Chapter 10

He wanted to see for himself, though, so Edward slipped into the room where Katherine had placed Gregory. He approached the bed and watched Gregory sleep. Watched the rise and fall of his chest. His color was surprisingly good.

Satisfied, Edward returned to his own chamber to change into more comfortable, less ceremonial clothing. He sat upon the edge of his bed to remove his boots.

A light tapping on the outside of his door drew his attention.

“Come.”

Katherine opened the door and entered, smiling broadly. “Well, my lord? Did you see Sir Gregory?”

“Yes, and it was as you say. He slept soundly and looked healthy.”

She came to kneel in front of him to assist in removing his boots. “And the tournament? Did you enjoy your tribute?”

Edward nodded. “I did. I enjoyed it being over, too.”

She laughed, and then bowed her head. “My lord, there is something I must speak to you about.”

Fear returned full force. “Is it Gregory?”

“It does concern him, but do not be alarmed, Edward. He will recover fully.”

Edward blinked, trying to determine what she wished to speak about that concerned Gregory. Had she somehow guessed that he and Gregory were lovers?

“May I speak freely?” she asked demurely.

“Of course, my love, always.”

“My lord, you know I adore you and I know you return my affection.”

“I do,” Edward said. He smiled uncertainly. “But I feel you are stalling. Tell me what troubles you so.”

Her cheeks had reddened, but now she looked him in the eyes. “I know you and Sir Gregory have been lovers. And that you have been with other men, also.”

Edward exhaled slowly. “I see. I suspected you might have heard the whisperings.”

“More than that, my lord. My late husband shared with me a secret.”

Edward’s stomach turned over. “He…he did?”

She grasped his hands in hers. “Do not be distressed. At first I was shocked, but he told me about you because he shared with me the secrets of his own preferences. Unlike you, Edward, Tremaine could not be aroused by a woman alone. On our wedding night he could not even lie with me.”

“I am sorry.”

Katherine shook her head. “Do not be. We had a happy marriage.”

It all came at him so fast, Edward had trouble understanding what she was trying to tell him and why. He frowned. “How?”

“The next time we attempted to consummate the marriage bed, he brought with him another man.”

“He…well, that is surprising.”

She laughed. “Aye. With the other man’s stimulation he was able to perform his husbandly duties. Thereafter, for the rest of our time together, ‘twas always the three of us.”

Not that was indeed a bit of interesting news. Katherine and Tremaine with someone else? He never would have guessed.

“My lord, I invited Sir Gregory to this tournament for your birthday for a reason.” She squeezed his hands. “You care for him, do you not?”

Edward saw no point in denials. His wife appeared to know all. “I do and he does for me, as well.”

“He confirmed as much to me.”

“But that does not take away my feelings for you, my love.”

She nodded. “I know and I love you all the more for it. You and…Gregory. In the past, you swived the same woman, did you not?”

Edward blinked. He had begun to realize where his wife was going with this odd conversation. Still, he chose to proceed with caution. “Yes, though it has been a long time since those days.”

Katherine bit her lip, and then smiled. “I am stalling still, Edward. I invited Gregory here for your birthday so that we might form a grouping of our own.”

Edward stared, trying to get his mouth to work, but honestly it was difficult. He would not have thought such a suggestion could come from his sweet wife’s lips.

“I have shocked you,” she whispered, studying him.

“Yes, I cannot deny that.”

“In-in a bad way?”

“Nay,” Edward said. “In truth, I am still somewhat surprised that you are not appalled at the nature of my friendship with Gregory. Most would not be so accepting. The church forbids such unions.”

“‘Tis true. My own family is quite religious and would be shocked and would disown me. I do not answer to them nor do I intend to acknowledge to anyone but you and Gregory what our relationship truly is.”

He was intrigued. There was no denying it. The three of them? The possibilities could be endless. Or nearly so. For a moment he allowed his mind to imagine. Katherine trapped between them, himself trapped between Katherine and Gregory.