The men of Ross Castle were gathered near the gate, their armor shining bright in the August sun. Shielding her eyes with her hand, Catherine took in each man and prayed for his safe return.
The news came an hour ago. The French-Welsh army was nearing the English border, marching toward Worcester. Glyndwr’s move was both unexpected and brilliant. Taking an English town for even a short time would be a devastating blow to English pride. A blow that King Henry, already hanging on to the throne by his fingernails, could ill afford.
Caught by surprise, the king was racing his army headlong across the length of England to save Worcester. William and the other Marcher lords were commanded to await him there with their men-at-arms. If Henry could reach Worcester in time, the major battle between the two armies would be there.
Catherine swallowed hard to keep back the tears. One night was not enough to recover the closeness they had before. She could not forget so soon how much he’d hurt her. Nor did she believe he’d overcome his mistrust of her. Still, it was a magical night, and she was hopeful. Very hopeful.
She caught sight of Edmund, talking with several of the men.
“Why is Edmund not in armor?” she asked William, tightening her grip on his arm.
“Edmund is staying here with a few of the men,” William said. “Glyndwr has his army moving fast, hoping to take Worcester before the king can reach it. There is almost no danger of an attack on the castle; still, I cannot leave it completely undefended.”
“I have been left in charge of this castle many times,” Catherine said. “I neither need nor want Edmund Forrester here.”
William ran a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable. “I am sure you managed well enough on your own, but Edmund has years of fighting experience.”
She was unmoved by his argument and did not hide it.
“I warned Edmund that if he does anything to offend you, I’ll not keep him in my service.” He held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “Please, Catherine, I do not want to argue with you as I leave. I need to know my best man is protecting you if I’m to keep my mind on what is before me.”
She ceased to argue. It was dangerous for a man to be distracted when he fought. For this same reason, she was waiting to tell him about her pregnancy until he returned.
Stephen appeared beside them with Jamie in tow.
“You were fighting Scots at my age,” Stephen said to William, his eyes bright with anger. “You treat me like a child!”
Catherine grabbed Stephen’s arm and hauled him a few feet away where William would not overhear her.
“With William gone, I need you here,” she told him in a low, fierce voice. “Do not abandon me.” She held his eyes until she was sure he understood she meant it.
When she rejoined William, he whispered in her ear, “What did you do, promise to marry the lad if I do not return? He’s puffed up like a peacock!” He squeezed her hand. “Whatever it was, I thank you.”
The men were mounting their horses, so William threw Jamie into the air one more time and ruffled the boy’s hair.
Next, he turned to say farewell to Stephen. With a nod toward Catherine and Jamie, he said, “Keep them safe, brother.”
Finally, he gathered Catherine in his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth in front of everyone.
He mounted his horse. “You will be safe here,” he said, looking down at her. “I promise you.”
“Promise only that you will come back to us.”
“You need not worry for me,” he said, flashing her a wide smile. “I will always come back for you, Kate. Always.”
Those left behind at Ross Castle waited for news. They heard, first, that King Henry reached Worcester faster than anyone thought possible—and not an hour too soon. Since his arrival, however, the two great armies had been in a standoff.
While the commanders decided what to do, individual knights met in single combat on the field between the armies. This served no purpose, except to relieve the boredom. The stakes were too high to be decided by knightly challenges.
Catherine’s tension over the coming battle grew as the days of waiting continued. Having Edmund unclothe her with his eyes every time she crossed his path did not help. He was, however, careful to speak politely and show her every other courtesy.
The memory of how he cornered her in the solar still rankled. While he would not dare harm her, neither did she want to be caught alone with him again. With Stephen here, there was little chance of that.
Stephen took William’s admonition to keep her safe to heart. The first night, she found him sleeping in front of her chamber door. Her promises to have her maid sleep with her and bar her door were not enough to dissuade him. Only when she showed him the blade under her pillow did he finally agree to return to his own chamber.
“I would like to visit Abbess Talcott today,” she announced at the midday meal, pushing her food away.
“I will be your escort,” Stephen said.
