Warriors Of Legend (26 page)

“You…you will marry me instead of sending me to a convent?”

“Aye,
chérie
, in a sennight.”

Kate couldn’t think straight standing so close to him. Not after Micah had turned her senses upside down with that kiss. What did it mean? Was there a chance that she had a future? Kate’s mind refused to function. She bolted for the door and ran down the hall as if the devil was after her.

Chapter Six

Two days later, Kate was in a frenzy of planning a wedding. She still could not believe Micah had actually agreed to marry her. Kate had been certain he would change his mind when he sobered. But to her shock, the next morning, Micah had announced the plans to all and sent a man to fetch a priest from Byland Abbey.

Although Kate was relieved at not being forced into a convent, the thought of marriage to Micah intimidated, to say the least.
And how do you know I will keep my promises,
he had said. Kate shivered and realized her gullibility. Micah could have bedded her and still have sent her away – leaving her with absolutely nothing, not even her self–respect. Thank God he had not.

Yet Micah seemed to have softened toward Kate after the fiasco and that encouraged her. Kate discovered they slowly returned to the more relaxed friendship they had been developing before receiving Henry’s disastrous letter. Would it continue? She could only hope.

Kate forced her worries aside and opened a small chest in her room. Inside was the wedding gown she and her mother had made along with some other items intended to be used on Kate’s wedding day.

A knock on her door startled her. “Enter.”

Marjorie opened the door. “My lady.” Her gaze fell on the contents of the chest and she picked up a bolt of rich blue silk damask. “You still have these gifts from your mother?”

Kate’s eyes filled with tears. “Aye. I am fortunate the chest did not attract MacLeary’s attention or I would have lost it too.”

Marjorie fingered the material. “This was to be your gift to the groom.” Her eyes sparked mischievously. “It is a good color for your young steed.”

Kate chuckled. “Aye, but I fear I will not be able to make anything in five days time. Do you think it will be all right if I found another gift?”

“Of course, lady. In fact, I came to tell you that the merchant wagons approach. Word of Sir Montfort’s possession of the keep has spread and the merchants wish to renew their trade with Appleby.”

Kate nearly crowed with delight but she managed to control herself. “Wonderful,” she said. “Tell the other ladies, Marjorie. I pray I can find a gift for my betrothed but we also need good cloth for winter clothing.”

Marjorie nodded. “Before we go, I must ask a boon of you.”

“Of course, Marjorie.”

She motioned to someone outside the door. A young girl, about the same size as Kate, with long dark hair and brown eyes, entered. She was pale and drawn, her eyes wide with fear and nervousness.

“My lady,” Marjorie said. “This is Sarah.”

“Hello, Sarah,” Kate said and gave her a reassuring smile.

The girl swallowed hard and bobbed a quick curtsey. “Milady.”

“She is from our village, I’ve been teaching her a bit of herb–lore. I hoped we might find some work for her, perhaps in the kitchens.”

Kate frowned. “Marjorie, I believe we have all the help we need.”

“I realize that, my lady, but Sarah…her family was killed when…”

Kate’s mouth went dry and she swallowed. When MacLeary took Appleby, he nearly destroyed the village residing in its shadow. No doubt when Micah assaulted the castle, the villagers again paid the price of war. “I see,” she said softly. “Well, then, I’m certain we can find something for her. Speak to Mary and find Sarah a place to sleep. Do you need any clothes, Sarah?”

The girl ducked her head. “This dress is fine, milady.”

Kate gave her an understanding grin. “Marjorie…”

“I will see to it.”

“Good. Sarah, we shall give you food, clothing, and a roof over your head. I will speak to Sir Montfort about paying you a little something as well.”

Sarah’s eyes grew even wider. “Thank ye, milady.” She bobbed another quick curtsey.

Kate nodded. “Now, let’s go see the merchants.”

Marjorie smiled then tugged Sarah out the door.

Kate donned her cloak and hurried to the bailey just as welcoming shouts greeted the merchants through the gates. The skies were gray and the air cold but at least it was not raining. Her gaze quickly found Micah as he climbed down the scaffolding of the north tower that he and his men had been repairing. A few feet from the ground, Micah vaulted over a rail and jumped the rest of the way. He landed as lightly as a cat. Kate swallowed hard, never had she seen a man move with such fluid beauty.

Micah spotted her and approached. Kate frowned when she saw his tunic, soaked with sweat, plastered to his broad chest. He pushed his damp hair out of his eyes. “My lady.”

“You should be careful, my lord. Working yourself so hard in this chill weather might give you a fever.”

His lips quirked in his endearing lopsided smile. “No need to worry. I was born from a hardy stock.”

Kate tried to fight back a grin and failed. “So I’ve noticed.”

Micah chuckled and looked to the wagons. “I see you are aware of our visitors.”

“Aye. I hoped to see what the merchants have.”

Micah folded his arms across his chest and sighed. “You are not yet my wife but already you wish to make me destitute.”

Kate blinked, stunned. “I have no such wish. Appleby’s—”

“Coffers were empty,” Micah interrupted. “Do you think MacLeary would leave that behind?”

Her shoulders slumped and she mentally berated herself. “My apologies, I did not realize.” Kate turned away.

“Kate,” Micah said and gently took her arm.

She looked back at him and was surprised to see his bright grin.

“You must learn to realize when I speak in jest.”

“What?”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Just a bit of foolery, my lady. At least Henry left me my finances from my former lands. That money runs this keep but I honestly don’t begrudge your purchases. Select the items needed for the household and if you want something for yourself select that too.”

Kate tried to keep her expression neutral but a smile tugged at her lips. “You are not yet my husband but already you are absolutely determined to fluster me.”

He laughed warmly and winked at her. “I cannot help it, my lady, ‘tis a duty I find enjoyable.”

Kate rolled her eyes. How easily she found herself drawn to Micah’s bright smile and easy manner. “You are a rogue but a charming one.”

Micah looped her arm in his. “Aye. Come, lady, we shall see if anything strikes your fancy.”

Kate walked with Micah, her thoughts spinning. If they could move beyond the circumstances surrounding their marriage then perhaps their future held the opportunity for something greater. As Kate watched Micah discreetly, she found herself eagerly anticipating that prospect.

Kate and Micah looked through the merchant wagons. She selected many items for the kitchens to supplement their stores for the winter. Salt was in extremely short supply as well as wool for winter clothing.

Fortunately, one merchant had some bolts of good, sturdy fabric. With MacLeary controlling the keep, Kate had not been able to card and spin. The winter clothing was in a sad state of disrepair and she had not been able to make more.

“Hopefully,” she said to Micah as he ordered the merchant to add the bolts to his tally. “Next year we will not have to purchase this.”

Micah nodded then paused. “Kate, look at this.” He picked up an eating dagger with two large emeralds set into the hilt. Kate’s breath caught in her throat. It was slim and exotically beautiful.

Micah looked down at her and arched an eyebrow. “Methinks the eating dagger you carry on your girdle has seen its better days.”

“That is true,” she said. Her dagger had a wooden handle split with age and the blade had been sharpened so many times it no longer held an edge.

He stepped even closer and smiled. “Then perhaps you would like this, unless a bauble has caught your eye.”

“Nay, Micah,” she said with amazement. “That dagger is beautiful but it is much too fine.”

Micah held up his hand, picked up the dagger’s sheath, giving both to her. “It is my pleasure, lady. Consider it my wedding gift to you even if a bit early.”

Still stunned, Kate affixed the sheath and dagger to her girdle. “Thank you, sir.”

Micah smiled, then sighed. “I had best fetch the strong box.” He turned and walked into the keep.

Kate watched him go, still not believing he had actually given her such an expensive gift. Her gaze drifted over the merchant wagons.

A heavy gray fur cloak caught her eye. Micah had a plain woolen cloak but now he was the Baron of Westmorland and deserved to have something that reflected his station. She touched the soft fur and then picked up the cloak, admiring its craftsmanship. This would be a fine wedding gift for a baron.

Kate had the merchant add the cloak to the tally, hoping Micah wouldn’t notice. Then she spotted William standing nearby and called him over.

“Aye, lady,” he said with a bow.

“Take this to my room and put it in my trunk,” she said, lowering her voice to a conspiring whisper. “But above all, do not let your lord see it. It will be my wedding gift to him.”

The boy grinned brightly. “Aye, my lady,” he replied and took the cloak, darting off toward the keep.

Kate looked again at the wagons, trying to make certain she had not forgotten anything. She noticed Sarah talking to a burly merchant and frowned. The girl had nothing, why would she be at the wagons? Kate shrugged the question aside. No doubt the girl gained a bit of gossip merchants were so famous for. Traveling the land, they were an excellent source of information. Kate picked up a few parcels. While Micah saw to the tally, she would put the items away.

Kate returned to the keep and went to the door leading downstairs to the storerooms. She paused and swallowed. The storerooms were where MacLeary had found Kate and her mother. Kate had witnessed firsthand what kind of agony a man could visit on a woman.

You never have to face your fears alone,
Micah’s voice whispered in memory.
Please call on me the next time.
Kate almost did. She almost dropped the packages and ran but she firmly grabbed onto her courage. MacLeary was gone and she should not judge other men by his vile actions. Micah would never hurt her, that she firmly believed.

What had happened to Kate and her mother was in the past and while the shadows of the terrifying memories were painful, they were nothing more than that. Kate’s mother would want her to move forward, especially if the future lay with a man like Micah. Kate squared her shoulders and opened the door.

She descended the stairs, pausing at the bottom to light a small lantern with the flint box that was always kept with it on the shelf. Kate picked up the lantern and heard the distinctive creak of the stairs behind her. She stopped, her skin prickling. “Who’s there?”

No answer.

Kate scowled. Was one of the servants also bringing supplies in from the merchant? She lifted the lantern toward the stairs; the light cast on empty steps. Kate listened for a moment, hearing no more than her heartbeat. She was imagining things. Entering a storeroom, she set the lantern on a shelf and started putting packages away.

A hand clamped over Kate’s mouth. Someone seized her and dragged her backward.

“Silence, wench,” a harsh voice whispered.

A man’s heavy arm wrapped her waist. The brute lifted her from her feet. She caught a glimpse of the burly merchant she had seen earlier. He must have followed her into the keep.

“Be silent and I won’t kill ye.”

Fear nearly paralyzed her. The terror of her captivity haunted the edges of her vision. Kate refused to return to that. Not ever! Her hand brushed the dagger Micah had given her. She grabbed it and plunged it backward.

The brute cursed and released her. Kate lurched forward, taking a deep breath to scream. Something sharp plowed into her head, sending white light through her skull. The scream died on her lips as she fell.

***

“Kate?” Micah called and knocked on the door to her room. When he didn’t receive an answer he opened it slightly and peeked inside. He scowled when he didn’t see her. “Where is she?” Micah muttered and closed the door. The merchants had left hours ago and Micah hadn’t seen Kate since.

He walked the halls, his thoughts chaotic. Even though Micah had been terribly drunk two nights ago, he remembered clearly the fire Kate ignited in his blood when he’d kissed her. He had told her one untruth, however, and that bothered him. Micah had said her willingness to let him bed her proved her point. It hadn’t. It was her courage he believed. Kate had not pushed away from him, and her response had been innocently honest. Her experiences had not been so terrible as to turn her cold. A little fearful, yes, but no more so than any other inexperienced maiden.

Micah smiled to himself. He had to admit her innocence drew him like a moth to a flame. While he was not happy about the circumstances of the marriage, Kate intrigued him. Today with the merchants had been enjoyable. Kate’s shocked expression when he bought the dagger had been endearing.

Micah went downstairs to the great hall. “Marjorie,” he barked at the old woman. “Have you seen Kate?”

“Nay, my lord.”

A whisper of concern crawled over him but he shook it off and walked to the kitchens. “Mary, is Kate in there?”

“Nay, my lord, I haven’t seen her since the merchant wagons.”

“That is most unusual.” Marjorie said from behind Micah. “‘Tis not like Kate to be out of sight for so long.”

Micah nodded, wondering if he should be worried. “Gather the servants, Marjorie, have them search for her. She’s probably still going through the items we purchased today. No doubt we will find her surrounded by trinkets and I shall look the fool.”

“Aye, my lord,” Marjorie said and hurried off.

Micah halted, staring after her. No sharp retort? He had given Marjorie an opening he was certain she would never refuse. But the fact she did not call him at least young steed sent a dagger of dread through him.