Chapter Three #2
Brother Augustine shook his head, his expression grave.
“I cannot say, my lady. I’m sorry. I left yer family’s home in Berwick even before they did in my haste to reach ye as quickly as possible.
I do not know where they are or how they fare.
But I can assure ye, at least, that they are not alone.
My brother, Jack, is with them. He will protect both yer father and yer sister with his life if necessary. ”
She unclenched her fists, her hands dropping to her side. “I...I do not know what to think.”
He grabbed her hand once more. “My lady, we’ve little time. We must leave, this very minute in fact.”
She tensed. “But why must I flee? I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“That is true, but King Edward’s men will still come here, looking for yer father and sister. How will yer husband react to that? The man I met this morning was as cold as a winter frost. He’ll not look kindly to being thrust on the King’s unfavorable side.”
She straightened her spine and tilted her chin higher, refusing to accept her family’s grim prediction. “He is my husband, our vows taken before God. Even the king cannot change that.”
Brother Augustine’s black eyes glinted in the torch light. “Ye must come with me. I’ve made a promise to yer sister and to yer father. I will steal ye if I must.”
She thrust out her chin. “I will not leave my husband or my home, not for any reason.”
He grabbed her forearms. “I can force ye.”
“I can scream.” Her heart pounded.
A flash of anger crossed his face before he turned away.
From behind she watched his fists clench.
Then he expelled a long sigh and turned back.
“There are worst ways to punish ye than to send ye from Ravensworth. Search yer heart. Do ye truly believe he’ll not make ye pay for the actions of yer father? ”
She thought of Henry’s neat, perfect world.
If what the brother said was true, her father would be stripped of his wealth and title.
If caught, he would be put to death. Being unmarried, her sister also stood to lose everything.
Her heart ached for her loved ones, but she had to think of her son.
His place was at Ravensworth as Henry’s heir.
And despite what Henry might believe, her place was with her son.
She took a deep breath. “Henry has shown a forgiving heart in the past. You have said that you’ve become close to my family.
Then you must know that my mother was not of noble birth.
She was the daughter of a Sicilian merchant.
Lord Ravensworth married me despite the inferiority of her birth. ”
Brother Augustine nodded. “Bella spoke of yer mother.” He paused. Then, at length, he said, “I am so sorry for yer loss.”
Catarina’s chest tightened. She took a deep breath.
“As am I.” It still hurt to speak of her mother who had been killed five years earlier along with thousands of others when King Edward marched on the Scottish city of Berwick.
After three days of merciless slaughter, King Edward claimed the decimated city for England.
“What did my father do?” she asked.
“He called King Edward to task on the role he played in yer mother’s death. In short, yer father denounced him.”
Catarina pressed her lips together, fighting to keep her emotions at bay.
“My father was not wrong. The massacre at Berwick is a bloody stain on my king’s soul.
” She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, steeling her courage.
“But he is still my king.” She lifted her chin. “And my husband is my lord.”
Despite her brave words, her legs started to shake.
She felt Brother Augustine’s large hand gently grip her arm as he helped her find her balance.
Still, her head spun. She leaned forward only vaguely aware of resting her head against the monk’s chest. When her world stopped spinning, she raised her eyes and met his dark gaze.
“Forgive me for bringing such ill news,” he said softly.
Remembering who she was, she squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “I am Lady Ravensworth. You have delivered your message. Now you must leave the castle grounds immediately.” She turned and ducked beneath the gap in the wall and started back down the stairs.
“I cannot do that,” Brother Augustine said, following behind her.
“My orders were clear,” she snapped without looking back. “Leave Ravensworth at once.”
“I cannot do that,” he said again.
She took another step down and turned, scowling up at him. “How dare you defy me?”
“With all due respect, my lady, I came here to steal ye away. Ye’re lucky that ye’re not at this moment slung over my shoulder.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “Lord Ravensworth will ask me where I came by news of my family. I will have no choice but to name you as messenger.”
He shrugged. “Worry naught for me, my lady. If I were ye, I would be concerned about my own safety.”
She glanced back at him. There was an urgency in his gaze that almost made her question herself. He must have sensed her falter because he reached out a hand to her. “Come with me. Please. I don’t want ye getting hurt.”
She looked at his offered hand, then shook her head. “My husband would never hurt me.” She fought to keep the disdain from her voice as she continued. “He is too careful with his possessions.”
She knew he wanted to stop her, but his hand dropped to his side. “I’ll not force ye. I’ll not be the tyrant I’ve warned ye against.”
She stood there for a moment and lost herself in the promise of his words.
She was not used to men, holy or otherwise, choosing her will over their own.
Despite her wish to remain, she tore her gaze from his and started back down the stairs.
Just when she was about to circle out of view, he said, “If ye need me, I’ll be in the great hall. ”
She stopped and looked back. “You should just go.”
“You might need me.”
Disobedience was not something to which she was accustomed. She swallowed her frustration. “At least will you go to the stables?”
He hesitated at first but then bowed his head, acquiescing. “Come to the stables then if ye have need, my lady. Bella and Jack would never forgive me if I let anything happen to ye.”
She shook her head. “I do not need you, Brother Augustine. I will never need you.”