Chapter Three

“And he has been harassing me ever since,” Lady Isabel told a roomful of men. “Tatworth wants to marry me, assume the earldom, and merge the lands. It would give him a very large property and make him quite wealthy, but I have no intention of marrying the man, and my rejection has driven him mad.”

In the great solar of Axminster Castle, a two-storied chamber with a small staircase that led to a catwalk around the upper portion of the chamber where records were kept, the men gathered about could easily believe Lady Isabel’s statement. They’d just spent three full days battling Tatworth, who had dug himself in and refused to move until Douglas and Grayson split the Tatworth-St. Martin army and conquered them. But given the prize of Axminster and the glory that was the castle itself, not one man could really blame Tatworth. Axminster was a fine prize.

But it was a prize that Lady Isabel retained.

“Tatworth and his men are prisoners,” Douglas said. His helm was off, his long hair tied up into a messy bundle at the back of his neck. “He wants to negotiate his surrender but, frankly, there is nothing to negotiate. I can demand that he surrender his castle to you, and you would be a rich landowner, my lady. What is your pleasure?”

Isabel smiled weakly. “I do not want Tatworth Castle,” she said. “It is enough for me to manage Axminster, but I appreciate your sentiment, Sir Douglas. Mayhap… mayhap if de Lohr were to station men at Tatworth to help me oversee the place, I would consider it.”

“Then we must be clear on this, Lady Isabel,” Curtis spoke up. “Now that Tatworth is subdued, if you do not wish to confiscate the castle as the spoils of war, what do you want to do with Rickard Tatworth?”

Isabel cocked her head. “What do you mean by that?” she said. “What is there to do but send him home?”

“So he can attack you again?” Curtis said, trying to convince her to think the worst in a situation like this and plan accordingly. “May I be frank, my lady?”

Isabel gave him a stone-faced expression, hiding her irritation at a man who was trying to give her orders. “Please.”

Curtis knew she didn’t mean it, but he was going to say it anyway. He’d spent the past several hours with Lady Isabel de Kerrington, and although he hadn’t known her before his march on Axminster, even in the few hours he spent with her he could see what kind of a character she was. Determined and stubborn was where she started. Where she ended, he couldn’t even guess, but he knew one thing—she was used to doing things her own way and didn’t like to be told what to do.

That was going to make this conversation very interesting.

“My lady, I suspect you haven’t been involved in many sieges or battles,” he said. “Is that a correct assumption?”

Oh, but she had to be called out for anything that anyone might consider a shortcoming. Isabel was standing in a chamber with more than a half-dozen seasoned warriors and now she was being forced to admit that she didn’t know much about battle.

It wasn’t going to be easy for a woman of her considerable pride.

But she had to be honest.

“Axminster is a peaceful demesne,” she said evenly. “I am not a trained warrior, my lord. I have not had the need to participate in any sieges or battles. But that doesn’t mean I do not understand the quality of mercy.”

Curtis could see that she was defensive. They all could. “This has nothing to do with mercy and everything to do with protecting Axminster,” he said. “If I may speak plainly about this situation, my lady, my sense is this—Rickard Tatworth was greatly offended when you refused his offer of marriage, so much so that he attacked Axminster. You were so concerned that he might succeed in breaking down her walls that you sent word to my father and to Coventry and Norfolk. We were able to subdue Tatworth, but if we simply send him back home, as you suggest, he will only consider that a weakness. It will not keep him from attacking you again. Are you prepared for that?”

She wasn’t. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly shook her head because she knew she was defeated by his logic. “Nay,” she said. “What would you suggest?”

Curtis glanced at Grayson, at Antoninus, before speaking. They had already discussed this earlier and were about to present a united front against a very headstrong lady. Curtis was to be the one elected to speak with her about it because he happened to be married to a very headstrong lady himself. He knew how to handle them.

He hoped.

“My lady, I know this is difficult,” he said. “But you must understand that we are your allies and we are trying to help you. I’m sure you believe that.”

“I do.”

“Then believe me when I tell you that this is for your own good,” he continued. “We will send Tatworth home, but his army will be distributed among our armies and we will replace his with men who are loyal to us and a knight to command them. We will also station a knight here, at Axminster, and about five hundred de Lohr men. I know it does not sound like a lot, but these are highly trained men who will help reinforce your own ranks and keep your fortress safe until Rickard can be trusted again not to charge Axminster and, subsequently, force you to do something you do not wish to do.”

Isabel was listening carefully. “Axminster only has about four hundred regular men,” she said. “We’ve never needed a substantial army, but you are aware that royal trainees are sent here by the king and trained by my brother’s knight, Eric le Kerque.”

“I know, my lady.”

“Then you are suggesting doubling that amount with de Lohr troops?”

“Aye, my lady.”

“This is to become a de Lohr garrison, then?”

Curtis shook his head. “Nay, my lady,” he said. “We will be here to protect you.”

“But—”

“Tatworth is subdued, but St. Martin is not,” Curtis pointed out, interrupting her because she was growing defensive again. “He has run back to his castle and left Tatworth to face punishment. The last thing you want to do at the conclusion of a battle is let your guard down, my lady. We believe stationing troops here will show Tatworth and his allies that your guard is up and will remain up until they settle down and behave.”

He’d left no doubt about what their intentions were and what they thought she should do. Isabel’s gaze lingered on Curtis before moving to Antoninus, Grayson, and finally Douglas and the big knight they called Wolfie. It was a ridiculous name for so big and rough a man, but it was his name all the same. They were all looking at her, waiting for her response, but the truth was that she could only respond one way. She had to agree with their terms and suggestions because if she didn’t and Tatworth came back on Axminster, she seriously doubted they would come at her call again.

That meant she had to accept their help.

“Very well,” she finally said. “How long?”

Curtis shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“How long will your men be here?

“Several months, at least.”

Isabel had to think on that. Folding her hands, she put them against her mouth as if praying as she slowly and thoughtfully made her way to a large, carved table that was near the hearth. A table that had been carved from exotic wood, with legs carved into the shape of lions. It had belonged to her grandfather. When she finally sat, it was with great contemplation.

“If you feel that is best, then I will agree,” she said, looking up at the men around the table but mostly at Curtis. “But I will make myself clear, Lord Leominster. Axminster is a prize property and we have a function that cannot be interfered with. We are a royal training ground for soldiers. I personally mentor ten young women from the finest families in England and there are more to come. I will not have a gang of soldiers not under my command interfering with either function. Is that clear?”

Curtis nodded. “It is, my lady.”

“I will tolerate no interference from the de Lohr men,” she continued. “I assume you are leaving a knight in command?”

Curtis nodded, pointing to Douglas. “My brother,” he said. “I believe you have already met Douglas.”

Isabel cocked an eyebrow as she looked at Douglas. “He raised his voice to me before we were even introduced,” she said. “I remember him well. Sir Douglas, I hope we are going to get on with one another.”

Douglas nodded. “I will do my very best, my lady.”

“No more raising your voice to me?”

Douglas cleared his throat. “As long as you do not throw pots of boiling water on my knights, I do not see the need, my lady.”

The men in the room fought off smiles because they’d heard the story. Lady Isabel seemed rather embarrassed by that comment. “No more boiling water,” she assured him. “Is the knight we offended remaining here as well?”

Douglas nodded. “He is, my lady.”

Her gaze moved to Jonathan, standing back in the shadows with Westley. The boiling water hadn’t done any damage, luckily for her, but the man still had an egg-sized lump on the back of his head.

“I shall try not to offend him again,” she said before returning her attention to Curtis. “I will accept your recommendations, Lord Leominster. I pray it discourages Rickard Tatworth enough to leave me alone and prey on someone else.”

Curtis nodded. “That is the hope, my lady,” he said. “But please utilize Douglas if you need to. He is a seasoned knight, and quite intelligent, and his advice is sage. He is also deadly with a broadsword and fearless in his actions. And de Wolfe is a Blackchurch-trained knight. They do not come any better or any braver than him. Both men will be at your disposal.”

Isabel passed another glance at Douglas as if appraising him, so much so that when she looked the other way, Douglas closed his eyes and shook his head faintly as if already leery of what he was about to face with her. It hadn’t been his idea to remain with the de Lohr troops, but Curtis’, so he’d essentially been forced into it. Curtis had his own properties to administer as well as their father’s, because Christopher was quite old these days and although sharp mentally, physically, he was old and weary. Curtis had therefore stepped in to help and Douglas had been assisting him, but Curtis wanted Douglas to remain at Axminster because he felt it was more important at the moment.

Douglas wasn’t so sure.

“I have le Kerque at my disposal as well,” Lady Isabel said, jolting him from his thoughts. “He is a fine knight also.”

Curtis nodded. “Indeed, he is,” he said. “But he manages the royal troops. He trains them. That is where his focus should be. Douglas and de Wolfe will be here to manage everything else for you and he will work well with le Kerque. They have known one another from times past.”

Isabel didn’t seem too keen to continue the conversation at that point. Things were not moving the way she wanted them to, not really, so there was no real use in arguing about it. For a woman perpetually in control, that was a difficult thing to acknowledge. Therefore, she simply nodded her head and moved away from the table.

“Whatever you believe is best, my lord,” she said. “I do not suppose I will be much help from this point forward, so I will beg my leave at this time. Make whatever arrangements you need to make and please inform le Kerque of your intentions. I should like him to know what is happening so that we may have order and organization once your armies pull out.”

Curtis watched her head to the door. He could sense her disappointment in her loss of complete control, and the truth was that he understood. But it had to be this way.

“My lady, I realize you are not happy with de Lohr troops here,” he said. “But believe me when I tell you that we are doing it for your safety and the safety of everyone at Axminster.”

“Would you be happy?” she said, not looking at him. “Having strange troops at your home? It is simply an adjustment. We shall become accustomed to them.”

“Would you rather have Tatworth troops, then?”

She paused in the doorway, turning to look at him. He was telling her, very nicely, that this was the best the situation could be and she would have to accept it. Whether or not she wanted to.

“I’ve told you that I am grateful for your assistance,” she said steadily. “I am grateful for everyone’s assistance. My brother would have been grateful, also. I am concerned, however, that I am creating a burden now that you feel the need to leave some of your army with me. It was not my intention to create a burden for you after the job of fighting off Tatworth was done.”

Curtis shook his head. “It is no burden, my lady,” he said. “My father would want us to ensure you were protected and that our efforts were not wasted.”

Isabel simply nodded. Forcing a smile as if to reinforce her statement of gratitude, she quit the solar, shutting the door softly behind her. No one said anything for several long seconds, making sure she was well away before they did. In fact, Antoninus went to the door, carefully opened it, and peered outside before shutting it again.

“She’s gone,” he confirmed quietly.

Curtis took a long, deep breath and sat heavily in the nearest chair. It was the first time he’d shown his exhaustion since the battle began, and as he sat, so did Grayson and Antoninus. Everybody began hunting for chairs except for Westley, who began hunting for wine. He found some in a nearly empty pitcher and grabbed it by the neck, draining it, without offering some to anyone. When he put it down and smacked his lips, he found himself looking at a roomful of men who were glaring at him to varying degrees. Realizing why, he headed for the door.

“I’ll find more,” he muttered.

“And food,” Douglas said, kicking him in the arse as he walked by. “You’d better bring all you can find. And hurry about it.”

Westley didn’t take kindly to the kick, but Jonathan got in behind him and pushed him toward the door before he could take a swing at Douglas.

“I’ll help you,” Jonathan said. “I do not trust you not to eat everything and tell us you could find nothing.”

Grinning, Douglas looked at Curtis, who rolled his eyes as Westley and Jonathan quit the chamber. When they disappeared, Douglas laid his head against the back of the chair and emitted a weary sigh.

“She wants us to defend her castle, yet she does not wish for us to remain and ensure Tatworth does not return,” he muttered. “The woman even wants him released with no punishment. If we do that, what is to deter him from coming back and trying again?”

“You are the deterrent,” Curtis said. “Whether or not Lady Isabel likes it, you and de Wolfe are the deterrent. She is simply going to have to accept it.”

With his head still against the back of the chair, Douglas rolled it in the direction of his brother so he could look at him. “And why can you not leave Westley here instead of me?” he asked.

Curtis scratched his head wearily. “Quite honestly?” he said. “Because Westley does not have the patience you have. He would fight with her and she would see that as a weakness. You will not fight with her because you have patience, and with a woman like that, it is the only way to assert control. Unless Grayson or Antoninus would care to remain behind.”

Both Grayson and Antoninus shook their heads quickly. “Not me,” Grayson said. “I’ve already given you de Wolfe, though I can spare Davyss as well if Douglas would like his sword. It might be good for him to do something on his own for a while and not be under his father’s constant supervision.”

“Absolutely,” Douglas said. “I can use Davyss. I would feel better with him at my side.”

“Good,” Grayson said. “He shall remain, then. But be cautious, Douglas—he may be hell with a sword, but he is very much a young man when it comes to his wants and desires. I’ve seen the ten young women that are under Lady Isabel’s tutelage. My son may consider that a hunting ground, so make sure he keeps his mind on his tasks. Do not let him be idle.”

Douglas smiled wearily. “He has barely seen twenty years,” he said. “I would hope he would be a little unrestrained with his wants and desires at that age.”

Grayson cocked an eyebrow. “I do not want, or need, any de Winter bastards,” he said. “Just keep him focused. That is all I ask.”

Douglas continued to smile in response to a father who was perhaps a little stern with his eldest, and very virile, son. “I have a father who also went to great lengths to ensure his sons were restrained at that age,” he said, looking at Curtis. “Remember? Papa was not terribly encouraging when it came to us and female companionship.”

Curtis put a weary hand over his face. “Christ,” he muttered. “That is an understatement. I recall a feast at Winchester Castle when a de Leybourne lass caught my eye. You know the family? From Cornwall. Her name was Catherine. As it happened, I caught her eye also, and we shared a few dances before I fetched two cups of watered wine so we could sit and talk. We found an alcove with these beautiful oriel windows and sat in the night breeze, perfectly respectably, and speaking about anything that came to mind.”

Across the room, Antoninus spoke. “That does not sound terrible, Curt,” he said. “I cannot believe Chris objected.”

Curtis shook his head. “You have not let me finish,” he said, wagging a finger at the man. “My mistake was in closing the heavy brocade curtains to give us some privacy, and the next I realize, a hand reaches in, grabs her by the arm, and yanks her out of the alcove. Then the curtains collapse on me and I’m being beaten through the curtains. As it turned out, the lady had two brothers and a father who took exception to my closing those curtains. My father agreed. He was the one who yanked her out and let those de Leybourne fools beat me with sticks through those heavy curtains.”

Douglas burst into soft laughter. Even Grayson and Antoninus grinned. “I stand corrected,” Antoninus said. “Your mistake was closing those curtains. You are a fool.”

Curtis sighed. “I know.”

“Were you injured?”

“Hardly bruised. The curtains were so heavy that the blows barely made contact.”

“Then you were fortunate,” Grayson said. “Alas, I only have two sons, so I cannot fully relate, but I do know that both Davyss and Hugh carry the hot de Winter blood. You will look out for Davyss, won’t you, Douglas?”

Douglas nodded with confidence. “I shall throw curtains on him and beat him if he gets out of hand.”

“I would be grateful.”

The conversation quieted, at least for the moment, because it was the first time in days that these men had had the opportunity to sit still and quietly. Grayson found a chair and, once he tipped his head back, was instantly asleep. Antoninus found a bench underneath one of the lancet windows, and even though it was a small bench, it was enough for him to get his head and torso on it. He, too, closed his eyes and faded off almost immediately.

That left Douglas and Curtis as the last men standing.

Literally.

“What now?” Douglas said quietly, his eyelids begging for sleep. “Am I to be subservient to a countess who has no battle experience, or do I have some independence?”

Curtis was feeling his exhaustion like the others. Probably more because not only had he been commanding the allies, but he’d been fighting as well. He could hear the disdain for Lady Isabel in his brother’s question.

“You are subservient to her unless you know that whatever she wishes or commands will either put everyone in jeopardy or get everyone killed,” he said. “In that case, you have my permission to do what is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone. I hope that is clear enough because I cannot make it any clearer. Use your judgment, Douglas. It has not failed you yet.”

Douglas sighed heavily. “Something tells me that this assignment is not going to be a simple thing.”

“Probably not.”

“I do not want to be here longer than three months, Curt.”

“Understood.”

Curtis sat down behind Lady Isabel’s big table and put his head down on the worn wooden tabletop as Douglas finally laid his head back on his chair again and closed his eyes. It took very little time for their snoring to join those of Grayson and Antoninus, and when Jonathan and Westley returned sometime later bearing food and drink, it was as if they’d walked headlong into a chamber full of thunder. The defense of Axminster Castle was finally over.

Now, the real battle was about to begin.