Chapter Seven

What was it I hoped to achieve? What outcome of this confrontation did I envisage? In all honesty I had no idea. I simply knew that I must show no weakness. My heart raced as the door opened. At the very least I expected the Duke to be marvellously furious. What I did not expect was the freezing, excruciating, perfectly executed politeness.

I should have expected it. I should have known that that is exactly how he would announce himself into my hall. Had I expected him to rant? To demand an answer as soon as his foot struck my threshold? That was not John of Lancaster’s way.

He arrived in the middle of a summer rainstorm that seemed to have soaked him to the bone, yet he gave no recognition of discomfort as he strode into my hall followed by two squires and a page, a body-servant and Symkin Simeon, the steward of his lands in Lincolnshire, all impressive if damp in Lancaster livery. When did he ever travel otherwise? I felt Master Ingoldsby stir, saw his eyes widen at the extent of the full Lancaster entourage that faced us, and that was occupying our courtyard, presenting a severe challenge to our kitchen and our stables.

Entirely unaware of the problems he would cause me, sweeping off his rain-sodden cloak, handing it brusquely to his squire, the Duke bowed to me, a magnificent chill courtesy in this man whose face was expressionless, whose spine and shoulders were rigid, while his voice was as flatly controlled as his features.

‘Lady de Swynford.’

I curtsied deeply. ‘My lord of Lancaster.’

‘I trust you are well.’

‘I am, my lord.’

He stripped off his gauntlets, thrusting them toward his page. ‘I was concerned for your safety, when I learned that you had left my service. It behoved me to discover your situation.’

The superb, lethally insolent formality of it lodged in my throat.

‘I am in good heart, my lord.’ I kept my voice high and bright. I would not be intimidated in my own home.

‘I am surprised to see you here, knowing the limitations of Kettlethorpe.’ He cast a quick glance round, before it came to rest on me again, uncomfortably bland, unnervingly smooth. ‘I take it that it was a sudden decision?’ He bared his teeth, his studied gravity compromised, as my leaking roof caused him to step to one side and brush the drops from his hair.

‘Yes, my lord. It was very sudden.’

‘And you acted on it with great rapidity.’

‘I did, my lord. Once I had informed the Duchess, there was thought to be little need for me to remain. And I apologise for the state of my roof. Perhaps if you step towards the fire…’ I gestured, pleased that my hand was firm despite the tremors hidden behind the embroidered inset of my bodice.

The Duke did not move, even when more drops spattered on the shoulder of his brigandine. ‘The state of your roof is an irrelevance and does not concern me. On the other hand the reason for your leaving my employ is a matter for my attention, Lady de Swynford. If you have cause for complaint I should know of it. I would be gratified if you would grant me some enlightenment.’

Surprising me, steadying me, a little ripple of amusement developed to diffuse my present anxieties. I was being addressed as if I were a foreign delegation from a hostile state. The Duke was known to be a master at negotiation with enemy forces. Was I now seen as an enemy force? Was this cold blast to be my punishment?

I raised my chin, prepared to take the initiative to deflect the chill.

‘Will you be staying long, my lord?’ I asked with conspicuous conciliation. ‘Do your men require refreshment?’

‘Yes. We’ve ridden far, and out of our way. On what could be a wild-goose chase if I get no sensible explanation from you. My lady,’ he added through gritted teeth.

Superb! Punishment indeed, but I would not be swayed from my role as chatelaine in my own estate. ‘Where do you go, my lord?’

‘Kenilworth. My ultimate destination would also seem to be an irrelevance.’

I swallowed another urge to laugh. Would the whole of our conversation be conducted in this style? At The Savoy I had shared his bed. At The Savoy those fine hands clenched around his sword belt had caressed my body into delight.

‘Our accommodation is limited, my lord, as you see,’ I said lightly, ‘if you wish to remain here rather than be benighted. The stables are the best we can offer to your soldiery, and this space for your squire and servants and Master Symeon if they can withstand the drips…’

Where we would house the Duke I had no idea. In my chamber, I supposed, while I had a bed set up with Agnes. The Duke was not here in the manner of a lover.

‘My thanks. We have slept in worse places on campaign,’ he responded, with a nod to his squire who bowed himself out to begin preparations.

‘I am pleased to know that my home offers more than a bivouac in Aquitaine, my lord.’ I could not resist my tart response.

‘As am I, my lady, in the circumstances. But not much better.’

He swept the sheen of drops from his sleeve with an abrupt movement. And as he once again side-stepped a growing puddle, I saw the flash of light in his eye. This superb control, employing this impeccable, heart-wrenching courtesy to mask what I knew to be heated fury, would not hold fast for much longer. It would be a blow to his pride that his mistress had left him without a word, and the Duke had more pride than any man I knew. The gems on his hands refracted the light as he clenched and stretched his fingers.

‘I will make arrangements immediately, my lord.’ I nodded to my steward who shuffled out in his habitual gloom, taking my servant with him. ‘Bring wine to my parlour, Master Ingoldsby. If you would care to accompany me, my lord…?’ I would have to face him, and sooner would be better than later.

The Duke did not stir. Instead, he inhaled sharply.

‘What in God’s name are you doing?’

His voice echoed dully off the damp walls from which pieces of mortar showered down.

‘I have come to stay here at Kettlethorpe—for a little while,’ I responded carefully.

‘As I am aware. Before God, Katherine, what sort of game are you playing here?’

‘I could not tell you of my intentions. You were not there.’

‘I know I was not. So do you—and the reason for it.’ And now the anger erupted, spilling over both of us. ‘The pressure in France is building like a pot about to boil over to scald us all. Aquitaine is under attack. So is Brittany. My brother Edward’s not fit to lead an army. The Castile problem’s a running sore with no hope of remedying it in the near future, no matter what Constanza says.’ He took a stride forward, then with a snarl thought better of it as the drips pattered down on him. ‘I’ve just promised my father the King that I will serve overseas for a year and what do I find when I get to Hertford? Constanza in a mood of frenzied religious observance to make herself fit to bear a son and you not there to soothe her.’

So he was annoyed merely because I was not in attendance on frenzied Constanza. I did not believe that for one moment. ‘That is so,’ I replied equably. ‘I am sure that my sister is quite capable of reassuring the Duchess.’