Chapter 14 #2
“How did you know I hated embroidery?” she asked in that easy manner that had become the norm between them.
She had no doubt that he had asked Lady Helen to finish the shirt collar because he had understood she was getting bored with it. Of course he could also have meant to annoy the other lady. There was no love lost between him and “the old bat.”
Siaspar winked. “Trust me, it wasn’t hard to guess from the way your face was scrunched up when I walked in the room.”
So his eyes had gone straight to her upon entering the room… She reddened at the thought.
“Well, yes, I do hate it,” she admitted with a small smile.
As much as she loved making garments for everyone, she had never liked decorating them, unlike Annette.
The two of them had always worked well together, their skills and preferences complementing each other.
“So thank you. I would much rather spend the morning outside, seeing real leaves and flowers than inside, embroidering them. It’s such a beautiful day. ”
“It is. Let’s make the most of it.”
He led her to the stables where two horses were already saddled. His stallion, Arian, which he had once told her meant silver, and Aur, the mare she had used during their ride from Castell Y Ddraig. Evidently, he had thought that she would be more comfortable on a horse she’d already ridden.
“You knew I would come, then?” she asked, heart thumping.
“I hoped you would. That is not quite the same.” He smiled as he turned to her. “After all, the chances of the old bat agreeing to take me fishing were non-existent.”
Katherine could not repress a chuckle. “No. I cannot imagine her fishing. Although… is that really where we are going?” She couldn’t see any equipment anywhere.
This time Siaspar laughed outright. “Can I be honest? I’ve never gone fishing in my life, and wouldn’t know which end of the rod to attach the rope to.”
“The rope?” Katherine laughed in turn. Was he teasing her? Perhaps. “Say no more, I see that you are no fisherman.”
“No. I confess I have always preferred to hunt, fox that I am.”
Katherine felt her cheeks start to burn when his eyes twinkled. How could this man have such an effect on her without touching her? They were having a conversation, nothing more. Why was she so affected?
“So, we are merely going riding?” It suited her fine.
“Yes. I cannot remain another moment in my brother-in-law’s company, enduring his endless chatter.
It is clear that self-importance and rudeness run in the family.
” Siaspar’s sigh revealed his exasperation.
“There is little to recommend the man, save from the fact that the forest in his domain is teeming with game.”
Something leaped inside Katherine. If he felt so strongly about Lady Malpas’ brother, then all was not lost. Maybe he would never warm to his wife, after all. She had started to fear he would allow himself to be swayed.
“You just told Lady Helen that your brother-in-law’s welcome had been exemplary,” she reminded him.
“And you believed me? Come, Catrin, I never took you for a fool.”
A heady sensation spread through Katherine’s veins. The look in Siaspar’s eyes had gone warm with approval and he had used his special name for her.
“I thank you. I do not like to think myself a fool.”
He snorted. “Hardly surprising since you’re not.
But no, I needed a reason to take you with me.
I have resorted to lying a lot in the last few days.
First the gambeson, now the fishing… I wonder what I will have to come up with next.
That I want to learn how to cook the birds I catch or need help to braid my horse’s mane? ”
Katherine’s heart started to beat faster. Was he already planning on ensuring he found more time alone with her?
“I could help you with both these endeavors, I suppose,” she said in a breath.
“Oh, I will not actually want you to show me anything. It would be only an excuse to whisk you away from gloomy old Allerby. But are you in the mood for riding today?” he checked, looking suddenly unsure.
The question surprised her. Was this man used to having people do his bidding saying that he would abandon the scheme if she expressed any reluctance?
But he need not fear, there was nothing she wanted more than to be alone with him.
Going on a ride would be wonderful, but she would gladly have spent the morning sieving the dust in the courtyard if she could do it in his company.
“I will make my peace with riding with you, my lord, considering that the alternative is embroidery,” she said, feeling confident enough tease him. From the smile she got in return, she knew it had been the right decision.
“Thank you, I have never felt more worthy.” He nodded to Aur, who was nuzzling at Arian’s neck. “Look, she’s ready for you.”
Katherine hid a smile. If he’d had the horse prepared for her, it meant that he had taken her agreement for granted. She led the mare to the mounting block and hoisted herself into the saddle while Siaspar, in flamboyant fashion, vaulted onto Arian’s back.
She snorted, knowing she would never manage something like this even if she practiced for a hundred years.
As soon as they had passed the gate Siaspar launched his mount into a light canter. Katherine followed, relishing the feel of the wind in her face. A country girl, she had never felt at ease with being cooped indoors for too long. This was just perfect.
After a while, Siaspar brought the stallion back down to a trot and came to her side.
“You will have to lead the way, as I don’t know where I am going.”
“Neither do I,” she pointed out. “All I know is that we are not going to the lake to fish. Other than that, the possibilities are endless.”
“Very true. Then let me enlighten you. I want you to take me to see your family.”
“My…” So surprised was Katherine that she pulled on the reins. Though she had not meant to ask her to stop, the mare obediently came to a standstill.
“Yes. You heard me right,” Siaspar said, coming to a halt as well.
“Whatever for?” She imagined her family’s bewilderment at seeing a lord on his warhorse come to the cottage and then handing her down from a beautiful palfrey.
They had been shocked to see her dressed in lady’s raiment the other day.
This would lead to endless questioning and might well prove impossible to justify.
“Well, for one, I imagine that you want to see them but will not dare go without permission again,” Siaspar answered in the reasonable manner she had come to associate with him. “As to Lady Malpas giving you this permission, we both know that she would sooner kiss me on the lips.”
Katherine reddened at the idea of him kissing his wife—and the notion that once again he wanted to be agreeable to her. “Yes. But they will be… they will…”
“Whatever it is you are thinking of, yes, I rather think they will,” Siaspar agreed, as unruffled as ever. “Still I expect they will survive the shock for the pleasure of seeing you. Will you lead the way please?”
He waited for her to nudge her horse forward before moving himself. Seeing that he would not relent, she did.
“Why do you really want to go and see my family?” Katherine asked in a low voice. He had said that one of the reasons was to provide her with the opportunity for a visit, so there had to be at least another.
“Because there is something I need to ask your father.”
She was stunned. What could a Welsh nobleman have to ask a blacksmith so far away from home?
Siaspar saw the astonishment on her face and smiled.
“You’ll see why when we get there,” he said, answering her silent question. “Now lead the way please. I still don’t know where we are going.”
“It’s…” She hesitated.
“Don’t be embarrassed about your parents’ home. Remember who my grandfather was.”
This was easier said than done. Even if he was a brewer’s grandson, he had always lived like a lord. What would he make of the dark, smoky cottage her family lived in? It was nothing like his castle in Wales.
But he was giving her no choice, so she rode on.
When they arrived no one was there to see Siaspar hand her down from the horse, for which Katherine was grateful. His hands at her waist were tight, and she was sure he had consciously allowed her body to slide against his. Even if he had not, she knew she would look flushed at his proximity.
“Ready?”
She nodded and turned to face the cottage. Just then a blonde woman emerged from the door.
“Katherine! It’s you.”
Her mother started to run to her then checked her first impulse when she saw the tall, elegant nobleman behind her. It was clear from her expression that she could not fathom who he could be and why he was here with her daughter.
“Mother.” Not so intimidated, Katherine fell into her arms. “I have missed you.”
“So have I. But… What are you doing here in the middle of the day? How is it that you have been allowed to leave your employ to come to see us again? And what exactly is your employ?” her mother asked, holding her at arms’ length so she could see the green velvet dress better.
“I see that Annette and your father were not exaggerating when they said you were dressed like a grand lady. I thought they were jesting with me. But what is the meaning of this?”
“I…” Katherine faltered. There were too many questions to be answered at once and she had only been there a moment. And what could she say? What was her employ?
“I asked your daughter to bring me here,” Siaspar cut in smoothly. “I’m sure that my wife can spare her for a day.”
More questions flashed in her mother’s eyes. This man was none other than the Welsh lord who employed her daughter? What was he doing here?
“My lord.” She dropped into a clumsy curtsy when she finally recovered from the shock and almost fell to the ground.
Immediately, Siaspar was at her side. “Please. There is no need for that. I trust you are feeling well?” he asked, helping her up. “Have you recovered from the birth of little James?”
“Little James? I… Why, yes… I have, thank you.”