Tulley surveyed him, his gaze cool.“It would, if Arnaud had not wed another woman first.”
Quinn was startled.“Does my lady wife know of this?”
“I told her, but she chose to believe me mistaken.”Tulley sipped his wine and his lips tightened.“I am never mistaken about matters of such import.”He glared at Quinn and Quinn dropped his gaze.
Relief surged through him.His match was legitimate and he was sufficiently honest with himself to be glad.There was no legal impediment—the sole obstacles remained his lady wife’s affection and the conception of a child.These were not small obstacles, but Quinn found his heart lightened.
Tulley, meanwhile, shook a finger at him.“And I am reminded that I meant to speak to you about seeing Sayerne’s fields tilled this year.They have lain fallow too long and we have need of the grain...”
“But I am not to take the seal of Sayerne for another year,” Quinn felt obliged to note.
Tulley smiled.“Then you shall ensure the fields are tilled for me.”
Quinn cleared his throat, recalling Melissande’s practical questions, and strove to ask some of his own.She did not wish to see Annossy pillaged for Sayerne’s sake, and he did not wish to see either plundered for Tulley’s sole benefit.“If you are to claim the harvest, my lord, then who shall pay for the seed?”
Tulley harrumphed.“I could command that you do as much.”
“But that would scarcely be fair, my lord, and you are known for your justice.Surely you know that Sayerne no longer has any villeins to do the labor, either.”Quinn shook his head.“I recall that the fields were fertile, but they have not been tilled in recent years.This is a considerable labor to undertake, particularly with no promise of gain.”
Tulley glared.Quinn held his gaze, ensuring that his own expression was bland.He was well aware that Heloise was endeavoring to hide her smile.
“I will send the seed,” Tulley said finally.“But the villeins must come from Annossy.”
“But where shall they live, my lord?”Quinn asked.“It is too far for them to journey back and forth each day, unless they are to labor for no more than an hour.”He nodded.“And I visited Sayerne just this week.You may not be aware that there is not a single structure of integrity there, save the old grain barn on the border where we spent that night.The hall is not bad, but the roof of the solar is damaged...”
“I know the state of Sayerne,” Tulley fairly growled.
“I cannot ask the villeins to abandon the comfort of their homes to labor without shelter.’Twould be most irresponsible.”
Tulley’s lips tightened.“I will send men to help with the building, after the rain stops.”He pointed at Quinn.“But you shall see that all is defended.”
Quinn inclined his head.“They will need provisions, as well, for it will be months before the harvest.Although if you intend to claim it all, then they will still be hungry then.And there must be knights for the defense, who will also need shelter and provisions, as well as their steeds and squires.”
“You would have me pay to rebuild all of Sayerne!”
“I would not impoverish Annossy to rebuild Sayerne, particularly when I do not hold the seal of Sayerne.”
Their gazes locked for a potent moment and Quinn did not dare to take a breath.He was aware of Heloise’s keen interest and Tulley’s vexation, but did not blink.
“Half,” Tulley snapped, casting his napkin upon the board.“I desire half.The rest you may divide for seed for next year and flour for your villeins.”He sighed with annoyance “And I will send provisions for all when the ploughing begins, along with men to build.Are you satisfied?”
“I should think a third might be more fitting,” Quinn said mildly.“For a tenth must go to the church.”
Tulley inhaled.
Tulley exhaled.
Tulley glared.
And then he ceded.“You drive a hard bargain, Quinn de Sayerne.A third it will be then.Now are you satisfied?”
“I am certain I will have more questions, my lord,” Quinn said.“Such tasks of administration are new to me, after all.”
Heloise giggled.
Tulley cleared his throat.“That is as may be.On this day, however, youwillundertake an enquiry for me.”
“But I intend to ride for Annossy, my lord, that I might be gone but a day.”
