Page 9 of Katherine the Vixen

If only… Like any man, Siaspar wanted children, but he hated the idea that producing them would be such a chore. Perhaps now that his union was secure, he could wait a couple of months to visit his wife’s bed. They were both still young, there was no hurry, and perhaps by then he would be told it would not be necessary. If this night had made her with child, then he would be free from her for a whole year.

Siaspar drained his cup. What sad life had he condemned himself to?

“What now, then?” Cadell asked, echoing his thoughts.

“I don’t know. Let’s wait and see.”

As satisfactory as this coupling had been, he was in no hurry to renew the experience. The less time he spent with his wife, the better. But perhaps she would be different in the morning, now that she was relieved her position was assured?

One could only hope.

3

Katherine woke up with a new determination.

Last night she had bought her family’s salvation with her virtue; she would now make sure that salvation was coming. Because now she was no longer powerless, she too could issue threats if need be. Lady Malpas had lost what little respect Katherine had felt toward her with her odious blackmail and she didn’t feel she owed her any loyalty. She would go and remind her of her promise to free her father and send the money to her family, on pain of revealing the truth of his wedding night to Siaspar.

He thought that the woman he’d had in his arms last night was the one he had wed. He was convinced that he was truly married to Lady Malpas when, in fact, he was not. As a result, his wife could have their union annulled when it suited her. It did not seem fair that he should not know something as important as that, and she would have gone to tell him the truth had she not feared retribution.

But fear it she did, which was why she had done what she had done. She could not speak now any more than she could have then.

Before standing up, she took a moment to evaluate the sensations in her body. Did she feel any different? Not really. And, in truth, Siaspar’s possession had not left her feeling as sullied as she had imagined it would. She certainly felt no resentment toward him. He had done nothing more than fulfil his duty as a newly married man, and he had been considerate with every touch.

Once she had spoken to Lady Malpas, she promised herself to catch a glimpse of the man who had made a woman out of her.

That decision made, Katherine got up, determined to find a moment to slip to the tower.

Later that morning, her opportunity came. She went to the new lady of the castle and found her in her chamber, sewing in the company of Lady Helen and her daughter, Maud. The young girl had had no other choice but to follow her mother to Wales, but it was clear that she wished she could have stayed behind in England. All three of them arched an eyebrow when Katherine entered the room. Of course, it was bold, if not unheard of, for a scullion to come to the mistress of the castle uninvited, but she could not wait another moment to know that her family would be safe.

“Yes?”

Katherine cleared her throat. “My lady, I came to talk to you about the…the posset you asked me to bring you last night.”

She could not be more explicit, but she knew that the reason for her visit would be clear. Indeed, Lady Malpas’ eyes narrowed in recognition. Just when Katherine was wondering if she would send her away, she waved to her ladies.

“Yes. I wanted to have a word about that posset, as it happens.”

Mother and daughter left, throwing her a mocking glance. Evidently they thought she was in for a scolding about the quality of the drink. But once they were alone, Lady Malpas’ attitude changed from contempt to urgency.

“What is it? Why have you come? Have you remembered something important about last night?”

The questions betrayed nothing but selfishness. She thought she was here to help her, to make sure her deception was not discovered, nothing more. Did she even remember her promise to send word to Allerby Castle to order her father’s release, along with the payment she was owed? It was doubtful.

“Yes, there was one thing I forgot to tell you, something I think you should know,” Katherine improvised. Perhaps it was best to appear to be on the lady’s side before she started making requests.

“What is it?”

“Your husband disrobed entirely before bedding you…me.” The fact was probably worth mentioning, and, judging from Lady Malpas’ reaction, it was clear that this was unexpected.

“Goodness gracious, did he really? How shocking.”

It had not struck Katherine as particularly shocking, considering what he was there to do. Still, she needed to explain exactly what had happened. “And then he asked you to undress as well.”

“I knew it! The man’s nothing but a boorish, rampant beast!” Lady Malpas cried out in disgust.

Was it so odd for two people to be naked while making love? Katherine was not so sure, but she stayed silent as she could hardly claim to be an expert in the matter. Besides, Siaspar’s preferences in bed were not what she had actually come here to discuss.

“Did you…” She gave a little cough, steeling herself. “Now that I have fulfilled my part of the bargain, did you order the money I am owed to be sent to my family?”