Especially that Bayard.He was trouble to be sure.
Even as she arrived, he was teasing Lord Quinn.
“Surely you do not forgo your marital due on your first night at Annossy?”that knight demanded with a conviviality born of good ale.
Berthe bristled.Lord Quinn had been considerate of her lady and she admired him for that.
“Ah, I just wanted to taste the ale,” Lord Quinn said as Michel placed a filled tankard before him.“I had not the fortune to do so earlier.”
“For you drank Annossy’s wine instead,” one of the knights, Amaury, teased.
“And it was fine indeed.I have high hopes for the ale.”Lord Quinn lifted the tankard to his lips.
“Surely you do not choose our company over your lady’s charms,” insisted Bayard.
“My lady has need of her rest this night,” Lord Quinn said firmly.He raised his tankard to Berthe to salute her.“And the attentions of her loyal maid.”
The men turned to look at her and Berthe bowed for Annossy’s new lord even as she felt her cheeks heat.“I think this a fine acknowledgment for a man to make for his wife,” she said and granted Lord Quinn an approving smile.“I’m glad to see that somemen understand how to treat a lady with respect.”
“I should think a lady charged to bear an heir with all haste would welcome her lord husband to her bed to ensure that goal was accomplished,” Bayard said.
“And you, Sir Rogue, would indulge in that quest?”she demanded.
He grinned, more handsome than should be permitted.“Aye!I would plunder my lady’s charms and leave her smiling in the morn.”
“And what of the child?”Berthe demanded.“I suspect that a man of your ilk cares only for his pleasure.You would like be gone in the morn.”
“And why should he not be?”the fair knight demanded.Niall was his name, Berthe believed, and she thought him much enamored of his own charms.“A night of pleasure is well and good in itself.”
“A rogue and a scoundrel,” Berthe scoffed.“I expect naught better from the likes of you.”
“And you shall find you better, my pretty maid,” Niall said, lifting his tankard to her.He winked and Berthe turned away from him.“You know where to find me if your curiosity has the better of you.”
“I shall not!”Berthe fired a glance at Bayard and their gazes held for a long moment.He was most serious and if she had not known better, she might have thought him insulted by his companion’s words to her.“Nor will I seek you, Sir Rogue,” she added with disapproval and that knight smiled just a little before he developed a keen interest in his ale.
Berthe told herself that she did not care if the newly arrived knights bedded all the maidens in Annossy.
Although she hoped Sir Rogue did not.
“My lord, my lady would offer you a stirrup cup on the morrow when you depart,” she said to Lord Quinn.“I would ask that you see me roused when you prepare to ride out, that I might summon her.”
Lord Quinn blinked, as if surprised, and seemed to bite back a smile.“It is not necessary.”
“My lady says it is, sir.”
“I will see you roused,” Niall whispered, but Berthe stood straighter as the other knights chuckled.“Or better yet, awake all the night long.”She felt her cheeks heat but she would not so much as glance at that man.
Bayard said something and began to rise to his feet, and the others teased him.
Lord Quinn looked between them, quelling them with a glance, then shook his head.“I will not, Berthe.It will be too early, for I mean to ride out early.Louis will bring those with tales to share after I break my fast, then we shall visit the mill.”
“But my lady requests...”
“And your lord commands,” he said with such quiet force that she fell silent.He held her gaze.“You know as well as I that dawn will be too early to rouse her.These past days have been a challenge for her.”
Berthe hesitated.She knew that Lady Melissande did not like to have her commands questioned, yet she was herself bound to obey the Lord d’Annossy.
“I will tell her of my command, Berthe,” he said, clearly seeing her uncertainty.“You will not be left to face my lady’s wrath alone.”
