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Charles eyed him keenly. “The lady is comely, tae be sure.”
That fact had not escaped Robbie’s notice, and was, in truth, a far more compelling motive for his sudden proposal than the state of his hearths and table. He responded with a non-committal grunt.
“I daresay she wouldnae agree tae let ye fuck her without the benefit o’ matrimony…?” Charles went on. “These English can be prim that way, or so I hear.”
Robbie swung around to glare at his friend. “Is that a slur aimed at Flora, because I shall not—”
“No, of course not.” Charles raised his hands in apology. “Ye ken I love the lass almost as much as ye do yersel’.”
Robbie grunted again but let the matter drop. In any case, Charles was not far off the mark. The prospect of bedding the delightful Lady Katherine Bramwell was particularly appealing. He intended to see to the matter with all possible haste.
He had not expected to encounter Lady Katherine on his excursion out of doors last night. He had only ventured from the keep for a wee breath of fresh air and, perhaps, to clear his head in the hope he might arrive at the right decision regarding his sister’s future.
His private conversation with Flora the previous day had been most illuminating. His sister’s devotion to Stephen was apparent. Even if her affections were misguided, and he rather suspected they were, there could be no denying that her feelings were both genuine and powerful. Matters had crystallised yet further when they were joined in the solar by the marquis himself. Robbie was never a man to let anger cloud his judgement. He observed. He listened, and had finally concluded, however reluctantly, that the pair were in love and destined to be together.
Who, then, was he to stand in their way?
He had determined at once that the arrangement must be endorsed by both Westminster and Holyrood. Families such as theirs could not forge dynastic alliances without royal assent. His second requirement, however, was rooted in his more personal concerns.
Roxburghe needed Kat.Heneeded Kat.
Robbie kept a watchful eye on the stairs leading from the marquis’s solar. Stephen had not entirely admitted defeat at the breakfast table. He and Kat were currently sequestered in the upper chamber holding a private discussion.
Robbie could not deny them the opportunity. Indeed, he suspected the marquis had demanded the private meeting to repay him for insisting upon the exact same thing the previous day. He hoped Kat would prove as stalwart as Flora had.
Footsteps echoed down the narrow stairs. Kat came into view, her cloak draped over her arm. Her features were flushed but calm. Stephen followed, and Robbie was pleased to note that his demeanour was rather less serene.
“My lord…?” Kat approached their group.
Robbie was pleased when both his companions got to their feet and bowed, without so much as a snarl from him. It boded well for Kat’s future among their people.
“Lady Katherine.” He kissed her cheek. “I trust all went well?”
“Perfectly well, my lord. I wonder, do you have time to walk with me before you leave for Scotland?”
“Of course.” He waited until she drew her cloak around her shoulders then offered her his arm.
“I shall not delay you long,” she murmured. “I appreciate that you are busy. There were just…one or two small matters I wanted to discuss.”
He allowed her to lead him out into the bailey, then across the cobbled courtyard to a quiet spot close to the eastern wall of the keep. She paused and turned to look up at him.
“Stephen has agreed,” she said.
“I am pleased,” he replied. It would have been awkward had he been forced to resort to abducting the lady.
“He has…misgivings. And so do I.”
“What can I do to put your mind at rest?” Robbie would refrain from punching Stephen again if he could, but otherwise he cared not a jot for the sensibilities of the Marquis of Otterburn. He was, though, keen to reassure Kat.
“I do not ask that you love me. I know perfectly well that you do not.”
“I see.” He was not entirely sure that he did, but he supposed matters might become clearer.
Kat continued. “But I could not endure a lifetime of humiliation. I will not be an unwanted wife.”
“You are not unwanted, Kat.” That much he could definitely swear to.
“No, I imagine not. Not right at this moment. But I mean to be faithful to you and I expect the same consideration in return.”
