Katherine clenched the sheets, wishing she could rip out her feelings and let them go. She needed to forget about MacEgan and her girlish infatuation. But it hurt to know that she wasn’t wanted. Her best efforts to be the perfect match for him had met with nothing but failure.
She heard Honora awaken and rise from the pallet on the floor. Though her sister had shared her room since returning to Ardennes, last night they had kept their distance from one another. Katherine had wanted to lash out at her sister, to strike her down and punish her. But it would not change the fact that Ewan loved Honora.
It would have been easier to hate her sister, if Honora had deliberately set out to take Ewan away from her. Instead, she had offered to give him up and travel to Normandy to stay with their mother’s family.
She'd told Honora to go with him, that she didn't want to see her again. But that had been a lie. She’d always been close to her sister. As young girls, they had spent many nights talking long past midnight, sharing secrets in the dark. Honora had been her dearest friend. And while the betrayal had sliced her heart open, she didn’t truly want her sister to suffer.
The bleakness she felt wasn’t only from the loss of Ewan. It was from the loss of her sister.
With a brief glance, Katherine saw that Honora was red-eyed, her shoulders slumped forward in misery as she packed her belongings.
“I am sorry,” Honora whispered.
Katherine kept her eyes closed, not responding. Her sister’s apology was weighted with guilt. And though she wanted to say something, she couldn’t quite bring herself to bridge the distance. When she thought of Ewan and the way Honora had embraced him, silent tears burned her cheeks.
She was going to let herself grieve, and then she would let Ewan go. She would find her own happiness, somehow.
She thought of Ademar’s strong arms and the way she had felt safe within them. Right now, she wanted to rest her cheek against his chest, to breathe in his masculine scent and know that at least someone cared about her. It consoled her to think of him. He wouldn’t let her be alone.
Honora left their chamber, and Katherine sat up, needing to say something. She wanted to tell her sister that she hadn’t really meant the angry words. She didn’t want Honora to leave without at least trying to mend things between them.
Katherine pushed the coverlet aside and drew near to the door, fumbling to find the right words. An apology was the best start, she decided. And then…she would bid Honora a safe journey and happiness. It was the right thing to do, though she had no doubt the words would taste bitter upon her tongue.
The sounds of muffled voices caught her attention. Men’s voices, mingled with her sister’s. The arguing grew louder, and abruptly, her sister cried out for help, “Katherine!”
Her heart fearing the worst, Katherine threw open the door. Two men were dragging her sister away, while Sir Ademar fought off a third. Her heart stilled as she wondered how he'd come to be here. Was it for her sake?
She tore down the hallway, racing after her sister. A moment later, Ademar ran toward John’s chamber with his sword drawn, but it was too late. The door closed in their faces, and she heard the unmistakable sound of someone lowering the heavy wooden bolt.
“You have to help Honora,” Katherine insisted, raising her fist to strike out at the door.
Ademar caught her wrist and gently pressed her up against the wall. “Go back, Katherine.”
“No. I won’t let John hurt her.”
“And neither will I. But look.” He stepped back, and Katherine realized she was still wearing her shift and nothing else. “You cannot confront him h-half clothed.”
He removed his cloak and gave it to her. Katherine wrapped herself in the garment, feeling the heat of his body through the wool.
“I’ll get your sister out. I promise you.”
She met his gaze and saw the intensity in his face. “Protect her,” Katherine pleaded. The thought of her sister coming to harm was unthinkable, regardless of what Honora had done. Ademar caressed her cheek, and she covered his fingers with her own.
“You have my vow.”
Katherine forced herself to return to her chamber, murmuring silent prayers for her sister. Ademar was right—she could do nothing yet. The best way to help Honora was to alert their father and ask for his intervention. Surely the earl would come to Honora’s assistance.
She dressed quickly and was about to leave, when she spied her sister’s chest. Although Honora had already taken her belongings, perhaps she’d left behind a weapon. Reaching for the secret latch, Katherine removed the false bottom and revealed a small chainmail suit of armor. She was the only one who knew of her sister’s secret fighting talents.
And although she was jealous of Honora, she wasn’t entirely defenseless. She knew how to use a blade, though perhaps not with Honora’s skill.
After a thorough search, there was still no dagger or sword to be found. Katherine let out a curse, but Honora likely had her weapons with her. It was just as well; her sister needed some means of defending herself.
Her chamber door opened without warning, and Ademar stood there. His form seemed to fill up the doorway, and her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.
“Your father is out hunting. I sent one of my men to fetch him.” He entered the chamber, and Katherine saw a length of rope in his hand.
“What is that for?”
