Hugh cupped her cheek. “Poor Katie.”
Katherine closed her eyes, so he would not see her lie. For a moment her face rested upon his hand.
“Yes, poor Katherine,” Liam said, his tone ice. “How touching your concern is, Lord Barry.”
Katherine jerked away from Hugh, glanced at Liam, saw the silver light in his eyes again. Hewasangry, but he had no right to be angry with her. She had just saved his miserable neck. For Hugh would have killed him for cutting her dress off of her without asking for any other details. Then Katherine knew that that was not so. Hugh would have tried to kill him, but Liam would have undoubtedly been the victor in any contest between the two men. And Katherine knew instinctively that Liam would have enjoyed destroying Hugh. She shivered.
Hugh faced only Katherine. “You have had a time of it, I know. Being sent to France, your father imprisoned and dispossessed, now this.” He touched her arm, stroking her sleeve. “Come, eat. You need your sustenance.” He ignored Liam.
Katherine nodded, relieved that the tension had passed, and sat as he did, turning her attention to her plate. She was acutely aware of Liam finally sitting down as well.She sighed deeply, in relief. She did not want to see either man’s blood spilled upon Hugh’s stone floors.
Katherine had no real interest in cold meat, and she finally took up a piece of cheese and some stale bread. She was aware of both men eating now on either side of her with ravenous gusto. She stole a glance at Hugh.
He really had become a handsome man. His nose was a bit broad, but it suited his square jaw and round face, his mouth was well shaped, his eyes were a brilliant blue, and his hair was redder than her own. She should be pleased. Every woman yearned for a handsome husband. She herself had, recently, yearned for a husband both handsome and lusty. Hugh was both. She should be ecstatic. She told herself that shewasecstatic.
She made sure not to look at Liam. God’s blood. She did not want to compare the two men. She would not. Yet Liam’s image filled her mind. Golden, harsh, striking. He was the sun, and beside him any man, even Hugh, was but a distant, winking star.
Katherine shut off her thoughts abruptly. And concentrated on eating.
Hugh had finished eating and he faced her, smiling and replete. His hand covered hers, his fingers stroking her knuckles. Katherine saw the amorous light in his eyes and felt some trepidation. “So you have been convent-reared,” he remarked, his gaze drifting to the edge of her bodice.
Since Katherine had done a fairly good job of repairing her dress, her voluptuous bosom was crushed flat, still, his regard unnerved her. “Yes.”
“’Twas a waste, Katie.”
Katherine shifted in her seat. What did Hugh mean?
Hugh smiled, his manner friendly. “The Katie I knew was always barefoot and running wild out of doors. I remember you as a child in long braids, climbing trees. I can not imagine you confined to a nunnery, with a needle in your hand, working embroidery.”
“I have become a fine seamstress, so a man might say the years were well spent.”
He laughed. “A talent every woman should acquire, no doubt.” His gaze was warm. “I remember how yourmother despaired of your ever learning such a womanly art. I recall your father laughing it off. Gerald was always amused by your boyish ways.”
Katherine smiled, recalling, as Hugh did, Joan FitzGerald’s fond dismay whenever she had seen her daughter rushing off, barefoot and disheveled, and more often than not in a farm lad’s hose and jerkin. Now she also remembered how her father had laughed about it. He had been secretly proud of her ability to climb trees and ride as well as any boy. Katherine beamed at Hugh.
Liam set his goblet down quite loudly, then proceeded to fill it with beer.
Hugh enfolded her hand in his. “But Katie, there is one thing I do not understand. Did I hear correctly? That the queen ordered O’Neill to escort you to me?”
Katherine nodded. “’Twas most generous of her, Hugh. I was afraid she would send me to my father’s side in St. Leger House.”
“Well,” Hugh said, “I am most pleased that you are here, and you may reside with me indefinitely, but why would she send you here instead of to your father or your uncle?”
Katherine froze.
“Katie?”
She had been aware of the fact that Liam watched them like a hawk, unwavering and even predatory. She had to glance at him now. His gaze was cold, narrowed and watchful. She turned to Hugh. “Wh-where else would she send me, Hugh? We-we are betrothed. ’Twas only right that she send me to you.”
Hugh still held her hand, but he was obviously stunned.
“Hugh?” Katherine said hesitantly.
He released her hand. “Katherine! What in God’s name has ever given you the idea that we are yet betrothed?”
Katherine gripped the table. “We were betrothed in the cradle. Co-correct me if I am wrong. That betrothal was never broken.”
Hugh stared at her with open dismay.
