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 was 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.
