“I certainly do not condone yours. Think carefully before you accuse others of misdeeds, lady. You started it.”
Devereux could see that she wasn’t gaining much sympathy. Infuriated and hurt, she refused to look at Lady Katharine.
“I want to go home,” she whispered again. “I do not want to be a part of this life. I do not want to be a part of the de Winter war machine.”
Lady Katharine leaned on her cane. “But you are now chatelaine of Castle Acre Castle. This is a prestigious post. Does this not bring you joy?”
Devereux shook her head. “It does not,” she said honestly. “Do you not understand? I have never wanted anything like this. I must return to my charity work; it is something I have devoted my life to. I would feel useless and silly being chatelaine of a great castle. There is no joy in it for me. My joy comes from helping those in need. It is that life I would return to.”
Lady Katharine drew in a long, thoughtful breath. “Your charity work is well known, Lady Devereux. That is one of the things that impressed me so much about you.”
“Then let me return to it,” Devereux suddenly turned to her imploringly. “I am not needed here. Please, Lady Katharine; let me go home.”
“Youarehome.”
Devereux shook her head. “This is not my home. This is a prison.”
The old woman gazed steadily at her. “And you do not believe you can be happy here?”
Devereux’s expression washed with sorrow. “Nay,” she whispered. “This place bears only misery for me.”
“Is there nothing my son can say to you to change your mind?”
Devereux moved away from her, back towards the fire again. “He has taken what is his right,” she said softly. “I will bear his children and carry his name. But in return, I want to go home. I want to continue what is important to me. I do not want to be a part of Davyss de Winter’s world nor part of the rule he supports because it is the king’s tyranny that creates a good deal of the misery I see.”
Lady Katharine suddenly felt very weary. She was starting to think that perhaps this idea of hers had not been wise. Perhaps this woman could not benefit her son as she had hoped. But the marriage was consummated, making it impossible for an annulment. They would have to make the best of it until the emotions of the situation had settled. Perhaps there would be a chance at a later time for the two of them to come to some sort of amicable existence. After a moment, Lady Katharine rose from the chair and leaned heavily on her cane.
“Very well,” she said quietly. “If that is your wish, I will not deny you. You may leave with me when I return for Breckland. I will return you home.”
Devereux nodded, silent and brooding. With a lingering glance at the lowered blonde head, Lady Katharine made her way from the chamber and down the narrow stairs of the keep. Out in the moonlit night with a hundred torches lighting the lower bailey against the dark sky, she found her son just where she had left him.
Davyss saw his mother coming and went to meet her. She hadn’t been with his wife very long, something that both concerned and encouraged him. He met his mother just as shewas descending the steps from the keep. He took her arm to steady her down the big stone stairs.
“Well?” he asked. “What did she say?”
Lady Katharine sighed heavily. She was feeling her age tonight. “She does not want to remain at Castle Acre Castle and she does not want to remain with you,” she said pointedly. “Whatever has happened between the two of you, it is clear that tonight will not see it mended.”
Davyss felt his disappointment. “Did she tell you that she did not wish to remain?”
Lady Katharine nodded. “On all accounts. I am therefore taking her with me when I return to Breckland. I am taking her back to her father, Davyss. Leave her be for a while. Let us see if time cannot mend this episode.”
Davyss’ gaze moved to the two story keep. He could see a weak light in the window of the second floor chamber. “Let me go and speak with her,” he said with a mixture of resignation and determination. “Perhaps I can make amends.”
Lady Katharine grabbed him before he could move. “Nay,” she said firmly. “Leave her alone. I fear you will only make things worse if you try.”
“But…”
“Nay, Davyss,” she said, more firmly. “The woman needs time to heal. Let her reconcile this marriage in her own mind. Give her time before you approach her again.”
Davyss didn’t want to listen to her; that much was clear. But he acquiesced with great reluctance, escorting his mother back to the great hall even though his mind was on his new wife in the bower high above the bailey.
Devereux left before sunrise.
CHAPTER FIVE
Six weeks later
The structure thatwasLa Maison d’Espoirhad originally been a barn thirty years ago, put together with strips of wood, thatch and an oddly well-made frame. But it was eventually abandoned and subsequently confiscated by the Lady DeHaven Devereux-Allington. The lady wife of the Lord Mayor of Thetford, Lady DeHaven took her duties as the mayor’s wife seriously and as the king’s wars with his barons intensified, she sought to help the increasing number of people who were left homeless and injured as a result. Much of Devereux’s opinions on kings and warfare had come from her peace-loving mother. Commandeering the abandoned barn on the north edge of the city had been a starting point to helping those that war and famine touched.
