Page 5 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Ha! Well, I’m sure we’ll find a way to put your various talents to use. Come join us. Have some dinner. Let me introduce you to the family. This is my wife, Carenza Rossignol, Countess of Winchelsea.” She nodded her head politely. “Lord Martin and Lady Isabella de Vere are my vassals but also my in-laws.” They inclined their heads in acknowledgment. “And these are their two youngest daughters, Lady Alais and Lady Iselda.” When Alais looked up from her polite nod, a sharp shock ran through her as their gazes briefly met. She couldn’t recall ever having such a strong reaction to a man. It must be her mistrust. Anyone sent by Lady Helisende was suspect, especially this entirely unexpected man.

Daniel offered the seat across from him, which happened to be next to Alais. She kept quiet as he talked with Daniel and her father about the port’s business, listening carefully. No one knew or cared that she took an interest in how Winchelsea was run. Why should a second daughter bother? Besides, they all thought she was a brainless flirt. And shewasa flirt, just not a brainless one.

This Sir Victor was quite knowledgeable, easily keeping pace with her father. He’d be a great help to Daniel who was still so new to it all.

Funny, smart, competent, if still highly suspicious. And I had to insult him with the first words out of my mouth.

She kept quiet under Carenza’s watchful gaze, only speaking to pass food.

“Oh, I’d skip the venison if I were you, my lord,” she said as Sir Victor asked her to pass the dish. “It’s a bit tough tonight, and the cooks over-spiced it. Try the snapper instead. It’s delicious.” She passed the platter with the snapper. Determined to do everything in her power to make up for her earlier blunder, she gave him her warmest and sweetest smile.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said, serving himself some.

“Get some of the red wine sauce too. It’s divine.”

He complied and took a bite. “Mm, that is good. Thank you for saving me from mediocre venison. I am in your debt.”

Carenza was momentarily distracted by a question from Daniel, and Alais decided to take full advantage.

“Then perhaps,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper, “you’ll explain about the song about the cat? I’m dying of curiosity.”

Sir Victor nearly choked on his snapper. “I don’t think your family would approve, my lady.” He nodded at Carenza who turned to give them a suspicious look.

“Don’t worry about her. She doesn’t approve of anything.” She said it loud enough for Carenza to hear, which earned her a kick under the table. “Well, you don’t! Ow!” Another kick. “Do you have sisters?”

“No,” said Sir Victor. “I was an only child. My mother died when I was young.”

“I’m sorry about your mother. Be grateful you don’t have sisters, though. They ruin all your fun.”

“When have I ever ruined your fun?” her younger sister Iselda interjected from her other side, her long brown braid draped over her shoulder.

“Not you. You’re lovely.” Alais gave Iselda a little side hug. “She’sthe one that ruins everything.” She pointed her knife at Carenza.

“I know you’re mad at me,” Carenza said through gritted teeth, “but can you please try to behave with some civility in front of our guest?”

Alais laid a hand on Sir Victor’s arm and batted her eyelashes at him. “Do you find my behavior objectionable, my lord?”

Sir Victor’s brow furrowed, and he stared at her with undisguised disapproval. Obviously, his answer to her question wasyes.

“I’m sorry, my lord.” She released his hand and dropped the flirtatious look. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Christ’s eyebrows. He must still be mad about what I said.

Alais managed to behave herself for the rest of dinner, but barely. She stayed as quiet and demure as she could manage. Pretending boredom, she listened avidly while Daniel and her father quizzed Sir Victor about his work in Hastings and his time in Spain, but when the conversation turned away from Sir Victor, she found herself ruminating once again about the dismal prospect of a loveless marriage. If only she hadn’t gotten caught with Gilbert…

At last, dinner was over, and she couldn’t wait to retreat to the privacy of her room where she wouldn’t have to pretend anymore. Sir Victor kissed the hands of each of the ladies present before taking his leave. When he came to Alais, she wondered what he was thinking as he took her hand and glanced at her before letting his lips brush her skin. He looked conflicted, angry almost, but he lingered over her. A little shiver shot through her as he released her hand. Whether it was a shiver of pleasure or of dislike, she wasn’t entirely sure.

He made her feel things—mostly shame and embarrassment. And he was Lady Helisende’s nephew. But she couldn’t help admitting to herself she was intrigued.

Chapter Three

“Give me amoment to look this over.” Lord Daniel stroked his thick, black beard as he took his time reviewing the proposed duty roster and patrol plan for the Watch.

“Of course, my lord,” Victor replied. He sat across from his new liege lord awaiting orders, idly looking around the man’s office, which was orderly, fitted out with clever cabinetry like the interior of a ship. It had been a week since Victor’s arrival in Winchelsea, and he was still learning the lay of the land.

So far, Lord Daniel had been easy to please, unlike Victor himself. He was not pleased when his aunt, Helisende, Countess of Hastings, had wheedled him into moving to the nearby town of Winchelsea and entering the service of the earl. He wasn’t sad to leave Hastings. If anything, he was relieved to get away. But he didn’t appreciate how casually she’d let him go.

She wanted him to find himself a nice wife, she said, suggesting one of the unmarried de Vere daughters as a match, as if he was fit to be a husband. Before Spain, he might have been considered a good match for one of the de Vere daughters. But years of combat had changed him, and the Victor who returned to England had too many rough edges to make him a fit husband for some simpering noblewoman. Besides, he was damned if he was going to enter into a lifelong commitment just to serve his aunt’s political ambitions.

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