WolfeBite (De Wolfe Pack Generations #10)

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“H e seems well enough,” Phillipa said. “He ate his supper and went right to sleep.”

It was late on the evening of the day of the enormous search for Gabriel. Arrangements had been made to put Georgiana in the vault where it was cold, until she could be buried, and Gabriel seemed to be in better spirits because of it. In truth, everyone felt guilty that the boy’s feelings had been neglected. No one had even thought to ask him if his sister’s unburied body disturbed him, but it clearly had. Enough for him to run off to live with the chickens, as he put it. But now, all was still and quiet and the keep was once again a place of warmth and comfort.

“I think the same will be said for everyone in the search party,” Christelle said. “They are so exhausted that they will eat supper and go right to sleep.”

They were standing on the landing, in the open chamber door, and Phillipa smiled faintly as she looked at the little boy who was dead asleep on his bed. There were two beds in the chamber and one had been occupied by Georgiana until about two hours ago, when Leonidas himself carried her down to the vault. All that remained behind was the chicken, roosting on the bed as Gabriel snored away on the other.

“We were so concerned for Catie’s feelings over Georgiana that we never bothered to think about Gabriel’s,” Phillipa said. “I feel terrible that we did not ask him.”

Christelle shrugged. “Everything is as it should be now,” she said. “We will not neglect him again.”

“Nay, we will not.”

“Neglect who?”

The women turned to see Catherine approaching from the stairwell. Phillipa immediately smiled and held her hand out to the young woman.

“You,” she said simply. “We will never again neglect you or Gabriel. You are the most important people to us.”

Catherine smiled weakly. “I have behaved foolishly,” she said. “Poor Gabriel has suffered because of my selfishness.”

Phillipa squeezed her hand. “You were not selfish,” she said. “You were grieving. Gabriel is, too, but in a different way. We must be mindful of both ways.”

Catherine’s gaze lingered on Gabriel sleeping with an arm flung off the mattress. “It is difficult to know what boys are thinking,” she said. “I find it… confusing. If I’d only known how he felt, we could have done something about it, but instead, he ran off and frightened us all to death. Why are men like that?”

She said it with such passion that Christelle and Phillipa passed curious glances. Something told them that the question wasn’t necessarily limited to Gabriel because of the way she’d said it.

“Like what, darling?” Phillipa said. “Mysterious and lacking communication? Because that is what makes them exciting. Men keep us guessing.”

She meant it as somewhat of a jest, but Catherine didn’t find it funny. She frowned. “I do not like to guess,” she said. “I am angry with Gabriel, but I am also very glad that he did not come to harm. I suppose my confusion makes me mad.”

Phillipa squeezed her hand again. “It makes you a woman who loves her brother,” she said. “Do not feel bad.”

Catherine sighed faintly. “I suppose I shall overcome my anger,” she said. “But men… Are they ever any less confusing?”

That confirmed it. Christelle and Phillipa realized she was no longer speaking of Gabriel. There had been rumors since they’d arrived at Ashendon, rumors about Catherine and a certain young knight, but no one gave them any credence. Castles were rumor mills, churning them out by the dozen, so Christelle had brushed off the servants’ whispers even though she’d told Phillipa. That had only been their second day at Ashendon, and the servants had the good sense not to gossip around them anymore because Christelle frowned upon such things.

But perhaps those rumors had some validity.

It was just a hunch they had.

“As I said, men are mysterious creatures,” Phillipa said. “I do not suppose you are referring to any man in particular? Mayhap if I knew him, I could tell you. Has someone been toying with you?”

Catherine looked at her with some surprise. “No one has toyed with me,” she said indignantly. “I would not allow it.”

“Good girl.”

“But that does not mean I find men simple of thought.”

“No one does.”

“Especially not a de Wolfe.”

That had Christelle’s attention. “Who?” she said. “Leonidas?”

Catherine shook her head. “Not him.”

“Dayne?”

“Talan.”

The light of realization went on and Christelle and Phillipa passed yet another glance between them, this one rather knowing. Phillipa fought off a grin as Christelle addressed it.

“I do not know much about Talan,” Christelle said. “But if he is part of the de Wolfe family, then he is undoubtedly a man of his word. Do you have your eye on him?”

Catherine blushed furiously, which told Christelle and Phillipa all they needed to know. She looked between the women as fear rippled across her expression. “Please do not tell anyone,” she said softly. “Least of all Leo. Swear it.”

Christelle nodded. “Of course we swear it,” she said. “It is none of his affair. Unless you think it should be. Why? Has Talan declared his interest for you?”

Catherine was still fearful to admit that which she did not want to admit, but she’d gone through a year of not having anyone to talk to about this. No women she could share her feelings with. Truth be told, she desperately needed some advice.

“Aye,” she said softly. “Remember… you promised not to tell Leo.”

“I will not,” Christelle assured her. “Does he wish to marry you?”

“He must marry me.”

“Why?”

“Because he has bedded me.”

Christelle’s eyes widened and she looked to Phillipa, who realized the seriousness of the situation. If Catherine and Talan were intimate, then this went beyond a mere infatuation.

She took both of Catherine’s hands in her own.

“Did he force himself upon you?” she asked with genuine concern. “You may tell me. I promise that I only wish to help.”

Catherine shook her head firmly. “Nay,” she said. “He is not that kind of man. But he feels that he has nothing to offer me by way of marriage and he wants to earn his fortune and mayhap gain property or possessions, things of value, before he asks for my hand.”

Phillipa didn’t think that was a bad idea, but she didn’t come out with it. She fidgeted a bit, trying to decide what to say that wouldn’t make Catherine feel like she was in the wrong.

“But you want to marry him now?” she said hesitantly.

Catherine lifted her shoulders. “Why not?” she said. “Talan and I love one another. I am already his wife in body if not by law. I do not understand why he feels it necessary to earn his fortune before he takes a wife. What does it matter?”

“Because you cannot live on dreams and youthful hope,” Christelle said. She was a little more direct than Phillipa. “You must let Talan feel as if he can support you. You must let the man have his pride, Catie. There is no rush, after all. You are very young. If he loves you now, he’ll love you when you come of age. Is the man not worth waiting for?”

Catherine shrugged. Then she nodded. It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was perhaps the one she needed to hear. Talan had tried to tell her essentially the same thing, but she thought he was being cagey, purposely delaying their marriage.

But perhaps he’d been telling the truth.

“I suppose,” she said, feeling dejected. “But I do not understand what difference it makes if he has money or doesn’t.”

“Who is going to pay for your clothing?” Christelle said. “Your food? Your needs? And do not tell me you can use your dowry. Although I imagine you have a substantial one, nothing would kill the man’s pride more than having to live off his wife.”

“You think so?” Catherine said hesitantly.

Both Christelle and Phillipa nodded. “I do,” Christelle said. “I would think that part of being a good wife is to understand your husband’s needs and fears. You cannot always think of yourself and what you want. Think about what he wants, too.”

That was as much beat-down as Catherine wanted to hear, true though it might be. “Very well,” she said sadly. “Thank you for speaking with me about it. And for keeping my secret.”

“Of course, Catie.”

“I think I’ll retire now. After today’s search, I’m feeling weary also.”

“Go,” Phillipa encouraged her. “Sleep well, Catie. We’ll speak more on the morrow about this if you wish.”

Catherine simply nodded and turned for her chamber. When she was inside with the door safely shut, Christelle turned to Phillipa and gave her an expression that suggested she was shocked by the entire situation.

“He has bedded her?” she said. “My God, if Leo finds out, he’ll kill Talan.”

They were still out on the landing. Phillipa shushed her, pulling her toward the connecting chambers they shared. “He’ll not know by our tongues,” she whispered, entering their chamber with Christelle behind her and quietly closing the door. “We will not say a word. Swear this to me.”

Christelle nodded. “Of course I will not tell him,” she said. “I would not be the one to divulge that kind of information. It is not my right.”

Phillipa nodded. “Nor mine,” she said. “But Catherine should know that she is playing with fire. Talan, at the very least, should know. He is a good deal older than Catie is.”

Christelle shrugged. “She is a lovely girl,” she said. “Talan is handsome and strong. Being attracted to one another is not a crime, but bedding her… It is a very risky thing to do.”

“Especially with Leo,” Phillipa said. “I shudder to think what that man would do if he were truly angry because Talan has bedded Catherine. He is already feeling sad and despondent about Georgiana, so I fear he would take it out on Talan if he knew Catherine had been compromised.”

Christelle didn’t reply immediately. She let that fact settle between them, a weighty bit of knowledge that seemed to fill the very air around them. Phillipa wandered over to the wardrobe where her collection of borrowed garments were hanging on pegs or neatly folded. She began to prepare for bed, and Christelle went to the stairwell and called down to the servants who were sweeping down in the entry, summoning a maid to help Phillipa. Once that was in motion, she went back into the chamber and shut the door.

“I would be remiss if I did not mention something else to you, your grace,” she said softly.

Phillipa looked up from removing a necklace she had been wearing. “What is it?”

Christelle was hesitant. “Before the maid arrives,” she said. “This has been a most eventful day and I do not want to throw one more log on the fire, but something has come up that you should be aware of.”

Phillipa looked at her curiously. “What is it?”

“Leo has asked to court me.”

Phillipa’s mouth popped open in surprise. But a grin spread over her lips and she stood up, putting both hands on Christelle’s face, cupping it.

“Is this true?” she said excitedly. “He wants to marry you?”

Christelle couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “So he says.”

Phillipa laughed happily. “Oh, Christy!” she said. “That is wonderful news! What did you say?”

“That I would let him.”

“Good!” Phillipa said with glee. “What about your father? Will you write and tell him?”

Christelle tried not to let the mention of her father dampen her joy. “Eventually,” she said. “For now, Leo and I are simply going to enjoy the opportunity to know one another better. Truthfully, stitching that red cross on his forehead was mayhap the best thing I ever did. He must have thought I was flirting with him.”

Phillipa continued to chuckle. “Were you?”

“Not at the time.”

Phillipa dropped her hands from Christelle’s face. “I am certain that has changed by now,” she said, eyes twinkling. “Truly, this is the very best news. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

“You are welcome,” Christelle said. “I do not have any sisters or mother to share the news with, so thank you for allowing me the privilege.”

Phillipa sat back down. “I have three sisters,” she said. “I love them all, but I’ve not seen them in some time. You are the closest thing I have to a sister here in England, and I cherish that. I cherish you , Christelle. I hope we are always as close as we are at this moment.”

You wouldn’t if you knew why I was really here.

The thought ran through Christelle’s head. She’d been questioning her purpose for some time now, but hearing that Phillipa viewed her as a sister caused a landslide of doubt. She’d come to spy, but the truth was that she’d bonded with those she was supposed to spy on. She wasn’t hard pressed to admit that she loved Phillipa. She even loved Catherine and Gabriel, and she had nothing but affection for the knights she was surrounded with.

Leonidas most of all.

Phillipa asked her if she was going to send word to her father about Leonidas. She was, but that missive would also contain the news that she no longer wished to be part of his plans. She would marry Leonidas and be a good wife to him because here, at Ashendon, was the life she wanted. Married to a man who adored and respected her. A countess to rule benevolently over her vassals.

Children.

Perhaps even love.

Aye, this was the life she wanted for herself.

She couldn’t think of anything better.

“I am honored, your grace,” she said softly. “It means more than you know. I have never truly belonged anywhere, with anyone. You have given me a home.”

Phillipa reached out to grasp her hand. “Leo will serve Edward always,” she said. “After you are married, you can—”

She was cut off when someone knocked at the door, and Christelle went to open it. A maid scurried in, the same one who had tended the children and Catherine and even Lady Maria. She was an older woman with red hair, bald patches in places, but she was clean and efficient. She rushed straight to Phillipa, but her movements were sharp and hasty.

“Forgive me, your grace,” she said. “All of Ashendon is in an uproar!”

“Why?” Phillipa asked. “What has happened?”

The old servant threw up her hands. “Something terrible!” she gasped. “Lady Maria has escaped!”

A dark evening was about to get darker.