Chapter Five #2
Anthony nodded in understanding. That was the most he’d ever heard about the situation and straight from the horse’s mouth, no less.
It also made him angry against those who had accosted her and her clan, who apparently blamed her for her father’s decision to punish those who had wronged her.
Anthony was a man of deep feeling, of a strong sense of right and wrong, and he didn’t like it when others were treated poorly.
Especially Lady Annaleigh.
“He is not wrong,” he said, sorry when she removed her hand from his arm. “The English here at the border are always suspicious against the Scots, always trying to test them. And the Scots test the English plenty as well. I suppose he did what he felt was right.”
Annaleigh nodded. “I know he did,” she said.
“I only wish he had not. Men died because of his decision and, truthfully, because of what happened tae me. That is what some of my clan canna forgive. That is why my da sent me tae Castle Questing. He says it will all go away if I am not there as a target for their anger.”
Anthony lifted his eyebrows in resignation. “It makes sense,” he said. “People are usually quick to anger, quick to forget. But I am sorry you have had to endure the situation. It cannot be pleasant.”
Annaleigh shrugged. “It has given me the opportunity to come to Castle Questing,” she said, watching Penelope fidget as she waited for her. “It has given me the chance to know a bonny lass with a big mouth and devious mind.”
They were both looking at Penelope now and Anthony grinned at the sight of the squirmy child.
“I have known her since birth,” he said.
“The day she was born was the day command of Castle Questing shifted from William to her. I shudder to think how she’ll be when she becomes a woman. God help her husband.”
Annaleigh laughed softly. “Agreed,” she said. But her attention returned to him. “But for now… please understand I mean ye no disrespect, Sir Anthony. Ye seem tae be a fine man. But I’m simply not ready for anything as important as a suitor right now.”
Anthony didn’t like it, but he didn’t fight her on it. At least, not now. “I hope we can still be friends.”
“I hope so, too.”
“The next time I go into Wooler, I would still be honored if you would like to ride along.”
“I just might.”
As the two of them engaged in idle conversation that had nothing to do with suitors or battle, in the keep high above, they were being watched.
Two older women were focused on them.
One of them was blonde, with wide green eyes and an angelic face while the other was shorter, with dark hair and green eyes. They watched the pair in the kitchen yard while Penelope began to kick at the dirt and turn circles impatiently.
The dark-haired woman grunted.
“I dunna suppose he’s finally managed tae break through,” she said. “At least she’s smiling. What do ye think, Jordie?”
Jordan de Wolfe, Lady Kilham, was watching through analytical eyes. “I think she’s being polite as she tells him tae leave her be,” she said. “I also think she’d better pay some attention tae Penny before the lass runs wild.”
Jemma, Lady Hage, folded her arms beneath her rather ample bosom as she watched. “She’s my own brother’s child,” she said. “I told Ian I’d watch her well and I dunna think that includes letting English knights hound her.”
Jordan cast her a long look. “Anthony d’Vant hasna hounded anything in his life,” she said, turning away from the window. “He’s a nice lad and, truth be told, between Talus and Anthony, I’d pick Anthony. He’s a kind man, while Talus…”
“Talus wants a meek and obedient wife,” Jemma said flatly. “He’d be good tae her, but he’d also be demanding.”
“Anthony wouldna be.”
“Nay,” Jemma said. “But I still dunna think my brother would like a Sassenach for a son.”
Jordan looked at her. “He has a Sassenach for a brother when ye married Kieran,” she pointed out. “But it’s of little matter, truthfully, because she’s never going back tae Langton. If she goes back, there’s no knowing what will happen tae her.”
Jemma shook her head sadly. “Who knew the lass would be safer in England than with her own kin?” she said.
“Robbie never told her about those who wanted tae kill her, those angry enough over losing a son or a father that they wanted a pound of her flesh. He simply told her some people were angry about the battle at Etal. But not how angry.”
Jordan sighed faintly as she took a seat, picking up the sewing she’d been working on. It was a new tunic for Penelope with flowers and dragonflies on it.
“She’ll never hear it from me,” she said. “But I’ll never let her go back, either. The question is what tae tell her if she asks. And she will ask.”
Jemma was still standing by the window. “Kieran says we must find her a husband,” she said. “If she has an English husband, mayhap she’ll not want tae return home, but if she does, she’ll have a knight by her side tae protect her.”
“Then our choices are Talus and Anthony? What about Gregory Payton-Forrester?”
Jemma turned to her. “The lad from Beverley Castle?” she said. “I like him. He’s a good friend of Alec’s.”
Jordan nodded. “And Scott and Troy,” she said. “That’s why I thought of him. He’s a good man and he’s kind tae his mother.”
Jemma pointed at her as if she had the best idea yet. “I like a man who’s good tae his mother,” she said. “I’ll ask Kieran what he thinks.”
“Ask me what?”
Kieran picked that moment to enter the solar, hearing his name.
William was rolling in just behind him, both of them having come to the women’s solar because they knew there would be food there.
It was mid-morning and, finished with their duties and having not broken their fast yet, they were looking for food.
They would never think of raiding the kitchens but they weren’t beyond raiding the women’s solar.
“We were speaking of Annaleigh,” Jemma said, watching her husband move to the table that still had some food from the morning meal left on it. “The lass needs a husband.”
Kieran grunted as he collected a pitcher, half-full of tepid wine. “Talus and Anthony have been trying without any luck,” he said. “She simply isn’t interested.”
“What about Gregory Payton-Forrester?”
That drew a reaction from William. “There is no opportunity there,” he said. “The man is already pledged.”
“He is not,” Jordan countered as if he’d just said something ridiculous. “There’s a lady who has been pursuing him, but no contract.”
William frowned. “There will be,” he said. “And I’m not getting in the middle of that. The lady comes from the Lancaster family of Kendal Castle and it would not do well to snatch a marital prospect out from under their noses. They might march on Castle Questing and then we’d all be sorry.”
Jordan snorted. “The Lancasters are all mad and everyone knows it.”
William wagged a finger at her. “As I said, I am not putting myself in the middle of that situation, not when we have a du Reims and a d’Vant in our own home,” he said. “Moreover, this is something her own father should be engaging in. This is not our responsibility.”
“It is our responsibility if she is never returning tae Langton,” Jordan said, looking up from her sewing. “We know what Robbie said about the kin who want her head on a pike. I’ll not let her go back tae such a place where she’s not safe. That means she stays with us.”
William wasn’t in disagreement, but it was more complex than his wife made it out to be. “Isn’t that Robbie’s decision?” he said quietly. “She’s a lovely girl, Jordan, and I would be happy to have her here, but that decision must come from her father.”
“I’ll write tae him,” Jordan said, returning her focus to her sewing. “I will ask him if she can stay here permanently. It will be tae her advantage, especially in marriage. There are many fine and wealthy knights who would vie for her hand. What more could her father want?”
“A Scottish husband,” Kieran muttered.
William fought off a grin at Kieran’s honest remark but he knew it was a subject that could deteriorate into an argument, so he sought to change the subject.