“I thought you did not speak to Sir Rogue?”
The maid blushed.“He has a charm about him, to be sure.And I thought there could be little harm in talking to him in the kitchens last evening.Truly, there were others present.”
Her kirtle laced, Melissande turned to survey her maid.She had never seen Berthe so determined to avoid her gaze.“Tell me you have not been seduced by my lord husband’s companion?”
Berthe flushed crimson.“Bayard de Neuville,” she said.“That is his name.”
Melissande felt her brow rise.“You did not answer me.”
Berthe sighed and slipped behind Melissande to braid her hair.The move also ensured that Melissande could not see the maid’s features and she doubted that was mere coincidence.“Do you not think he is handsome beyond all?”she asked after a moment’s silence.“A woman could readily lose her head when he fixed his attention upon her, no less when he endeavors to steal a kiss.”
“He did not!”
“He did.”Berthe sighed.“Already I wonder if it was folly to evade him.”
Melissande blinked.“But you chide him so, as if you dislike him.”
“It is all I can do to keep my wits about me.”Berthe tugged Melissande’s hair tightly.“If he ever guessed that I have any regard for him at all, he might be bent on seducing me then, and I might succumb.”
“That would be most unwise.”
Berthe nodded unhappy agreement.“He says himself that he has no inclination to wed.”
“So, you think him a rogue.”
Berthe winced.“I am not so certain, my lady.The other one, the fair one with the accent, now he is a rogue to be sure.”
“Niall,” Melissande said.
“Aye, and since his arrival, I can see that Bayard is not so selfish as I had thought him to be.”
“I had no idea of your regard.”
“And with any luck he does not, either.”
Melissande nodded.She was uncertain of the intentions of Quinn’s companions.Did Bayard have a holding?Without one, she doubted he intended to take a wife, although he might welcome a woman’s attentions abed.She was not even certain if he planned to remain in Quinn’s service, but she did not want Berthe to be seduced and abandoned.She would have to ask Quinn, though he might not welcome the discussion.Doubtless men of war were not accustomed to concerning themselves with all those beneath their hand, but he would have to learn to do as much as Lord d’Annossy.
For the first time, Melissande wondered if Quinn was also coming to terms with the implications of their hasty marriage.
“I would ask you to resist the advances of all my lord husband’s companions,” she said to Berthe.“At least until I can learn more of their natures and intentions.”
“Do you not think that a knight who took the cross and rode to crusade must have a noble nature?”Berthe asked, her tone wistful.
“I would hope so, but he might only have learned to savor every pleasure while he could.Some men take the cross for the hope of plunder, since there is naught for them to inherit.Some take it out of genuine piety.”Melissande reached out and laid her hand over the other woman’s.“My concern is for you,” she said.“Bayard might have no holding or fortune so that he might make a home for a bride.He might be the manner of man to pursue a woman with sweet words and empty promises.We do not know, and I would be more certain of your future.”Berthe turned abruptly away and Melissande was afraid it was already too late.“Tell me that you have not yielded to him.”
“I have not, my lady.”
“I will speak to my lord husband about this matter.”
“But he might tell Bayard of my regard!”
Melissande smiled to encourage Berthe, for the maid was clearly distraught at the prospect.“I have no doubt that my lord husband can be convinced to keep your secret,” she said, before she realized that Quinn might have a very obvious price.
An invitation.
For he needed a son.
What would happen to their marriage if she conceived, bore a son, and Quinn was entrusted with the seal of Sayerne?Would he abandon her here at Annossy to rebuild his family holding?Did Bayard know more of Quinn’s intentions than she?Melissande had not considered the possibility, not before Berthe’s question, but as she descended to the hall, she wondered.
