“And food,” Douglas said, kicking him in the arse as he walked by. “You’d better bring all you can find. And hurry about it.”
Westley didn’t take kindly to the kick, but Jonathan got in behind him and pushed him toward the door before he could take a swing at Douglas.
“I’ll help you,” Jonathan said. “I do not trust you not to eat everything and tell us you could find nothing.”
Grinning, Douglas looked at Curtis, who rolled his eyes as Westley and Jonathan quit the chamber. When they disappeared, Douglas laid his head against the back of the chair and emitted a weary sigh.
“She wants us to defend her castle, yet she does not wish for us to remain and ensure Tatworth does not return,” he muttered. “The woman even wants him released with no punishment. If we do that, what is to deter him from coming back and trying again?”
“Youare the deterrent,” Curtis said. “Whether or not Lady Isabel likes it, you and de Wolfe are the deterrent. She is simply going to have to accept it.”
With his head still against the back of the chair, Douglas rolled it in the direction of his brother so he could look at him. “And why can you not leave Westley here instead of me?” he asked.
Curtis scratched his head wearily. “Quite honestly?” he said. “Because Westley does not have the patience you have. He would fight with her and she would see that as a weakness. You will not fight with her because you have patience, and with a woman like that, it is the only way to assert control. Unless Grayson or Antoninus would care to remain behind.”
Both Grayson and Antoninus shook their heads quickly. “Not me,” Grayson said. “I’ve already given you de Wolfe, though I can spare Davyss as well if Douglas would like his sword. It might be good for him to do something on his own for a while and not be under his father’s constant supervision.”
“Absolutely,” Douglas said. “I can use Davyss. I would feel better with him at my side.”
“Good,” Grayson said. “He shall remain, then. But be cautious, Douglas—he may be hell with a sword, but he is very much a young man when it comes to his wants and desires. I’ve seen the ten young women that are under Lady Isabel’s tutelage. My son may consider that a hunting ground, so make sure he keeps his mind on his tasks. Do not let him be idle.”
Douglas smiled wearily. “He has barely seen twenty years,” he said. “I wouldhopehe would be a little unrestrained with his wants and desires at that age.”
Grayson cocked an eyebrow. “I do not want, or need, any de Winter bastards,” he said. “Just keep him focused. That is all I ask.”
Douglas continued to smile in response to a father who was perhaps a little stern with his eldest, and very virile, son. “I have a father who also went to great lengths to ensure his sons were restrained at that age,” he said, looking at Curtis. “Remember? Papa was not terribly encouraging when it came to us and female companionship.”
Curtis put a weary hand over his face. “Christ,” he muttered. “That is an understatement. I recall a feast at Winchester Castle when a de Leybourne lass caught my eye. You know the family? From Cornwall. Her name was Catherine. As it happened, I caught her eye also, and we shared a few dances before I fetched two cups of watered wine so we could sit and talk. We found an alcove with these beautiful oriel windows and sat in the night breeze, perfectly respectably, and speaking about anything that came to mind.”
Across the room, Antoninus spoke. “That does not sound terrible, Curt,” he said. “I cannot believe Chris objected.”
Curtis shook his head. “You have not let me finish,” he said, wagging a finger at the man. “My mistake was in closing theheavy brocade curtains to give us some privacy, and the next I realize, a hand reaches in, grabs her by the arm, and yanks her out of the alcove. Then the curtains collapse on me and I’m being beaten through the curtains. As it turned out, the lady had two brothers and a father who took exception to my closing those curtains. My father agreed. He was the one who yanked her out and let those de Leybourne fools beat me with sticks through those heavy curtains.”
Douglas burst into soft laughter. Even Grayson and Antoninus grinned. “I stand corrected,” Antoninus said. “Your mistake was closing those curtains. Youarea fool.”
Curtis sighed. “I know.”
“Were you injured?”
“Hardly bruised. The curtains were so heavy that the blows barely made contact.”
“Then you were fortunate,” Grayson said. “Alas, I only have two sons, so I cannot fully relate, but I do know that both Davyss and Hugh carry the hot de Winter blood. Youwilllook out for Davyss, won’t you, Douglas?”
Douglas nodded with confidence. “I shall throw curtains on him and beat him if he gets out of hand.”
“I would be grateful.”
The conversation quieted, at least for the moment, because it was the first time in days that these men had had the opportunity to sit still and quietly. Grayson found a chair and, once he tipped his head back, was instantly asleep. Antoninus found a bench underneath one of the lancet windows, and even though it was a small bench, it was enough for him to get his head and torso on it. He, too, closed his eyes and faded off almost immediately.
That left Douglas and Curtis as the last men standing.
Literally.
“What now?” Douglas said quietly, his eyelids begging for sleep. “Am I to be subservient to a countess who has no battle experience, or do I have some independence?”
Curtis was feeling his exhaustion like the others. Probably more because not only had he been commanding the allies, but he’d been fighting as well. He could hear the disdain for Lady Isabel in his brother’s question.
“You are subservient to her unless you know that whatever she wishes or commands will either put everyone in jeopardy or get everyone killed,” he said. “In that case, you have my permission to do what is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone. I hope that is clear enough because I cannot make it any clearer. Use your judgment, Douglas. It has not failed you yet.”
