The Lord's Forced Bride. Anne Herries

The blush rose in her cheeks. ‘You should not say such things to me, sir.’

      ‘Should I not, Catherine?’ he asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes. ‘I dare say others will say far more once you are at court. You must take care, for there are rogues even amongst the King’s court.’ He bowed to her elegantly. ‘I wish you a safe journey and shall look forward to meeting you again.’

      Catherine watched as he walked away from her. Her heart was beating very fast and she knew that she was smiling. She held the rose to her nose, inhaling its perfume. A strange warmth curled inside her, pooling low down in her abdomen. He made her feel so very odd, with a tingling sensation down her spine. What bold eyes he had! She thought that he was almost too attractive—perhaps a little dangerous—and she wished that she knew why his visit had seemed to make her mother uneasy. She was beginning to like him rather a lot, and she was not sure that it was a good idea to let herself think of the Earl of Gifford too often.

      He was handsome and she found him attractive. He had shown her gallantry, but nothing in his manner had given her cause to hope that he intended more than a casual flirtation.

      Chapter Four

      It was a very cold morning when Harry Melford’s party set out on the last stage of their journey to London. They had spent more than a week on the road, for Catherine’s brother had chosen to linger at the houses of friends to rest the horses. Some of those friends had decided to ride with him and it was now a very large and merry group that descended on the capital. Their mood was in tune with that of the people as the celebrations had already begun, though the prince’s wedding was not to take place for some days. However, the royal event was drawing nobles and their families from all over the country, and as they approached the city the roads became crowded with richly dressed ladies and gentlemen and their trains.

      ‘It is as well that Father made preparations in advance,’ Harry told his sister. ‘I do not think that there will be a room to be had in the city.’

      Catherine looked about her with excitement. She had never seen so many people in one place before, and because of the coming marriage there was an air of anticipation and goodwill. The working people waved at them as they passed and shouted the prince’s name, as if they were not sure who they were and did not wish to miss the chance of seeing the royal party arrive.

      Lord Melford had taken lodgings in a large house near the Palace of Westminster, for it was here that most of the important festivities would take place. He had made the arrangements on behalf of his family before his illness, and it had been decided that they would keep the lodgings, even though Catherine would spend much of her time with Lady Anne. It would be foolish to let the house go as there would be nothing available elsewhere when the rest of the family came to town. It was one of the most popular areas to be staying for the festivities. King Henry VII had spent large sums of money restoring and improving the palace, though for private use it was known that he preferred the palaces of Greenwich and Sheen.

      Catherine noticed the streets were cleaner here than some parts of the town they had passed through, where the narrow medieval roads were choked with filth in the gutters and the smell of rotting waste was overpowering. Catherine was relieved when they went inside the house for it was a substantial building and she had been shivering with cold. She saw that the house was in the new style with half-timbered walls and an overhanging upper storey; the inner walls were panelled with a pale golden oak that gave the rooms a light, airy feeling and did not harbour the dust of old tapestries. The wooden floors had been swept with sweet herbs that morning, their fragrance lingering in the air.

      The steward welcomed them to the house, and then introduced Catherine to a woman that he said would care for her every need while she stayed in the house.

      ‘It is such a shame that the others could not be here,’ Catherine said to her brother. ‘They would have loved to see all those banners in the streets.’

      ‘Wait until you see the pageantry Henry plans for Katherine of Aragon’s arrival, Cat. The celebrations at court will be something you will remember for the rest of your life.’ Harry smiled at her. He was rather pleased that the task of introducing his twin at court had fallen to him, because he was a popular young man, and he would enjoy showing his sister off to his friends. ‘Lady Anne Shearer will be calling on us tomorrow. She will help you choose your new gowns. You must be properly dressed when we attend the celebrations, Cat.’

      ‘Yes, Harry. I want you to be proud of me.’ Catherine’s eyes glowed.

      ‘You have always been perfect to me.’ Harry grinned at her. ‘But, dressed properly, you will make a stir at court. I dare say I shall be fighting off all the young bucks who want to become your beau.’

      ‘Oh, Harry! It sounds so exciting.’ Catherine laughed. ‘But I should have liked Mother and Anne to be here—and Father too.’

      ‘Mother has been to court many times, and Anne will have her turn. This is your chance, Cat. Father hopes that you may find someone you wish to marry, but I think you should just enjoy yourself. There is plenty of time to find a husband.’

      ‘Yes, I know that my parents hope that I may take Will Shearer, but I am not sure I wish to wed him.’

      ‘Well, you need not if you do not wish it,’ Harry told her with a fond look. ‘You know that I would always support you if you refused him—besides, the parents only want what is best for you. Father would not see you unhappy, Cat.’

      Catherine nodded, because she knew that he was right. She looked about her as she followed the serving woman up a wide wooden staircase to the next landing; the house appeared to be adequately furnished with carved oak and walnut pieces that she thought looked foreign rather than English. When her bedchamber was reached, she was pleased that it was clean and sweet with crimson damask curtains at the windows and around the half-tester bed. A coffer on a stand had been provided for her clothes and there were stools and a trestle table. The room seemed a little bare, the dark crimson furnishings rather dull and heavy, but she thought it comfortable enough.

      ‘Your things will be brought up shortly, Mistress Melford. Is there aught you wish for? Some refreshment perhaps?’

      ‘Nothing for the moment, thank you, Tabbitha,’ Catherine said and smiled at her. ‘I shall dine with my brother later, I dare say. For the moment I should prefer to make myself comfortable.’

      ‘If you need anything, you have only to send for me, Mistress Melford. It is my pleasure to serve you.’

      Catherine thanked her and she went away, leaving her to settle into her new surroundings. She went to look out the window, but the glass was thick and grey, giving her a distorted view. She opened the window and looked out at the garden. It was rather damp and dismal for it was a dull day, though she could just about see the river at the far end.

      Leaving her bedchamber, Catherine went out on to the landing, glancing out of the window at the front of the house; she opened it to see the view. From here she could just see the Palace of Westminster with its imposing towers and all the other buildings crowded into the streets leading there. As she looked down into the street below, leaning out to get a better view, a small group of richly dressed gentlemen walked past and one of them glanced up. He grinned as he saw her, touching the arm of his companion, who also looked up. Catherine recognised the second gentleman instantly as the Earl of Gifford. Her heart jerked with shock, as she knew that he had seen her and she drew back swiftly, closing the window. She would not like him to think she had been spying on him! However, she heard the sound of their amusement as she withdrew and suspected that they were laughing at her.

      Catherine’s face felt hot with embarrassment as she went back to her room. The earl had given her such a look! Almost intimate! It had made her heart race and she had wanted to smile and wave to him, but her pride had held her back from making a spectacle of herself in front of his friends. Yet the knowledge that he was already here in London was making her tingle with anticipation, because there was every chance that they might meet.

      She was just thinking about what she ought to