Realization that one of England’s most powerful warlords was heading their way was sinking in. “But what about The Marshal?” Ares said. “Surely he is coming, too?”
Cole nodded. “I am certain he is,” he said. “De Lohr is simply the first. There are several more, I am certain. My father and The Marshal have been in contact about William the Lion’s plans. I told your father on the day I arrived with Canmore that it was The Marshal who ordered my father to raze Fountainhall to send a message to William. I also think it was a stalling tactic so The Marshal could move armies north while William was still stunned from my father’s attack. Don’t you see? The Marshal hassent de Lohr. He’s come to help us defend the north and the first thing we shall do is move them straight into Berwick.”
That bit of news brought hope and excitement. Anteaus ran for the keep where his father was, while Ares and Atlas headed to the gatehouse to make preparations. Everyone was moving with a purpose except for Cole, who was left with the women.
He looked at the three of them.
“Well,” he said. “It looks as if you are going to have thousands of men on your doorstep very soon.”
“Howsoon?” Gaia asked, already thinking about the numerous new knights to pinch.
In fact, Cole could hear her eagerness.
“Armies do not move very quickly,” he said. “If they are in Hexham, I would say that they should arrive here by this evening. It is just a few hours’ ride for a man on a swift horse.”
Corisande’s eyes widened. “This evening?” she gasped. “God’s Bones, I must get organized. I will need lodgings for the knights and the commanders. Gratiana, go to the knight’s quarters and remove all of the soldiers who are sleeping there and have the entire place scrubbed. It smells as if pigs have been living there. Gaia, you will help me with the keep. I cannot have the Earl of Hereford and Worcester sleeping on anything other than a clean and comfortable bed. Run ahead and tell the servants of his impending arrival and have them boil water and vinegar so they can start scrubbing the floors. Hurry, ladies!”
With that, she suddenly turned for the kitchen yard, rushing to tell the cook of the meal that would be needed for the evening. Cole watched her run off as Gratiana and Gaia lingered.
“I do not know what she is so excited about,” Gaia said. “The keep is clean enough.”
Cole looked at her. “The state of the keep reflects directly on the chatelaine,” he said. “She wants to make a good impression,which is something you should be concerned with also. Do as she says and see to the servants.”
Gaia turned those big, blue eyes to him and latched on to his arm. “I am much better when I am entertaining guests, not preparing for them,” she said. “I am excellent with conversation and I know how to make guests laugh. Cori can deal with the servants. That’s what she is good at.”
There was something condescending in that remark that Cole didn’t like. Gaia had a high opinion of herself, a spoiled little lass who firmly believed the world should fall at her feet.
He unwound her hand from his arm.
“Go,” he said, firmly and quietly. “You have been given a task. Do not disappoint me and ignore it. There are great knights arriving tonight and I do not wish to be embarrassed because you have not done as your sister asked and they are faced with slovenly quarters.”
Gaia wasn’t at all deterred by him removing her from his arm. She grinned up at him, impishly.
“As you wish,” she said, turning for the keep. “I should not want to embarrass you.”
Cole felt it, then; a sharp sting on his left buttock right where it met his thigh. He was wearing fine leather breeches today, thin and comfortable, and Gaia had managed to pinch him right through the leather. She wasn’t quite out of arm’s length, so he lashed out a trencher-sized hand and spanked her right on the buttocks. It sounded like the crack of the whip and Gaia yelped as she put a hand to her arse, looking at him accusingly.
Cole smiled thinly.
“My apologies,” he said. “My hand slipped.”
Outraged, Gaia stormed off towards the keep. Cole watched her go, a real smile playing on his lips, as he heard giggling behind him. He turned to see Gratiana standing there.
“I am sorry,” she said, putting a hand over her mouth. “I should not have laughed, but… but she has deserved that for a very long time.”
Cole fought off the smile that threatened to broaden. “As I said, my hand slipped.”
“So did hers when it pinched you.”
He looked at her a moment before finally breaking down into a snort. “She’ll think twice before letting her hand slip again,” he said. “And you, my lady? You have duties, too.”
Gratiana nodded, looking off to the knight’s quarters. “I know,” she said. “But I was wondering… this army that is coming? Does this mean we will see more fighting here?”
“Do you mean to ask if they will attract trouble?”
“Aye.”
Cole shook his head. “I do not think so,” he said. “I would not worry about it, my lady. Whatever happens, we will keep you safe.”
