Not every triumph could be achieved with haste, and in Quinn’s view, the richer prizes took time and strategy to conquer.Winning his lady’s heart and her trust would be the greatest victory of all and he was prepared to labor for it.
Quinn had left.
He had given her a choice.
Melissande was astonished, but then, he had surprised her before.She heard the roar of greeting from his companions in the hall below, and smiled that he was held in such affection, then Berthe was at the door.
“My lord Quinn says you desire a bath, my lady.”
“Indeed, I do.”
Berthe sniffed.“Yet he does not so indulge.”She shook her head as she untied the laces on the sides of Melissande’s kirtle.“It is not right.A man should be clean when he comes to his wife’s bed as a sign of respect...”
“I am not certain he comes to me this night,” Melissande said, a statement so shocking that it silenced her maid momentarily.She smiled at the younger woman.“I confessed myself to be tired, and he made to resolve the matter, by summoning you and a bath.”
“And joining his companions,” Berthe said.
“He wished to learn of their adventures, as well,” Melissande said mildly.She took off her boots and her stockings, then Berthe ushered her toward the bed.
“Be warm, my lady, while I make all ready for you.”She bustled around the chamber, stirring up the coals in the brazier, then hurried away.Melissande unbound her hair and combed it out, thinking of the heated glow of Quinn’s amber eyes.
She thought of his resolve to defeat the brigands and realized that she trusted him to accomplish that.Then she considered how she might be of aid to him.
What if she took him at his word?
Melissande found herself straining for the sound of Quinn’s voice when the door opened anew.The tub was brought into the chamber and filled with steaming water.Berthe added herbs and soon the solar was warm with steam and the scent of lavender.“It will ensure that you sleep, my lady,” Berthe said.
“My lord will ride out to the mill on the morrow,” Melissande said as she stepped into the bath water.“It is possible that he will leave early, Berthe.Please ensure that I am awakened in time to offer him a stirrup cup.”
“He does not ride far, my lady.It is not necessary.”
“Aye, but I think it is.I would have all at Annossy see that I support him as lord.”
“Aye, my lady.It shall be so.”
Melissande settled into the bath with a sigh of contentment and wondered at her new spouse.She smiled as he laughed at some jest in the hall, the rich sound of his merriment making her warm inside.
Perhaps she softened too much, for it was merely a night’s sleep and a bath he offered.Melissande felt her resistance to her new husband crumble even so.
Then she realized that he had ensured she could not talk to Gaultier this night.
Melissande’s eyes flew open and she almost sat up in the bath.Had that been Quinn’s intent?Had he been right about Gaultier’s reaction?Or had the two knights met before?
Was there some detail that Quinn did not wish her to learn?
Once she had the thought that Quinn might have been trying to steer her thoughts in his favor, Melissande could not dismiss it.
How irksome that she had to wait until morning to confer with Annossy’s Captain of the Guard.
But once Quinn rode to the mill, she would have ample opportunity for a private discussion with Gaultier.
By this time on the morrow, she would know the truth.
Berthe descendedto the hall on her quest for her lady.It was strange to see so many knights in Annossy’s hall, and she did not like the change.It would have been one matter if she could have been certain of their intentions, but they were strangers, as well as allied with the new lord.Berthe could not dismiss a very similar suspicion to that held by her lady, that these knights might take from Annossy to see Sayerne enriched.
While Lord Quinn and his companions seemed merry, Berthe noted the resolve that often touched their gazes.They were men of war, men who would not hesitate to mete justice with their blades.
She hoped against hope that she would never have to battle with any of them.
