She was frustrated at not being able to describe it more clearly, but FitzAlan nodded as though he understood.
“I counsel more patience. Give her time to trust you, and she will be a good wife to you.”
“I want her to be content with me,” FitzAlan said, “for the sake of our children, as much as for me.”
Abbess Talcott sensed from the way he said this that he wanted something for his children he had not had himself. Aye, she was pleased with him. Very pleased, indeed.
“If you can bring that spark back into her eyes, I promise she will bring you joy—and many children.” She hoped she had not winked at him, but old habits die hard.
“My wife’s coming here could have caused difficulties for you and the abbey,” FitzAlan said. “I apologize for that.”
The abbess nodded. “I could not have allowed her to remain here. In her haste, Catherine forgot the king gave her but two choices—and one of them was not joining a nunnery.”
The abbess signaled to Sister Matilde, who rose immediately and went to speak to someone just outside the door.
A few moments later, they heard light footsteps coming up the stairs. FitzAlan got to his feet, but the abbess signaled for him to wait where he was. She stepped outside the open door and met Catherine at the top of the stairs.
“Tell me,” she asked in a low voice as she took Catherine’s hands, “have you decided to comply with your marriage vows and go with your husband?”
Catherine nodded, her eyes cast down.
“Surely, it is God’s will that you do.”
Though FitzAlan was only a few yards away, Catherine did not even glance in his direction.
“Your new husband seems to be an honorable man who cares for your happiness. A woman cannot ask for more.” His fine looks were certainly an added blessing, but the abbess did not say this aloud.
She embraced Catherine and took the opportunity to whisper in her ear. “I will soon learn what message the emissaries from the French court have brought to Owain Glyndwr.”
“You will send me news when you have it?” Catherine whispered back.
“Aye.” The abbess released her and said, “God bless you both.”
She turned and went down the stairs with Sister Matilde, leaving Catherine alone to face her husband.
Catherine clasped her hands together to control their shaking and entered the parlor. Unable to look into her husband’s face, she fixed her eyes on his boots and walked across the room to him. She’d practiced her apology in the chapel. But when she opened her mouth to give it, her throat closed.
William’s face was suddenly in her line of vision. The saints have mercy, he’d dropped to his knee before her. She could not read the deep emotion in his amber eyes, but she could not look away if she tried.
“I apologize for frightening you last night,” he said, enfolding her clasped hands in his. “I should not have come to you drunk… and… in that manner.”
The apology was so unexpected that she could think of no reply.
“But you did not need to leave,” he said more forcefully. “You had only to speak to make me stop.” A look of unease flitted across his face. “In sooth, you might have had to shout, but I did not intend to hurt you.”
Unsure what he expected of her, she murmured, “Thank you.”
“I have come to take you back, but I will give you my promise.” He spoke his next words slowly and deliberately, his eyes never leaving her face. “I swear to you, Mary Catherine FitzAlan, I will never harm you.”
His apology and promise made, he rose to his feet and said, “That is not to say I think you are without fault in this.”
Catherine felt her face color, thinking of her refusal to come willingly to the marriage bed. “I am most sorry for my failures, m’lord husband,” she stammered. “I intended to ask your forgiveness as soon as I came in.”
“You broke your word to me.” He loomed over her, his fists clenched, his voice sharp with anger. “You agreed to tell no one our marriage was not consummated. Now I find you’ve told Abbess Talcott as well as the housekeeper.”
“I am sorry,” she said, surprised to learn this was what he was most angry about. “In my fright, I forgot my promise.”
“You may as well have announced it in the hall,” he said, raising his voice and spreading his arms wide. “Everyone you did not tell outright will know it when they hear you came here seekingan annulment!”