“And I am the one who understands how to defend a border,” Quinn retorted, echoing her posture.“If Annossy is subject to raids, you should be glad of a spouse like me.”
“I am not!”
“Then you are a fool as well as a beauty,” Quinn said shortly.She gasped in outrage and he wondered if she would strike him.
Then her gaze flicked to Tulley and she fell silent with an obvious effort.
“Neither of your protests have any meaning at all,” Tulley said mildly.“For I have decided.You will be wed this very day.”
“This very day?”the lady echoed.
“Today?”Quinn repeated, thinking of his dirty garb.
“Today,” Tulley agreed.“Might I remind you, Quinn, that you are not invested yet with your estates.Should you not do my bidding, as any obedient vassal should, I will be obliged to find another to whom I might entrust Sayerne.”
Quinn dropped to one knee and bowed his head, but Tulley was not done.
“I have arrived at a solution that will serve the needs of you both.I charge you, Quinn, to eliminate the raids on Annossy as your first responsibility.”
It appeared that Tulley had a list of tasks.Quinn did not argue, but listened.Marriage first, brigands second.He hoped at some point, the seal of Sayerne would land within his grasp.
He bowed over Tulley’s hand.“As this is your condition, my lord, I will make this marriage in good faith.”
The lady hesitated before she spoke.Tulley cleared his throat and she spoke, her tone filled with resignation.“As will I.”
Quinn felt his eyes narrow.He was not that foul a choice of spouse.
Tulley’s gaze flicked between the two of them.“It seems that there is a lack of enthusiasm for this match.Perhaps even now one or both of you harbor plans of annulment.”
No one denied the accusation.
Tulley leaned forward, his manner intent.“Understand me well: there will be no annulment.Do not expect otherwise, for I will demand proof of consummation at first light tomorrow morning.”
“My lord!”the lady protested.
“It is only good sense,” Tulley concluded.
Quinn could not look at the lady after such a deliberate mention of intimate matters.Indeed, he felt a warmth spread through him, and he recalled his first impression of her beauty.It might not be all bad to consummate this match.
Should she allow it.He would not force her, to be sure.
“Perhaps I named the wrong man barbarian,” she muttered, as though she could not restrain herself from comment.
Quinn’s gaze flew to Tulley, certain she would be chastised for her rudeness, but the older man only smiled.
“Since I have known you so long, Melissande, and understand the strain of this situation, I will let your audacity pass.”He stood and brushed at his tabard before smiling at them both.“Shall we say within the hour?”
Quinn nodded.He saw the lady do the same, with reluctance.
Tulley smiled.“I should think that commitment to wed would be sealed with a kiss.”
The lady’s cheeks blazed crimson.Quinn swallowed and felt clumsy.It had been so long since he had touched a woman, and the lady’s manner was less than encouraging.
But Tulley watched and waited.Quinn had little choice.
All hung in the balance.
He would meet her in good faith.
