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Chapter One A ndrew, Earl of Gifford, heard the sounds of fierce fighting before he rode into the clearing that September morning. The clash of steel was unmistakable and he had drawn his sword before he came upon the violent scene. A young man was fighting for all he was worth, but he was heavily outnumbered. Surrounded by three burly men, who were clearly intent on taking his life, he had just managed to wound one in the arm when Andrew bore down on them. He swooped low in the saddle, lashing out at one attacker who was pressing the young man hard and wounding the rogue across the arm. Wheeling his horse about, Andrew rode back and slashed at the nearest villain, catching him a blow on the shoulder. At that moment, the young man finished off the rogue he had been fighting and the other two fled in disorder. Dismounting, Andrew looked at the man he had helped, and saw that he was bleeding from his left arm. ‘Let me bind that for you,’ he said. ‘I have fresh linen and water in my saddl
Chapter One
Chapter Two C atherine was in the back parlour, working on her sewing two weeks later. The mists of autumn were gathering outside as dusk fell and a fire had been lit in the big open hearth for the first time in weeks. Her little brother was coughing, and she had noticed that her father seemed to have taken it from him, though as yet her mother, sister and Catherine herself were all free of the malady. She had heard that there was a deal of sickness in the village, and one elderly man had died of the fever that was raging in the district. In another two weeks they were due to leave for London to prepare for the royal wedding, and Catherine hoped fervently that her father and brother would have recovered in time. Her head was bent over her work as it had become dark in the parlour and she was considering whether she should call for a candle when she heard voices and footsteps outside the door. Her head came up and she was looking at the door as it was flung open and a young man entered,
Chapter Two
Chapter Three W hen they arrived at the house at which they were to stay, their host came out to greet them. Hearing that the earl had helped to save both Harry and Catherine from murderous rogues, he immediately offered him a bed for the night. Andrew hesitated for a moment, then, as Harry urged him to it, he accepted and offered his thanks. Catherine dismounted with the help of her groom, going into the house ahead of the men, where she was greeted by her hostess. Lady Sallis gathered her into a warm embrace, kissing her on both cheeks. ‘It is so long since I last saw you, dearest Catherine,’ she said, eyeing her up and down. ‘You were a pretty child, but you have grown into a lovely young lady. I think you will do well at court. I am sure your father will receive many offers for you.’ ‘Father is not with us, for he has had a fever,’ Catherine told her. ‘But he and Mother will come to court in a couple of weeks or so if they can. I am to be chaperoned by Lady Anne Shearer in the mean
Chapter Three
Chapter Four I t was a very cold morning when Harry Melford’s party set out on the last stage of their journey to London. They had spent more than a week on the road, for Catherine’s brother had chosen to linger at the houses of friends to rest the horses. Some of those friends had decided to ride with him and it was now a very large and merry group that descended on the capital. Their mood was in tune with that of the people as the celebrations had already begun, though the prince’s wedding was not to take place for some days. However, the royal event was drawing nobles and their families from all over the country, and as they approached the city the roads became crowded with richly dressed ladies and gentlemen and their trains. ‘It is as well that Father made preparations in advance,’ Harry told his sister. ‘I do not think that there will be a room to be had in the city.’ Catherine looked about her with excitement. She had never seen so many people in one place before, and because of
Chapter Four
Chapter Five C atherine had struggled against the feeling of loss that had overcome her as the earl walked away from them. She would have loved to spend more time in his company, but she knew that it would not be wise. Lady Anne had warned her against seeking his company, and Catherine ought not to defy her too openly. Her mother’s friend had been kind in agreeing to chaperon her at court, and to take her shopping for her new clothes. Besides, she must know something important or she would not have warned Catherine against becoming too friendly with Andrew. What could it be? Did he know? Was that why he had looked at her so strangely when they met earlier that day? It was a mystery, and Catherine could not help but feel that a shadow hung over her as she dressed that evening for her first appearance at court. She had come to London full of anticipation, believing that she might find both love and romance, but now it seemed that she had no reason to hope. At least Catherine’s father had
Chapter Five
Chapter Six T he same thought had occurred to Andrew Gifford. He spoke of it to his friend Lady Margaret later that day when he called on her at her home. ‘You know that I shall not be able to join you until after the royal wedding,’ he said. ‘It was generous of you to invite Mistress Melford to join you for the celebrations. She will get a much better view of the procession from your house, and I am sure she will enjoy the feasting afterwards—but may I ask you to keep an eye on her? I do not know for certain, but I think someone means mischief against her and her brother.’ ‘No?’ Lady Margaret was shocked. ‘Catherine is an innocent child. Who could wish her harm? I dare say Lord Melford has his enemies, as most powerful men have—but to take petty revenge on his daughter…’ ‘It seems unlikely, and yet I know of a man who might stoop that low.’ Lady Margaret frowned at him. ‘Of whom do you speak, sir?’ ‘The Earl of Ronchester hates Harry Melford because of what happened at court last year
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven A ndrew dismounted as he reached the courtyard of Lady Margaret’s house. It was past six of the clock in the evening and he had not been able to escape his royal duties until now, but he was looking forward to seeing Catherine. He knew that her brother was still delayed at the royal banquet, and indeed he must return there before too long himself. He had slipped away as soon as the chance presented itself, because he wanted to see the lady who was so constantly in his thoughts. As he went into the house he was immediately aware that several of the guests had imbibed too freely of their hostess’s good wine and were intoxicated. One lady grabbed him as he passed, trying to implant a kiss on his mouth, but he pushed her firmly to one side. He was in no mood for such behaviour. Glancing around the huge chamber, he failed to see the lady he sought and frowned. Seeing Lady Margaret speaking to a gentleman, he went up to her and made his bow. ‘Madam, I do not see Mistress Melfor
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight C atherine looked at herself in the hand mirror her serving woman held for her. She was dressed in her finest gown of cloth of gold, her hair dressed with a cap made of gold and pearls with a fine silk veil that fell over her hair and framed her brow. Her face was a little pale, but her eyes were clear and she held herself with pride as she stood still for her serving women to finish her toilette. ‘I wish you happy, Catherine,’ Anne Melford said, kissing her cheek. She had been incredibly excited that she had been able to come to London after all. ‘I was angry when you came to court and I did not, because I thought you would marry Will Shearer. I have loved him since I was a child, and I hope to wed him one day.’ ‘You should not set your heart on him, sister,’ Catherine said. ‘I know he has a mistress he loves dearly.’ ‘A mistress is nothing,’ her sister replied with a little shrug. ‘One day he will love me, as I love him.’ Catherine smiled and kissed her younger sister.
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine C atherine woke with a feeling of well being. She stretched and yawned before realising that she was alone. Andrew’s side of the bed was cold when she reached out, which told her that he had been up for a long time. She was not surprised—the pale winter sunlight was streaming in at the window and she knew that it was later than her usual hour for rising. Her serving woman must have been told to let her rest, but she wished that she had been woken sooner. There was much to do in this house, and she had promised Andrew that she would have it put to rights in two days. She had no time to lie abed here like a sluggard! She jumped out of bed, noticing the dark stain on the sheets, proof if any were needed that she was no longer a virgin bride. She had been bedded and was now Andrew’s true wife. She wrapped a thin gown about her and went into the dressing room. Her bath water had been removed. She must have slept soundly because she had not heard the servants emptying it, but th
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten ‘T here is a great deal of linen that needs to be mended,’ the dowager countess said when she found Catherine arranging some greenery in the hall. ‘If you have brought that in for the Christmas celebrations, it is too soon. It will dry out and die before the week is done.’ Catherine smothered a sigh. She had discovered that her husband was perfectly right to suggest that his mother would interfere in all her arrangements. She had kept her patience thus far and was determined to do so despite having had her orders countermanded three times that day. ‘There is more than enough greenery in the woods, Elspeth. I shall gather holly and ivy for the festivities, but I thought these boughs would make the house seem more homely. Mother always had greenery in the house when she could, flowers too when they were plentiful.’ The dowager pursed her mouth disapprovingly. ‘Flowers drop their petals and make a mess, but I suppose if your servants have nothing better to do with their time…’
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven S ir Robert’s hall was decked with fresh greenery and scarlet ribbons. It was a fine house, modern and of good proportions. Catherine imagined that it was seeing this that had made Andrew think he would prefer to build a new wing at their estate rather than restore the ancient tower that had been destroyed by fire. The hall had been panelled with light golden oak, which gave the room a warm mellow feeling. The floor had a bright carpet woven in a Persian design, blue and red and gold, giving it a richness that added to the feeling of comfort and warmth. At one end a huge fire burned fiercely, throwing out sufficient heat to make the large room feel cosy. In the centre of the room a long board resting on carved trestles had been set with platters of silver and the wine cups were also of silver with gold chasing at the edges. Clearly Sir Robert was a very wealthy man and he believed in entertaining lavishly. A huge silver-gilt salt took pride of place in the centre of the
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve C atherine locked the door after Sarah left her. She sat propped up against some pillows, sipping the tisane slowly, feeling that she would not be able to sleep until her husband returned. However, after some hours had passed she found her eyelids growing heavy and slipped into an uneasy sleep in which her dreams were troubled. It was morning when Catherine woke. She stretched and yawned, opening her eyes to strange surroundings. For a few seconds she could not think why she was in Andrew’s bed, and then it all came flooding back. Jumping out of bed, she went to the door of the dressing chamber and found it unlocked. She went through to her own chamber, where she discovered Tilda tidying the bed. ‘Tilda, you should be resting,’ Catherine said. ‘Why are you here? Did my husband permit you to come?’ ‘Sarah told me that the secret entrance has been blocked from inside,’ Tilda replied. ‘The marquis has had iron bars nailed across it from inside, and the mechanism is broken
Chapter Twelve
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