Her Knight Protector Read online

  ‘Then perhaps you do love me,’ she said and laughed. ‘For do they not say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?’

  ‘My love hath grown on me slowly,’ Alain admitted, believing honesty best. Katherine would not be wooed with sweet meaningless words. ‘At first I thought you but a thin, plain child, but you have changed in these past weeks, and I have come to appreciate you for many things. I always felt warmth towards you, though I will admit that it was not love at first sight. Can you forgive me for my plain speaking?’

  Katherine’s dark eyes sparkled with humour. ‘If you had been anything less honest I should have thought you false, sir—but now I am inclined to believe you.’

  ‘I have wanted to speak these past several days, but your uncle’s bequest made me hesitate. I would not have you believe I value you for your uncle’s fortune, Katherine.’

  ‘I do not think it. You have wealth enough for any man, and, besides, I know you do not care for it so very much.’ Katherine gazed up at him. ‘I have sensed a hunger in you, Alain. I know not what it is you seek, but I think you have not yet found it—even in our love.’

  ‘Do not blame me for my restless spirit,’ he pleaded as he took her hand and stroked it with his thumb, sending little tingles of pleasure coursing through her body. ‘I do most sincerely love you, Kate—but I admit that it will not always keep me by your side. Until this void is filled within me, I will continue to strive to prove myself.’

  ‘But do you not know what is said of you—that you are the truest knight in Christendom? Other men admire you for your bravery in battle, Alain, but you are known as widely for your wisdom and your honour.’

  ‘’Tis my sword that won honour on the field of battle, for it hath magic powers of its own—and as for the rest, I am a mere man of no particular merit.’

  ‘You should not think so little of yourself,’ Katherine said and felt a prick of sadness that she could not ease that strange ache inside him. ‘I know that there is something within you that will not let you rest, my love—but I want only to be by your side when I am needed and to have you love me.’

  ‘You shall always have my love,’ he vowed and went down on his knee in front of her. Taking her hand he kissed it and then held it as he looked into her eyes. ‘Will you be my wife, Lady Katherine of Grunwald? Will you promise to live with me and love me all our lives? No matter if my wandering feet take me from you and cause you grief?’

  ‘You know that I will,’ Katherine said and her heart leaped with joy. His kisses thrilled her and she knew that she would only truly know fulfilment in his arms. ‘You took your time to love me, Alain—but I loved you from that first moment, when you opened your eyes and looked at me. Any other man would have been angry after what Maria did, but you laughed and forbade Sir Bryne to harm us. From that moment I loved you, though I fought against the knowledge, for I believed you loved another.’

  ‘If you mean Celestine, she was but a passing fancy, a moment of madness. Such a woman could never hold my heart. Besides, I did not trust her and it is best always to keep an enemy close. Only you have I truly loved, my Katherine.’

  ‘As I love you.’

  ‘Then we shall be wed,’ Alain said and, taking her hands, drew her to her feet and into his arms. This time his kiss was hungry and passionate, arousing sweet desire in her. She felt his arms tighten about her, the throb of his need burned her through the rich material of the clothes they wore and she knew a longing to lie with him, to know the true fulfilment of their love. ‘I want to make you mine, sweet Kate. I want to feel your flesh close to mine, to join with you in the sweetest coupling of all.’ His hand trailed her cheek, the white arch of her neck and came to lie against her breast, making her pulses race.

  ‘Take me now!’ Katherine cried, suddenly urgent. He had aroused a need in her so fierce and strong that she longed for its release. ‘Let us go somewhere we may be alone…’

  Alain gave her one of his wicked grins. ‘Oh, how you tempt me, Kate. If I had less respect for you, I would sweep you up and run off with you this minute, but I shall not dishonour you, my love. No other woman hath ever meant as much to me, and we shall wait for our wedding night, though we both burn for it.’

  ‘I am immodest,’ Katherine said and blushed. ‘But I fear my thoughts have of late all too often been those that do not become a maiden.’

  Alain laughed merrily, his eyes dancing with pleasure at her words. By God! She was a woman and a passionate one at that—and he had thought her naught but a child! ‘I delight in your immodesty, sweet Kate, and would have you no other way. But should something happen while I am in London… I would not leave you with the possibility that you carry my child, for that would shame you.’

  Katherine felt the chill at the nape of her neck. Shivers were running down her spine and she was afraid for him. Ravenshurst’s men had already tried to kill him once.

  ‘But you must take me with you! I cannot be parted from you now. We should be married at once and I should accompany you.’ She looked up at him, her eyes wide and dark with pleading. ‘Please say that you will take me.’

  ‘No! I will not expose you to danger,’ Alain said. ‘Bryne is to meet me in London, and I have my loyal men to protect me. I shall make this bargain with the Baron, pay him what he demands and return for our wedding.’

  ‘I want to come with you!’ She caught his robe, her body urgent against his as she begged. She did not know why, but she was caught by a terrible fear of what might happen if they parted now.

  Alain hushed her with a kiss that made her cling to him weakly, tears stinging behind her eyes. ‘I love you too much, Katherine. I told you that my love would not always keep me by your side. You must accept that I shall leave you sometimes. It may be that Richard will need me in the future. There are other men who would be content to stay at home if that is what you need for happiness— Bryne for one. I know that he cares for you, and though he has deliberately remained in London and left the field clear for me, he would wed you if you gave him a sign.’

  ‘How can you say such things to me?’ She drew away, looking at him with hurt eyes. ‘You know that I love only you.’

  ‘Forgive me,’ Alain said ruefully. ‘But I thought you understood, Kate. I love you with all my heart, but I am not like my father and Stefan— I have not yet fulfilled my destiny. I cannot stay safe at home even if it hurts us both to part.’

  Katherine gazed at him, fighting the tears that would shame her. She knew that he had spoken fair to her and that she must not ask too much. There was in him something she could not reach. He was ready to give her a part of himself. She would be his wife, bear his children—but she could not hold him if he would go. Until he had found that thing for which he searched, he would never be at peace.

  ‘Then I must be patient,’ she said and smiled at him. ‘If you are determined to meet the Baron Ravenshurst alone, then so be it. I shall wait here until you return.’

  ‘You will want to prepare your bride clothes,’ Alain said, stroking his thumb over her full bottom lip as it trembled. He kissed her softly. ‘Trust me to return for you, sweet Kate. My mother and sister will be delighted to help you fill your bride chest. They would not be pleased with me if I took you away at this time, my love. I promise that I shall come back to you very soon.’

  ‘I shall miss you,’ Katherine said, hiding the fear that raged inside her. He was his own man, not to be bound by a woman’s tears and pleading, and she must learn to let him go. ‘Kiss me again, and tell me that you love me.’

  Alain drew her to him. He smiled down at her, gently caressing her cheek before he kissed her. This time his kiss was sweet and tender without the hungry passion of his earlier embrace, and she knew he was controlling himself for her sake. He loved her, wanted her passionately, but still he must be free.

  ‘And now we shall go and tell my mother of our decision—for Elona will have hinted that she knows something and they will be waiting.’

  ‘How
could Elona know when I did not?’

  ‘My brother’s wife is always ahead of us all,’ he said and laughed. ‘Believe me, Kate, you may not have known that I meant to ask you to be my wife—but the rest of my family have been certain of it for days.’

  ‘I wish I were not leaving, but we must,’ Elona said as she kissed Katherine’s cheek. ‘We shall come for your wedding. I would not miss it for the world, but Stefan must go home for a time. There is much to be done.’

  ‘I shall miss you,’ Katherine said. ‘Though Lady Alayne and Marguerite insist that I shall be too busy to miss anyone. We are to send for silks for my bride clothes, but Alain will take the list with him to London. In the meantime we are to visit the summer fair. I am told it comes to Banewulf every year and I may find some materials there, though perhaps not as fine as may be found in London.’

  ‘But you will not need fine clothes all the time. Wait until your husband takes you to his manor, Katherine. You will find there is much to be done. I am never still when we are at home, but here at Banewulf everything is always in order. I dare say it will not be so at Alain’s own manor.’

  ‘Lady Alayne is a wonderful chatelaine. She has been teaching me so many things, and she does so much for everyone, the poor of the village as well as her own people.’

  Elona agreed, for she, too, was fond of Stefan’s stepmother, and they parted on the best of terms. Katherine had already said her goodbyes to Alain the previous day, for he had set out at first light and did not want to wake her so early. She was trying not to be anxious for his sake, but it was not easy. Baron Ravenshurst was a ruthless man and she knew that Alain might well be in some danger.

  ‘Katherine…’ She heard Marguerite’s voice calling to her and went to meet her. ‘My mother has found some material she thinks you could make use of for your working gowns. Come and see if there is something to your liking.’

  Katherine followed her to the Lady Alayne’s solar where a coffer had been brought down from one of the tower rooms. The lid was open and it spilled over with good woollen cloths in a variety of colours from grey to a deep blue. She was welcomed warmly and told to choose whatever she liked.

  ‘You will need several new tunics and gowns,’ Alayne told her. ‘We may as well work on something simple until the silk comes for your wedding gown.’

  There was no doubting that Alain’s family was pleased that she was to be his bride, and the warmth of her welcome into this family made her spirits lift. Alain was well protected by his men, and Sir Bryne would meet him in London. Surely nothing terrible could happen to him—and yet a feeling of unease nagged at her.

  She must stop worrying! Alain’s arm was almost healed and he was both brave and experienced in matters of conflict. It was unlikely that he would fall into any trap the Baron laid for him.

  She must do as the others had told her, give herself up to the pleasure of preparing her bride clothes. Alain could take care of himself. He was a man and a bold, fearless warrior. To cling to him would only annoy him and spoil their understanding.

  She must throw off this cloud of unease and enjoy this time before her marriage, for her new friends were determined to make a great fuss of her.

  Was the fair always so crowded? Katherine wondered, looking about her in excitement. The pedlars had set out their wares in a meadow on Sir Ralph’s lands as they had for many summers past, and there was much to see and buy. The smell of roasting pig and a spicy pottage that one woman was offering to passers-by was tempting, but Katherine was more interested in the wares of those who sold fine cloth. She had already purchased beads and braid to trim the hem of the tunic she was sewing and she was heading for a stall that sold various trinkets when she saw Lady Alayne beckon to her urgently. She responded immediately, for she realised that something had happened.

  ‘Is anything wrong?’

  ‘I have received a message from my husband. He says that we must go home at once. I am sorry to curtail your pleasure, Katherine, but I believe it to be important. Perhaps we may come again on the morrow. The fair will be here for three days.’

  ‘We must return if Sir Ralph sends for us. What can be so urgent?’ She could feel a horrid prickling sensation at the nape of her neck. ‘You do not think that something has happened to Alain?’

  ‘No, for I should feel it,’ his mother said. ‘I believe that this is something that affects you, Katherine.’ Alayne looked at her oddly. ‘Something in this makes me uneasy. I know not why it should, but I fear for you, my dear.’

  ‘But what could happen to me while I have the protection of your family?’ Katherine was surprised because she could see that her future mother-in-law was genuinely concerned for her.

  Alayne shook her head. She could not explain, but she sensed that something terrible was about to happen…

  ‘Katherine… Alayne.’ Sir Ralph came towards them as they entered the Great Hall. He looked anxious and ill at ease. ‘I sent for you because Katherine’s uncle of Grunwald has come to see her.’ There was something in his look that warned them to be silent. ‘Katherine—this is Baron Grunwald. He hath shown me letters of introduction and I can scarcely doubt them.’ His words seemed to hint that he would refute the documents if he could and a chill started at the nape of Katherine’s neck.

  ‘Uncle Robert?’ Katherine looked beyond Sir Ralph to the tall, thin man standing by the fireplace. She searched her memory, but found she could not recall him. Her uncle had been younger than her father by some years, and a stern, dour man. She had met him only once and the memory was dim, obscured by the years. ‘I am pleased to meet you at last, sir.’

  ‘Indeed? You surprise me, niece. Had you done your duty, you would have come to Grunwald long since and saved me the trouble of fetching you.’

  ‘Saved you the trouble…’ Katherine’s breath caught in her throat. She felt cold all over, her mouth running dry with fear. He seemed to be saying that he had come to fetch her! Surely he could not mean it? ‘But I am to be married, Uncle. Sir Alain intended to bring me to visit Grunwald once we are wed, but I do not wish to live there. My husband has lands of his own.’

  ‘You are not married yet, niece, and your wishes in the matter are irrelevant,’ her uncle replied in a cold, clipped tone. ‘I am your guardian in my brother’s stead. You may not marry without my permission and I do not give it.’

  ‘But I love Alain!’ Katherine cried, feeling desperate. She did not know this man and yet it seemed that he had power over her. He had the power to take her from the people who cared for her. That was the reason that Sir Ralph looked so ill at ease! Under the law he could not prevent her uncle taking her from Banewulf. ‘You cannot take me from him. My father would have been pleased to see me happy. Why should you wish to deny me?’

  His eyes were icy, his expression unmoved as he looked at her. ‘My reasons are my own and I do not choose to share them. You are my ward. I have the King’s own seal to the deed that makes me your guardian until I give you in marriage to a man of my choosing.’

  ‘May I see it?’ Sir Ralph asked. ‘I do not doubt your word, sir, but I believe King Richard would not have set his hand to such a document if he knew that Katherine was to marry my son—and what the King hath given he can take back if it was gained unfairly.’

  ‘King Philip of France—my sovereign lord—signed it. Katherine is of French birth. Her mother was an Englishwoman, but my brother was French. Therefore French law stands here.’ Baron Grunwald handed Sir Ralph a document, which he examined with a frown and then returned. ‘It is legal, as you see. Katherine has no other relative but me, for her mother’s brother is dead. No one can dispute my right to take her with me.’

  ‘No!’ Katherine backed away from him. Something in his cold eyes filled her with terror. He did not care for her. He was imposing his will on her for reasons of his own. Her stomach was tying itself in knots and she felt sick. ‘I shall not go with you. I want to stay here and marry the man I love.’

  ‘You will prep
are to leave here in two hours,’ the Baron told her. ‘Any attempt to hold you here will reap severe consequences. I shall use the law to wrest my property from any that would withhold it.’

  His property! That was all she meant to him—something he owned to do with as he would.

  Katherine turned to Alayne, her eyes wide with fear. ‘Can he do this? Surely there must be some way to prevent him?’

  ‘I do not know,’ Alayne said, clearly desperate at this situation. ‘I fear there is little we can do to stop him, if what he claims is true.’ She threw a look of appeal at her husband. ‘Husband—what must we do?’

  ‘I could deny him,’ Sir Ralph said. ‘Our men outnumber his and we could overpower them. Would either of you have me do this? If you ask it of me, it shall be done.’ He looked first at his wife and then at Katherine.

  Alayne was silent, her face pale and stricken. Katherine saw her indecision and knew that she feared the consequences of such action. It would bring bloodshed and perhaps more. Sir Ralph might be arraigned before the King for dishonourable conduct and the penalty would be heavy. At the very least he would be forced to pay her uncle a huge sum for the loss of his rightful property—for she was his, to do with as he chose. There was no denying the law.

  ‘No,’ she said quietly and lifted her head, the pride shining from her eyes. ‘I would not have you do that, sir. If my uncle demands that I go with him, then I must do as he says. I have no choice.’

  ‘Katherine…’ Alayne’s voice was thick with emotion. ‘Forgive me.’

  ‘There is naught to forgive.’ She smiled at the woman she had learned to love. ‘Come with me while I prepare, Mother.’ She held both her hands out to Alayne, who took them and then embraced her.

  ‘Do not think to spirit her away and cheat me,’ Baron Grunwald called after them as they went out. ‘You will rue the day if you deceive me, Katherine.’