Page 6 of The Sword and the Damsel

He had thought about joining the Templars, not that celibacy suited him, but a simple martial life away from court intrigue had a definite appeal. But his aunt forbade him and sent him here instead. “Make yourself indispensable to Lord Daniel,” she said, providing no further instruction. He suspected she might have some ulterior motive, but Victor had pledged his oath and intended to do the very best he could for his new liege lord.

“How are you getting along with the men?” Lord Daniel asked, looking up from the duty roster.

“Quite well, my lord. They’re well-disciplined and good at their work.”

“I’m glad to hear it. And they are welcoming your direction?”

“Indeed, my lord.”

Lord Daniel tilted his head. “Though your arrival was rather unexpected, I appreciate having a man of your skills and experience working for me. I’m still quite new to governing, as you’ve probably heard.”

Victor smiled. “My aunt told me your history, my lord. Quite unusual.”

He liked Lord Daniel. His Lordship was a young man, not much older than Victor himself. Having spent most of his youth disguised as a common shipwright, he didn’t have any of the arrogance Victor was used to seeing in the nobility. He was forthright, fair, and generous with his men. He was attentive to detail without being overbearing. He never pretended to know more than he did, and he asked good questions. His military knowledge was sadly lacking, but he commanded respect and was easy to follow.

“I’m not sure I want to know what your aunt had to say about me.” Lord Daniel chuckled. “She doesn’t like me very much.”

“She says you have a sharp mind and are a shrewd negotiator,” Victor said, carefully choosing the most complimentary thing his aunt had said about His Lordship.

Lord Daniel raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I’m sure she had a great deal more to say than that, but I won’t put you in an awkward position by asking you to repeat it.”

Thank God for that!

“But enough about your aunt,” Lord Daniel continued. “Let me finish looking this over so that we can move on to more pleasant topics. Like the new song I’ve been working on. If you have time later this evening, I’d love to play it for you and get your thoughts. I think you might find it quite entertaining.”

“I would like that, my lord.”

Lord Daniel nodded and turned back to the roster.

The afternoon after Victor’s arrival, His Lordship sat down with him with lutes and ale and brought in his friend Gerard, a troubadour with whom he had some family connection. They’d sat swapping songs for several hours. Lord Daniel’s wit was sharp, and his compositions were every bit as good as those Victor had heard at his aunt’s court. Gerard was better with the lute and had a better voice, but his original verse wasn’t as impressive. They were both far better than Victor could ever hope to be, not that either of them was anything but complimentary of his mediocre skills.

It felt odd to be so friendly with his liege lord, but he got the sense Lord Daniel was relieved to have a break from the formality and propriety of his position. His Lordship seemed grateful to have another companion and ally in this house full of women, especially as he was adjusting to life as a new father. It was good to make a new friend if he dared call him that. He’d lost so many friendships after he’d returned from Spain. They all said he’d changed, and maybe they were right. Since his return, he’d had no interest in anything but his work. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the comfort of casual camaraderie with other men.

Lord Daniel looked up from the parchment, clearing his throat. “I’d like for you to add another guard to the southern gate. There have been rumors of bands of brigands along the road to Hastings, and one cannot be too safe.”

“Consider it done, my lord.”

His liege lord turned back to the parchment.

Adding another guard was a bit excessive. How much protection did this tiny backwater need? The brigands were all targeting traffic from Hastings. Why would they bother with this piddling town?

Winchelsea wasn’t terrible. It was merely dull and provincial compared to Hastings. He supposed it was picturesque at sunset. The stone buildings almost seemed to glow in the evening light, with the proud lines of the castle crowning the view. The port was certainly thriving, even if it was dwarfed by Hastings’s. But the place only had six streets, and everyone knew everyone. There was no anonymity in a town like this, and…well…he had a memorable face. Then again, he’d become too recognizable in Hastings too, which was part of why he’d needed to leave. At least in Winchelsea, he had no enemies.Yet.

“Very good. I’m impressed,” said Lord Daniel, handing the duty roster back at last.

Victor smiled. “Thank you, my lord.”

Lord Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I have a favor to ask, Victor.”

“I’m at your command, my lord,” he said with a polite nod.

Lord Daniel exhaled and fidgeted, as if being called “my lord” made him feel itchy. “My wife is worried about her sister, Lady Alais. There’s a troubadour named Gilbert who expressed a bit too much interest in her. My wife sent him away the day you arrived, but she’s worried he might try to come back for her. She doesn’t think Lady Alais’s usual chaperone is sufficient defense, and she wants her guarded when she goes out, at least untilwe’re sure Gilbert is gone for good. I think you’re the man for the job.”

Victor went rigid and swallowed hard. The night he arrived, Lady Alais was dressed in red, a low neckline offering a tantalizing glimpse of her sweet and tender decolletage and a clinging waistline showing off the generous curves of her hips. He’d never felt such a powerful attraction to a woman on sight. Her dark hair shone in the candlelight, and her warm brown eyes were filled with mischief and merriment, though he also thought there was a hint of distress she was trying to keep at bay. She tugged at his heart. Well, perhaps not only his heart. If he was being honest, other parts of his anatomy were involved as well.

But then she had to go and comment on his face.

He tried to ignore her, really he did, but she was sitting right next to him. How was he supposed to get food without speaking to her? And she was paying far too much attention for his comfort. While she pretended disinterest, he could tell she was listening to every word he said to the earl. Worse, yet, she had the nerve to start flirting with him right after insulting him. She sat there and asked cheeky questions about a bawdy song and batted her eyelashes as if he was the same eligible bachelor who’d left for Spain two years ago and not the grizzled warrior who had returned.

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