“Aye, I am,” Quinn admitted.
“That holding?” Amaury asked, pointing to Annossy’s keep. Melissande nodded and he bowed again. “Quinn, you have made a wondrous alliance. We already admired the obvious prosperity and good administration of that holding.”
“Amaury admired it, to be sure,” Lothair said.
“Aye, Amaury was most fulsome in his praise of the management of the fields,” Niall said. “While I would know naught of such matters.”
“To be sure, it was impossible to see the charms of Annossy’s women from such a distance, which would be your sole concern,” Amaury said and Niall grinned.
“Though the lady herself is most beautiful.” Lothair bowed and Melissande flushed.
“Who has governed Annossy before this happy day for Quinn, my lady?” Amaury asked.
“Since my father’s death five years ago, I have administered the holding.”
Amaury nodded, his gaze flicking to Quinn in some silent communication. His admiration of her skills was clear, and Melissande wondered at his origins. The knights mounted their destriers again so the party could proceed and she turned to Amaury, intent upon being a good hostess. “From whence do you come, sir? You seem to know much of managing a holding.”
“Montvieux is my family holding and my legacy,” he admitted. “It lies to the east and south of Paris, in a valley of land most fertile. I have the greatest admiration for it, and a full understanding of my responsibilities. My father taught me from the cradle to watch each detail, to keep the books, to manage the inventories and the seed...”
“Aye, as did mine!”
“It is not common to find a lady with such expertise.”
“I have no brother. My father rode to war when I was a child, and my mother administered Annossy in his absence. She began to teach me, for I asked.”
“Did she administer the courts, as well?”
“Aye, in his absence. Annossy prospered beneath her hand, and so my father saw fit to continue my instruction upon his return.”
Amaury was clearly impressed. “Do you find your responsibilities a chore to be endured?”
Melissande laughed at the notion. “Because they keep me from my needlework? Nay, sir, I find administration a most intriguing challenge and one that gives great satisfaction.” She realized then that Quinn was attending their conversation and did not look to be pleased. She dropped her gaze. “Of course, it is all my husband’s duty now and I shall hone my skills with embroidery.”
Again, Amaury looked between Melissande and Quinn, but he said no more.
“Let us make haste to Annossy, then,” Quinn said. “Where doubtless we shall find warmth and a hot meal.” He gave a nod and all touched their heels to their horses’ flanks. The entire party galloped toward Annossy, the horses’ manes streaming, the sky vivid blue overhead and the wind as cold as ice.
A hot meal. Quinn might be overly confident in that expectation. Melissande counted as she rode. Eight newly arrived men—for the boys were tall enough to have the appetites of grown men—plus the four youths and one knight who journeyed with Quinn meant there would be fourteen more men at the board this night and for the foreseeable future.
In the dead of winter, when stores were at their lowest.
Melissande merely hoped there was yet a cask of wine in the cellar for that might distract them from the lack of meat. There would be no time to hunt by the time they arrived, so whatever was in the pantries on this day would have to suffice for the evening meal.
What would Quinn do if he believed his friends to be insulted or given less than their due? Melissande did not wish to know, although she was plagued by memories of each and every tale of Jerome’s displeasure as they rode for Annossy.
Aye, his wife was stung by Tulley’s decision and Quinn could not mistake that truth. He was not truly surprised when the lady of ice had descended to Tulley’s hall to break her fast before their departure.
This was his reward for carrying Annossy’s seal.
Quinn would have spoken to her and tried to reconcile her to their liege lord’s choice, but she ignored him at the board as surely as if he had vanished from sight. And truly, it would have been a poor choice to discuss the matter frankly when Tulley might hear or be told of their words. Quinn knew that Tulley could not be defied, yet wished he and Melissande might yet form a good match.
It seemed a distant prospect.
They rode out that chilly morn, together but separate. His hope for a private moment upon reaching Annossy had been complicated by the discovery of his comrades on the road. His own confidence in the future had been shaken by Amaury’s apparent understanding and appreciation of all Melissande had done. Quinn already had doubts about his abilities to administer a prosperous holding, for that was beyond his experience. The words of Amaury, who came from far greater wealth than Quinn, only added to that concern.
And then there was Annossy itself.
The richness of the holding became more clear with every step toward it. The keep was large, though not so large as Tulley. A formidable stone wall encircled the village and the keep itself, which he much admired for defense. As Amaury had noted, the fields were tilled in orderly terraces that were still visible beneath the snow. Amaury and Melissande talked about the growing of vines for the making of wine, and their lively discussion made Quinn feel at a disadvantage.
He had so much to learn.
The keep perched on a slight rise and as they approached, it was bathed in sunlight. There was a square tower in the middle of the enclosure, with a pennant snapping in the wind at its summit. Quinn counted four floors in the tower, which was of considerable breadth. The gates were armed but opened to the lady with a cheer of welcome from the sentries. The men in the employ of the holding were garbed in the blue and silver of Annossy and bowed low as the lady rode through the gates.
One whose armor was more lavish bowed low before the lady and kissed her hand. He was handsome and his gaze assessing, his age slightly less than Quinn’s.
“Gaultier, the Captain of the Guard,” Melissande said to Quinn. “You will need to swear fealty to my husband, the Lord d’Annossy,” she said to Gaultier, whose surprise at this was evident. Before he could ask any questions, she urged her horse onward and Quinn wondered when they two would speak in private.
And what they would say.
Bayard exchanged a glance with Quinn and he knew his old comrade shared his concern.
The villagers came forward to cheer Melissande’s return and eye the new arrivals. They were garbed in clean but simple clothing, like that of Berthe, and appeared to be healthy. Quinn could smell fresh bread and the fire at the smithy. He turned back to consider the walls and their defense, and thought it good. Annossy was in good repair, to be sure, and strongly built. There were sufficient sentries and he saw more than a few men-at-arms within the walls. He was aware that Gaultier watched him. The villagers surrounded Melissande and their affection for her was obvious. She gave pennies from her purse and accepted small gifts. She might have been absent for a month. He would win their support by courting her favor, and in no other way. Amaury surveyed the tower and the walls when they dismounted, his approval clear. Bayard and Niall surveyed the women and Lothair gazed about himself in wonder.
The ostler bowed low, calling for boys to take the horses. Quinn’s companions followed, for they were particular about the care of their steeds, and called for their own squires to be of aid. Quinn saw with a glance that the stable was clean and well-tended, but he had greater concerns.
He knew Melissande feared him to be like his father, and Quinn could readily imagine what his father would have done in similar circumstance. Melissande might have found herself outside Annossy’s walls with unwelcome speed, particularly if she did not conceive a child.
Even the pledge she had demanded of him might have seen her banished.
Quinn had to speak to his wife and calm her fears. Somehow, he had to convince her that he w
as different from Jerome in every way.
But the lady was out of her saddle and striding for the door to the keep with remarkable purpose. Quinn abandoned his comrades and hastened after her, ignoring the teasing of his friends and their comments about the desires of those newly wed.
He caught up to Melissande in the kitchens, still in her cloak and boots, conferring urgently with a short bald man. What was this? Quinn hung back, curious as to what his lady schemed. Did she intend to see to his demise with all haste? He could not believe it, but he wondered.
The little man laid books before her in rapid succession. “There is a keg of very new wine, my lady, and a small keg of older wine yet remaining from the Yule. Sadly, we sold a great deal of it this year and our stores are low.”
“Aye, I recall as much.” Melissande surveyed the accounts, as yet unaware of Quinn, and began to tug off her gloves. “What of ale?”
“We have little here, but I will send a boy to the village to buy whatever he can find. It is almost Lent so there will be little brewing, although that can be remedied in a few days.”
“Aye, see that it is so, please, Louis.”
“How long do they intend to linger?”
“I cannot say. It is possible their plans are not yet made. What of the meat?”
“There is a hind of venison in the larder and yet some salted pork...”
“The eels?”
“Gone, my lady. We finished them last eve.”
Melissande winced. “Are there yet three roosters?”
“Aye, my lady.”
“Kill two of them, please, Louis. We have need of more meat this night and George’s chicken stew is fit for a king. Instruct him to make it with an abundance of dumplings, please.”
“Aye, my lady.” The little man snapped his fingers and whispered to a portly man who might have been the cook.
“And bread?” Melissande asked. She was as vigilant as the keeper of provisions for an army and Quinn had the sense she carried much of the inventory in her thoughts. She seemed to be verifying what she already knew to be true.
“I have already sent to the village for the baker’s stores,” the cook said. “I heard the party arriving, my lady, and knew we would need more bread.”
“You are a marvel as ever, George,” she said, sparing that man a smile. She blinked when she noticed Quinn in the doorway and her face paled. “My lord,” she said and dropped to a curtsey. The two men—Quinn guessed châtelain and cook—glanced at him and bowed deeply. “Louis and George, this is my husband, your lord Quinn, a bold knight and crusader who is now Lord d’Annossy.”
Quinn noted that she omitted to mention his home estate.
That might have been a prudent choice, for all would know of his father here.
“Sir!” the two men exclaimed in unison and others in the kitchen turned to look at him.
Melissande nodded. “Aye, we will need to ensure that the entire household and the guard pledge fealty to my lord husband before the evening meal, Louis, so we can eat as allies and comrades. It is not long past noon, so we should be able to manage as much.”
“Of course, my lady. I shall see to it,” Louis said. “The hall will be arranged and all the household summoned...” His gaze flicked to Quinn and his words faltered as he bowed again. “If my lord desires it to be thus, of course,” he added with haste.
Quinn nodded approval and smiled. “My lady wife, as ever, shows wondrous good sense.” He offered his hand to Melissande. “She is a rare treasure. I shall rely heavily upon her expertise with regards to Annossy. If fact, you may assume that her every command is as mine own.”
Melissande’s eyes widened at that even as she put her hand in his, but the two men smiled as they bowed again. They turned to hasten about their duties but Melissande lingered on the threshold of the kitchens. “Eggs, George,” she said. “We shall start the meal with eggs, and a broth soup if you can manage as much.”
“With ease, my lady.”
“Have you some fruit that can be stewed? Louis, you may open the spice box to ensure that all is at its best for our guests.”
“Aye, my lady.”
Melissande looked as if she would like to flee his side, but Quinn caught her shoulders in his hands, compelling her to look at him. She regarded him warily. “I fear it will be a meager meal,” she said quickly. “We do not customarily have guests in winter at Annossy and the stores are low...”
“Melissande, it is not the king himself come calling.”
“But we have guests,” she said. “And hospitality must always be upheld...”
“These are my comrades from war.”
“It matters little how you know them or even if you know them at all. They are guests in the hall, and must be granted every consideration for the honor of Annossy...”
“Consider, Melissande, that we rode to war together,” Quinn said, giving her a little shake. “There were days aplenty that we had no bread, and more on which we had no meat. We seldom had wine, and oft made do with water from a well.”
She eyed him, still not understanding.
And truly, he was glad that she did not know what it was to be famished.
He smiled. “If you took that one loaf of bread there to the hall and told them it would be the sum of our meal, they would divide it and thank you for it and savor every morsel.” He shook his head. “They would not complain. They would be glad of your generosity.”
The lady frowned. “But they are your guests.”
“They are my friends,” Quinn corrected. “They will have shelter and they will have good company. Their horses will have fodder and they will be able to sleep, knowing the walls are defended around them. It is remarkable how much a man can endure with those gifts. Indeed, they will be grateful for it.” She still looked to be unconvinced. “Fear not. They will be awed by the hospitality of Annossy, however meager you might think it to be.” He bent then and touched his lips to her brow.
She closed her eyes and caught her breath and he dared to hold her for a moment. “I would ensure that there are provisions made for your guests’ comfort this night,” she said and he knew that she wanted to flee.
“They will be glad to sleep in hall or stables,” Quinn said but he lifted his hands away and Melissande strode from the kitchens. He watched her go, then looked up to find the châtelain, Louis, watching him. Affection was clear in the older man’s expression and Quinn recognized that it was for the lady. Quinn smiled and nodded, and was glad when Louis smiled back.
“Welcome, sir,” he said then bowed again. Quinn was encouraged to know that there were other souls who worried about the lady left to defend Annossy alone.
“I thank you, Louis, and would entreat your patience in my early days here. I have much to learn of Annossy.”
“Aye, sir. I am certain that the Lord de Tulley chose well.”
Quinn cleared his throat, recalling why Tulley had chosen him. “Louis, I wonder if you might arrange for any who know about the raids on Annossy’s borders to come and speak with me? I am charged by the Lord de Tulley to see these attacks ended, and I see no cause for delay.”
The little man bowed crisply, a light of approval bright in his eyes. “I shall see to it, my lord. Perhaps in the morning, after you break your fast?”
“That, Louis, is an excellent suggestion. I can see why my lady wife so relies upon you.”
Seven
Quinn won over the entire household within moments.
Melissande had never seen the like. He might have known everyone at Annossy all of his life and simply been encountering old friends. By the time the evening meal was served, every soul at Annossy seemed to be enraptured with its new lord—save Gaultier. That knight watched Quinn steadily, as if he suspected him of being less than he appeared to be.
Melissande wondered whether her Captain of the Guard knew some detail about her new husband, and resolved to find out.
She was keenly aware that her hired warriors were nigh
matched in number by Quinn’s party, and certainly so if the boys who rode as squires with Quinn and his comrades were counted as warriors themselves. She did not doubt that they were each and every one adept with a blade.
She could not help her sense that Annossy had been besieged and over-run by her new husband and his fellows.
But the villeins seemed to welcome the arrival of a lord to administer the holding, even without knowing much of Quinn. Once again, Melissande regretted her gender. He was a stranger, a man whose history and skills were unknown to them, but because he was a man, they greeted him with enthusiasm. The truth of it was sufficient to make her seethe, but she smiled, not wanting to hint that she was not the ally of Annossy’s new lord.
They came and knelt before Quinn, kissed his hand and pledged their fealty. The women smiled at him. The men watched him with admiration. The village boys followed him. The sentries and men-at-arms expressed pleasure to have a knight and crusader of his experience leading them and Melissande heard their relief at his arrival. She wondered at that, as well. He reviewed the guard on the walls and jested with the men and she saw how they stood taller after his words. At the evening meal, the servants in the hall saw that every course was served to him first. That was how it should be, but still Melissande found it irksome. She felt as if she had ceased to exist. All the labor she had done in this hall was as naught. All the sacrifices she had made for Annossy were forgotten, as was her lineage.
She had not done that badly, had she?
Their ready loyalty to a knight and stranger along with her uncertainty of how Quinn would use his advantage combined to leave Melissande concerned. She had not shared the detail of his paternity because she wanted Louis and George to accept him. In hindsight, she wondered if her whim had been foolish. It had seemed churlish to taint his arrival at Annossy with that truth, since he seemed to be different from his father, but now it would be more churlish to blurt out the truth.
Indeed, Quinn was polite beyond every expectation. He was the one who brought her into every conversation. He was the one who consulted with her about Annossy’s traditions. He was the one who ensured she was not forgotten, which left her feeling both grateful and unsettled. She did not wish to owe him more than marriage dictated she did. Each time she glanced his way, he granted her the engaging, crooked smile that made her heart lurch.
All's Fair in Love and War: Four Enemies-to-Lovers Medieval Romances Page 14
