Katherine’s heart beat wildly.
He recovered, taking both of her hands in his. “Katherine, I do not know how to speak of this.”
Katherine told herself to breathe. She told herself it would be all right.
“The betrothal between our fathers was for my marriage to the earl of Desmond’s daughter. In fact, three times the contracts alluded to you as Desmond’s daughter. Only once was your birthname given.”
“I do not understand.”
His jaw flexed. His gaze dipped to her mouth, to her breasts. “God’s blood, you are so lovely, but…you are not Desmond’s daughter. The earl is no more. The betrothal ceased to exist the day the earl of Desmond ceased to exist. Do you understand now?”
Katherine was on her feet. “My father’s lands were forfeit to the crown, his title taken from him. ButIstill exist, Hugh.”
Hugh also stood. “Katherine, I took it to the brehern. The judges agreed, as your name was used but once, that the betrothal was a contract betwixt myself and the earl’s daughter—not betwixt myself and Katherine FitzGerald.”
She gasped.
“The judges have decided it, Katherine. ’Twas decided shortly after your father’s trial.”
She was stunned, but deep inside herself she had known something had to be amiss, for he had not sent her word or ordered her home in all the years that she had been gone. Now it made sense. The earl of Desmond’s daughter no longer existed. Hugh Barry would not marry Katherine FitzGerald—Mistress Nobody. Her chin lifted although tears formed in her eyes. “And who brought it to the brehern, Hugh?”
He hesitated. “I did. Of course, I did. Katie—no matter how beautiful you are, I cannot marry you. You have no dowry, no name, nothing. Surely you understand that?”
She managed to keep the tears from falling.
“Besides, I have been betrothed for three years now to the earl of Thomond’s daughter. This spring she will be fifteen and we shall be wed.”
Katherine could not help but make a noise. She sucked in her breath, squared her shoulders. “I do not care.”
“Katie.” He took her arm. “Let us talk privately.”
“No.”
“Please.”
Katherine really did not care what he had to say, for he had made himself clear, he would only marry a nobleman’s daughter, one whose rank was appropriate, one who was not as impoverished as she. She was aware of Liam rising to stand beside her. “Katherine is tired, Barry. Your privy discussion can wait.”
“I think not,” Hugh said flatly.
Instantly Katherine became aware of the tension that sizzled anew between the two men. It had only been repressed. They hated each other and wanted an excuse to leap at one another. She could feel the air crackling between them. “All right,” she said, moving to Hugh. Anything to avoid a fight—and to end this horrid evening.
Hugh smiled, taking her arm. He guided her across the hall and up the narrow stairs. Katherine felt Liam watching them, thought she could feel his seething hostility, but did not care. Although Hugh had frightened her because he was a stranger after all the years that had passed, he had been her childhood sweetheart once, he had been her dear friend. His rejection was brutal. The betrayal cut through flesh and bone to her very soul. As she had secretly feared, he did not want her, had forgotten her, had chosen another. All she could wonder was—what will become of me now?
And Liam’s golden image filled her mind.
Hugh closed the door to a small chamber on the floor above, which boasted naught but rushes and a small bed. “You can sleep here this night, Katie,” he said.
She shrugged, having moved away from him to stand in the center of the room. Her back was to him.
He moved up behind her. “Katherine, I am sorry you did not know, and that you came all this way thinking to marry me.”
She said nothing. She had regained her composure andshe turned to face him. For the first time, she realized that she was just slightly taller than he.
“But I am also glad, because you are the most beautiful woman I have yet to behold, and had you not come, we might never have seen one another again.”
“It matters not,” she said tersely.
“Oh, it matters.” Hugh touched her cheek. Katherine flinched. “I am your friend, Katie. If you think on it, you will realize that you have nowhere to go. If you return to London, there is only your father’s prison, St. Leger House. Askeaton has been abandoned, and you will be a penniless burden upon your uncle and kin, for their circumstances are far graver than mine. They lost everything when your father lost Desmond. I would not be surprised that they should send you back to France—except that they can not afford your passage, nor your pension to a nunnery.”
