“I am sorry to hear that they are unwell,” Tate finally replied. “It was unfortunate that you missed an exciting tournament.”
Saer wasn’t particularly interested in speaking of the tournament because it would bring up the subject of Mathias, which he was unwilling to discuss. Still, he would not let his cousin bully or badger him about the subject. As far as he was concerned, the situation was over with.
“There will be other tournaments,” he said shortly, changing the subject. “Where is your lady wife? I have not seen her since your arrival.”
“She is in the bailey with our children,” Tate replied. “Did you see the rather large covered wagon we have? It is nearly like a home on wheels. It contains beds and a table to eat on. We often travel with it because of the children. It is much sturdier than a tent.”
Saer was intrigued with the thought of a home on wheels. “I did not see it in Brampton,” he admitted. “A home that travels, you say? It sounds interesting.”
Tate nodded. “It is,” he said. “The children are napping right now, so she has them all tucked in at the moment. You will see her later. Speaking of later, where is Cathlina? I would like to see her now.”
Saer stiffened. “Why?”
Tate cocked an eyebrow. “Let us be frank,” he said. “You fled Brampton after I told you not to beat your daughter. If I was the suspicious type, I would say you did not listen to me. Show me Cathlina so that I may see she is safe and uninjured.”
Saer was outraged. “Is that why you came?” he demanded. “To see if I have hurt my own child?”
“Where is she?”
“In the keep with her sisters.”
“Produce her for me so that I may see for myself.”
“And if I do not?”
“Do you truly wish to know?”
Saer backed down. He knew he couldn’t resist his powerful cousin and he tried to remind himself that the man only had Cathlina’s best interests at heart. Still, he felt violated as a father. Cathlina was his child, after all, and his cousin was making demands. Demands made him unhappy.
“You may see her,” he said after moment. “You will see that she is uninjured. And this nonsense with de Reyne… her mother and I have been discussing the matter.”
Tate took a big drink of his wine. “And?”
Saer sighed heavily as if displeased with whatever it was he was about to reveal. “And we have realized that Cathlina is a young woman now,” he said. “As a girl, she was content to remain under our roof and do as she was told. But she is a young woman now. She desires a home and family of her own.”
Tate agreed. “That is very true.”
Saer looked at him. “Therefore, her mother and I have decided to seek eligible men for her hand in marriage. It is time she is married.”
Tate could feel Kenneth tense up beside him. “But Mathias has already offered for her hand,” he reminded him. “You told the man you would think about it. Well?”
Saer stood his ground. “I will not see her married to de Reyne,” he said frankly. “Tate, surely you can understand my position. Cathlina is a beautiful girl and will command a fine and wealthy husband, and not one who has been disgraced. De Reyne is unworthy of her. If she truly wants to marry, then I will ask you to help me find her a suitable match. Surely, as an earl, you can find all of my daughters suitable matches.”
Tate sighed heavily, glancing at Kenneth to see what his reaction was. Kenneth, however, remained stone-faced. Saer saw the looks pass between the men and turned to St. Héver.
“You were interested in Cathlina once,” he said. “Would you consider her again? With your strong and guiding hand, she would make you a very fine wife in time.”
Kenneth tried not to look shocked now that the focus was on him. Had the offer been made back at Christmastime, he would have accepted it without hesitation and in truth, for a split second, he really did consider it. He couldn’t help it. But he shot that idea down immediately. He could not do such a thing to a friend. Mathias loved the girl and he would never betray the man so. He struggled to come up with a reply that would not offend Saer.
“As… attractive as your offer is, I must decline,” he said. “I am afraid that I am… that is to say, I am already spoken for.”
It was a flat-out lie but it was the only way he could think of that would not offend anyone. He looked at Tate, the ice-blue eyes silently pleading for assistance, and Tate caught onto his panic. He, too, began thinking very quickly.
“Aye,” Tate put in, hoping he didn’t sound nervous or uncertain. “Ken is betrothed… well, of course he is betrothed to my wife’s… sister.”
Saer lifted his eyebrows. “I was not aware your wife had a sister.”
“She is younger,” Kenneth put in, desperate to be off of the subject. “The family lives near Harbottle. In any case, Cathlina already has a perfect suitor who would be very good to her. I have been friends with Mathias de Reyne for many years and you would not find a man of better moral character or virtue in all of England. You really should reconsider your stance against him.”
