Chapter Eight #2
Jasper was already moving for the entry with Gates in tow.
“Come with us, Alexander,” he said, tugging on the man.
“We are going to meet my daughter. I’ve not truly spoken with her since she was a child and even then, what is it possible for children to say?
She was a silly little girl. I would like to see what a fine and obedient woman she has become. ”
Jealousy reared its ugly head in Gates’ heart once again at the thought of Alexander interacting with Kathalin.
It was a struggle not to show it. He didn’t even want Jasper speaking with the woman much less Alexander.
Damnation, man, what is happening to you?
Frustrated, and trying to keep his composure, Gates had no choice but to follow Jasper, and now Alexander, out of the hall.
“I met your daughter last night, my lord, briefly,” Alexander said as they entered the frozen bailey. “A lovely girl, in fact. She does not look like the de Lara side of the family.”
Jasper grinned at the insult. “Nay, she certainly does not,” he said. “She looks like the du Bois side, the half-Welsh side. They all have dark hair and bright blue eyes. Kathalin looks a good deal like her mother did as a young woman.”
The three of them slogged through the freezing, slick mud as they approached the keep. Jasper kept trying to shake it off his fine boots even though it was a futile effort; the dark mud clung like clay.
“My lord,” Gates spoke up before they could reach the iron-grate entry of the keep.
“You should know that Lady Kathalin has brought up her request to take her vows as a nun more than once during the journey home. It is possible she will bring it up again when you speak with her. She is quite disappointed at being summoned home rather than remaining at St. Milburga’s and being allowed to pursue a holy vocation. ”
Jasper frowned as they reached the keep entry. “She will not take her vows,” he said flatly. “A de Lara is not meant for the cloister. She has a bigger destiny to fulfill.”
Gates nodded patiently as the old Tender of the Keep unlocked the grate and pulled it open.
“I realize that,” he said. “But she is quite attached to St. Milburga’s and has her heart set on becoming a nun.
If I were you, I would be gentle when informing her that she will be denied her wishes.
She is likely to become quite emotional about it.
In fact, I had to carry her, bound, out of St. Milburga’s because she did not wish to come with me, so be aware that her presence here is not by choice. It was by force.”
The three men pushed into the lower level of the keep, which was cold and somewhat dark. Jasper was the first one up the spiral stairs, followed by Gates and Alexander.
“I see,” Jasper said. He did not sound pleased. “Then her desire to join the cloister is not a whim.”
“Not at all.”
He fell silent a moment as they reached the top of the stairs. “That is unfortunate,” he finally said, heading for the chamber door where his daughter was housed, “because my plans for her are much different.”
Gates didn’t say anymore as Jasper reached out a meaty fist and banged on Kathalin’s door. He had to rap twice before a nervous voice on the other side asked for identification. Gates, knowing she would not open the door to her father, primarily because he’d told her not to, answered.
“My lady, it is de Wolfe and your father and Sir Alexander,” he said. “May we please enter?”
The bolt to the door was thrown. They could hear it sliding against the wood. The chamber door jerked open and Kathalin stood in the doorway.
Her attention was only on Gates and his attention was only on her; she was wearing the heavy lavender wool gown, a simple garment that emphasized her lovely figure, and her dark hair was simply braided and draped over one shoulder.
It was clear that she hadn’t any help in dressing not only because of her simple hair, but for the fact that the lace-up ties on the back of the dress were somewhat awry.
Gates only saw that when she managed to tear her attention off of him and step back into the room, ushering her father forth.
“Good morn to you, my lord,” Kathalin said politely, her attention once again returning to Gates. “It is a lovely morning.”
Gates didn’t smile at her; he was terrified to do it, terrified that Jasper would see him do it and then read into the gesture of his interest in Kathalin.
That could not happen, under any circumstances.
But the fact that she was only half-dressed spurred Gates into action.
He could see that she was tugging the neckline of her dress up so that it would not fall off.
“Greetings, Daughter,” Jasper said. “I have come to see how you are faring this morning. I was hoping we might have a discussion.”
Kathalin nodded, tugging at her shoulder again so her garment would not fall down.
Before she could reply, Gates put himself between her and Jasper, pointing to the basket that had contained the possessions he purchased for her.
The basket lid was ajar and garments were half-in, half-out of the basket.
“My lord,” he said, distracting Jasper and Alexander.
“Lady Kathalin did not have any possessions, or any acceptable clothing, because of her humble existence at St. Milburga’s.
I took the liberty of purchasing some items for her and I wish for you to inspect them.
She may need more. You may wish for her to have something else.
In any case, will you please inspect what I have spent your money on?
I felt it was important for the lady to dress as a daughter of an earl. ”
Thankfully, Jasper was diverted. Talk of money always diverted him.
He headed straight for the basket as Gates swiftly turned around, got in behind Kathalin, and began quickly and nimbly tightening up the laces of her surcoat.
Jasper was digging into the basket as Kathalin grunted, sucking in her breath with surprise as Gates pulled the ties tight so her garment wouldn’t fall off.
Alexander, of course, was watching the whole thing, biting off laughter as Gates cinched up the lady’s dress and she tried very hard not to make any noise of it.
He didn’t think it odd that Gates would do such a thing considering how well versed the man was in removing ladies’ clothing, so it was quite humorous to him as all of this went on behind Jasper’s back.
Jasper, quite oblivious, pulled out the shifts, peering inside at the fine slippers.
“Where did you get these things, Gates?” he asked.
Gates kept his eyes on Jasper as he tightened. “In a town not far from here,” he said. “The wife of the local merchant was a seamstress and she had many fine garments already half-sewn. I simply purchased them.”
Kathalin gasped as Gates pulled tight the top of the lacings, nearly pulling her off the ground in his haste.
But Jasper didn’t notice; he was still focused on the possessions he had paid for, unaware when Alexander moved next to Gates to make sure the man had laced the woman up properly.
Silently, Alexander nodded his approval and both men moved away from Kathalin, quickly, as Jasper turned around with a bar of soap in his hand.
“What?” he demanded of Gates. “No jewelry? Why did you not buy her any jewelry?”
Gates was quite casual in his behavior, as if he hadn’t just laced up the back of Kathalin’s surcoat. They were all standing a respectable distance away from the lady, as if nothing had happened.
“There was none available,” he said. “I would be happy to take the lady to Shrewsbury to purchase jewelry for her.”
Alexander chimed in. “An excellent idea,” he agreed. “I will accompany them. Shrewsbury is only a day’s ride from Hyssington. And it will be imperative that the lady be properly dressed if you intend to show her off at the coming celebration.”
Gates struggled not to scowl at Alexander, who seemed quite eager to accompany them to Shrewsbury. As Jasper considered the suggestion, Kathalin, who was feeling quite overwhelmed by the course of the conversation, and all of the male chatter, spoke up.
“My lord,” she addressed her father firmly, wanting to be heard above the forceful knights.
“You mentioned a celebration yesterday. Although I appreciate your generosity in planning such a thing in my honor, I can assure you that I do not need or want a celebration. I simply need to know why it is you have summoned me home. Won’t you tell me? ”
Jasper faced his daughter, trying to keep in mind what Gates had told him about her.
She has her heart set on becoming a nun.
The more Jasper looked at her, the more distaste that idea provoked.
Now that he’d seen his daughter, he knew she would command a fine price with a fine family, and that was truthfully all he could think of.
It didn’t matter what she wanted; it was what he wanted.
He indicated the small table and two chairs near the window.
“Please, Kathalin,” he said. “Sit down. There is much to discuss.”
Dutifully, Kathalin sat in one of the chairs. It was now difficult to breathe because Gates had cinched her ties so tightly. She shifted around in the chair, attempting to find relief from her squashed ribcage.
Jasper sat in the opposite chair, unaware of Kathalin’s discomfort as he took a moment to gaze upon her. Then, in a surprising move, he reached out to take her hand. Kathalin watched him with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
“My dear,” Jasper said, trying to sound gentle. “I understand that you wish to commit yourself to the cloister.”
Kathalin nodded eagerly. “I do,” she said quickly. “You received my missive about it?”