“And the construction?”
“I will have them begin with the homes for the villeins and a rudimentary hall for our own use.The keep can be repaired and extended once the villagers have good shelter.”
“The forests are thin here,” Melissande noted.“Especially close to the keep itself.”
“Aye.We will have to ride far to the south to hunt with success, I would wager.”
“Do you mean to ride to hunt?”
“I thought to go on the morrow.Will you join me?”
Melissande touched her belly.“I think less time in the saddle might be better than more in these days.”
He frowned immediately.“Are you in discomfort?”
“Nay, nay.”She spoke quickly to reassure him.“But I find I prefer to have my feet on the ground.”
He nodded and looked at Sayerne again, his anticipation clear.“There is much to be done and I welcome your assistance.”
“Of course.”
“What do you think of offering some of the wood from Annossy here, when the road is widened to the mill?”Quinn suggested.“The firewood would be most welcome next winter and the villeins will have much labor this summer already.”
Melissande smiled agreement, liking his concern for those pledged to serve him.“It would be, and Annossy does not have need of it all.”They smiled at each other.“And I have a gift for your villeins, from Annossy, as well.”
Quinn turned to her with surprise.
“There is a collection of seeds from Annossy, so that they can begin their pottage gardens.They must eat before the crops are harvested.”
“I shall decree that they can trap hares,” Quinn said.“Doubtless there will be an abundance of them.”
“And the swineherds vowed to bring piglets to Sayerne for those who wished one.”She nodded as they entered the village, sobering at the condition of the homes.“It will be a hard summer, Quinn, but the Yule will be a merry one this year.”
“They seem glad to return.”
She nodded, glancing back to note their reactions.Some were in tears, joyful tears.“Many lived here for generations.Their kin are buried here.Their memories are here.”She reached out and placed her gloved hand upon his.“You are not the only one coming home, sir.”
Quinn turned his hand over so he could grasp her hand, and gave her fingers a squeeze.“I would not know where to begin without your tutelage these past months.”
She could see that he was assessing the damage and choosing where best to begin.
“Keep Louis with you, for his counsel is most good,” she advised and Quinn nodded.“And if you can hunt on the morrow, or send your companions to do as much, a feast in Sayerne’s hall for those who have returned will be most welcome.”
“Your counsel is good, as ever, my lady,” Quinn said, lifting her hand and placing a kiss upon its back.“I am fortunate beyond all men in my bride.”Their gazes met and held and she almost asked for his plans.
But there was a shout from the vanguard and Quinn looked over the company, his eyes narrowed.
“A party arrives!”Niall shouted, gesturing to the road.Sure enough, there was a cloud of dust on the road to Tulley, and a group of horses riding hard for Sayerne.
Melissande recognized Tulley’s banner and caught her breath.“God in Heaven,” she whispered.“I hope that he has brought provisions to aid in the feeding of his company.”
Quinn laughed.“Ever practical,” he teased.
“People who labor hard have strong appetites and hunger leads only to dissent.”She lifted her chin.“If he has not seen fit to contribute, I shall speak to Lord Tulley.”
“It looks to be a small party,” Quinn mused.He was right, to Melissande’s relief.Though they wore Tulley’s colors, there looked to be only three of them.
“Perhaps a messenger warning of his pending arrival,” she suggested.
