Page 94 of The Forsaken
Adam’s already pink cheeks reddened with pleasure. “I still have much to learn,” he mumbled.
“That you do, but I’ve no doubt the earl will be very pleased with your progress,” Hugh replied kindly.
Kate remained in the shadowed doorway and rested her head against the cool stone of the archway, not wishing to interrupt. From where she was standing, Guy and Hugh looked like the most devoted of brothers, and Hugh bore no resemblance to the angry, violent man he’d become.
She took a deep breath and stepped out of the shadows before Guy could see her skulking. Smiling in welcome, she walked toward him. He’d changed. She noticed that right away. His face was leaner, the stubble shadowing his cheeks making him appear older and harder, and his stance more assured, more aggressive. When their eyes met, Kate noticed the greatest change of all. Gone were the innocence and vulnerability, replaced by awareness and skepticism.
Guy smiled and held out his hand to her, but his smile slipped as his gaze roamed over her. “Kate, I’m glad to see you looking so well,” he said.
She knew she didn’t look well, and he must have noticed her fear of greeting him too eagerly, her swollen wrist, and her pained gait. She must have looked haggard, pale and downtrodden, but she thanked Guy all the same and withdrew her hand from his before Hugh could make more of the gesture than it was. “It’s wonderful to have you home, especially in time for Christmas.”
“I timed my arrival.” Guy’s boyish smile lit up his eyes and reminded Kate of the young man she’d met several years ago. “The Earl of Warwick was kind enough to release me from his service a month early. He had no immediate need of me and thought I might enjoy spending Christmas with my family.”
“That’s very considerate of him,” Kate replied, surprised. She’d never met Warwick, but the tales she’d heard, even from her own father, always painted the man as calculating and driven, not sentimental.
“He’s a surprising man. He can be ruthless, single-minded, and unforgiving. But he’s also loyal to those he loves, keenly aware of his men’s needs, and devoted to his family.”
“And what of this business of the king’s marriage?” Hugh asked as he led the way into the house. “I hear Warwick is incensed.”
Kate trailed after the men, eager to hear what Guy had to say. Her life had been so monotonous this past year that news of the court was not to be missed.
“I’ll tell you all about that later. I could use a wash, and I’m famished,” Guy declared. “I spent the night at a tiny inn about three hours south of here, and the only thing the landlord could offer me by way of breakfast was some congealed gruel and watered-down ale.”
“I’ll have Nurse bring you some hot water and then you can join us for dinner. I hope you’re not too good for the likes of us now, having supped at Westminster Palace and rubbed shoulders with the king,” Hugh joked as he patted Guy on the shoulder once again. He looked genuinely happy, an emotion so rare in Hugh that Kate barely recognized it.
“I only saw the king from a distance,” Guy replied as he began to ascend the stairs.
“And his queen?” Hugh called after him. “I heard she’s a rare beauty.”
“Aye, she is that.” Guy looked like he wanted to say more but changed his mind and made his way up to his chamber.
FIFTY-SIX
Kate used her uninjured hand to carry the pitcher of hot water to Guy’s bedchamber. Joan had much to do in the kitchen, so Kate had offered to bring up the water as an excuse to get Guy to herself for a few minutes. She found him sitting by the cold hearth, his boots tossed carelessly aside and his cloak and doublet on the coffer seat beneath the window. He looked tired and drawn, and held his right arm against his side as if it pained him.
“It gets stiff from the cold,” he explained.
“How are your headaches?” Kate asked quietly as she set the pitcher down on the stand.
“Still there. They’re quite severe at times, especially when it’s stormy outside,” Guy replied. “I wasn’t much use to Warwick. He was glad to see the back of me. There’s only so much guard duty one can perform.”
“I’m sure he valued your service.”
“Warwick was duty-bound to retain me for a period of one year. He needs all the support he can muster in the north, and the Earl of Stanwyck is a valuable ally who can raise a good-sized army when called upon. Warwick took me on as a favor to him, nothing more.”
“Surely, a loyal man, even if not as proficient with a sword as some, is still better than two skilled fighters with divided loyalties.”
“I suppose, but it’s a bitter truth to swallow that you’re no longer as useful as you once believed yourself to be. I can still fight for my liege, but I’m not strong enough to survive a prolonged battle.”
“Oh, Guy,” Kate breathed. She thought Guy had learned to see his own worth in Warwick’s service, but the swagger she’d seen earlier was nothing more than defiance and a refusal to allowHugh to guess at his insecurities. Guy was still a valuable asset to his lord, but it seemed his confidence had been undermined by his injury and his faith in himself would not be restored unless he distinguished himself in battle or died trying.
“Enough about me. I’ve missed you, Kate.” Guy crossed the room and stood close to her. Too close. She took an involuntary step back, earning a rueful smile from Guy. “How have things been at home?”
“The same.” Kate shrugged. “Nothing much changes around here.” She didn’t mean to sound ungrateful or displeased with her life, but there was an edge of bitterness to her voice. Guy’s gaze slid down to her waist, and then back up again, making her cringe with shame. She shook her head. “I’m not with child. Hugh is angry, Guy. He blames me.”
“I’m sorry, Kate. I know how much Hugh wanted children. It might still happen,” he added, but his optimism rang false.
“I don’t hold out much hope. Not anymore. Hugh believes me to be barren, and now that he doesn’t stand a chance of inheriting my father’s fortune, he sees me as nothing more than a hindrance to his plans for the future. If I were to die, he’d be free to marry again, and believe me, he wouldn’t tarry.”
