Page 67 of Katherine the Vixen

“I should have known something was amiss from the way she spoke to you the day I overheard your conversation.” He shook his head. That he could not have guessed the depth of his wife’s duplicity was no excuse. He should have seen that something was very wrong. “And, even more so, from the way you answered.”

The two women had been unaware of being overheard so what he had heard on both sides—Lady Malpas’ contempt and Katherine’s anguish—had been genuine. This had not been two accomplices discussing a trap they had devised together but a tormentor and her victim. It had been plain to see. And yet he had allowed his hurt pride and fury to blind him to facts. To think he had mocked Katherine for being too stupid to take advantage of him and pretend to be with child when she had come to him in the herb garden!

She should have slapped him, at the very least.

“I was a bastard to you the day you came to tell me you weren’t with child. Will you ever forgive me for suggesting you should have gone to all the men you could find so that one of them could give you a babe to present to me?” Simply talking about her going another man sent his blood to boiling point. “I spoke to you as I would to a…”

He could not finish the sentence. But instead of being offended, Katherine pursed her lips in consideration.

“Will I forgive you? It depends on what you are prepared to do to earn my forgiveness, I suppose. What have you in mind? I might not want to miss out on it if it is anything too pleasing.”

Siaspar’s chest warmed. How he loved this woman. “When you know me better, you will know that I am not a man to ignore a challenge.”

“I had already guessed as much. Which is exactly why I’m asking the question.”

This answer deserved another kiss, which he promptly gave her.

“Dear God, when I met Lady Malpas I thought nothing good would ever come of a marriage to her, but I was wrong, since it brought us together,” he said, speaking against Katherine’s lips. She was so soft, so responsive, so maddeningly arousing. “I would not be without you for the world. And soon you will be mine.”

Soon… Yes, but how soon? Unbeknownst to Katherine and his wife, he had already petitioned the bishop to have his union annulled. And last night he had approached Lady Malpas’ brother in the strictest confidence to explain that they were incompatible. Not only that, but he was worried for her sanity if she remained in a country she hated. As long as another acceptable party was found for his sister, the man would agree to testify that the wedding had not been consummated. Siaspar was prepared to plead impotence if need be. He cared not about his reputation; he cared only about one thing. Ridding himself of his English wife—so he could take another.

One he wanted, this time.

“I could be yours right now, you know,” Katherine whispered in Siaspar’s ear, feeling bolder than she had ever felt.

Fired up by his kisses and the knowledge that he wanted her, she was pressing herself closer to him, desperate for more, for his hands on her body. He responded by pushing her away gently and holding her at arm’s length, not the reaction she had hoped for.

“Catrin, cariad, ask me to let you go back to your family right now, or make me go back to the castle,” he growled.

“Why would I do that?” Leaving him was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Because if you don’t, I’m afraid I will give the passersby something to see that they will never forget.”

He rubbed his nose against hers in a tender gesture. She gave a shaky laugh and looked around. As she’d suspected, they were completely alone.

“I don’t see anyone,” she whispered, “but I know a quiet place further inside the woods if you are wary of being seen.”

Siaspar groaned. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”

“Why not?”

“Because I am trying very hard to behave honorably right now, despite my need for you.”

Yes. She could feel that need pressing hard against her stomach, as well as the tension in his body indicating he was fighting it.

“How about you forget your mighty lord persona for once and act like the brewer’s grandson you really are,” she challenged. “What would he do with a woman he wanted to possess?”

“He would carry her over to that quiet spot of yours and make her regret her provocation,” Siaspar said, a dark flame dancing in his eyes.

“Oh, really? Regret? We’ll see about that.” Katherine took his hand and led him away from the path. To her relief, he didn’t try to resist. “Come. It’s this way.”

“How do you know about such a place, may I ask? Have you led many men there to be kissed?”

“No, it’s always been my secret place. I’ve never taken anyone there, much less a man, though I often thought about it.”

She was surprised to have given him such an honest answer. Would Siaspar not think her too wanton? Fortunately, he didn’t appear shocked.

“What stopped you from doing so?”