Vow of Seduction (17 page)

Tears she valiantly held in check hovered precariously upon her eyelashes, but at his words a teardrop fell and rolled down her cheek. If only he truly meant it. This sentiment only made her angrier. “Nay, you have humiliated me before the court for the last time. I shall never forgive you. I loathe the very sight of you. Just get out!” she croaked.

He nodded stiffly, but instead of leaving, he bent his head down. He was going to kiss her. Kat flinched and turned her face away, but he surprised her with a gentle brush of his lips on her cheek, kissing her tear away. His words barely audible, he said, “I never wanted to hurt you, Kat.”

Then he was gone.

Kat wiped her eyes with fisted hands.
Why must Alex continue to torment me? Is it simply a game he refuses to lose, even at the expense of my own suffering? And why do I continue to let him hurt me time and again?

Deep in thought, she wandered into the bedchamber. Seeing the rumpled bedclothes, self-loathing pummeled her. She moved to the bed and hastily smoothed the covers out, removing all traces of her humiliatingly wanton behavior. All except the incriminating stains on the linens underneath. Kat grimaced. Obviously she would have to change them later before Jenny saw them.

After dropping the damp towel she wore, she pulled on a clean chemise. And not a moment too soon, for Jenny bustled back in the chamber and started up a stream of chatter as she helped Kat dress for supper.

Sir Luc, having settled the last of the household disputes for the night, entered his cramped quarters that adjoined the marshal’s office at White Hall. The room was only large enough for a small tester bed to lie lengthwise against the back wall and a chest to the left of the bed near the door. The coals were lit in the brazier stationed in the corner of the room opposite his clothes’ chest. He dipped the wick of the candle he carried in the red coals in the brazier. When it blazed to life, he placed the candle in the stand sitting on his chest. Luc sat down with a sigh, dropped his head in his hands and groaned. He rubbed his hands over his face several times, and then shoved his fingers through his hair, pushing it back off his forehead.

With a grunt, he tugged one boot off and then the other. He was so weary, he felt ancient beyond his nine and twenty years of age. He divested himself of the rest of his garments, hung them on the pegs beside the chest, and crawled into bed wearing his sherte. As he laid his head down on the soft pillow he released a sigh, and heard a crackling sound. Perplexed, Luc leaned up on his elbow, frowning and his eyebrows drawn down. When he reached beneath the pillow his fingers grazed parchment. Surprise rippled through him. Wondering who had slipped the message beneath his pillow and when, he seized the parchment and pulled it over by the light of the candle. He immediately recognized the slanted scrawl. His heart pounding, he read the missive.

It was unsigned. Luc scrunched up the note and tossed it in the brazier. He flopped his head back down on the pillow and watched, frustration gnawing at him. The missive’s edges caught flame, browning and curling as it turned to ashes. Would his quest for his heart’s desire never end? Disappointment swirled in his breast. He jumped up from the bed and, using the poker, stoked the coals. He had been but a hairsbreadth from solidifying his marriage to Kat when the unthinkable happened. Alex returned after four years in captivity to reclaim his bride.

Luc was torn, though. He truly admired Alex and once considered him a friend. But the man stood between him and the only woman he’d ever loved, leaving him no choice except to find a way to sever their marriage. The only question remained was how far was he willing to go to see Alex destroyed?

Luc clutched the iron poker tighter. It bit into his skin.
I cannot lose her now
, Luc thought feverishly.
Not after coming so close.

The following day, after the opening ceremonies for Parliament, Alex cantered alongside Rand a goodly distance to the back of a hunting party hastily organized by the king.

“You must see now, Rand, why I have decided to conceal this knowledge from Kat,” Alex said with more confidence than he felt, his voice raised above the pounding of horses’ hooves.

Edward, upon learning Queen Eleanor and a group of ladies were out hunting with her greyhounds, decided to join them. Knowing Kat served the queen this afternoon, Alex was more than willing to come along. He glared at the immaculately dressed man riding behind the king. Unfortunately, Sir Luc had joined the party, too, which was no surprise to Alex.

“I’m afraid I have to disagree. You should tell Kat the truth. She deserves to know someone wants you dead.”

Alex jerked his gaze back to Rand. “I can’t believe what I am hearing. Rand, you of all people know how impulsive and reckless Kat is. Were I to tell her, there is no way I could keep her from muddling into danger in a misguided attempt to help me.” Though after last night, Alex thought, she might instead be inclined to aid his enemy in seeing him meet his Maker.

It was a mild, breezy spring day. Freshly scythed grass teased his nostrils as they flew across rolling meadows, the profusion of red and yellow blossoms cheery and reminiscent of home. He lifted his face to the sky, the sunlight like candle glow in comparison to the blazing sun of the Near East.

“You do Kat a grave disservice. She can be a very formidable opponent when someone she loves is threatened.”

Alex grinned at Rand. “I, more than any man, am aware of my wife’s formidable weapons. Not to mention she is unusually proficient with a dagger and bow and arrow.” Then he sobered. “But, if you have not noticed, I’m the last person your cousin loves at the moment.”

The pain reflected in Kat’s eyes last night returned in a flash. No matter how he swore never to hurt Kat again, it seemed he had done that very thing. Unintentionally, of course, but that did not absolve him from his culpability.

Rand’s mouth grimaced in acknowledgement. “Despite your estrangement, Kat still cares for you and would do all in her power to keep you from harm.”

“Exactly. Kat gives not a thought to her own safety. Whoever was behind my capture and imprisonment is a very ruthless and determined foe. The villain would not scruple over killing Kat if she interfered in any way.”

A gust of wind blew a hank of long gold hair across Rand’s face and he shook it off. “Your reasoning is sound, Alex, but—”

“Nay, my friend, naught you say can sway me from this course. No matter the cost, I must protect Kat. I hope one day she will forgive me for lying to her, but I can’t worry about that now. I believe Kat’s in danger and I need to know if you will help me.”

Their horses’ hooves thundered on the hard-packed road they crossed and tack jangled as he and Rand prepared to jump the hedgerow bordering the pasture up ahead. Their mounts lunged over the obstacle and landed without misstep, then surged forward rapidly in their excitement.

Rand turned to Alex. “Very well. I think you are making a mistake, but she is not my wife. So why is it you suspect Kat is in danger now?”

Alex explained to Rand how he had been out riding with Kat when an arrow came flying out of nowhere and narrowly missed hitting one of them.

“You checked the arrow shot at you, of course. Were you able to identify it?”

Alex avoided Rand’s eyes as heat rose up his neck. It was what any knight worth his salt would do if ambushed. But he had been preoccupied by the exotic scent of his irresistible wife, not to mention her lush curves.

“Nay, everything happened too fast. I dragged Kat behind a tree for cover, made sure she was safely ensconced,” Rand raised a mocking eyebrow at that, Alex hastily continued, “then I went in search of the culprit. But I found no evidence of anyone hiding in the buildings.”

His voice full of censure, Rand asked, “What did you find when you returned to check the missile?”

Alex cleared his throat and then said defensively, “Kat followed me and I could not very well go back and check the arrow without raising her suspicions.”

Rand rolled his hazel eyes in exasperation. “I’m afraid to ask my next obvious question. Instead, why do you not tell me the reason you are convinced it was not an unfortunate hunting accident? You said you saw no other signs of disturbance.”

“You have the right of it. But after I returned Kat to court, I went back to check the location where we were ambushed. The arrow was gone.”

Coming upon a stream too wide to jump, Alex and Rand slowed their mounts and carefully picked their way through the rocky bed, their horses’ hooves splashing up water. Once on the other side, they surged into a canter.

“Very well, Alex. You have convinced me. Do you have any idea who may want you dead?”

“There is one man I suspect. Lord William Calvert. You will remember we had heated words soon after my arrival. He swore long ago to see me pay for killing his son.”

“Aye. I do remember. But he has since reconciled with King Edward. Do you have any tangible evidence he is involved?”

“Nay. But I did check with the head groom at the stables. He said he saw Lord Calvert ride out with his hunting bow shortly before Kat and I did the day of the arrow attack. Apparently he returned a couple hours later with no game.”

“His behavior could be construed as suspicious, or even coincidental. Mere speculation is not enough. Unfortunately, you need proof.”

“Aye. But right now I’m more concerned about Kat’s safety. The traitor may use her to get to me.”

“I agree. So what is it you would have me do?”

Alex released the pent-up breath he had been holding. “I need your help keeping a watchful eye on Kat. Not all the time, mind you. I don’t expect anything to occur at court, too many witnesses. The villain will not want to draw any undue notice to himself.”

“Have you a plan in mind?”

Alex nodded. “As Parliament has begun, I cannot keep track of her every move. I have already paid a stable boy to notify me should she leave the safety of Westminster Palace. Remember the lad with bright red hair and freckles?”

“Aye, he retrieved and saddled your horse for the hunt,” Rand said, his voice rife with humor.

Alex shrugged, shifting in his saddle. He was embarrassed—it was obvious the boy thought him some kind of hero. “His name is Tim. I’ll introduce him to you when we return.

“Unfortunately, much of my time at court I shall be in meetings with the King’s Council. If Tim should need to reach me then, I would have him come to you in my stead.”

Rand nodded in understanding. “So, when you are thus occupied, you would have me follow Kat and give her my protection. You know ’tis a very difficult position you have placed me in, Alex, spying upon my own cousin.”

“Aye, and I do not ask this lightly of you. But no matter how skilled, Kat is just a woman, and would be no match for a determined foe bent on revenge.”

“Your plan sounds simple enough, but how do you expect us to spy on Kat without her becoming suspicious?”

“We will simply have to be very clever and make sure she never finds out we are watching her comings and goings.”

His lips quirked, Rand looked doubtful. “I shall gladly help you, Alex. But there are no guarantees. And Kat will eventually learn of your deception. What will you do then? Are you prepared for the consequences of your actions?”

Not knowing the answer, Alex was glad when the harmonious blast of hunting horns and hounds baying in the distance reached his ears. The quarry they were hunting was not far away. Alex spurred his horse into a gallop, anxious to catch up with the rest of the men in the hunting party. He had every intention of being at the head of the pack in joining Kat. Never would he allow Sir Luc to steal a march on him.

Never
.

Blast the woman!

Kat frowned at the elegant line of Lady Lydia’s back as the running hounds picked up the hare’s scent again. No longer in black, Lydia wore a light blue tunic embroidered in gold thread and a matching cloak, giving her the appearance of angelic innocence. But Kat knew differently. The delicate white palfrey the woman rode pranced and preened every bit as much as her mistress.

Usually Kat rode in the forefront of the hunt, but today her heart was not in it. Her curved hunting horn hanging from the baldric—a leather belt strapped diagonally over her shoulder down to her hip and decorated with silver star mounts—remained unused. She would have refused to join the hunting party altogether except for her duty to Queen Eleanor. Besides, she was no coward. It was better to confront an enemy boldly, showing no fear, than to hide and cower in the dark.

But the light brought out all one’s imperfections. Compared to Lydia, Kat felt awkward and gauche. Riding upon Lightning only emphasized her large, lumbering frame. Kat’s features were too bold and her coloring too dark. Not that she would ever admit in any way how lacking she felt. Lady Lydia was already too full of herself. Although Kat had yet to speak to Lady Lydia, the blond woman kept tossing smug looks of triumph back at her.

Up ahead, when a relay of greyhounds sighted the hare emerging from a hedge, they were released and gave chase after the prey. Horns blew and hounds bayed in excitement as the party of ladies, hounds, and huntsmen surged after them. Horses thundered across open fields. The contest of speed and agility between greyhound and hare was a terrible beauty to behold, accompanied by the melody of the sounds of the hunt. But at last the hare began to lag behind, his ears laid back against his head. A white greyhound closed the gap and brought the hare down, keeping it at bay until the hunters surrounded it in a nearby pasture.

Kat joined the ladies, yet remained distant enough that none noticed her, except one woman. She felt in sympathy with the trapped hare when Lydia left the others and sidled up on Kat’s right, their horses nose to rump.

Kat did not see the kill, but the death notes of the horn rang in her ears. Lydia, her back to the other ladies, pursed her mouth in a moue of disgust. “Hunting is quite a barbaric occupation, but I know some abnormal women who enjoy the thrill of it,” she said with scorn.

Kat smiled, unperturbed. No one noticed their exchange or could hear them over the excited barking of the dogs in anticipation of their reward. “Aye, Queen Eleanor does love hunting with her hounds. Surely you are not suggesting the queen is barbaric and abnormal?”

Lydia clenched her reins tightly in her hands and her knuckles turned pale. The white mare shifted nervously. “You know full well I was speaking of you, Lady Katherine.” In a deceptively even tone she continued. “Why, look at you. What a sad example of womanhood you are, flaunting your legs immodestly in your odd tunic. ’Tis no wonder Alex fled his trap of a marriage. You are too manly for his tastes. Indeed, he did not even bed you before deserting you,” Lydia added slyly. “I know the bloody bed sheet was never displayed as proof of consummation.”

Kat knew Lydia’s game. But she had long learned to conceal her vulnerabilities from prying eyes. “I hate to disappoint you, Lady Lydia,” Kat said. Her mocking smile revealed the lie. “But your sources are mistaken. Alex bedded me most thoroughly on our wedding night. Indeed, once was not enough to satisfy him, so he took me over and over again long into the night.”

Lydia’s eyes spit blue frost. “You lie! I know from experience Alex desires a sophisticated woman with some flesh on her body. He does not want you. And now that I am widowed, he shall be mine. No woman can satisfy him the way I can.”

Kat shook her head chidingly. “Do not delude yourself,
Lady
Lydia. Even now his lust for me has not waned. Do you honestly believe I have remained chaste since my husband’s return? I really do pity you, Lady Lydia.”

Lydia, her mouth twisted in hate, raised her hand as if to strike Kat. Kat tensed, prepared to defend the blow. Instead, Lydia dropped her hand limply and stroked it down the white mare’s neck. Her face relaxed and became serenely beautiful once more. “You are the one to be pitied, my lady. You speak of lust, but we both know I am the woman Alex loves. He wanted to marry
me
. But he could not because he was bound by duty to marry you.”

Kat laughed in her face. “But he did not marry
you
, did he? No matter your persistent enticements. He could have broken our betrothal if he really wanted to, but obviously your sullied charms were not enough to tempt him away from marriage to
me
.”

“Bitch,” Lydia hissed under her breath, “you will regret that insult. No matter your brave words, Alex does not love you and never will. A woman can tell when a man loves her. I saw the way he looked at me yesterday, felt his trembling touch. Alex still loves me. And I’m not the only one who noticed. Indeed, gossip is rampant at court that your marriage is doomed, that Alex loves me and intends to leave you for me.”

Kat listened as each painful truth gouged her flesh, making her heart bleed, but her pride was a bestial force that kept her head high, her expression free of emotion. Never would she let Lydia know her verbal strikes found a soft, vulnerable target.

Finished boasting, Lydia stared at her with a glow of triumph in her eyes, a reptilian smile upon her face.

Kat smiled down at the smaller woman with a confidence she did not feel and returned Lydia’s look with a pleased smirk. “Your conceit is misplaced, Lady Lydia. What you saw was a man amazed to learn that he never
truly
loved you. He was a boy enthralled and fascinated with a beautiful woman who used his naivety for her own selfish ends. But, by all means, you don’t have to take my word for it. Indeed, in the days to come, you shall discover for yourself you no longer have any power over Alex. My husband is firmly ensconced in my bed and none of your dubious attractions,” Kat’s eyes swept Lydia with a look of repugnance, “shall tempt him away from me.”

Lydia sputtered in fury, her cold eyes malevolent and promising retribution. She yanked her horse around to leave, and as she did so, she snapped the end of her reins against Lightning’s muzzle apurpose.

The mare screamed in pain and reared up, her forelegs flailing. Prepared this time for Lydia to retaliate, Kat clung tightly to her mare, a fast grip on the reins. But Lydia was not as skilled a horsewoman. Unable to control her startled palfrey, she could not escape in time; their mounts bumped and jostled against one another.

Immediately regaining control, Kat took advantage of Lydia’s distraction. No one harmed her horse without repercussions. She hooked her long leg under Lydia’s left leg, and raising it high, she shoved Lydia in the back. Lydia toppled off the other side of her horse, emitting a piercing shriek. She hit the ground face first. The white mare shambled quickly away, leaving her in the dirt.

Kat’s heart thundered loudly in her ears like the pounding of a herd of horses at the swiftness of the attack. Lydia began to wail. Kat stared down at her in disgust, when it suddenly dawned on her that the sound of pounding hooves was real. She looked up, surprised to see a party of men approaching. Her gaze landed on Alex, riding in front beside King Edward.

Alex wore a gold tunic and the sun struck blue sparks off his black hair. But what caught her attention was the thunderous expression on his face. Alex scowled as he took in the scene. Kat was elated. Obviously he had seen Lady Lydia’s attack and would at last realize Lydia was a vicious woman unworthy of his love.

Alex had raced like a centaur through a copse of trees so eager to reach Kat, that nearly too late he ducked his head to avoid striking a branch. When he looked up once more, horse and rider surged into the open pasture where the women’s hunting party converged. To his horror, his eyes alighted upon Kat just as she struck Lady Lydia in the back and shoved her.

Lydia hit the ground, landing in an ungainly heap. Alex groaned. Spurring his horse faster, he made straight for Kat, unable to believe what he had just seen. She had attacked Lydia without provocation, or so it seemed. Lydia had ever been too ladylike to say an unkind word or do aught antagonistic. But would Kat harm another for no apparent reason? He knew she had a hot temper. Could she have lashed out at Lydia in a jealous fit?

He would withhold judgment until he heard Kat’s explanation. Had he not accused her outright of being a whore with disastrous results upon his return? He was wrong then and he would not make the mistake again.

When Alex reined in beside Kat, Lydia moaned in pain. Dragging his gaze from his wife, he jumped off his horse and knelt beside Lydia. “Lydia, are you injured? Tell me where it hurts.”

Her voice quavered. “’Tis my knee. I think I twisted it when I hit the ground.” She gulped back huge tears in silent misery, but they flowed over her long lashes and down her ivory cheeks. He patted her hand in an attempt to comfort her.

Alex looked up at Kat. “What happened here, Kat?” he asked, his tone neutral.

Kat blinked in surprise. Then she raised her chin in a belligerent manner and aimed an accusatory glare at him, her lips sealed tight.
What is this?
he wondered. Her contemptuous gaze confused him. Why did she not simply answer the question?

Instead, Lydia answered him. “Your lady wife attacked me, Alex. ’Twas so sudden and unprovoked. One moment Lady Katherine and I were speaking. We had quite a pleasant and cordial conversation, actually. I complimented her riding skills and admired her unique tunic. But when I turned back to rejoin the ladies, she knocked me off my horse. I don’t understand why she would do such a thing?” Her bottom lip trembled as she looked up at him through lowered lashes, her eyes miserably confused.

Kat grunted.

“Mayhap ’tis my fault.” Lydia lowered her eyes in contrition and beseeched Kat. “My lady, if I have ever done aught to offend you, I beg you forgive me.”

Kat turned a hateful glare upon Lydia and laughed, the sound harsh and grating. “Bravo, Lady Lydia. ’Tis my turn to commend you,” she said sarcastically, “on your excellent mummery skills.”

The king and the rest of the party of men reined in just then, no doubt avid for a juicy tidbit of gossip to toss upon the pyre blazing about court already. Alex was not unaware of the delicate situation he had been unavoidably placed in.

Fortunately, Edward waved the men on. “Go on and join the ladies, gentlemen. I shall join you anon.”

The men continued on, all except for Rand and Sir Luc. The latter pulled his horse up beside Kat, his expression closed and unreadable. Alex bristled in frustration, torn. He could not leave Lydia lying in the dirt, injured and in pain. But his concern for Lydia, no matter how innocent, had returned the cold look in Kat’s eyes.

Alex wrapped an arm around Lydia and helped her stand up. She cried out, clutching her right knee.

“Can you ride?”

“Nay, ’tis too painful.”

King Edward’s horse pranced nervously. “Well, since you have things in hand here, Alex, I’m off to see my lady wife.” Edward grinned. “I will speak to you back at the palace.”

“Sir Luc,” Alex snapped. “Why do you just sit there and stare? Come help your stepmother.”

Sir Luc recoiled in revulsion. “She is
not
my stepmother.”

Alex frowned. “I was led to believe Lady Lydia was married to your father.”

Luc nodded reluctantly. “Aye, she was, but she is no stepmother of mine. I claim her not.”

“She is still your kin by marriage. I will hand her up to you so you can carry her back to court. She needs to lie down and have her injury tended by a physician.”

“Nay, I shall do no such thing.”

“By God, man, she is your father’s widow, she deserves—”

Lydia leaned against him weakly and moaned in pain, her rose scent cloying. “Prithee, Sir Alex, my knee pains me greatly. You shall not sway Sir Luc with words of the duty he owes me. Ours is an old quarrel. Will you not assist me?”

His gaze shot to Kat and then Sir Luc. He was trapped. “Aye, of course, I shall help you.” Damn Sir Luc, no doubt he was enjoying Alex’s quandary.

Alex glanced at Kat again, accusation clear in her eyes. If she were innocent, then Lydia lied. But why did she refuse to defend herself, or deny Lydia’s accusation? He did not know what to think or believe.

Kat was going to be ill. Alex, concern etched on his face, clasped Lydia’s tiny waist in a gentle embrace, his hand dark and masculine against the light blue silk of Lydia’s tunic. Nausea churned in Kat’s stomach and rose into her throat. Her skin grew clammy and cold. Had those hands that passed Lydia into Rand’s arms now, really held her just last night? Held her with amazing strength and extraordinary gentleness, with passion and tenderness?

If Alex truly cared for her as he claimed, he would know that Kat was innocent. Oh, he had not accused her outright, but that he had to ask was proof enough. She refused to defend herself when he could not see the truth before his eyes. Where Lydia was concerned, Alex was blind to her manipulative ways. He thought her a fragile innocent in need of a man’s protection and could never conceive her capable of malice or violence. Did they not say love was blind?

When Alex sat on his mount, Rand handed Lydia over to him. Unable to watch the spectacle another moment, Kat turned to Luc. But he was staring oddly at Lydia and Alex, his eyes glittering with some heated emotion she could not interpret.

Then Luc’s gaze cleared and he turned to Kat. He smiled, his glance admiring. “The day is much too beautiful to waste, my lady. Shall we join the others and continue the hunt?”

“I would be delighted, Sir Luc.”

As they rode back to the hunting party, she averted her gaze from the revolting sight of Lydia in Alex’s embrace. She heard Alex call her name, but she ignored him and rode on. Passion had clouded her judgment since Alex’s return, but no more. ’Twas past time she remembered that Sir Luc loved her and wished to marry her.