oh, Katrina, can you ever forgive my foolishness? When I look at Jason now, I don’t know how I could possibly have doubted you. Thank you for our beautiful son, little one. I regret not being by your side when you brought him into this world. You have suffered so much pain — and I have caused a great part of it.”
Katrina’s shoulders shook as great sobs tore from her. It was more than he could bear. Blake lifted her and carried her to the small cot in the room. He cradled her in his arms and soothed her, all the years of pent-up emotions tearing from her. Pain, rage, fear, agony, grief, love … Katrina wept for them all, finally able to cry again.
Rocking her like a child, Blake pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her tearstained face. He looked deep into her beautiful blue eyes. “I love you, Katrina,” he spoke softly. “I have done my damnedest to fight it, but to no avail. Never has any woman affected me so. I love you and want to spend my life with you, little one. And nothing and no one will ever come between us again — the King cannot take you from me.”
Suddenly afraid, Katrina stuttered, “B-Blake, you mustn’t do anything foolish. Please —”
Blake stopped her words with a finger to her soft lips. “I did not come here to argue. I came here to tell you of my love, and … to show you.”
He captured Katrina’s red lips, soft and delicious, his kiss tender at first, but deepened as his desire flamed. Katrina pulled away and asked, “Why did you leave so suddenly, with no explanation?”
“Later,” Blake smiled. “I’ll confess my stupidity later.” With deliberate slowness, he nibbled along her neck, and quickly all her questions were forgotten; only their lovemaking was important now.
The two lovers experienced a sweet and tender union, the dark gloomy cell their chamber of love. Blake made love to every inch of her, gently at first, their passions building with each deliberate movement. Katrina returned every caress and Blake’s moans of pleasure mixed with hers.
The bruises and cuts had healed, only a red scar on her shoulder remained, and it slowly faded. Carefully, he kissed it, remembering his pain and fear when she lay near death. Blake’s hands ran along her side; she was lean and strong, yet softly sensuous. Her breasts were full, firm orbs, and he delighted in teasing their rosy tips to hardness with his tongue, loved to feel Katrina squirm against him in delight. Katrina’s small, slender fingers explored and massaged, driving him insane as she aroused him further, the evidence hard between his legs.
Every minute, every second, every inch of their bodies treasured, their ardent lovemaking combining lust and love into a sensual explosion. When Blake entered Katrina, driving hard into her moist softness, she felt a frisson of satisfaction and possession, her nails digging into his muscled buttocks. He pumped deeper and deeper; a fine sheen of perspiration covered their entwined bodies, the scent of their lovemaking an aphrodisiac. Words of love were spoken, words so long left unspoken. No more! No emotion left untouched, no thought left unsaid. Theirs was a night of love and joy, so pure and meaningful, a night forever preserved in their hearts.
Afterward they experienced a contented silence, their bodies entwined as one. Katrina lay curled on top of Blake, her head resting on his wide chest, a shapely leg thrown over his thigh. One of Blake’s arms wrapped about her waist, his hand resting on her rounded buttocks. His other hand held Katrina’s. Together they drifted to sleep, each dreaming of the other. When they woke, they made love again. After, the lovers spoke honestly, clearing the air once and for all of all misunderstandings and distrust that had come between them. As the sun made its way into the sky, it brought a new beginning for the lovers, and the past assumed its proper place. They thought only of the future.
ANOTHER FULL DAY PASSED and Katrina waited in her isolated cell, hearing nothing and seeing no one. The night proved unbearable and she longed to have Blake’s arms about her again, to comfort and console her. Morning came and with it a summons from the King. Katrina bathed from a bucket of cold water and dressed in a soft white cotton dress from the bundle Blake had brought. She brushed her hair until it shined and left it unbound; then waited for them to come for her.
Less than an hour later four yeomen warders came, taking her to a wagon for the trip to the palace. When the rickety cart left the protective high stone walls of the prison and passed into the streets of London, soldiers on horseback surrounded them as escort. The sight before Katrina astounded her.
Hundreds of people lined the crowded, narrow streets, each hoping to catch sight of the famous Angel in Black, crying out their devotion and love. Slowly, the group of warders made their way into the cheering crowd, the guards struggling to keep the people away from Katrina. She was touched to the core by their loyalty. A young woman carrying a small babe dodged the men on horseback and ran toward her. She kept pace with the slow-moving wagon and her words drifted to Katrina over the noise.
“God bless you, Angel. Had it not been for the coin left on our table one night, me child would not have had the food she needed to survive the winter. God bless you and keep you.”
Katrina reached down and took the object from her outstretched hand, before losing her in the crowd. She gently fingered a delicate brass cross and chain the woman had given her. She tried to put it around her neck but found it difficult in the rocking cart.
“Allow me, Lady Katrina.”
Surprised, Katrina glanced up into the sympathetic eyes of a guard. He took the necklace and she lifted her hair so he could place the cross about her neck.
“Thank you, sir.” Katrina smiled.
He blushed and shyly mumbled, “My pleasure, ma’am.”
It took them a long time to make their way to the palace gates and Katrina was ushered into a room and left alone. A door opened and the King walked in, his face dour.
Katrina bowed low and the King reached out to touch her head gently. “Rise, my child, we have much to discuss.”
He indicated two chairs in a comer of the large room, and Katrina sat. She waited for him to speak, surprisingly-calm and at ease.
“You have angered me, Katrina.”
With an innocent look, she asked, “In what way, Your Majesty?”
King George scowled and reprimanded her, his voice like a father angry with his child. “You know damn well, by your foolish escapades as the Angel in Black. I just don’t know what you were thinking, riding about robbing people. Just what did you hope to accomplish?”
Trying to control her temper, Katrina willed her voice to remain smooth and soft. “I think you know my reasons for doing what I did.”
“Ah,” snapped the King. “You came to the aid of the poor. Much like Robin Hood, centuries ago. There are other ways, Katrina. It was not a matter to take into your own hands.”
Katrina stood stiffly, her anger bursting forth, apparent now in her manner and speech. “For me, I saw no other way, Your Majesty. I knew only the need to help those I love, to keep them safe from evil people like Langsford and his son. Perhaps one day life will be better for the poor, but wishful thinking wasn’t going to help them. So I took action. Now — not tomorrow!”
King George sighed deeply, noted the fire in her eyes and simple honesty to her words. His anger ebbed; he could not help but admire her spirit. “I would choose your painful honesty over another’
s soothing lies any day.”
Katrina remained silent.
“Your sudden confession the night of the ball shocked me, and made me angry at your deceit. I hope you were not terribly uncomfortable in the tower?” The King’s words were tinged with remorse, and Katrina turned curious eyes to him, realizing he had come close to apologizing to her.
“I have been in worse places, my lord.”
Her answer did nothing to ease the guilt he felt, not just from allowing his anger to control him and send her to the tower, but for making her marry Randolph Langsford. His decision had nearly cost Katrina her life, and did not rest well on his conscience. Silent a moment, he pondered these notions, but voiced his next question out loud. “You married Randolph, knowing the danger it put you in. Why?”
Blue eyes as dark as the night sky looked at the King. “I gave you my word to abide by your decision. I could not go against a given promise.”
“You are an honorable woman, but a foolish one,” King George mused sadly.
“What am I without honor?” questioned Katrina evenly.
The King knew what he must do, his own guilt for his part in her years of suffering leading him to be merciful.
“Come,” he demanded, and Katrina followed. They entered a large room, crowded with people, each bowing low as their King made his way to his throne. A hush came over the people as they waited for his judgment of Katrina Easton.
The King cleared his throat and began.
“I am faced today with a grave decision. Katrina Easton is charged with crimes she has committed against the Crown as the Angel in Black. Since her sudden confession, London has been besieged with people coming in support of their lady. They crowd the streets and chant her name, claiming her crimes were committed for their sake and not her own. In addition to the obvious support and love of the people, I have had a barrage of confessions from others who have admitted to knowing her identity, and by keeping her secret they are considered accomplices to her crimes.”
Shocked, Katrina’s eyes met Blake’s and she felt sick. But standing next to him was several people dear to her and she knew they had all come forward to confess as well. Trevor Wilde, David Greerson, Ryon, Rebecca, John, Jake, Jenny and Chin Li. In the crowd behind them she spotted Father Murray, Tom, Charlie, and other familiar faces from Tattershall. Desperate, she turned to the King and pleaded.
“They had nothing to do with my actions, except to try and dissuade me from my purpose. And you know full well, I do as I please. I beg you, sire, do not consider their foolishness!”
“I see you are willing to beg for their sakes, but not for your own.”
Without hesitation, Katrina answered, “They are innocent — I am not.”
Considering this, The King spoke again.
“The situation is this — I have a beautiful, headstrong lady who has robbed my subjects. Yet, the officer, whose commission was to capture the Angel, asks the lady be pardoned. I have numerous accomplices, including a priest. And last, but not least, I have throngs of people surrounding me who love and cherish this woman … and I cannot deny having developed a fondness for her as well. Considering all of these things, and most importantly, what I feel in my heart, I have come to a decision. Katrina Easton, you are given full pardon for your crimes and shall be free to go. But I warn you, do not ever make me regret my decision, for I shall not be so forgiving a second time.”
A cheer went up from the crowd and Katrina bowed graciously to her King. “I thank you for your compassion.”
He smiled and replied, “And I thank you, child … for your honesty.”
Without further hesitation, Katrina ran to Blake’s open arms. They laughed with relief as he twirled her about joyfully. He proceeded to kiss her, long and passionate, the crowd cheering as feelings of elation vibrated throughout the streets of London — their Angel was free.
IT WAS A TIME for joy and celebration in Tattershall. Blake and Katrina stood together, hand in hand, accepting the best wishes of the people. Earlier, with all their dearest friends and family present, Katrina Easton and Blake Roberts were married in the small church by Father Murray. Dressed in a simple gown made by the women of the village, her sapphire jewels her only adornment; Katrina looked more beautiful than ever. Happiness and love shone in her eyes as she looked into Blake’s.
Blake squeezed her hand and leaned down to whisper in her ear, Jason squirming happily in his father’s arms.
“I love you, little one.”
Katrina smiled up at him, “I love you, Blake — more than life itself.”
Their lips met in a soft, delicate kiss, the tenderness reflecting all trials passed, their love bringing them together at last.
About the Author
Fela Dawson Scott writes as Brit Darby with fellow author and friend Patricia McAllister. Currently available from the writing team: Emerald Prince, a medieval historical; and With Dragons She Walks, a romantic historical fantasy.
Reviews are important to authors and if you would take a moment to share your thoughts it would be appreciated very much.
Visit: www.feladawsonscott.com
Or: www.britdarby.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Or: [email protected]
Other books by Fela Dawson Scott:
Ghost Dancer
The Tiger Sleeps
Black Wolf
Spirit of the Mountain
Angel in Black Page 38