“But he is your friend!Surely he will act with honor!”
Quinn indicated that she should precede him into the solar.He gave Michel a nod, for the boy had followed them, and shut the door, leaning back against it to watch her.“And how would you define honor in this instance?”he asked.
That he could even ask such a question was no good sign.“Any man of merit would wed the woman he desires.”
“Any man of merit would not wed without the means to support a wife and family,” Quinn countered, his tone reasonable.“Bayard has no holding and no fortune.He may well intend to continue to earn his way as a mercenary, which is no fitting fate for any woman.”
Melissande put her hands on her hips.Though she agreed with this assessment, she still wished to defend her maid’s chastity.“Then you will look aside if he seduces her beneath the roof of Annossy?”
“Surely Berthe can choose for herself whether to be seduced or not?”
Melissande exhaled.She knew already how easily objections could be overcome by a man’s persuasive touch.Could Quinn have seduced her if they had not been wedded?She feared he might have found success.“Surely, your comrade should not even try to entice her,” she replied hotly.
“Surely Bayard’s choices are his own to make!”Quinn countered, his voice rising.
“This is not a camp of war, where all the women are whores.Nor is it some paradise where men can take their pleasure without regard for the consequences.”
“I scarce think that one maid’s seduction could lead to such repute...”
“This is a holding where maidens can come to give service to the lord and lady without fearing for their chastity!”
“Berthe need have no fear for her chastity!”Quinn replied, his eyes flashing.“Surely she has the wits to say nay.”
“Surely all women know that declining a man’s touch is not sufficient to turn him aside.”
“Do you suggest that my companion would see his desires sated with violence?”he demanded.“If so, you insult both me and my companion with your assumptions about his nature...”
“If he would seduce my maid without any thought of the future, your companion insults her with his assumptions about her nature.”
Quinn flung out his hands.“Bayard’s assignations are not my concern!”
“Theyareyour concern,” Melissande snapped.“You are Lord d’Annossy.You have an obligation to every soul who takes shelter in this keep, to see him or her defended from violence, to see him or her fed and clothed, to see him or her protected.”
Quinn stepped back, his eyes narrowed.“I do not.”
“You most certainly do.They are your vassals and your villeins.Do you think their pledges of fealty come with no price?Do you imagine that you owe them naught for their loyalty and service?”Melissande spun on her heel and stormed to the other side of the solar.“I cannot imagine why I feared Annossy being bled dry for the sake of Sayerne.You simply choose to turn Annossy into a new Sayerne.”
“I do not!”
“What is the difference?”Melissande cried.“Your father’s hall was one of ill-repute, and many of his villeins fled here to defend their daughters from the lusts indulged in his hall.Should Berthe be compromised by your companion, that deed will cast a long shadow.”
Quinn rubbed his brow.“I see.”
Melissande feared he still did not.She counted on her fingers.“We have scullery maids in the kitchen who aid George in the preparation of the meals.We have more who tend the potage garden and yet others who do the washing.There are three in the hall at any given time who ensure that lanterns are filled and rushes are changed and linens are washed for guests.We need that labor, Quinn, and it is an honor for those pledged to Annossy to send their daughters to the hall.Your friends and comrades will depart at some point and I would still have Annossy well-maintained.You should desire as much, as well, as Lord d’Annossy.”She folded her arms across her chest.“Managing a holding is not solely about defending its borders.”
He nodded and folded his arms across his chest as well, watching her.“I will speak with Bayard and express your concern.”
“You will bid him leave Berthe alone unless he means to ask for her hand.”
Quinn’s lips tightened.“I cannot command him.”
“Then he should leave.”
She saw the flash of his eyes and heard the fury in his tone.“Is there more?”
Melissande took a breath and decided to share all of her concerns.Quinn was already annoyed and she perceived that she had little to lose.“I do not like that you brought the men-at-arms back to Annossy.It looks as if you push aside the traditions and people of Annossy in favor of your comrades.”
“I can only solve the matter of the brigands with men I trust.”His tone was harder and she knew he did not welcome her comments.
