“Bayard,” she whispered.
“He would either turn her against you or use her as his spy.No doubt she had tales to share with you this morn as a result of that conversation.”
Melissande thought of Berthe’s confession of admiration for Bayard—and her questions about them living at Sayerne.Her heart chilled.
“They are men of war, my lady, and they seek to learn your every weakness, so that when they attack, you have no chance to defend yourself.”
“But why would my lord husband attack me?”
“To gain your prize.The foreign one—Niall, I think is his name—was in the armory.He reviewed the guard and their weapons, and spoke with the smith for a long time.The tall one, Lothair, walked the perimeter of the walls.He spoke to those in the village, apparently befriending them and advising them about the pledge of fealty, but he gathered tidings as well.And I thought it was all for naught, for the lord had retired to the solar with you.”Gaultier’s eyes narrowed and his voice dropped to a hiss.“But then he returned to the hall alone, my lady, and dismissed all but his comrades.They conferred together for long hours, whispering around the board, surrendering all they had learned to him that he might best create his plan.”
It was true.Melissande had not expected Quinn to leave the solar.
Her mouth went dry that he had come to their bed so late that she had not heard him.She suspected that if she had not been so willing, she might have been seduced all the same.Tulley had set a price upon Sayerne of an heir, after all.
Gaultier pushed his hand through his hair.“And then this morning, he and all his fellows ride out to the mill, while we are forbidden to depart for any reason.I cannot even lead a hunt to ensure that there is meat at the board this night!”He stepped toward her, eyes blazing.“Why does he so fear your departure from your own abode, my lady?You are as good as a captive here, and I would know why.Does he fear you will deny him?”
“I cannot.We are wed and Tulley ensured the match was consummated.”Melissande shook her head.“But the worst I might do is flee to Tulley, and you already say they are in league.”
“He is Jerome’s son, my lady.What if he means to cheat Tulley?”
“How?”
“I cannot say.Perhaps he has ambitions for all of Tulley.”Gaultier wagged a finger at her.“And if there is any soul in this realm sufficiently clever to see the truth of his ambition, it would be you, my lady.Were I such a villain, I would see you confined as well.”He took a deep breath as Melissande struggled with these assertions.
As much as she might have expected otherwise, she was inclined to take Quinn’s side.
Was she a fool to trust him?Or were her instincts correct?
“I should watch my surroundings in your place, my lady,” Gaultier said grimly.“I shall guard your person when I can, but in the solar, you must defend yourself.”
“What is this?”Melissande asked in confusion.
“If you died, my lady, Annossy would remain your husband’s holding and he would be free to wed whosoever he chose.”He lifted a dark brow, his eyes gleaming.“Perhaps a man held so high in Tulley’s favor might even wed Tulley’s niece.”
And upon Tulley’s demise, the entire holding would fall to that man’s hand.
Surely it could not be so.
Melissande felt suddenly cold.She forced herself to stand and to speak calmly.“I thank you for your counsel, Gaultier, and would suggest that you ensure the gates are kept closed, as instructed by my lord husband.”
“Aye, my lady,” he said and bowed before her.He placed a sheathed dagger on the table then and swallowed.“If you will permit me to grant you a small token of my esteem, my lady.This is a fine small blade, sharpened well.If you would keep it upon your person, I should be relieved.”
Melissande eyed the weapon, which had a jeweled scabbard.The entirety of it was less than the length of her hand.“It is too rich...”she began to protest but he interrupted her.
“Of greater import, it was a gift from my aunt when my uncle bestowed my spurs and is a lady’s blade,” Gaultier said, smiling slightly in reminiscence.“She bade me surrender it to a lady I admired beyond all others, and said that it would serve the recipient well.”
“I cannot accept such a gift, Gaultier.I am wedded.”
“And I am fearful.Accept the loan of it, my lady, if you will not take it outright.”
Melissande eyed the blade.In truth, she was troubled by Gaultier’s confession and she carried only a small eating blade which was not very sharp.She knew she should not accept the token, but she appreciated that Gaultier showed such concern for her welfare.
He had pledged his service to her first, after all, and this choice was a reflection of that.
“I thank you, Gaultier,” she said and took the blade, liking the weight of it in her hand.It was small enough that she could bind it to her garter by day, and hide it in the bed by night.“I will return it to you when all is well.”
Quinn rodewith Amaury beside him, having inviting his friend to share his observations and thoughts about Annossy and its administration.It was another fine clear day, though the wind had a bite.The path to the mill wound uphill from the gates of Annossy, away from the village and the fields.
