Stephen fidgeted some more until William thought he might have to shake the answer out of him.
“We have a visitor,” Stephen said at last.
“Catherine is not ready for visitors,” he replied curtly. “Send them away.” He started to shut the door but stopped when Stephen made no move to leave.
Pinning Stephen with a hard look, he said, “What is the problem, brother?”
“I cannot send her away.”
“And why is that?” William asked through clenched teeth.
“Because the visitor is our mother.”
Chapter Thirty-six
William grabbed Stephen’s wrist and pulled him into the solar. “What did you say?”
“Our mother is here in the hall,” Stephen said. “She says she’s come to meet your bride.”
William’s head was pounding with a sudden headache that was so bad it made his eyes hurt. His mother had never troubled herself to visit him before. But he should have expected her. Aye, she would come now that he was a man of property and in the king’s favor.
“I kept her waiting as long as I could,” Stephen said, “but you really must come down and see her now.”
Better to strike quickly, William told himself. He marched out the door, ready to do battle.
Because Catherine’s ear was pressed firmly to the door, she learned as soon as William did of Lady Eleanor’s arrival. The anger and irritation that plagued her since Edmund’s attack were displaced, for the moment, by fervent curiosity. And a spark of excitement.
Her mother-in-law was an enigma to her. Both William and Stephan painted Lady Eleanor as strong-willed, even manipulative. But while William professed to dislike and mistrust her, Stephen had strong affection for their mother.
Catherine was inclined to think well of the lady. No matter what her failings might be, she bore two fine sons whom Catherine loved with all her heart.
She could not wait to meet her! As soon as she heard the door close behind William, she called her maid to help her change. The challenge was to look her best—without looking as though she had taken any special care.
She decided on a new velvet gown of a silvery blue that brought out the color of her eyes. The gown, which had just been made to accommodate her growing size, fell over her protruding belly in soft folds from a tightly fitting bodice. Silver ribbon trimmed the neckline, sleeves, and high waist. The headdress was of the same silvery blue, with silver mesh encasing the braids on either side of her face.
After a last glance in her polished steel mirror, she hurried down the stairs. She paused to listen outside the entrance to the hall to gauge the tone of the conversation.
“Your visit comes at a most inopportune time.” William’s voice was politely formal but held a hard edge.
“Stephen told me of the recent misfortunes here.” The woman’s voice was rich and low. “I am most sorry to hear of them. How is your wife?”
Taking her cue, Catherine made her entrance.
“Lady Eleanor,” she began, but stopped before she finished her words of welcome. Putting her hand to her chest, she said instead, “But… you are so beautiful!”
Catherine had never seen such a breathtaking woman. Lady Eleanor’s rich brown eyes, auburn hair, and creamy skin matched Stephen’s coloring, but her features were more delicate, more feminine. The lady had to be in her midforties, but she looked ten—even fifteen—years younger. Her close-fitting gown showed off curves that must turn heads.
Catherine realized she had spoken the words aloud and flushed as she curtsied. “ ’Tis good to meet you at last,” she said, giving Lady Eleanor a warm smile despite her embarrassment. “I am so glad you’ve come.”
Lady Eleanor laughed and put her hands out to Catherine. “Thank you, my dear,” she said, kissing Catherine’s cheeks. “You do make me wonder how my sons describe me.” Flicking her eyes toward William, she said, “Odious and overbearing?”
Catherine turned to look at William and Stephen. To her dismay, William stood with his arms folded, fairly seething with hostility. And Stephen might catch fire, backed up almost into the hearth.
“I wish you congratulations on your marriage,” Lady Eleanor said. After sweeping her gaze over Catherine, she added, “And on your upcoming blessing! I am pleased to see such a bloom of health in your cheeks. You look lovely, dear.”
“Thank you, I could not feel better.”
“I was just telling Lady Eleanor that this is not a good time for us to receive visitors,” William interrupted.