Chapter 6

Gregory nodded. “Such knowledge in the hands of an enemy could be disastrous.”

“There were rumors when I met Edward at court after my husband’s death that he sometimes slept with men. Most dismissed it as tales of no real value,” Katherine said.

“Yes, and that should be the way it is. Is this why you knew about my relationship with him?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I knew that you were very close friends for many years. But that does not always imply a more intimate connection.”

“Then?”

“Tremaine. He knew.”

Gregory frowned. “How?”

Katherine looked at the hands she’d clenched on her lap. “When first I married Tremaine, I was an innocent. In not only body, but there were many elements of life I did not know or understand. Tremaine was always very kind to me, but our intimacies were limited.”

“Do you mean he did not consummate the marriage?”

“He did, yes, but not for some weeks after and it was rather difficult for him.” Katherine continued to stare at her hands and her face had turned a dark red.

“You do not need to tell me if it pains you,” Gregory said gently.

“I want to tell it,” Katherine admitted, raising her gaze to his at last. “Tremaine had a preference for men only. He was not like Edward. Are you more like Edward or more like Tremaine?”

He smiled. “Edward.”

She returned his smile, though somewhat shyly. “I hoped that would be the case. When my husband first came to my bed on our wedding night he was unable to get an erection. My attempts to assist were clumsy at best and he left with both of us being rather humiliated. He did not return for several nights. It was not until I spoke with him about the matter and then he told me he would bring help with him the next time.”

Gregory blinked. “Help?”

She nodded. “He came to my bed that night with a handsome young man named, Roland. While I watched, they stimulated each other. In this way only was Tremaine able to have an erection.”

“You must have been shocked.”

“I was, but also oddly excited by what I’d seen. Tremaine was able to consummate the marriage that night, and also Roland entered him. Thereafter, whenever Tremaine came to my bed, he brought Roland with him.” She was so red now, Gregory feared she might have a fit, but she continued, “Sometimes Tremaine took me and sometimes Roland did. It proved to be exciting for all three of us and we enjoyed our relationship for a number of years in this way.”

“I see.” Gregory was surprised to find himself intrigued by what he knew she was hinting at. His cock was half-hard merely thinking of the possibilities.

“During that time Tremaine told me he’d once had a brief affair with Edward, no more than a fortnight, but that Edward spoke to him of his relationship with you. That is why I know.”

He nodded. “And the rumors regarding Edward have disappeared since his marriage to you. Everyone speaks of his fondness for you and that it seems returned.”

Katherine smiled. “Oh, it is. I adore Edward.”

“What happened to the man who swived with the two of you?”

Her eyes turned sorrowful. “He died in the same battle that killed Tremaine. A lot of men died that day.”

“So you mourned them both.”

She nodded and looked away.

“I’m sorry. What is it you want from me?”

Katherine returned her gaze to him. “You will think me bold in this, but you werewith Edward last night, were you not?”

Gregory saw no point in denying it.

“Then you still care for him?”

“Of course.”

“And he cares for you, I know. ‘Tis why I thought to invite you to the tournament.”

“Are you so certain Edward will agree to the three of us?”

“I hope it is so. If not for a long period of time, at least for one night,” Katherine said, biting her lip. “I must seem so horrible to you. Here am I a woman…a wife…asking you to share her husband and herself. I am not normally so forward.”

“I do not think you are horrible. I daresay I have not known many women who would arrange for such a thing for their husband.” He shook his head. “Or any, actually.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I thought for a very long time on this. I believe my lord Edward is content in his marriage to me. I am content in mine to him. But I have wondered if we can both achieve more than mere contentment. Sometimes, when he thinks I am not looking I see the sadness in him. I have heard your name on his lips when he dreams. Perhaps in this way I can take that sadness away. If he refuses, then it need not be mentioned again.”

He hoped Edward would not refuse. In the past they’d shared lovers, but that was long ago, and Katherine was his wife. He suspected Edward would be a bit shocked Katherine wanted to make them three. But would he refuse?

Gregory dropped his gaze first to her tempting plump lips and then down lower to see her nipples straining against her under dress. He could well see his way between Katherine’s legs. It had been a while since he’d fucked such a beauty.