Page 19 of Katherine the Vixen

Siaspar turned around, his hand automatically going to the hilt of his sword. Katherine gulped at this glimpse of a knight in full command of his power. She could see now that he could be, if not a beast, at least a formidable warrior.

“My lord, it’s me, Katherine,” she said before he could run her through by sheer reflex. When he stilled his hand, she took a step forward on shaky legs, eyeing his sword wearily.

When he saw where she was looking, he took his hand away from the hilt, indicating she was not in danger of being cut to ribbons. He had been taken by surprise, that was all. And little wonder. He would not have expected her, or indeed anyone to dare come interrupt his time alone. But when she had seen him go to the herb garden alone, she had seized her chance.

“What do you want?” he growled. “Why all the secrecy?”

She looked around. “I did not want for us to be overheard, or indeed for people to know we have met.”

“By ‘people’ I assume you mean Lady Malpas?” he asked with a wry smile.

“Yes.”

Katherine could not help her nervousness. Siaspar impressed her, never more so than when he was standing inches away from her, a scowl on his face. They had not met once since the day he had revealed he was aware of the deception she was playing with his wife. That had been three weeks ago, but she had not forgotten the fury he had displayed on that occasion.

“So, what is this mysterious thing you wanted to tell me?” he asked, coming even closer. Another step and they would touch.

“I thought you would want to know…that my monthly courses arrived today,” she finished in an embarrassed whisper. The mention of something so personal had made heat reach the roots of her hair. “I am not with child,” she added unnecessarily. He would already have understood what she was saying; that their two encounters had not borne any fruit.

“Yes… I am relieved to hear it,” he said in a low voice, almost to himself.

The use of the word “relieved” surprised Katherine. She had felt it her duty to inform him of the fact, but she had half expected him to feel angry that she should dare to suppose he would concern himself with any child he might have fathered on her. For many people, a lowly servant carrying her master’s bastard would not be cause for worry.

But he sounded as if he were glad that she would not have to bear the consequences of their lovemaking, considering that she should not have shared his bed in the first place. This only confirmed her opinion of him.

Formidable as he could be, and whatever people might say, Siaspar ap Morgan was not a thoughtless brute.

“Did you come here of your own initiative?” he asked, leaning a shoulder against the stone wall.

“Yes.”

“Is your mistress pleased or disappointed that you are not to give her husband a child?”

“I haven’t told her anything and she never asked.”

Katherine didn’t tell Siaspar as much, but in the last three weeks, her hatred toward Lady Malpas had only grown. The woman had not enquired about the possible issue of the two encounters or even come to speak to her once. The message was clear.

She cared not one way or the other about the woman she had so shamelessly used.

Had she not been waiting for the message confirming that her family had been paid the money she was owed, Katherine would have left Castell y Ddraig days ago. With luck, she should soon get the letter. Of course, that didn’t change the fact that she was petrified at the idea of getting back to her family on her own. Traveling alone would be a dangerous endeavor, undoubtedly.

Perhaps she could ask Mel if she had a friend or cousin who could escort her?

“Why did you come to me?”

No man had ever looked more forbidding than Siaspar did in this instant. Behind him, a torch was burning, casting a golden glow over his left cheek, leaving his right side in darkness. In any other circumstances, Katherine might have taken the time to enjoy the effect it created and allowed herself a moment to bask in his beauty.

Because, undeniably, his proximity was intoxicating. His masculine scent, so reminiscent of their two nights together, made her wish he would sweep her into his arms the way he had done on their second time together, when he had lifted her off her feet to carry her to bed. Yes, shocking as it was, she wanted him to take her into his arms. This was the only explanation for the tingling in her body.

Was this the real reason why she had chosen to meet with him in this secluded spot where no one would see them? Because she was hoping that away from prying eyes, he would not resist the temptation to make love to her again?

If she were, she was destined to be disappointed. Despite the near darkness she could see that his eyes were glinting—in ire, nor desire. Siaspar looked like a man about to shake her in anger, rather than make love to her.

“I just told you why I came,” she said, realizing too late that she had not answered his question. “I wanted to tell you I was not carrying your child.”

“It seems to me that you have missed an opportunity, my sweet.”

She blinked. Had he really called her my sweet? It could not be, as he was very obviously angry with her.