One More Chance

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Christian had taken a long jaunt on a horse around the castle to catch up on how things had been in his absence. After satisfied that all was in order, he had walked into Fred's quarters in the pretext of checking on him. He had used that opportunity to freshen up and get ready for dinner. Throughout that time, Fred had stared at him in a rather moodily manner with a "I know what you are doing" expression. So, what if Fred knew that Christian was in Fred's cottage to avoid spending more time in Catherine's presence? So be it.

"What are you doing here instead of being in your quarters?" Fred asked after a long bout of staring.

"What is so unusual about this? You know I always spend more time staying out here with the rest of the knights than in my room in the castle, it is usual" Christian replied nonchalantly.

"You were not married then! You have a wife now who is the king's castle for the first time amidst so many strangers after such an ordeal! And you are acting like yet another stranger to her! Shouldn't you be by her side giving her some reassurance?" Fred asked exasperatedly.

"She does not need baby sitting," Christian retorted.

"Precisely she is a strong woman. But doesn't she need some support? She is still a woman!"

"No."

"Honestly you are such a brute sometimes. So thick-headed!"

"Hmm."

"I just wish that you were not such a lucky bastard. Truly you deserved the duchess's daughters! Yet u escaped! For all you callousness, I don't think Catherine should be a victim! She is such a nice girl. Anyone of our stature would give anything to have her as his wife. Hell, I would give anything to have her as my wife," Fred raged.

Christian strode quickly down to Fred and held him by his neck with his hands. "She is my wife. You better not have any other thoughts about her," Christian replied harshly and stalked out of the room.

Fred stared at his retreating back. He hoped that had worked. He wanted to see his friend happy and he truly believed Catherine was the right girl for Christian. Fred had no interest in Catherine except as a sister. But if his fake interest in Catherine was what took Christian to realize his foolishness, so be it.

*************

Catherine sucked her breath as she saw Christian in his best attire for the second time if one counted the wedding as the first. He was breath-takingly handsome - crisply ironed evening attire, cleanly-shaven jaw, freshly-combed hair and she stopped herself. She was not supposed to be admiring him. She was angry with him.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Do I not appear ready?" She countered.

"Hmm"

"What are we waiting for? Let's go" she replied. Catherine noted the appreciation in his eyes. His eyes were scanning her before coming to stop once at her bosom and once at her face. Good she thought in delight and anger. Let him think about what he is missing.

Christian came closer to offer his hand for escort.

"I can walk" Catherine replied haughtily before tilting her head upwards snobbishly and walking off.

*************

Christian was stunned in to inaction. He had forgotten to breathe when he saw her standing all proud and regal like a queen in her maroon dress that flaunted her figure to perfection. He forgot what he was supposed to do an had to force himself to ask if she was ready. Such a dumb question really. Of course she was read it why would she be waiting outside the room? His brain refused to function to what must definitely have been a sacarstic response from her. He was oblivious to the world until he saw her walking past him when he forced himself into action and hurried behind her.

"Stop," he ordered as he caught her elbow. A frisson of awareness went through him nearly scalding him as he dropped her elbow. She snatched her hand away immediately too indicating she had felt the same at his touch.

They both stared at each other for a moment, when she broke the eye contact.

"Where are you going?" Christian asked.

"Dinner of course" she replied haughtily, not making eye contact with him.

"You will enter dinner, holding my arm"

"Why should I?"

"Because you are my wife and it is expected of us. I won't have you embarrassing me."

"Wife? Who me? Oh you remembered! How is it that you conveniently forgot that earlier?"

"I.."

"It is obvious to one an all that u don't think I'm your wife. Di you think your knights are stupid and have not noticed out estrangement? How about the monarchs? I'm sure they noted your hesitation in calling me your wife! Do why is it important to you now that I'm your wife?"

"No idea why I'm saying all this. Apparently nothing enters your thick head." Catherine heaved and turned away to walk off.

Christian pulled her heavily such that she knocked into him. He caught her and before she had a chance to say anything, he slammed his mouth on her.