Chapter Thirteen #3
The brothers shared a chuckle, a rare event given the tension of the conversation. But in the end, they were brothers, and close ones at that, and Cassius would support anything Titus did.
Foolish or not.
This was their moment of truth.
“Thank you for your counsel, Cass,” Titus said softly. “Thank you for not throwing us bodily from Edenthorpe. I’m sure that crossed your mind.”
Cassius grinned. “Not particularly,” he said. “But you did surprise me.”
Titus chuckled. “Why?” he said. “Papa did the same thing when he married Mama. Marrying without permission is a de Wolfe tradition, I think.”
Cassius snorted. “A tradition that can get one into a good deal of trouble,” he said. “But you are right—Papa married Mama without permission. Poppy did, too, or so I recall, though his situation was much more of a mess than this one. He married a woman meant for his liege.”
“I suppose marriage is never straightforward, no matter how much we would like it to be.”
“I would agree with that,” Cassius said. “Now, retire for the evening and make sure this union can never be broken, by anyone. And send my wife back down here to me. You do not need an audience for what you are about to do.”
Titus flashed a smile. “Katiana likes Dacia a great deal.”
“I think the feeling is mutual.”
Titus stood up, reaching out to put his hand on his brother’s shoulder from across the table. “Good sleep to you, Cass,” he said. “I will see you on the morrow.”
Cassius nodded. “Indeed, you will,” he said. “And Titus?”
“What?”
“Congratulations.”
Titus simply grinned and left the dais, making his way from the hall as Cassius watched him go.
He pondered the situation his brother found himself in, and now that he was calmer about it, he was coming to understand why Titus did what he did.
When emotion was involved, and certainly something as strong as love or a budding love, a man would do anything for a future with a woman who made him feel something he’d never felt before. Cassius understood that all too well.
But something told him that Titus was in for trouble.
It was just a hunch he had.
*
“I only have a sleeping shift,” Katiana said as she pulled her linen shift from her satchel. “I do not have anything grand to sleep in.”
Dacia was inspecting the fine linen shift. “Did you not bring a robe?”
Katiana shook her head. “It would not fit in the satchel,” she said. “I have a beautiful one back in London, made from silk with rabbit fur cuffs. It is perfect for cold nights.”
“It shouldn’t be too cold tonight,” Dacia said, letting go of the linen. “Moreover, you’ll be sleeping with your husband, and I imagine he’ll be quite warm. If he’s anything like Cass, you will not have to worry about freezing to death.”
Katiana grinned, lowering her gaze as her cheeks flushed. “I’ve slept alone my entire life,” she said. “This will be a new adventure for me.”
Dacia knew there was a good deal of truth in that statement, in more ways than one.
Katiana was a new bride, after all, and presumably a virgin, so Dacia felt some responsibility about the situation.
More often than not, brides had no idea what they were in for until it was all over.
Dacia debated about whether or not to say anything, but her concern won out.
She had been a virgin bride herself once, after all.
“Forgive me for being so bold,” she said. “If you do not wish to speak of this, then you just need to tell me and I’ll not bring it up again, but… but you do know what is about to happen, don’t you?”
Katiana knew exactly what she meant, and it was a struggle not to become embarrassed about it. “I’ve been told,” she said. “I’ve never experienced it myself, of course, but it has been explained to me what is to happen.”
“Good,” Dacia said. But she put her hand on Katiana’s arm and squeezed gently. “I, too, had things explained to me and thought I knew everything, but that wasn’t the case. It was much different than what I was told.”
“How so?”
“It is great fun once you have some practice,” she said, smiling. “But the first time… my advice to you is to simply relax and let Titus do the work. Men usually know what they are doing.”
Katiana looked at her, cocking her head curiously. “And how is that?” she said. “How do they know what to do and we do not?”
Dacia chuckled. “Because one of you must know what to do or it will all end in a disaster.”
Katiana started to giggle. “That never made any sense to me,” she said. “Women must remain chaste, but a man is encouraged to do… that. I am not entirely sure I like the idea of my husband touching another woman before me. In the same manner he will be touching me.”
Dacia’s eyes twinkled. “Jealous?”
Katiana burst out laughing. “Possibly,” she said. “I’ve never even considered such a thing before, but it’s bloody well outrageous that he’s touched another woman before me.”
Dacia was glad that Katiana was finding some humor in the situation, and they shared a hearty laugh.
“Do not let it bother you,” she finally said.
“Look at Cass; he’s beautiful. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
It used to drive me mad thinking of the women he’d been with before, but he told me that before he married me, he’d only been with shadows. I was the only light he’d ever known.”
“That’s very sweet,” Katiana said. Then her humor faded. “I… I did not mean to shout at him tonight. I hope you were not offended.”
Dacia shook her head. “Of course not,” she said. “I’m only sorry you’ve had to endure so much in your life from a brother. A man who should always protect you. That’s simply not right, Katiana.”
“I know,” Katiana said. “It’s not right, but it took me years to understand that.
I went through my childhood thinking that was my role in life.
It was only when I grew older that I realized how wrong it was.
And I cannot let a man like that have dominion over my life and happiness.
For once, I must take that control. I’ve never done it before, but when it comes to my entire life’s happiness, I must.”
Dacia reached out and grasped her hand. “I do not blame you,” she said. “I am on your side, I promise.”
Katiana appreciated that. “Then I hope Lord Doncaster is not too upset about it,” she said. “I hope he understands our reasons, even if he does not approve.”
“He understands.”
The reply didn’t come from Dacia. It came from a decidedly male voice. They both turned to see Titus standing in the doorway, smiling his easy smile when he saw that he had their attention.
“Sorry,” he said. “The door was open and I heard what you said. Cass understands and he supports us, so please do not worry. We’ve decided that it would be best to continue on to Berwick tomorrow and let my father announce the marriage, but I realize that will defeat the purpose of your being summoned home to see to your father.
If you would still like to continue to Callerton for your father’s sake, I will understand. ”
Katiana thought on that seriously. “I told you that I am only going home out of duty,” she said.
“I received a missive about my father and duty is sending me home, but nothing more. There is no affection or sentiment. Whether I am there or not, my father’s fate will be the same.
I cannot stop him from dying. Either he will or he won’t. ”
“Do you still want me to take you there?”
“Nay, she does not,” Dacia said. She’d been standing silently throughout the conversation, but she had something to say about it.
“Why would you take her to a place where she has only known heartache? Where there is a brother waiting to harm her? Titus, if you take her back, you can never let her out of your sight for a moment. She will be in danger ever second of every day. You should go to Berwick and have Papa send her father a missive, announcing the marriage. If he is still alive, he shall answer, and you can make plans to visit at that time. But if her brother answers, then you know she is never to go home again. Not ever.”
Katiana was looking at Dacia with gratitude.
She’d never had another woman stand up for her or even really show her much more than cursory concern, so Dacia’s defense of her was truly endearing.
She hardly knew the woman, but already, she felt a bond with her.
She reached out to grasp Dacia’s hand as she returned her attention to Titus.
“What Lady Doncaster says,” she said. “I do not need to go home. If my father still lives, I will make plans to see him when my brother is not there. I want to avoid Ansel at all costs.”
Truth be told, Titus was relieved to hear it. He kissed Dacia on the cheek and pulled her hand from Katiana’s.
“You are as wise as you are beautiful, Lady Doncaster,” he said. “But I do not want you here. Get out so I can have my wife all to myself.”
He said it in a jesting way, and Dacia grinned, sauntering her way over to the door. “Are you sure you do not need any advice?” she said.
Titus rolled his eyes. “Nay,” he said flatly. “Go, you little minx.”
“I did not mean you, Titus. I meant the lady.”
Titus turned to her, sneering. “If I must go over to that door and push you out, I will. Do not test me.”
“If you push me, I will tell Cass.”
“I do not care. He does not frighten me.”
“Then I’ll tell your mother.”
Titus immediately surrendered, throwing up his hands, as Dacia giggled in victory and quit the chamber, shutting the door behind her. Once she was gone, Katiana turned to Titus and started laughing.
“I do like her,” she said, hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles. “She’s absolutely delightful.”
Titus’ features contorted in distaste. “She’s a bold wench who will get her comeuppance someday,” he said, but he didn’t mean a word of it. In fact, his gaze was on his wife, a light of warmth coming to his eyes. “Do you really need some advice about tonight?”