Susan Paul - The Bride Thief

With a thoughtful frown, Isabelle replied, “He did not seem displeased to wed Evelyn until she and my uncle were so foolish as to give him insult. But for that, he would have married her.”

“Would he?” Lady Rosaleen asked. “I do not know if that is true. But let us speak of the matter no more, for I’ve no desire to test how red you can go.” She laughed lightly when Isabelle reddened even further. “My dear, if you have missed working with numbers, would you like to entertain yourself with some of my accounts? I should be exceedingly glad to let you work with any or all of them, I vow, for although I enjoy working them, as well, I’ve not much time to do so since this little one was born.” She smiled lovingly at her sleeping son. “Robert, the steward, once suggested that I give Farron over to the care of a nurse, and Hugh nearly took a whip to him, but he spoke the truth. With Kathryn and Harry just babies yet, and Galen so active—” at this, she uttered a long sigh “—I’ve not much time left for Siere, as I used to. ’Tis a blessing Hugh is so willing to lend me aid.”

“Robert does not care to take over the task?”

“Oh, aye, he does, just as he wishes to take over every task, God bless his efficient soul, but he has enough to do in keeping Hugh out of trouble, I fear. ‘Twould be unjust to make him do the accounting, as well. I suppose I should let him hire a treasurer, but I’ve always had the keeping of my own accounts and have never desired assistance until now. Any help that you might be ready to give, dear Isabelle…”

“Oh, aye, my lady,” Isabelle said at once. “I should be most glad to repay your kindness to me in any way that I can.”

The countess of Siere smiled warmly. “Then go to the working chamber that I share with my husband, and see what may be done with the accounts. Stay for as long as you are happy, and when the work grows tiresome, put it away. You have my permission to work there as often as it pleases you, save when my husband is there. I know he would welcome your company, i’ faith, but his language is so unchristian at times that I’d never expose you, or any gentlelady, to it.”

It was, for Isabelle, a boon too good to believe. She nearly dropped her needlework as she quickly stood.

“Thank you, my lady,” she said gratefully. “Is there anything urgent that needs tending, in particular?”

“The rents are far behind,” Lady Rosaleen said thoughtfully, “as are the livestock accounts. Don’t touch the household books, however, for Robert does keep those, and most jealously.”

“Will you please tell Justin where I am if he should come looking for me?”

Lady Rosaleen nodded and smiled. “I’ll tell him. Do not worry on it.”

“Robert,” said Sir Hugh as he walked into his working chamber, carrying his sleeping daughter in his arms. “Well met. Lady Kate had the audacity to fall asleep while being admired in the village. Can you imagine such a thing?”

Setting down the pen with which he’d been writing, the steward rose from his table. “Good day, my lord,” he said, adding, when Justin, holding one of his nephews by the hand, followed his brother into the room, “And also to you, my lord, Sir Justin. May I hope you have at last come to discuss important matters?”

“No, you may not,” the earl said affably. “We’ve come to have a friendly, brotherly chat—”

“Oh, have we?” Justin asked with bemusement.

“We have,” his brother assured him. “And we won’t require a legate, as I’m certain we’ll not resort to violence. If we do, we won’t need witnesses, either. Be pleased to take Katy and Harry to their nurses, Robert.”

Gazing at the small bundle in his master’s arms, Robert gave a disdainful sniff. “Really, my lord. You cannot mean it. And we must discuss these matters.” He picked up several pieces of parchment from the table. “The duke demands a reply, as does Sir Alexander, and Sir Myles is threatening to be very disagreeable if he doesn’t have some satisfaction soon.”

“Sir Myles,” said Justin, “may take himself to Hades. I would be happy to aid him in the task.”

“Justin…” Hugh said in a warning tone. Then, with a sigh, went on, “Very well. We’ll discuss matters. Now please take Katy and Harry to their nurses.” He didn’t wait for a reply, but set his sleeping child in his steward’s unready hands.

“But, my lord!” Robert sputtered indignantly.

“She’s only a babe,” the earl chided, carefully arranging his daughter’s head against Robert’s shoulder. “What grave harm could she visit upon you?” With tender affection, he bent to kiss the child’s forehead, then straightened and looked his steward directly in the eye. “Never say you’re ashamed to be seen carrying my children, Robert?”

The insult hit its intended course, and Robert’s nose lifted sharply. “I will never understand your strange sense of humor, my lord,” he said, “and I was not aware that my duties included being a children’s maid.” He gave an imperious humph and took young Harry’s hand. “Come along, Lord Harold.” As he walked out the door, he called back, “If you don’t have replies ready for me to send this evening, I’ll stand outside your bedchamber door all night.”

Justin shook his head as Hugh closed the door.

“Alexander would never put up with such familiarity in a servant, you know.”

Hugh chuckled and went to pour wine from a nearby decanter. “Alexander can afford to be stiff-necked. If it weren’t for Robert, I’d have been committed to an asylum long ago. Will you have wine?”

Justin gave his brother a considering look. “Perhaps. How long is our ‘friendly, brotherly chat’ to last?”

The earl of Siere filled a goblet for his brother and handed it to him.

“That all depends on you, I think. You might as well say what you’ve been wanting to these past many days. I’ve considered beating it out of you, but somehow the idea of trying to explain that to Rosaleen doesn’t appeal.”

Justin, smiling grimly, only shook his head again.

“God save me,” Sir Hugh said. “I suppose I’ll have the headache when this is done. Very well, then I’ll say it.” Placing his goblet on a low table, he lazily settled his long body into a comfortable chair. “You’re angry with me for meddling in your life.”

“Angry?” Justin repeated.

“Oh, all right.” The earl waved a hand about. “You’re furious. I don’t think we have to bicker about it. Despite your present feelings toward me, I am not a fool.”

Justin’s expression darkened. “I’m not in the mood for your careless manners, Hugh. If you’re going to be amusing, I’ll leave.”

“Oh, Justin,” Hugh said with a groan. “You make everything so difficult, and ever have. You were somber even as a boy, always skulking about the hallways at Gyer like a silent shadow. You haven’t changed overmuch since those days.”

“I had good reason to be as I was,” Justin told him, sitting in the chair opposite his brother’s. “I had Candis to protect from Father, and when he was gone, from Alexander’s lack of care and from your and Hugo’s dangerous ways. Before Lillis came, Castle Gyer was not a pleasant place for small children, certainly not for our young sister. Or have you forgotten?”

Hugh shifted uncomfortably beneath his brother’s steady gaze. “Nay, of course I’ve not. I realize full well what life was like for you and Candis then, and have long since accepted my own part in what you both suffered. Perhaps, in some misguided way, I’ve tried too much to take care of you now to make some sort of… recompense.”

“Recompense?” Justin repeated with disbelief. “You force me to wed as a way of making recompense?”