Quinn spared his companion a suspicious eye.“What makes you so inquisitive this morn?What manner of mischief have you been making in this hall?”
“Surely, Quinn, you must jest.You should know that I have done naught but slumber in this marvel of a hall.”
“Alone?”
Bayard choked slightly.“How could you think otherwise of me?I am as sober a companion as ever you have known.”
“Aye, that is true enough.”
The other knight lowered his voice.“It is another of our comrades who shares his charm with much generosity, to my thinking.”
Quinn took a draft of ale watching his comrade all the while.“And you do not approve.”
“It is not my place to approve or disapprove of another man’s choices,” he said, sounding remarkably prim.Before Quinn could comment, Bayard leaned forward, his eyes glinting with curiosity.“Truly, it is long since we have known such hospitality.You have landed upon your feet, Quinn, to be sure.”
“The matter is not secured as yet.”
Bayard studied him.“Do you not make progress in the courtship of your lady wife?”
“There is a complication.”
“So, tell me the whole tale,” the other knight urged.“Your secrets are safe with me.Doesthe lady spurn you?”
“Nay,” Quinn said again.Perhaps Bayard could help him in this puzzle.“You see—” he leaned forward, dropped his voice and Bayard followed suit “—it seems the lady had pledged herself to another.”
“Nay!It could not be so!”
“But it is so.She insists upon it.”
Bayard looked as shocked as Quinn felt.“Are you certain the tale is true?Surely Tulley would not have forced her to break her word?”
“Apparently that is precisely what he did.”
“Aie.”Bayard leaned back and ran his hand through his hair.“And when did she tell you of this?”
“When she wept, the morning after the match had been consummated,” Quinn admitted grimly.
“This is not good,” Bayard informed him.
Quinn arched a brow.“I thank you for that counsel.”
“And so all rides upon one night,” Bayard said.“Or upon one knight’s ride.”
Quinn shook his head.“Not quite.”He sighed.“She seduced me this morn.”
“Which surely is progress.”
“I fear she will regret it and blame me.”
Bayard shook his head and drained his ale.“But tell me this: does she have any regard for this other man?”
That was a reminder Quinn did not need.“She says she loves him.”
Bayard gave a low whistle.“What do you intend to do?”
“I do not know.”Quinn frowned.“What is worse, Tulley overheard our argument yesterday morning.He demands an heir within the year and that before he invests me with Sayerne.”
“So, should you proceed with honor, you lose all.”
