“Sir!”the two men exclaimed in unison and others in the kitchen turned to look at him.
Melissande nodded.“Aye, we will need to ensure that the entire household and the guard pledge fealty to my lord husband before the evening meal, Louis, so we can eat as allies and comrades.It is not long past noon, so we should be able to manage as much.”
“Of course, my lady.I shall see to it,” Louis said.“The hall will be arranged and all the household summoned...”His gaze flicked to Quinn and his words faltered as he bowed again.“If my lord desires it to be thus, of course,” he added with haste.
Quinn nodded approval and smiled.“My lady wife, as ever, shows wondrous good sense.”He offered his hand to Melissande.“She is a rare treasure.I shall rely heavily upon her expertise with regards to Annossy.If fact, you may assume that her every command is as mine own.”
Melissande’s eyes widened at that even as she put her hand in his, but the two men smiled as they bowed again.They turned to hasten about their duties but Melissande lingered on the threshold of the kitchens.“Eggs, George,” she said.“We shall start the meal with eggs, and a broth soup if you can manage as much.”
“With ease, my lady.”
“Have you some fruit that can be stewed?Louis, you may open the spice box to ensure that all is at its best for our guests.”
“Aye, my lady.”
Melissande looked as if she would like to flee his side, but Quinn caught her shoulders in his hands, compelling her to look at him.She regarded him warily.“I fear it will be a meager meal,” she said quickly.“We do not customarily have guests in winter at Annossy and the stores are low...”
“Melissande, it is not the king himself come calling.”
“But we have guests,” she said.“And hospitality must always be upheld...”
“These are my comrades from war.”
“It matters little how you know them or even if you know them at all.They are guests in the hall, and must be granted every consideration for the honor of Annossy...”
“Consider, Melissande, that we rode to war together,” Quinn said, giving her a little shake.“There were days aplenty that we had no bread, and more on which we had no meat.We seldom had wine, and oft made do with water from a well.”
She eyed him, still not understanding.
And truly, he was glad that she did not know what it was to be famished.
He smiled.“If you took that one loaf of bread there to the hall and told them it would be the sum of our meal, they would divide it and thank you for it and savor every morsel.”He shook his head.“They would not complain.They would be glad of your generosity.”
The lady frowned.“But they are your guests.”
“They are my friends,” Quinn corrected.“They will have shelter and they will have good company.Their horses will have fodder and they will be able to sleep, knowing the walls are defended around them.It is remarkable how much a man can endure with those gifts.Indeed, they will be grateful for it.”She still looked to be unconvinced.“Fear not.They will be awed by the hospitality of Annossy, however meager you might think it to be.”He bent then and touched his lips to her brow.
She closed her eyes and caught her breath and he dared to hold her for a moment.“I would ensure that there are provisions made for your guests’ comfort this night,” she said and he knew that she wanted to flee.
“They will be glad to sleep in hall or stables,” Quinn said but he lifted his hands away and Melissande strode from the kitchens.He watched her go, then looked up to find the châtelain, Louis, watching him.Affection was clear in the older man’s expression and Quinn recognized that it was for the lady.Quinn smiled and nodded, and was glad when Louis smiled back.
“Welcome, sir,” he said then bowed again.Quinn was encouraged to know that there were other souls who worried about the lady left to defend Annossy alone.
“I thank you, Louis, and would entreat your patience in my early days here.I have much to learn of Annossy.”
“Aye, sir.I am certain that the Lord de Tulley chose well.”
Quinn cleared his throat, recalling why Tulley had chosen him.“Louis, I wonder if you might arrange for any who know about the raids on Annossy’s borders to come and speak with me?I am charged by the Lord de Tulley to see these attacks ended, and I see no cause for delay.”
The little man bowed crisply, a light of approval bright in his eyes.“I shall see to it, my lord.Perhaps in the morning, after you break your fast?”
“That, Louis, is an excellent suggestion.I can see why my lady wife so relies upon you.”
Chapter 7
Quinn won over the entire household within moments.
Melissande had never seen the like.He might have known everyone at Annossy all of his life and simply been encountering old friends.By the time the evening meal was served, every soul at Annossy seemed to be enraptured with its new lord—save Gaultier.That knight watched Quinn steadily, as if he suspected him of being less than he appeared to be.
