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“I daresay Seren would like to see you, my lady.” Beti’s voice interrupted her musing. “Though you’ve had me check on him every day, I don’t believe my presence, or even Aldwin’s, anywhere near makes up for your absence.”

Catrin turned from her study of the fishing boats on the straits. She was certainly not herself if her lady’s maid had taken to encouraging her to venture out to the stables. Normally, that was her first place of refuge when she was confused or hurt. Being with Seren had always brought her solace before, and she wasn’t sure why it seemed as though it wouldn’t be enough to ease her aching heart this time. But she had been acting selfishly. She had not considered Seren’s needs.

“I’m sure you are right, Beti.” It had been wrong to stay away so long. No matter her dislike for the men currently visiting the castle, they should not have the power to keep her trapped in her tower. “I shall go down to the stable this evening, when there are fewer English soldiers abroad.”

“Very wise, my lady.” Beti gave a pleased smile and reached for a fresh skein of thread.

A loud knock sounded at the door, startling both women. Beti immediately put down her needlework and shuffled across the room. Catrin tensed, waiting to see who had come.

“I am here to see Lady Catrin.” Her father’s voice was firm, and Catrin braced herself.

“Of course, my lord.” Beti pulled the door wider and stepped aside. “She has recently arisen from her afternoon rest.”

Catrin’s father entered the room, and she inclined her head. “Good day, my lord.”

To her surprise, he crossed the distance between them and took her hands. “Are you improved from your ordeal, Catrin?”

“Yes, Father. Beti has taken good care of me. My sleep is plagued with nightmares still, but I hope they will fade with time.”

“I just now returned from the friary—or what is left of it.” He released her hands, a tortured look in his eyes. “I had no notion that the devastation would be so great. The entire building. The graveyard.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You should not have been there.”

“Why?”

Startled, her father met her gaze. “It was too much for any young noblewoman to experience.”

“No, my lord. It was too much for anyone to experience. My suffering is no greater than that of the other innocents affected by Henry’s thirst for revenge and the Duke of Bedford’s craving for royal approval. The razing of the Llanfaes Friary was nothing less than a despicable act.”

Shock momentarily rendered her father speechless, and Catrin lowered herself into the nearest chair before her shaking legs betrayed her.

“Catrin.” Her father cleared his throat and tried again. “Catrin, your charitable disposition is commendable, but I would warn you against speaking your mind so plainly, particularly with regard to matters of state about which you have little knowledge.”

He paused, and she wondered what more he would say. His rebuke was justified; there was a great deal more that she needed to learn about the Welsh rebellion, and she intended to do so. She was also well aware that she was stepping on dangerous ground by criticizing the king’s actions, but it seemed that now that she had found her voice, it was far more difficult to remain silent. She clasped her hands, waiting. And then she caught something in his eyes, a hint of the distress he felt over what had happened.

“We have a right to feel aggrieved over the loss of Mother’s tranquil resting place,” she said softly.

“Yes.” He nodded slowly as though confirming a decision. “I believe we do.”

He looked down at Catrin. “I have spoken with the duke. He has agreed to withdraw his offer of marriage, pending the payment of a portion of your dowry.”

“A portion of my dowry?”

“Indeed. He claims it as compensation for the breaking of our contract. And given the vehemence with which you rejected him several nights ago, I have agreed to his terms.”

Catrin opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. What was there to say? No amount of money was too much if it bought her freedom from a marriage to the Duke of Bedford.

“I am most grateful, Father.”

He reached out and softly touched her cheek. “I believe your future happiness may be worth the price, child.”

Chapter 18

Lifting the latch, Catrin pulled open the stable doors and slipped inside. Although the light was dim, it was sufficient to find her way, and she moved swiftly down the aisle that led to Seren’s stall. The familiar smell of horses and straw assailed her, and she realized how much she’d missed her daily visits here.

“Hello there, Seren,” she whispered softly. Her stallion gave a welcoming snort and moved to greet her at the stall’s gate. Catrin rubbed his nose, smiling at his obvious pleasure in the attention. “I believe you may have missed me.”

“Oh, he did that all right, my lady.” As was his wont, Aldwin had appeared out of nowhere. “He’s been quite put out these last couple days.”

“Forgive me, boy.” Catrin stepped into the stall. “We shall go for a long ride very soon.”