“Jeska has two thousand a year,” Walter explained. Henry’s eyebrows rose. Jeska held his gaze. Actually, she owned more, but she wouldn’t say so.
“But no breeding. My daughter, Lady Elizabeth, has the same settled on her by her mother’s people,” Henry sneered. “Comes with an estate, too. Hicklington, you’ve heard of it?”
“Who hasn’t? It is rumoured to be a profitable, beautiful estate,” Walter said, and Jeska saw greed in his eyes. What was happening?
“And borders your lands, my boy.” Henry smiled.
“Indeed.” Walter looked interested, and Jeska didn’t like his expression as he glanced across to where Lady Elizabeth stood.
“Walter, can I talk to you?” Jeska asked, and Henry waved a hand in her face.
“Girl, the men are talking,” he snapped.
“Walter. Please,” Jeska said.
Walter swapped a glance with Henry before turning to her. “Jeska, learn your place,” he ordered.
“And just what is that? Your betrothed or mistress? I wear your token on my hand and breast,” Jeska retorted, touching the brooch he’d given her.
Walter snarled, and Jeska saw a flash of his real self. How had she been so fooled? His hand shot out and gripped her hard. Walter shook her, and Henry chortled.
“You will be whatever I say you are,” Walter snapped.
“Walter!” Jeska cried, garnering attention.
“Learn your place. If I wish to wed another, one of a higher rank than a merchant’s daughter, I shall do so,” Walter said cruelly. He tore the brooch from her dress and pulled the ring from her finger.
Jeska stared at him aghast. “Was this a ploy to gain my fortune?”
“Why else would I marry you, Jeska? Henry’s right. I deserve better than you,” he snarled.
Tears began trickling down her cheeks as Jeska sought to rein in the hurt he was causing her. Disease had woken and was tearing at her control.
“I see. You’re easily bought by money,” she replied. Walter’s face tightened, and before Jeska realised what was happening, his hand reached out and struck her. Jeska fell to the floor as the surrounding men chuckled. Several of the women looked appalled, but most stared amused or implacably.
Jeska had no friends here now.
“Here, girl, I’ll take you to my bed, let’s see how you like being my mistress,” Henry chortled.
“Over my dead body,” she hissed as Walter laughed alongside him.
“Enough!” a man ordered, stepping forward. Everyone paused. “Is this what we’ve come to? Humiliating a maiden for money? It’s unbecoming.”
A hand reached down and hauled her up. Jeska looked up into the stern face of William de Bohun. A man the court feared. She took his hand as he helped her up.
“Where is your protector, girl?” he demanded.
“My cousin is away, my lord,” Jeska replied.
“Then you shall be my guest,” William said.
Jeska bit her lip. She couldn’t stay in his house as an unmarried woman. It would destroy her reputation. She glanced once more at Walter for help, but he regarded her like a stranger. Had their year together meant nothing? Jeska looked at him with a plea in her eyes, and Walter’s lips curled.
“Take her, William, she’s very good in bed,” Walter said cruelly.
Jeska gasped and slapped him before she knew what she was doing. Disease uncoiled and attacked. It blew its poisonous vapour into the face of Walter, and Jeska knew he would be dead within a week. He’d caught the full blast of it.
Walter gripped her wrist and gazed into her eyes.
