Forbidden Legacy (5 page)

With her hair tossed by the wind, her face flushed with outrage, the flare of awareness that had caught him off guard before returned. Furious she had the power to make him want her, the carefully chosen explanation he'd crafted to ease the tension between them lay smothered beneath the whip of anger.

“You said we could have a business arrangement,” Stephan growled. “If in your skewed mind that equates to your challenging me before my men as you did above deck, then our bargain is off.”

She angled her jaw. “Challenging you before your men?”

Bloody blasted hell, the woman would ignite ire in a spew-brained hen! He leaned toward her. “Aye.”

“I sought naught more than to prove to your addled mind that I am sufficient with a sword.”

“An issue,” he said between clenched teeth, “that is settled.”

“In your mind,” she replied, fury coating her words. “When the time comes to reclaim Avalon Castle, I will be ready to fight.”

He glared at her, irritated that her nearness lured him to look at her curves. “You may train,” he said, his voice hard. “Dinna push me for more or I swear that when my men and I attack, nae only will you remain onboard but under guard.”

Outrage burned in her eyes.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Stephan turned on his heel and strode away. He cursed this day, her stubbornness, and the fact that as he'd watched her speak, he'd been tempted to draw her close and give her a kiss.

* * *

Hours later, composed after her earlier confrontation with her husband, Katherine sat near the stern of the ship and began to clean her sword. Thankfully, except for a few subtle glances and polite greetings, the men had left her alone.

The soft pad of footsteps grew near.

She looked up.

A tall, lean knight with sandy brown hair approached, a man Stephan had introduced to her earlier that day. The man who'd broken the tension on deck by making the others laugh after she'd challenged Stephan to spar. Nerves fluttering in her stomach, she lay the weapon on a soft cloth. “Sir Thomas.”

He gave a half bow. “Lady Katherine.”

“I hadna expected company.”

The knight glanced toward the sea and then faced her with a smile. “With the wind to our backs, the sky clear of clouds, and the sun setting soon, 'tis a fine time to be standing at the rail.”

“It is,” she replied. “Though I doubt you came to speak of the weather.”

Humor touched his gaze. “I didna.” He nodded to the sturdy bench to her right. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“If you wish.”

With inherent grace, he drew up a small box and sat, as if he'd lived the life of a noble. A foolish thought. He was a knight who bore his arms for her husband's cause. “And you are here because . . . ?”

“To aid in your request.”

Intrigued, she lifted a brow. “My request?”

“You wish to hone your skills with a sword, am I right?”

Astonished by the knight's words after her and Stephan's confrontation, she nodded. “I do, but I admit being surprised that my husband has ceded in this and sent you to help me train.”

Thomas cleared his throat. “My lady, he doesna know I am here, or of my offer.”

S
uspicion filled Katherine at Sir Thomas's offer to help improve her proficiency with a sword. “Why would you risk upsetting your lord?”

“Your desire to hone your skills with a weapon is reasonable. Neither,” he continued, his voice sincere, “will your husband be angry. Before I approached you, I spoke with Stephan regarding my intention.”

“And he agreed?”

A twinkle sparked in the warrior's eyes. “More or less.”

“More or less?”

“Aye, my lady. Your husband explained that the decision to join in while the men sparred was yours.”

How her earlier discussion with Stephan had eroded into his issuing ultimatums sifted through her mind. In fairness, this debacle wasna her husband's fault. He was unaware of her past assault, and that the violence haunted her still. But that didna excuse the brain-addled manner in how he dealt with her, nor would she be ordered about.

Katherine nodded. “Indeed, the decision was mine.”

“There you are.” His smile exposed a hint of dimples. “If you are still interested in training, then, my lady, I am at your service.”

She didna want to bring further discord to her marriage. As if from the cool manner Stephan had responded to her simple query their union could ever be one of them working together in peace.

His being awarded Avalon Castle hurt. 'Twas her heritage. By the king's whim, a castle he'd bestowed upon a mere knight. “I appreciate your offer, Sir Thomas, but I dinna wish your helping me to cause strife in your friendship.”

“Nor will it. Despite Stephan and my many disagreements, the difficulties of battle we have weathered over the years have bonded us like brothers.”

However reluctant to prod an unstable marital foundation, the opportunity to spend time with Thomas could prove advantageous. Until this moment, owing to her husband's remote manner, little hope existed for her to learn of his past. Did she want to know? Could understanding the circumstances that had carved Stephan into the man he was today make any difference?

She hesitated. What right did she have to pry into his early years when she didna plan on sharing her own? Still, any insight gained would aid her in future dealings with the stranger she'd wed.

Confident of her decision, Katherine smiled. “Then I will accept your offer.”

“Excellent,” he replied.

“When do we begin?”

Thomas gave a nod. “Now.”

* * *

Sweat streaking Stephan's brow, he hammered the last nail into the damaged crate below deck and stepped back. The steady rumble of water against the bow echoed against the hull as he studied his work. Pleased with the repair, he glanced to the knight beside him. “This should hold now.”

A hammer in his hand, Cailin wiped his brow with his elbow. “Aye.”

The scrape of blades rang out from above deck as Rónán climbed down the ladder.

With a frown, Stephan glanced toward his friend. “'Tis late for anyone to be practicing.”

Rónán shrugged.

Unease settled in Stephan's gut. “What?”

“Naught of great import,” Rónán replied.

Aiden and several knights who'd recently come below and worked nearby glanced at him.

Irritation slid through Stephan. Whatever was going on, his men knew, and . . . Was it Katherine sparring? Blast it, after their confrontation earlier this day, with her realizing she wasna joining them on the attack on Avalon, he'd believed his wife had set aside the foolish notion of honing her ability.

Stephan scowled at the opening above and then glanced toward his men. “I will be back.”

Aiden stepped between him and the ladder. “Dinna be upset at the lass.”

“Let him go,” Rónán said. “Lady Katherine's decision has been made. If asked, one I support.”

Irritated, Stephan noted pride in his knights' eyes at his wife's daring. 'Twould seem in her brazen act she'd earned his men's favor. With a muttered curse, he walked to the ladder, shoved his foot on the first rung, and began to climb. With each step, the clang of blades increased. When he reached the top, he glanced out.

Near the bow, beneath the rays of afternoon sun, Thomas sparred with Katherine.

At his approach, his friend looked up. Humor flickered in his eyes, and then Thomas focused on his next swing.

Stephan clenched his teeth. Mayhap Katherine was determined to increase her skills with a weapon, but now he understood what, or better yet who, had prodded her to begin so soon.

Though he conceded her deftness with a blade aided their cause, Thomas was wrong to believe Stephan's interest in the lass went beyond obligation. As with every duty assigned, he took responsibility, paid attention to detail, and finished the task. Except with their marriage there was naught to finish, simply to endure.

Several paces away, Stephan leaned against the rail, crossed his arms over his chest, and watched.

With her back to him, ignorant of his presence, Katherine continued the practice.

“You are doing well.” Thomas angled his sword to block her swing. “Next time before you raise your weapon, ensure your feet are braced. If you are off-balance when you strike, your blow will be weakened. An opportunity your opponent will seize upon.”

With a nod, Katherine positioned herself as he'd explained. She lifted her sword.

“Good,” he encouraged. “Ensuring you are in a proper stance will slow you at first, but with practice the move will become natural. During battle 'twill give you an edge. Let us run through another bout. Remember what I said.”

“I will,” she replied.

With practiced ease, the knight stepped forward, shifted to the left, swung.

She braced her feet, raised her blade to meet his. Steel scraped.

Pride shone in Thomas's eyes. He nodded, pushed her back. “Well done. This time, when you see my body brace and my arm begin to move, strike. The attack will eliminate my ability to plan a swing.”

She nodded.

His friend started to lift his weapon.

Expression fierce, Kathryn angled her sword, charged, forcing Thomas to block the blow.

Against the churn of water pummeling the bow, honed steel screamed.

Thomas shoved her back, following with a brutal drive.

Katherine met his every swing, each scrape of their weapons swept away by the rush of salt-stung air.

Impressed, Stephan grimaced. Though she wasna a warrior, her technique showed promise.

As she prepared for her next attack, Katherine shifted her body to keep control; her eyes met Stephan's.

She hesitated.

With her grip relaxed, her sword lowered a degree.

Thomas having started to swing, cursed and lifted his weapon; steel skimmed the tip of her blade with a fierce clatter.

The sword wobbled in her hands. Red slid up her cheeks and her fingers tightened on the hilt.

“Lady Katherine,” Thomas said. “When engaged in close-quarter fighting,” the knight explained with firmness, “regardless the distraction, to lose focus on your opponent, even for a moment, could mean your death.”

“A point well taken,” she replied, her voice unsteady.

His wife was upset. Was the reason that she'd erred in his view, or due to her irritation at him seeing her spar?

As if either explanation mattered. 'Twas his ship and his responsibility to ensure all onboard were properly trained. 'Twould seem regardless of his wishes that included her. Nor could he ignore the impropriety of allowing another man to teach his wife.

Resigned to his fate, he pushed away from the rail. Given Katherine's penchant for creating mayhem, assisting in honing her skills would allow him to keep a close eye on her during the remainder of the journey. Once they'd seized Avalon, the time required in running the castle would keep her out of his way.

* * *

As they sparred, Katherine focused on Thomas, but with each turn toward the aft, she caught sight of Stephan. Neither did she care if he watched. Although when she'd first spotted him leaning against the rail, his arms folded across his muscled chest, and a scowl marring his handsome face, she'd realized a part of her wanted to earn his respect.

Furious at the realization, she angled her weapon, drove her sword forward. She didna need Stephan's praise!

Thomas locked his blade with hers. “Hold.”

Arm trembling, she lowered her sword. “Was I doing something wrong?”

Humor touched the knight's eyes. “Nay, lass. Me thinks,” he said, his words quiet, “that you have done everything right.”

“You are nae making sense. I—”

The firm tap of steps sounded behind her. “I will take over,” her husband stated.

Thomas shot her a wink and then turned to her husband. “But earlier you said—”

“I have changed my mind,” Stephan cut in, his burr rough with irritation.

“With five ships beneath your charge along with preparations for the upcoming attack,” his friend said, “you have more than enough weighing on your mind. 'Tis an honor to assist Lady Katherine.”

Mary have mercy, Thomas didna understand that neither she nor her husband wished to be in close proximity with the other. “Your offer is unnecessary. I find Sir Thomas an expert in his instruction.”

Stephan scowled at his friend. “You are needed below.”

“My lady,” the knight said, a smile flickering on his mouth, “'twould seem I have other more pressing duties.”

More pressing duties. That she sincerely doubted. 'Twas her husband's interference. “I thank you, Sir Thomas. Your time and advice were greatly appreciated.”

The knight bowed. “If you ever need me, my lady, I am at your service.”

“She willna,” Stephan stated.

With a light step, Thomas strode to the ladder.

“I find it odd that you wish to be involved in helping me spar,” Katherine said, her voice dry, “training you made clear hours before that you disagree with.”

Cool eyes shifted to her. “At times our decisions are made for the greater good.”

“And I am the greater good?”

“Nay, a burden.”

Hurt, furious that he could make her feel such, she narrowed her gaze. “As are you.”

“Then we are even, are we nae?”

“Even?”

“Listen—”

“Nay,” she interrupted. “'Twas the chance to wed a man who I love that has been taken away, my father's title that you have been granted, and my home we recapture. You have lost naught but your status as an unmarried man. Considering everything, I doubt we will ever reach a point where we are
even
.”

The irritation in his eyes tumbled to frustration. “We are nae at war.”

“Nay, we are wed; 'tis worse. In war one side achieves victory; the battle ends. In marriage, the only escape is death.”

“Blast it, 'tis nae my desire to remain at odds with you. Upon your request to become more proficient with a blade, I should have agreed to train you from the start.”

The utter sincerity of his reply left her stunned. In a sense he was apologizing, or as close as his thick-skinned brain would allow him to admit. Neither did his admission change things between them, but 'twas a reminder that Stephan was a fair man. “What did you mean by the greater good?”

Grief darkened his eyes as he stared at the sea. “For my brothers to be safe. A wish that however much I want it, willna come true.”

Confused by the somberness of his voice, she frowned. “Your brothers? Where is your family?”

“Far away.”

Though discord lay between them, she wouldna place their differences upon his family. “Once we have reclaimed Avalon, as 'tis spacious, they could—”

His gaze was riveted on her, the intensity as strong as if he'd struck her with a blade. “They canna.”

“Stephan,” she said, her words rough with compassion, “if they are your family, our home will always be open to them.”

His mouth tightened.

The man was stubborn. If she were to be honest, it was a trait she harbored as well, and his mulishness wouldna stop her from acquiring her answers. “What did you mean by the ‘greater good'?”

Face taut, he unsheathed his weapon. “Do you want to spar or talk?”

“I can choose?” she asked, pleased when his nostrils flared.

He raised his sword. “Nay, we spar.” Stephan swung.

With ease, she deflected his blow.

“Next time,” he said, the glint in his eyes sharpening to a warrior's keenness, “ensure you have a firmer grip on the hilt. Use your body as leverage to place power behind your swing.”

Katherine nodded, listening to each bit of advice while they continued her training; many techniques she'd heard before, but several were unfamiliar.

After she deflected his next swing, he stepped back. Steel hissed against leather as he sheathed his weapon. “Enough for today.”

Moisture clinging to her brow, she secured her sword. Working to catch her breath, her sense of accomplishment smothered the fatigue. Though they'd practiced a long while, naught but a shimmer of sweat touched his brow. “You have fought in numerous battles?”

“A few.”

More than a few. He moved with an ease she'd witnessed with but a handful of knights who'd sparred in her father's bailey. “As you have traveled, you must have seen many other countries?”

“Your muscles will be sore on the morrow. I suggest you rub them with a damp cloth before you go to bed. I will have one of the men bring you some seawater to use after we sup.” He started toward the ladder.