Geoffrey Condit by Band of Iron Read Free Book Online

ask and it will be provided, my lady.”  She gestured  toward the three gowns which lay across a polished wooden trestle table.  A great chest lay open, spread neat with accessories, shoes, and expensive headgear.
        Catharine walked to the chest.  A wonderland.
        “Is something wrong, my lady?  You’re shaking your head.”  The maid’s concerned voice made her straighten.
        “No.  No.  I’ve just never seen anything like this before.  There is so much.”
        “Look in the chest, my lady.  There’s a small casket of jewelry Lady Elenor wanted you to have.  Lord Peter selected certain pieces he thought fit your coloring.”
        Catharine raised the silver lid.  Rings heavy with emeralds and sapphires spilled with gold chains and jeweled necklaces through her fingers to the bottom of the chest.  She had never seen so much wealth.  Emeralds and diamond rings, pendants of lapis-lazuli, and ruby earrings greeted her stunned gaze.  One could live several lifetimes rich as an extravagant merchant with what lay there.
        “It’s yours, Lady Catharine.”
        “I must thank my lord and his lady mother.”  She heard a shaken voice escape her lips.  I can’t believe this wealth.  She examined more of the contents, heart beating oddly fast.  I didn’t know wealth like this existed.
        She had always dressed and eaten well, and had the luxury of a soft bed, and servants, but no more than that.  Her family entertaining had never been lavish or frequent.  She’s seen wealthier, higher ranking relatives live better, entertain more, but they never had wealth beginning to approach a small portion of this.  She heard the maid clear her voice, and swung around to face her.  “What is your name?”
        “Joan, my lady.”  Her eyes rested on the bloodied sheet at the foot of the bed.  They grew wide, but she said nothing, and bent to pick it up when their eyes met.  A blush staining her cheeks.  “Is there anything you need, my lady?  May I help you dress?”
        Catharine wanted to smile at the maid’s discomfort, but kept her face straight.  “No.  Tell my husband I’ll be down shortly.”  She needed time to be alone, and digest the overwhelming knowledge of her new status.  Joan curtsied, and scooping up the bloody sheet and fled the room.
        Wealth like this was the stuff of legends, and extreme imagination.  Even minor lords such as her father who owned several manors rarely met great lords whose wealth could approach this magnitude.  She shook her head, chose two discreet pieces to match the gown she selected, and began to dress.
     
        Catharine entered the solar, and noticed with pleasure the startled expression on her husband’s face.  The sharp light of morning did nothing to soften the harsh reality of his scar, and he did nothing to hide it.  Clearly, he’d learned to accept the disfigurement long ago, and only chose to hide it when he considered it in his self interest. 
        A blond girl with mischievous eyes watched her from the settle next to Peter.  The girl with the ring from the wedding.  What did Peter say?  A niece?  He stood, and inclined his head with a slight smile.  “You slept well, Catharine?”
        Surprised, Catharine realized she had.  “Yes. Yes, thank you.”  She hadn’t felt this rested in a long time, like she’d been released from some unknown terror.
        Peter swept a hand toward the young girl.  “Catharine, this is Lady Bess Trevor, my niece.  Bess, my new wife, Lady Catharine Trevor. 
        Her name coupled with Trevor felt right to Catharine.  This surprised her and she blushed, Lady Catharine Trevor, Baroness.
        The girl stepped forward, taking her by the hand, and led her to the settle.  Sunlight crowned the child’s head.  “Welcome, Aunt Catharine.”
        Catharine glanced at Peter, his voice held the same irresistible music, only deeper.  He