Page 35 of An Inconvenient Vow

“Areley Kings. In a week’s time.”

Sabina nodded as though she knew what this entailed. She had never even heard of Areley Kings. Was it the name of the place or the actual tournament? “You, er—joust?” she ventured, deciding against displaying her ignorance.

“I do.”

“Is it far from here?”

“You have to pass through the mountains. ’Tis a five-day ride at least.”

“Oh, so when will you leave?” Her mind was full of Morecotte and establishing herself there without challenge. If Alfred Hendry brought officers of the court along, it would be awkward indeed with a husband in absentia. It was a moment before she noticed the narrow way he was regarding her, his face all tight and displeased looking. What had she said?

“We leave tomorrow,” he informed her cuttingly.

Sabina gaped back at him. “We?” she repeated. “You expect me to accompany you?”

He drew himself up. “That is what I said.”

“But why? And what of Morecotte?” she objected strenuously.

“I will speak to my uncle and have some staff sent over to assist with its overhaul. It is scarcely fit for habitation as it stands.”

“I could make do!”

“Your place, madam, is by your husband’s side.”

Sabina opened her mouth. “Sir Jeffree, I—”

“And that is all I have to say on the matter,” he cut across her, turning his back as he made for the door, flinging it open and exiting abruptly.

“Whereas I still have several more things to say!” Sabina called after his retreating form. He made no response and she hurried out after him. “Sir Jeffree!” He ignored her, disappearing down a corridor, leaving Sabina behind, staring after him with exasperation. Well! She plunked her hands on her hips.

“Lady Sabina,” a voice said nearby, causing her to wheel about. To her astonishment, it was Lady Maud Vyse emerging from the direction of the Great Hall.

“I had not realized you were up and about,” Sabina exclaimed. “Sir Dudley said—”

“Yes,” her mother-in-law responded briskly. “I had thought to sit quietly this afternoon to conserve my energies for the journey, but duty has ever been my primary consideration.”

Really, thought Sabina, she could make no response to that. She supposed the other woman must have some reason for seeking her out. “Should we…?” She gestured back toward the chamber she had emerged from, and Lady Maud consented with a tilt of her dark head. Sabina shut the door after them and waited for the older woman to speak.

However, the Lady Maud seemed to have no ready speech to launch into. Instead, she stood a moment, smoothing her skirts, apparently considering how best to proceed. Eventually, she treated Sabina to a long, hard stare. “You must possess some curious charm that eludes me, Lady Sabina,” she mused at last. “My sons all seem to find some strange fascination in your presence. I have heard that is true of some women, though I had scarcely believed it until this moment.”

Sabina gave a startled laugh; the notion was so ludicrous. “Well,” she said, determined not to take offense. After all, what was the point, when the woman was leaving for parts unknown on the morrow? “I will admit I was similarly taken with both Crispin and Jasper,” she replied lightly, leaving Jeffree wholly out of it. “They seem delightful boys.”

Lady Maud seemed to brighten in spite of herself. “You are fond of children?” she asked. “Dudley told me you were charming with them.”

Sabina was a little taken aback to hear such strong praise from Sir Dudley. “I like children well enough,” she admitted cautiously. “Though I have not had much to do with the raising of them. I have only one sister and no nephews or nieces to speak of.”

Lady Maud hesitated. “I did not have much to do with Jeffree’s upbringing,” she said surprisingly. “As Bevis’ heir, the family did not agree he should continue with me after my remarriage. Sometimes, I think, I rather regret that fact. He did not have the carefree boyhood that my younger two sons enjoy.”

“If he was not raised by you…?” Sabina started tentatively.

“He was raised in the household of his godfather, Sir Charles Ellis,” her mother-in-law replied. “A most estimable man, but not… warm.” Lady Maud drifted over to the window and gazed sightlessly out of it. “No, not warm,” she repeated absently. “Dudley says he would not have him raise his own two boys, not for the wide world.” She was silent a moment, before continuing. “Jeffree has turned out so very reserved and Leland so very wild. In Dudley’s opinion, both extremes stem from Sir Charles’s authoritarianism.”

Sabina found herself largely in sympathy with Sir Dudley’s opinion but thought it wise to hold her tongue. “How interesting,” she replied instead. Strangely, she was interested. Also, she was surprised to find the Lady Maud so clearly held her second husband in such high esteem. For some reason, she had not gained that impression previously from seeing them together.

“Jeffree has shown precious little interest in his younger brothers over the years,” Lady Maud continued, turning from the window back toward Sabina. “That has always pained me. If I could believe they might grow closer in time…” She shot a contemplative look toward Sabina.

“You think that I might be instrumental in bringing the brothers together?” Sabina asked with some skepticism.