Part 9 (1/2)
”If she knows naught of the frailties of all mankind and the Court in particular, I should say as thou art her rightful guardian and the suitor chosen of her father, and 'twas thy wish for her immediate espousal, 'twould best serve thee to use all manner of means to gain her consent, and if this prove abortive, I would abduct the maid and have thy Chaplain ready to marry thee to her; and after he p.r.o.nounces thee man and wife, what can she do but love thee straightway for thy strong handling; 'tis the way of women. I would marry such a beauty in haste, ere another takes the vantage.”
Lord Cedric chose Mistress Penwick for the brantle and led her forth.
They moved with such majestic grace, they attracted all eyes. It seemed Cedric could not contain himself for love of Kate, and he vowed to gain her ear this very night and know for a certainty if she would ever marry with him.
It pleased Mistress Penwick to dance with Cedric, for she was more at ease with him than any other, and she was hardly pleased when he bade her rest and took her to another room, where they were quite alone.
But she would not sit down, and stood fanning and smiling up into his face, saying half pettishly:
”Thou art soon tired; the brantle has just begun.”
”Kate, hast thou patience?”
”Aye, but 'tis of dwarfish mould.”
”Kate, dost love any human being?”
”Aye, 'tis a poor thing that loves not.”
”Dost love me, Kate?”
”As a father or brother and as one should love her father's best friend.”
”Then--give me a--kiss as thou wouldst give thy brother.” The hot blood suffused her face. At sight of it, Cedric's heart leapt with a mighty gladness.
”Not having had a brother, I know not how to give that thou askest;--and 'tis unseemly of thee to ask for that that makes one blush for very shame to be questioned of.”
”Blushes are not always for shame--'tis for love, sometimes. Kate, 'tis time I knew thy heart, for thou knowest I am about to die for love of thee. Dost not understand that thy father wished thee to marry at an early age and to marry the son of his bosom friend to whom he gave his daughter's keeping?”
”Nay, he said naught of my marriage with thee, as he knew not thou wert in existence.”
”Aye, of a truth he hath done so; it is here next my heart,” and he drew forth Sir John's letter. ”Wilt read but the lines I show thee; for there are secrets belonging to thy father and me alone?” He marked the lines with his jewelled finger, his love locks falling against her cheek as she read: ”My last wish and the one of greatest import to my child is that thou find for her a spouse of rank and fortune. 'Tis my desire she marry early to such an one.--Ah! Cedric, if thou had hadst a son, their union would have been our delight--”
”Ah! ah!” and Katherine's eyes grew wide. ”Thou hast said naught of this--as it appears here before me now; and it might have been too late.”
”Too late! What meanest thou?”
”The n.o.ble--nay, now I cannot tell thee, for 'tis a secret but half mine.”
”My G.o.d! who dares have secrets with thee save thy nurse and guardian; whose d.a.m.ned heart hath played the lover to thee?” His hand fell upon his sword and he drew it half way. ”What guest hath so dishonoured name as to make profit of that I have already made known as my espoused? Tell me, Kate!” Seeing her frightened eyes, that were justly so, he pushed back the jewelled hilt and threw his arm about her and drew her close, so close she was well-nigh crushed by his warm and pa.s.sionate embrace and choked by pulverulent civet as her face was pressed against the folds of his steenkirk. She felt the tumultuous beating of his heart, and 'twas a great, new feeling came to her and she trembled and swayed, and loved and hated both, in one brief moment and drew from him and looked with angry eyes. ”Kate, Kate, what saidst the false lover; tell me every word. Did he ask thee for espousal?”
Now Mistress Penwick faltered and flushed, for she dare not tell him who her suitor was and thought if she told him well what was said, he would not press her for name, and 'twas meet she should tell him truthfully. She feared his hot temper not a little, for she had heard that one time he locked Lady Constance in the tower for two whole days for telling him a falsehood.
”Aye, he asked me to espouse him.”
”And what didst thou say?”
”I said him nay, 'twas too soon to wed, 'twould be wiser to speak a year hence.”
”And what answer did he make thee?”
”He said the king's sister, Princess Mary, when but ten married William, Prince of Orange, and--”