Isabel gave him a stone-faced expression, hiding her irritation at a man who was trying to give her orders. “Please.”
Curtis knew she didn’t mean it, but he was going to say it anyway. He’d spent the past several hours with Lady Isabel de Kerrington, and although he hadn’t known her before his march on Axminster, even in the few hours he spent with her he could see what kind of a character she was. Determined and stubborn was where she started. Where she ended, he couldn’t even guess, but he knew one thing—she was used to doing things her own way and didn’t like to be told what to do.
That was going to make this conversation very interesting.
“My lady, I suspect you haven’t been involved in many sieges or battles,” he said. “Is that a correct assumption?”
Oh, but she had to be called out for anything that anyone might consider a shortcoming. Isabel was standing in a chamber with more than a half-dozen seasoned warriors and now she was being forced to admit that she didn’t know much about battle.
It wasn’t going to be easy for a woman of her considerable pride.
But she had to be honest.
“Axminster is a peaceful demesne,” she said evenly. “I am not a trained warrior, my lord. I have not had the need to participate in any sieges or battles. But that doesn’t mean I do not understand the quality of mercy.”
Curtis could see that she was defensive. They all could. “This has nothing to do with mercy and everything to do with protecting Axminster,” he said. “If I may speak plainly about this situation, my lady, my sense is this—Rickard Tatworth was greatly offended when you refused his offer of marriage, so much so that he attacked Axminster. You were so concerned that he might succeed in breaking down her walls that you sent word to my father and to Coventry and Norfolk. We were able to subdue Tatworth, but if we simply send him back home, as you suggest, he will only consider that a weakness. It will not keep him from attacking you again. Are you prepared for that?”
She wasn’t. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly shook her head because she knew she was defeated by his logic. “Nay,” she said. “What would you suggest?”
Curtis glanced at Grayson, at Antoninus, before speaking. They had already discussed this earlier and were about to present a united front against a very headstrong lady. Curtis was to be the one elected to speak with her about it because he happened to be married to a very headstrong lady himself. He knew how to handle them.
He hoped.
“My lady, I know this is difficult,” he said. “But you must understand that we are your allies and we are trying to help you. I’m sure you believe that.”
“I do.”
“Then believe me when I tell you that this is for your own good,” he continued. “We will send Tatworth home, but his army will be distributed among our armies and we will replace his with men who are loyal to us and a knight to command them. We will also station a knight here, at Axminster, and about five hundred de Lohr men. I know it does not sound like a lot, but these are highly trained men who will help reinforce your own ranks and keep your fortress safe until Rickard can be trusted again not to charge Axminster and, subsequently, force you to do something you do not wish to do.”
Isabel was listening carefully. “Axminster only has about four hundred regular men,” she said. “We’ve never needed a substantial army, but you are aware that royal trainees are sent here by the king and trained by my brother’s knight, Eric le Kerque.”
“I know, my lady.”
“Then you are suggesting doubling that amount with de Lohr troops?”
“Aye, my lady.”
“This is to become a de Lohr garrison, then?”
Curtis shook his head. “Nay, my lady,” he said. “We will be here to protect you.”
“But—”
“Tatworth is subdued, but St. Martin is not,” Curtis pointed out, interrupting her because she was growing defensive again. “He has run back to his castle and left Tatworth to face punishment. The last thing you want to do at the conclusion of a battle is let your guard down, my lady. We believe stationing troops here will show Tatworth and his allies that your guard is up and will remain up until they settle down and behave.”
He’d left no doubt about what their intentions were and what they thought she should do. Isabel’s gaze lingered on Curtis before moving to Antoninus, Grayson, and finally Douglas andthe big knight they called Wolfie. It was a ridiculous name for so big and rough a man, but it was his name all the same. They were all looking at her, waiting for her response, but the truth was that she could only respond one way. She had to agree with their terms and suggestions because if she didn’t and Tatworth came back on Axminster, she seriously doubted they would come at her call again.
That meant she had to accept their help.
“Very well,” she finally said. “How long?”
Curtis shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“How long will your men be here?
“Several months, at least.”
Isabel had to think on that. Folding her hands, she put them against her mouth as if praying as she slowly and thoughtfully made her way to a large, carved table that was near the hearth. A table that had been carved from exotic wood, with legs carved into the shape of lions. It had belonged to her grandfather. When she finally sat, it was with great contemplation.
