Did Tulley himself know of it already?She would not be surprised if he did.Her overlord seemed to know every detail first of events in his holding.
Her every attempt to see to her own concerns had been denied by the messenger, and she was commanded to escort him to Tulley immediately.Berthe had packed a few necessities—including a kirtle sufficiently fine to be suitable for a meal at her liege lord’s table—and the two women had left Annossy with the messenger and the one warrior who accompanied him.Gaultier, Annossy’s Captain of the Guard, had remained behind to learn more detail of the raid.
Melissande did not like to be ordered to do any deed, and her mood was not improved by the presence of another larger party upon the road.They looked to be ruffians and followed behind, making her keenly aware that her own party was smaller and less well defended.
In what peril was the world that a noblewoman could not feel safe upon the short stretch of road between her holding and that of her overlord?
Perhaps these men were the brigands responsible for the attack on the mill.
Melissande yearned to know, but she had not the confidence to confront them.They did not seem to be in a hurry and did not catch up to Melissande’s party before reaching Tulley itself.
Lord de Tulley’s niece, Heloise, rushed to meet Melissande at the gates.Perhaps Melissande had been summoned because the younger woman was in need of companionship.She knew Heloise had come to Tulley at Yuletide, after the death of her parents, and could well imagine that the other woman found little to amuse herself.She also knew that Tulley doted upon his niece and would do whatsoever was necessary to ensure her happiness.Tulley had neither spouse nor child himself.Melissande had met Heloise several times over the years and knew the maiden enjoyed the hunt.The snow this winter was likely sufficient to limit that pleasure and the girl must be vexed to be trapped indoors, even at Tulley.
Was Heloise’s boredom the reason for Tulley’s imperious summons?It was vexing to be considered no more than entertainment for a maiden with naught to do, but Melissande smiled for Heloise.She was a pretty and cheerful maiden.Melissande liked her and would not have wanted to be alone in Tulley’s hall herself.
But she had scarce greeted Heloise than the Lord de Tulley’s châtelain urged her toward the small chamber where Tulley conducted his business.Heloise was left in the hall with Berthe.Melissande found herself alone with her liege lord, and that so quickly that she scarce had removed her gloves.She had time to fear that something was sorely amiss, then he spoke.
Tulley, at least, was not inclined to be evasive.
“It is past time for you to wed, Melissande,” he said crisply.“And you will do as much this very day.”
Melissande was shocked by his blunt declaration but he held her gaze with resolve.
“Indeed, sir?”
“Indeed.”Tulley seemed to have aged since she had last seen him the previous fall.Though his blue eyes were bright, the lines were etched more deeply in his brow.He looked smaller than he had, but no less determined than ever.
Melissande knew it was Tulley’s right to choose her spouse since her father was dead.She supposed she had been foolish to hope that he had forgotten his obligation since he had not insisted on her taking a spouse sooner.
Tulley forgot naught.
He sat then in his great chair, his tidings delivered, and eyed her when she remained silent.“I thought you might have more to say of this matter, Melissande.You have never been reluctant to share your opinion before.”He seemed amused by this, which irked her.
“I did not realize Arnaud de Privas had come to Tulley as well,” she said.
Her lord snorted in a manner that was a reply in itself.“I have already told you to forget that whimsy of a betrothal.”
Melissande stood taller.“A pledge is not whimsy, sir.”
Tulley held Melissande’s gaze.“If your sire were alive, he would have seen that pledge dismissed long before now.You were but a child!There is more at stake here than you might guess.”
The implication that she could not understand the repercussions of her choice annoyed Melissande as little else could have done.Her tone was less temperate when she replied.“My word is at stake and that, sir, is of immeasurable value to me.”
“My borders are imperiled by your lack of spouse,” Tulley countered.“You will wed.”
Melissande straightened.“My lord, when my father died, you promised me the opportunity to administer Annossy alone and prove my abilities.I am grateful for your trust.I had hoped that you might have invested me with the seal of my father’s estate by now.”
“I cannot entrust you with the seal.You are but a woman!”
Melissande kept her tone even with an effort.“I am my father’s daughter, trained in Annossy’s administration from the moment I could read.”
“And yet a woman still.”
“My mother held the seal while my father rode to war and administered the holding in his stead.”
“On the assumption that he would return, and he did.If he had not done so, I would have ensured she wed another.The compromises made in the instance of war cannot be construed as permanent solutions, Melissande.”
“My mother was an excellent administrator...”
