The Lady of Fairhaven (13 page)

“
Please Katherine, Your pace is too fast. I cannot keep up!” Gillian pleaded.

“
Of course, my dear. We will take it slow. It will give me a chance to speak of castle matters. I need your opinion,” she lied. “While I was assisting Luke with his bath today, he took some liberties.” She cast a furtive glance in Gillian’s direction.

Gillian halted her progress for a moment on the top landing. She gathered her resolve to make it down the stairs and hear what Katherine was dying to say.

“
Really, Katherine, you would do as well to send in one of the maids from down stairs. I’m sure they would ease his aches as well, and put you in less danger of losing Oliver’s favor.”

Katherine bristled at her implication, but she leaned over and whispered in Gillian’s ear. “The fact of the matter is that he was quite content with me, if you understand the way of it. Before I realized what was happening, his mouth was all over my breast. He suckled like a lusty baby."” Katherine’s melodic chuckle declared her triumph. “Of course, it would not bode well if Oliver found out about it, but I did enjoy his ardent attention. I do believe he wishes I would return to him again. How do you suggest I provide other entertainment? I do not wish for Oliver to know. It would not bode well if the two came to blows over me.”

Gillian’s smiled to herself even though her strength drained from her body as the words spit out of Katherine’s mouth. Even though she knew full well that Luke had been provided another woman for his bath, the implications Katherine thinking she might illicit some sort of jealousy from the conversation sent shivers of disappointment and shame for her own feelings for Luke throughout her body.

Gillian pulled free of the vile woman’s support. Her head swam and a dizzying fog swirled around her. She almost felt herself sag, but it must be a dream. In the corner of her eye she imagined a flash of color and light before she sat weakly on the stairs unable to move.

There was no way to tell how long she had been out of touch with reality, but slowly, the voice of Sir Giles broke through the haze. Dog’s cold tongue licked steadily at her hand and wrist, and the coolness of its wet path prickled in some far away sensations.

In control once again, but still weak, Gillian stood to make her way to the library. Simon held the door open and Giles rushed forward then provided support until she passed through the passageway. Both Oliver and Luke rose as the two ladies entered the room.

Gillian’s gaze never left her Uncle. It was a steady unemotional stare that gave away no emotion. “I have come as you both have requested,” she said at last. Puddles of tears pooled in her eyes but did not fall.

“
What is the meaning of this?” Luke bellowed. “Certainly you can see, man, that the lady is still not up to full strength. Making her come to us in her weakened condition is unconscionable.”

“
Please, Sir Luke, be easy. We both know that the documents will not get signed without Gillian. This is the most practical solution, and as you can see, she is up to the task.” His attention turned to his niece. “Sit here at the table, and we will all sign and seal the documents.”

The young woman nodded, then eased her battered body into the chair. The identical parchments lay in the middle of the table. The double doors to the library opened and the steward entered. He looked at Gillian’s dispassionate expression and frowned.

The older man read through the dowry on one document. “Are we all agreeable to the terms? Lady Gillian?”

“
Aye,” she said flatly. Her eyes never left the parchments.

Something was terribly wrong with her demeanor. Luke had never seen her so deeply depressed and distant. For now it was enough that she was signing the documents. Besides, it was in her best interest. He would determine the cause of her melancholy later.

As Gillian signed the parchments her hand shook. Luke signed next and then her guardian. Finally, each stamped their insignia to the hot wax sealing the parchments. It was done.

“
I am weary and wish to return to my room,” Gillian announced. There would be no celebration, no toast to the match.

The bride-to-be pushed up from the chair. Luke stepped forward.

“
Nay, Sir,” Gillian chided. “I will succeed on my own.”

“
Let me help you to your room then,” Luke offered. Her rebuke stung. She was in pain and refusing his help.

“
Thank you, but no. Sir Giles waits for me beyond the door.”

Luke nodded and watched Gillian walk to the door. He longed to rush over and sweep her into his arms and carry her to her room.

As Gillian walked through the doors, Giles stepped forward and the proud figure slumped against him with a loud cry of pain. Effortlessly, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to her room.

Oliver, who was standing next to Luke, was watching with interest. “Overwrought, I suppose. These business matters never seem to agree with the weaker sex,” he said. “I imagine you will want to take your father’s bride to him as soon as possible.”

“
Aye,” Luke answered. “Not tomorrow but three days hence. I would leave as soon as possible but one extra day will give Gillian more rest.”

“
As you wish. Please excuse me. I have pressing business to attend to in the village,” Oliver said. He exited with the steward leaving Katherine and Luke standing in the library alone.

In both a demanding and accusatory tone, Luke asked, “What has happened to Gillian? Why is she acting so? Did you speak with her?” Gripping Katherine’s shoulders, he shouted, “Answer me!”

Katherine shrugged away. Her smile never faded as she looked Luke in the eye. “We talked of women things, chores around the castle, how to fulfill obligations and how to please a man, if possible at all. Mayhap you would care to have another bath?” Katherine purred. Her hand slid up the small of his back to his shoulder.

It was now all to clear what had passed between the two. In a dead run, Luke leaped up the steps two at a time to get to Gillian’s door. At least he could ease her mind where he and Katherine stood. Giles stood guard at the door.

“
Good day, Sir,” Giles greeted him warmly.

“
Good day,” Luke replied. “I wish to see the Lady Gillian.”

“
I regret that she has given orders that no one enter. She is exhausted and in much need of rest.”

“
To that I can agree, but there is a matter I must speak to her about. It is of great import. Certainly, she could not mean to exclude me.”

“
In fact, she mentioned that you were not to gain entrance. I do not pretend to know what has happened, but she is exhausted and very unhappy. I believe the only cure now is rest. Truly, she is most ill.”

Luke stepped to the door and pounded on it. “Lady Gillian, it is Luke. Please let me speak to you. It is of some import.”

“
Nay. I wish to speak with no one,” came the voice from the far side of the door.

“
Lady Gillian, please allow me entrance,” he asked again.

“
Nay!” It was then that Dog’s low vicious growl rang out from just the other side of the door. Snapping teeth and scratching caused Luke to back away. He turned from the door, and walked to his room. He new he would have ample opportunity on their trip to set the matter right.

After two sleepless nights, Luke’s mood darkened. He could not convince Giles or the other guards to allow him to see Gillian. She had refused entrance to everyone except Anne. Even a note given to Anne was returned unread.

To take his mind off Gillian, Luke resorted to overseeing the loading of supplies for the journey. It was only after this that he ordered his bath. He left strict instructions that no one was to interrupt his bath. He would attend to himself.

The warm water soothed his body and allowed some of the frustration to recede. It was after a few minutes that the door quietly opened and Katherine slipped inside.

“
I left instructions not to be disturbed,” he barked.

“
I certainly couldn’t have been included in that order,” she said slyly

“
It most especially included you. What do you want?”

Katherine walked over to the tub and dropped to her knees. She opened her robe to expose her bared breasts. “We had such a lovely time yesterday. I thought you might like to start again.”

“
Leave me!” he yelled. “I do not want you here.”

“
But you enjoyed my company yesterday. I was telling Gillian how I should like to replace her as chatelaine. The task was most pleasurable.”

Enraged beyond words, Luke stepped out of his bath and snatched Katherine by the arm. Her full creamy breasts bumped together rippling in rhythm to her steps as Luke lead her to the door. He opened it and tossed her from his room. “I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed. Now be gone!”

Katherine sprawled on the floor. Her breasts protruding from the open robe. The young squire guarding the door stared, not sure what to do. Then, with a smile, he reached forward and offered Katherine his hand. Conscious of her nakedness, Katherine ever so slowly covered herself, giving the young man a generous look at her charms.

Gillian wrenched awake from the deep sleep that eluded her for most of the previous night. The faintest tint of gray had colored the horizon before her eyes considered sleep. At present she was irritable and out of sorts. Rarely did she wake up in a poor mood, but today was the exception.

Anne no longer attended her and last night her presence had been sorely missed. Her friend’s words of counsel and support were what she had needed, and she was driven to pray for the sweet silence of sleep without any comfort.

“Your uncle is going hunting with that fine knight, Sir Luke,” Cecily announced as she entered the bedroom and immediately had to sidestep Dog.

Gillian noticed that Cecily’s admiration of the knight showed through in her warm voice but she held back from responding. It was enough that Lady Katherine had suspected romantic feelings between the two, and Gillian didn’t want anyone else having the same thoughts.

“
This poor creature more than likely is begging to go with them,” Cecily said with a chuckle. Her laugh was contagious and in spite of feeling tired and angry Gillian giggled.

“I believe you must be right. Dog do you want to hunt?” Gillian asked the animal as if he would reply. The animal’s ears perked up, and he tilted his head as if waiting on her every word. “Let’s go,” she said. Both women laughed again as Dog’s tail wiggled so hard his hind legs had trouble maneuvering across the slick stone floors.

Gillian soon entered the yard with Dog and walked over to Sir Luke. “I would thank you for your kindness to me. It was unexpected but most pleasing.”

“Kindness and protection should never be unexpected from me or my family, Lady Blakely,” Luke explained. “I would like to leave for my father’s estate as soon as possible. When might you be able to travel?”

“
I should think in one day, Sir,” Gillian said with a smile. “I look forward to…” A puzzled look formed on her face as it did in her mind. She wasn’t sure what she was looking forward to. Perhaps safety or kindness was what she longed for. It certainly wasn’t marriage with a man old enough to be her father. She could only pray he was as kind as his son. She never finished her thought.

“
Sir Luke, I wonder if you would have need of Dog on your sport today? He is an excellent hunter. His mouth is soft in spite of his eagerness to please. Perhaps you could find use of him. Mayhap Sir Simon would find him useful as well.”

“
Aye, Miss Blakeley,” Luke said with a smile. “I notice you do not offer him to you uncle’s use.”

“
I’m afraid Dog and Uncle Oliver have not found a true appreciation of one another. It is best to keep the two separated since neither have developed any patience, and I would venture that neither will discover it this fine morn.”

“
Would he do well without your company?”

“
Hunting is a part of the life I believe he sorely misses, now that my father is gone.”

“
And what about you? How will you fare without your pet?”

“
I daresay I will survive. I have much to occupy my day with the preparations for my journey, and Dog does not always get enough exercise. He does so enjoy the hunt, and it would do well for the two of you to get acquainted.” Gillian paused in thought. “Do I ask too much to inquire if he will be able to travel with us?” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. Even if he had no interest in Dog, Gillian knew that Luke could never refuse.

“
I would be surprised if Dog allowed anything else,” Luke teased. “He seems to have the same iron will as his mistress.”

“
I will take that as a compliment. I wish you three a good hunt.” Gillian then smiled and nodded her thanks. She then turned and walked back into the hall to begin her daily routine.

Katherine stood next to Oliver’s horse as she bid him good day. Her hair was pushed back into a cap but the disarray of errant hair wisps spilled out around the edges. At first Katherine’s attention focused on Oliver. All men involved in the hunt duly noted her ill temper, and each, in turn, moved away from the wrath that could spill over to them. Backs were turned. Horses and riders silently moved away. The Lord’s lover was on a rampage and no one wanted to feel the ill effects of her indisposition.