“I never knew his confidence to be misplaced,” Bayard agreed.“Until, of course, we reached Tulley.”
The pair exchanged a glance.“I might ride after him,” Amaury said.
“I think you will only earn his ire,” Bayard said.“Mind that the gate is closed after him and secured.I will join you there as soon as I am dressed.I will not fail to provide that list on his return.”
Amaury nodded and left the great hall.Bayard returned to the chamber above and donned his mail tunic and tabard, dressing quickly.He heard the echo of hoof beats even as he buckled on his sword, then took his gloves and helm.He eyed his saddlebag, then opened it on impulse, removing the glass vial that was carefully packed within it.The liquid was still trapped in the bottle, for he had taken care with the gift.
Marcus had been the first in many years to grant Bayard a gift.Now, Quinn offered him another, a much greater one, if only he would cede to Quinn’s desire.Was the price truly so high as he argued?A home was a dream beyond all else.A home and a wife, a hearth of his own, honest labor, and perhaps a son.’Twas enough to steal his breath away—especially if that wife had flashing eyes and no compunction in telling him when he erred.
Bayard turned the bottle so that it caught the light and wondered if Marcus had spoken aright.If he could only claim one woman, he rather thought the maid Berthe might do well.
He tucked the bottle into his purse and strode to meet Amaury, wondering how he might put Marcus’ gift to best use.
“Gone?”Melissande repeated when Berthe brought hot water.“How can my lord husband be gone?”
Where had Quinn gone?
And why?
Yet the foremost question in Melissande’s thoughts was why had he not told her of his plan.
Of course, she had been shrewish the night before and she was troubled that she could not apologize to him this morn.The dagger given to her by Gaultier was on the rug beside the bed, as if it had fallen from beneath her pillow, and she feared that Quinn might have seen it.She still wore his ring, but Melissande was afraid.
“He rode out before the dawn, my lady.Doubtless his men know his destination, but they do not share it.The gates are secured and they will allow no one to enter or to leave until my lord Quinn’s return.”
What madness was this?
Melissande dressed in haste and swept down the stairs to the great hall with purpose.She found no one there but the maids who swept the rushes, for it was the day that they should be changed.Berthe hustled behind her.Melissande did not pause in the kitchen but went straight through the bailey to the gates, where she found Bayard and Amaury.The two knights were fully armed and stood before the barred gates to Annossy, arms folded across their chests.They looked formidable and somber.
The skies were overcast and she could smell the difference in the wind.The rains would begin soon, perhaps even before midday.Soon it would be time to sow.Would Quinn abandon Annossy for Sayerne?The fields had always been more fertile there.
Gaultier came to her side in the bailey, following her to the gates when she did not pause.“It is unreasonable, my lady.No one is permitted to leave, and this for another day.Your lord husband is a tyrant...”
Melissande held up a hand for his silence.She addressed Amaury.“Is it true that my lord husband has left Annossy?”
The knight inclined his head.“But not for long, my lady.He had an errand.”
An errand.
“Did he ride to Sayerne?”she asked, thinking Quinn might have wished to look upon it.
“I cannot say, my lady,” Amaury said, but Bayard’s quick look made Melissande doubt that had been Quinn’s destination.
“Did you not visit that holding upon your arrival?”she asked him, remembering how Quinn’s party had been behind her own on her ride to Tulley.They had come from further down the valley and as there was no access, they must have visited Sayerne.
And likely found it inhospitable.
“Aye, my lady.”Bayard bowed slightly and his gaze flicked to Berthe.
“And?”
“It was in need of much repair, my lady.”
Why would Quinn return to Sayerne so soon?Melissande could not imagine.Sayerne was a ruin and that could not have changed in these few days.She could not imagine him to be sentimental, or in need of a plan for restoring that holding.Every single task had to be done and every shelter rebuilt.
The only other destination he might have had—unless he intended to abandon her completely—was Tulley.
But why?Quinn could not seek an annulment.Tulley had ensured that.Melissande had told him that she had her courses, though, which meant that he would conclude that she was not with child, even after two nights together.The truth, of course, was that she might be.
