The Captive Bride

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The Captive Bride

Susan Spencer Paul

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

SUSAN SPENCER PAUL

who also writes as Mary Spencer, lives in Monrovia, California, with her husband, Paul, an R.N., and their three daughters, Carolyn, Kelly and Katharine. She is the author of twelve historical novels set in a variety of time periods, and especially loves writing about the medieval and Regency eras.

Dedicated to my wonderful Liming sisters-in-law, Jeanie, Lori, Nancy and Barbara, with all my love

Prologue (#ulink_f8b8e3c0-d1b7-5e2e-b195-f2c097baa972)

France, March 1437

Sir John Fastolf was sitting with his booted feet propped on a trunk when the flap to his tent opened. He looked up from the missive he was reading and saw the tall man standing outside in the heavy rain. “Ah, at last. Sir Senet. Come in and be welcomed. Luc—”he turned his attention briefly to his busy serving boy “—bring Sir Senet some wine.”Then he waved to his visitor. “Come in, man. No need to stand in the rain. Come in and sit down.”

Senet ducked and stepped into the tent, removing his helmet with one hand as he did so. When he lifted his head it was to meet Sir John’s greeting smile with a somber gaze.

“Have you word from London, my lord?”he asked, standing in his place and dripping water on the rug that had been laid on the ground.

Sir John nodded. “This morn. I sent word to you as soon as I had it in my hands. The battle has gone hard, I take it?”His knowing gaze moved over the other man’s dirty, much worn armor.

Senet’s expression gave little away. “As ever, my lord.”

“Yes,”Sir John said with a sigh. “As ever. I shall miss your good services when you’ve gone, Senet. You’re one of the finest soldiers I’ve had the pleasure to command. Sit down and we’ll share a goblet over your good fortune.”

Senet’s gaze sharpened. “The king has approved my request?”

“His regents have, rather. You’d have made no headway without the aid of your sister’s husband, Sir Justin Baldwin. It was he who convinced Duke Humphrey to consider making you this boon. I needn’t tell you how unusual this is, given the fact of your father’s treason.”

“Have I made no reparation for that?”Senet demanded.

“Quite obviously you have,”Sir John told him, “else you’d not have your family lands returned to you. There is a condition, however, before you may take repossession of Castle Lomas.”

“Condition?”Senet repeated warily. He pulled the gauntlet from one hand and took the goblet the boy Luc brought him. When Sir John motioned again for him to sit, he carefully took the chair opposite his host.

Sir John accepted a goblet as well, sipping from it slowly before answering.

“Circumstances have fallen in a fortunate manner for you, Senet. I doubt the request to regain your lands would have been considered, much less granted, if Sir Richard Malthus hadn’t died without leaving an heir. It was Malthus, you recall, who was given the deed and title to Lomas after your father was executed for treason. There is only an unmarried daughter now, Lady Katharine, twenty and one years of age, who has seen fit to run the estate since her father’s death in any manner she pleases—which does little to endear her to Duke Humphrey, you may be sure. But that was as Malthus wished, at least until the girl should be properly wed. Sir Justin petitioned for you in the matter, and the king’s regents have agreed. Your lands will be returned to you in full as soon as you’ve taken Lady Katharine to wife.”

Senet stared at him, his fingers tightening upon the goblet he held. Sir John held his hands up, as if warding off what he thought must be an objection. “I know she is somewhat older than what most men seek in a wife, but I am assured that she is both hearty and hale and descended of a long line of good breeders. ‘Tis unlikely that you would have any trouble in getting an heir off her.”

“Has Lady Katharine agreed?”

Sir John smiled grimly. “Unfortunately, no. It appears that she’s received the news of your proposed marriage with little enthusiasm, and has denied the request based on a formal betrothal her father arranged between herself and a wealthy baron, Lord Hanley. Lord Hanley, however, disappeared more than three years ago while on a religious pilgrimage, and has long been presumed dead. Still, Lady Katharine insists that the betrothal be maintained and has refused any and all proposals of marriage. Duke Humphrey, understandably, is exceedingly displeased with the girl, and has granted you permission to.encourage her in the matter. Only make certain that you bring the lady no harm, nor any of those in her care.”He set his goblet aside on a nearby table and sat forward. “And now, Senet Gaillard, I have the unhappy task of releasing you from any further duty here in France. You’re to leave for England as soon as possible and make for Lomas.”

Senet nodded, his expression as sober and unremarkable as if Sir John had merely spoken of the weather.

“What of my friends? Sir Kayne—”

Sir John held up a staying hand. “He and Sir Aric and John Ipris are to go with you. I would not separate you from your comrades at such a time, and they have served England as well as you have done these past several years. To ask more of them now would be unjust. You are all released from duty to return home and lay your siege upon Castle Lomas.”

Senet drained his cup and set it aside. Standing, he took up his gauntlet and helmet. “Lomas is mine by right of birth,”he said evenly. “Lady Katharine is another matter. If by wedding her I reclaim what is rightfully mine, then you may be certain, my lord, that she will be my wife. Regardless of what her wishes may be, or how stubborn she may prove. She will wed me, even if I must lock her away to make certain of it. I promise you that on my very honor.”

He set his helmet upon his head with an easy, longpracticed motion, and tugged on his gauntlet. Making a curt bow, he bid Sir John good day, then turned about and left as abruptly as he had arrived.

Chapter One (#ulink_089b4ab4-1d66-590b-ad0c-757be6e29ba3)

England, July 1437

“It is unacceptable.”

Katharine put the missive aside with finality. The gaze she set upon the man standing before her was unwavering. “You may tell Duke Humphrey and Sir Senet Gaillard that my decision on the matter remains unchanged. And,”she added distinctly, “unchangeable. I will not accept Sir Senet for a husband. If Duke Humphrey finds this distressing, then I pray you will remind him that I am already betrothed.”

“He has not forgotten it, my lady,”Sir William told her with a slight bow. “But Lord Hanley has been presumed dead these past three years—”

“He is not dead!”Katharine rose from her chair. “I will not have you, or anyone else, saying so.”She gripped her skirt in a tight fist as she moved nearer the man. “The pilgrimage he’s undertaken has merely lasted longer than expected. If any ill had befallen him or his companions, I would have had word of it”

“The trouble, my lady, is that you’ve had no word from him. Nor has anyone else. It is only logical to assume the worst.”

“Not at all,”she countered. “Lord Hanley is an exceedingly devout man, and would not be given to such worldly concerns as writing mere missives when he is instead giving worship to God. He wished to make this journey before taking on the duties of marriage and so asked me to wait for his return. I will do as he requested and fulfill the promise I gave him. Surely Duke Humphrey would not want me to do otherwise.”

“My lady, only hear me—”

“There is nothing more to say,”she said brusquely. “You may convey my sentiments to Duke Humphrey exactly as I have expressed them, and tell him that I pray he leaves me in peace.”

The man hesitated.

“Are you quite certain that this is what you wish, Lady Katharine?”

“Quite certain.”

He looked behind her to where three other ladies sat watching the proceedings.

“There is no one who can change your mind?”

The ladies to whom he looked variously cast their eyes to the floor, and Katharine replied, “No one.”

He bowed. “Then I will thank you for receiving me, and bid you good day.”

Katharine nodded. “Mistress Ariette will escort you through the hall.”One of her ladies, a diminutive young woman, rose silently from her chair. “Godspeed to you, my lord.”