Chapter Eleven #2
Titus shook his head. “I was in Middlesbrough, following the news of the armies as Lancaster chased Edward and Pembroke went after Gaveston,” he said. “I was told to keep my ears open and report back.”
“And what news there is.”
“That, dear brother, is an understatement.”
Cassius smiled weakly, clapping his brother on the shoulder. He didn’t want to diminish what was going on, and he feared for Titus’ role as an Executioner Knight, but that wasn’t something he chose to focus on. They were knights, and they had their duties. Sometimes, those duties were dangerous.
Like now.
He hesitated to let his mind wander to where this could all end up.
“At least I get you for the evening,” he said after a moment. “Come into the hall with me. I’ve got some fine wine from Spain I want you to try.”
Titus grinned. No matter what the situation, or the peril of it, his smile wasn’t far from the surface. In this case, he did it to alleviate any fear Cassius might have been feeling. They both knew the stakes.
But they weren’t going to dwell on them.
“I’m always happy to drink up all of your wine and eat your food,” he said. “You know I live for that.”
Cassius laughed softly, patting his brother on the head. “That is the brother I know and love,” he said. “Come along, Titus. I only have you for the night, so we’d better get started.”
Titus was more than happy to comply.
*
The keep was astonishing.
In noble homes, many times the family’s wealth was displayed by the furnishings they had—rugs, tapestries, furniture, even plates of silver, pewter, or gold on the mantels. Sometimes, it was an overt display, but sometimes, it was spartan.
In the case of Edenthorpe, it was overt.
There were hides on the floor of the entry.
There were rows and rows of massive antlers mounted on the walls from deer that had been killed over the years.
Everywhere Katiana looked, there was something refined or expensive on a wall or on the floor, and the little boys running around her and their mother weren’t impressed with any of it.
But Katiana was.
Dacia kept up a running conversation as they headed through the entry and up the mural stairs that led to the upper floors.
Katiana responded appropriately, but her attention was affixed to her surroundings to the point of her being dumbfounded.
Even the stairs were covered with hide that had been nailed down so no one would trip, and once they reached the floor in which the guests were usually housed, she noticed that there were exquisite tables against the walls that contained expensive items upon them, like pitchers and trays and candlesticks made of pewter.
Some even had precious stones sunk into them.
Everything she saw was astonishing.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to stop and look at everything because her hostess had a destination in mind.
Katiana followed Dacia down a corridor whose only light came from lancet windows built into the thick stone wall.
At the very end was an enormous door of oak and iron that looked as if it was built to keep out monsters of myth.
In fact, it was a little frightening, but Dacia opened it as if it were nothing at all, revealing the exquisite chamber beyond.
“Many years ago, this room belonged to me,” Dacia said, shifting the baby to her other hip. “When Cass and I married, we moved into the chamber my grandfather used to occupy, but I still consider this my favorite chamber. I hope you are comfortable here.”
Katiana looked at her surroundings with awe. “I am certain I will be, my lady,” she said. “You are very kind to show me such hospitality.”
“It is my pleasure,” Dacia said.
Off to her left, her older boys were fussing with something over by the hearth, and she went over to grab Erik, instructing him to take his brothers out of the chamber and wait for her in the corridor.
Erik might have been wild, but he was obedient.
As the boys trotted out, Dacia once again returned her attention to Katiana.
“Would you prefer to rest alone, or would you like some company?” she asked. “I will admit that it is not often we have lady visitors, so please speak up if you would like to be alone. Otherwise, I might remain indefinitely.”
She meant it as a little joke, smiling, but Katiana was frankly surprised that so fine a lady should want to keep her company.
“I am not particularly weary,” she said.
“Truthfully, it is not often that I have a chance to converse with someone new. If you are not too busy, I would welcome the opportunity.”
Dacia smiled brightly. “Give me a moment, please.”
With that, she left the chamber, and Katiana could hear her speaking to the little boys outside.
At least two were protesting, and someone started to cry, but their voices faded away.
Katiana stuck her head into the corridor only to see that it was empty.
The little family had evidently wandered off. With a shrug, she closed the door.
She was wearing her traveling clothing today, as she usually did, with the addition of another cloak because the morning had been misty when they departed Barlborough.
There was a big wardrobe near the hearth, and she went to it, opening it up to find the pegs upon the doors.
Removing her cloak, she hung it up just as someone knocked at the door.
Katiana bade them enter, and a pair of servants came forth, bearing a basin and water and a few other things.
As they came into the chamber, another servant came in after them bearing Katiana’s satchel.
More servants brought forth a pitcher and cups and plates of fruit.
All of it ended up on the large, exquisitely carved table in the chamber.
Intrigued by the booty, Katiana went over to the table to inspect it after the servants departed.
The basin was empty, but the pitcher next to it was full of water that had rose petals floating in it.
Delighted, she stopped her inspection and went to her satchel, pulling forth a cake of precious soap that smelled of lavender.
It was heavenly to wash her hands and face in the cool, fresh water, and by the time she was finished, there was a knock at the door again.
“May I come in, my lady?” Dacia asked as she stuck her head in.
Katiana nodded. “Please,” she said. “Thank you so much for the water. It’s so lovely to be able to wash the dirt of the road from my face.”
Dacia smiled as she came to the table. “I had the servants bring up some food and drink,” she said, peering in the nearest pitcher.
“This is boiled juice from apples and pears, with honey and cinnamon. My little lads cannot get enough of it, so drink it while you can, because if they smell a hint of it, they will fight you for it.”
Katiana laughed softly. “I will give them a battle, I warn you,” she said, accepting the cup that Dacia had poured for her. “How delightful that you have four children. They must keep you very busy.”
Dacia rolled her eyes as she poured herself another cup. “Busy is not the word for it,” she said. “Chaotic is more like it. They rule this castle, and Cass could not be prouder. Erik is seven years of age and already he tries to command the army.”
“Do the soldiers do as he commands?”
“Of course they do!”
The women giggled at the idea of a seven-year-old commanding an army, who went willingly. Katiana sipped at her drink and discovered that it was delicious.
“No wonder your sons love this,” she said. “It is quite tasty.”
Dacia nodded as she pointed to the nearest chair. “Sit,” she said. “You must be weary. I want to hear about your interesting name. I’ve never heard it before. Are you named for someone?”
Katiana nodded. “I am,” she said. “My mother named me for her grandmothers—Katherine and Anna. That was my name when I was born—Katherine Anna—but my mother called me Katie Anna, and somehow that became Katiana. I’ve gone by it ever since.”
“How lovely,” Dacia said. “I like it.”
“Thank you.”
“Where did you start your journey today?”
“Barlborough,” Katiana said. “I believe it is near Sheffield. Do you travel much?”
Dacia shook her head. “Not with four children,” she said. “Cass does, of course, but he mostly goes north to visit his family. His parents come here from time to time. They’ve been here for the birth of every grandchild. I do love them so. Do you know them?”
Katiana shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “As Titus mentioned, I fostered at Roxburgh. That was the demesne of Lord Blayth and his wife, Lady Asmara. I was very young, but I remember them as lovely people.”
“They are,” Dacia agreed. “The entire de Wolfe family is full of lovely people, including Titus. How did you manage to convince him to escort you home?”
Katiana cocked her head thoughtfully. “It was a fortuitous coincidence,” she said. “I had just received word that my father was dying, and Titus happened to be heading home to Berwick. Since we were traveling in the same direction, he offered to escort me, and I accepted.”
Dacia’s features fell. “Then this is not a pleasant journey for you,” she said. “I’m very sorry about your father. I did not mean to sound callous with my questions.”
Katiana shook her head. “You did not,” she assured her. “My father and I do not have much of an association, to be perfectly honest, so this journey is simply a duty. I am going to Callerton Castle because I have been asked to go and for no other reason than that.”
“Callerton Castle is your home?”
“Callerton Castle is where I was born,” Katiana said. “My home is in London with my father’s aunt.”
“And that’s where you found Titus?”
“Aye,” Katiana said. Then she chuckled. “In truth, he found me. My horse spooked, and had it not been for Titus, I would have ended up in the Thames. He saved me.”
Dacia smiled broadly. “How gallant,” she said. “Though being gallant is not usually something Titus is known for.”
“What do you mean?”