“When you have children and one of them is less than perfect, see if you would not do anything to solve the issue,” he said quietly. “If we have money to buy food, then Mat will no longer have to do what is necessary to feed us.”
Vesper was starting to feel a good deal of disgust for her father. She’d hoped to return home to solve the issue with Mat, but it was becoming increasingly apparent that her father had his own help in mind where she was concerned. Marry a rich woman. Feeling sickened, and foolish, she simply turned for the door and, without a word, quit the chamber.
When his daughter was gone, McCloud lay back down on his bed but found that he wasn’t as tired as he had been. His mind was racing with their conversation, with what was discussed. Now, Vesper knew what he expected of her. A rich bachelor was within her grasp and she would be stupid to reject him.
As for McCloud… he wouldn’t be stupid enough to let Margaretha de Nerra slip through his fingers.
The hunter had sighted his target.
‡
“He flattered me into the evening. You were there. You saw it, Valor.”
It was sunrise in the small hall of Selborne after a night of song and feasting. Val was awake because he normally slept very lightly and was up well before dawn. But in this case, it was because his guests were leaving and he didn’t want to miss bidding them farewell. In fact, this wasn’t the end as far as he was concerned. He wasn’t ready to let Vesper slip away.
“He was being very kind to you, Mother,” he said, sipping at warmed, watered wine as the servants brought forth his mother’s fresh bread. “I would think you would simply enjoy it. How often does an attentive man sit at our table and lavish praise upon you?”
Margaretha grunted but Val couldn’t tell if it was in agreement or disapproval. “He still seemed quite envious of Selborne.”
Val sighed heavily. “And why shouldn’t he? It is a magnificent fortress.”
“I do not like the way he salivated over it.”
“What does it matter if he did?”
“It was the way he did it, Val. You did not see him.”
It was too early in the morning for his mother’s usual rot and Val quickly reached his limit. His thoughts were on the coming day, and the departure of McCloud and Vesper. He had little patience for his mother’s nonsense.
“Mother, I do not know where your suspicions come from but I want you to cease,” he said pointedly. “I find it deeply offensive that you do not trust my judgement in people enough to know that I would not associate with an unsavory character. Every time you voice your suspicions about McCloud, you are effectively slandering me and I am tired of it. God only knows what has made you so bitter at this point in your life that you must find fault with everything around you; if it is not me you are condemning because I have not yet married, then you are condemning a man who was a great friend to me in France. You have absolutely no cause to do that. Are you truly such an unpleasant person to be around?”
Margaretha looked at her son with some astonishment. “If being truthful is being unpleasant, then I suppose I am.”
Val shook his head and stood up from the table. “You are not being truthful,” he said. “You are being a shrew. Stop finding fault with everything around you because if you continue on this path, then I may choose not to spend so much time around you. I grow weary of your negativity and am nearly at my limits of tolerating it, so if you want me to stay around, I would suggest you change your attitude.”
With that, he turned away from the table, making his way out of the small hall just as Calum and Celesse were entering. Val waved Calum off when the man tried to follow him, leaving both Calum and his wife confused at his departure. When they saw the expression on Margaretha’s face, however, some things were explained. Lady de Nerra looked as if she was verging on tears, keeping her head down as she barely acknowledged the pair at the table. An argument or two between Val and his mother was not an unusual occurrence, but usually not so early in the morning.
Outside the keep, the air was fresh and brisk, the sky above a crystal shade of blue as Val descended the steps into the bailey. They were heading into the winter season and the days would begin to get cooler now. Forcing his irritation at his mother aside, Val headed for the stables to pick out a pair of mounts for McCloud and Vesper to borrow. He had a particular horse in mind for McCloud, an old and scarred war horse who spent his time in the pastures these days, chasing fillies around. It would give McCloud a dignified mount. He also had several palfreys for Vesper’s use but he wanted to pick just the right one for her. Something pretty and soft, like she was.
The stable master knew just which horses Val wanted and, soon enough, the enormous and fat war horse was brought forth, his hide dusty from where he’d been rolling around in the dirt. As the grooms set about cleaning up the beast and saddling him, a lovely white palfrey was brought forth for Vesper. She wasn’t in season but the old war horse was very interested in her, which Val thought was rather funny. The old war horse would sniff and the filly would kick. It would make the ride home very interesting.
On impulse, he asked the grooms to bring out his horse as well. Durley wasn’t more than a day’s ride so Val thought to ride escort with McCloud and Vesper part of the way. At least he might be able to speak with Vesper more. Since he didn’t have any pressing duties at the moment, it would be time well spent.
He’d made up his mind last night after the feast had concluded and his guests had gone to bed that this would not be his last contact with Vesper d’Avignon. He’d toyed with the idea during the meal but as he lay alone in his darkened chamber, he’d come to the conclusion that, most definitely, this would not be the end of their association. There was something about the woman he didn’t want to let go of. As his own horse was brought out and tended, Val headed back to the keep to check on his guests.
But there was no need; as he headed across the bailey, he immediately spied McCloud and Vesper over near the great hall, presumably in search of a morning meal. Picking up his pace, he jogged across the dusty bailey, closing the gap. McCloud was the first to see him, raising his hand in greeting.
“Good morn, Val,” he said. “We were just looking for you and the servants said you were going about your duties. We were hoping to find you in the hall.”
Val’s attention was drawn to Vesper. Glowing in the early morning sun, she was wearing a mustard-yellow garment and her dark hair was pulled back away from her face, braided to keep it neat on her journey. Val swore he’d never seen such a beautiful woman in his life and his limbs seemed to go weak with joy. Everything felt like jelly but in a most wonderful way.
Smitten? Indeed, he was. He liked what he saw.
“My lady,” he greeted Vesper before he even said anything to McCloud, but considering the man had spoken to him, he figured he should at least try to speak to them both. “Did the servants give you food for your journey? I told them to make sure they gave it to you before you departed.”
McCloud nodded, lifting up a basket that was overflowing with cloth-wrapped items. “They did, indeed,” he said. “Thank you, Val. It was very kind of you to provide for our journey.”
Val’s gaze drifted back to Vesper no matter how hard he tried to keep it on McCloud. “It is my pleasure,” he said. “In fact, I have just been at the stables. They are saddling up horses for you to ride home. I thought I would ride part of the way with you. I did not have much time to speak with you last night, McCloud. There are a few things I wish to discuss with you.”
“Horses?” McCloud looked astonished. “Val, that is most generous, but we…we cannot take your horses from you.”
Val held up a hand. “A loan, I assure you,” he said. “Besides, if I am to accompany you, I do not intend to walk, so you may as well ride with me.”
McCloud seemed rather stumped by the suggestion of the loan of horses, but more so by the suggestion that Val would accompany them home. He didn’t want Val and his son to come into con
tact with each other. In fact, he didn’t want Val around his home at all. He was fearful of what might come to light. Although any evidence of Mat’s activities had long been burned, McCloud was still nervous. Val was a very smart man and he didn’t want any suspicions raised. Yet, he knew discouraging Val from riding with them would be suspicious in and of itself.
Therefore, McCloud knew he had to accept the man’s offer. The only positive aspect was that it would give Vesper more time to charm the man, so he supposed it was a good thing in the long term.
“Then we are very happy to have your company,” he said after a brief hesitation. He turned slightly, moving aside as the first of three horses was brought forth. But along with the horses, he caught sight of something near the keep. “Ah! Your mother, Val. I would like to bid the woman a farewell.”
Val turned to see his mother descending the steps from the keep. After their harsh words earlier, he was on his guard. He hoped she hadn’t followed him out to continue picking at him so he sent McCloud to intercept the woman. It was a calculated move, on many levels. His mother would be prevented from continuing their conversation and it would give McCloud one last chance to charm the woman.
“I am sure she would like to bid you farewell, also,” Val said, sounding sincere. “You made an impression on her last evening, McCloud. She was quite taken with your kind words.”
McCloud grinned. “She is a handsome woman,” he said. “Val… I do not suppose you would let me return to Selborne to keep company with your mother, would you?”
Val almost laughed; he was actually quite thrilled over the request. To have McCloud court his mother might make his life more bearable, not to mention making Margaretha happy. Nay, he couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful. But he couldn’t resist teasing the man.
“For what purpose?” he asked innocently.
McCloud cleared his throat as if embarrassed. “Well…,” he said, struggling, “I rather like your mother’s spirit. There are not many women my age who are as fine as your mother, and widowed, so I was hoping… I know it is a foolish thought, but…”
“Go,” Val interrupted him, waving him on. “By the time you finish telling me that you want to court my mother with the consideration of marriage, I will be an old man. Go and tell her how much you fancy her.”
“Then I have your permission?”
“God, yes. Best of luck, McCloud. You will need it.”
McCloud snorted, relieved that he had Val’s permission to pursue his interest with the man’s mother. He wondered if is glee showed overly, trying not to feel guilty that his intentions were not altruistic. He had no intention of harming the woman, of course, and he would be kind to her. But the fact that her money was the most attractive thing about her him feel as if he was betraying Val somehow.
The truth was that he was.
But he pushed aside the guilt as he headed towards Margaretha, who by now had come down off the stairs and was heading in their direction. When he was halfway to his intended target, Val turned to Vesper.
“I thought he would never leave,” he said, a glimmer in his eye. “Now I may speak with you privately.”
Vesper had been watching her father as he headed towards Margaretha, thinking terrible thoughts about him. Pretending his intentions were honorable when they weren’t. She couldn’t believe he’d been so bold to say what he had but, in hindsight, nothing about him surprised her any longer.
Looking at Val, she resisted the urge to tell him everything she knew. But in the same breath, she knew that telling the man that her father was preying upon his mother, and the reasons behind it, would kill whatever warmth Val had for her. It would destroy her family and it would destroy her future; she knew that as surely as she knew the sun would rise on the morrow.
God, it was all so disheartening. As a person of undying honesty, it was mortifying to Vesper to realize that she was related to a den of immoral characters and, in that sense, she felt trapped. Trapped because she was unable to tell Val what was truly going on and guilty as hell because she was being selfish in not telling him.
To tell him would be to lose that gleam in his eye forever. Instead of telling him the truth, she simply replied to his statement.
“You and your mother have been such wonderful hosts,” she said. “I do hope we shall see you both again soon.”
Val cocked an eyebrow. “Sooner than you think.”
“What do you mean?”
A smile played on his lips. “My lady, I am not entirely sure if you are aware that you have captured my attention since the moment I returned to Selborne yesterday.”
Vesper knew what he meant. It only confirmed her father’s observations. She was thrilled to hear it from Val himself.
“I… I am not entirely sure how to answer you,” she said, the familiar mottle creeping into her cheeks. “I feel that if I admit I have, you might think me arrogant in my assumption.”
He chuckled. “Your modesty is admirable, but unnecessary. I have done everything but throw myself at your feet, so surely I have made it obvious.”
She looked at him. “Then I might have noticed.”
That wasn’t exactly what Val was looking for. She seemed rather noncommittal about it and his male pride was about to take a hit. “Is it something that has pleased you?” he asked. “If not, all you need do is say the word and I shall not pursue you further. I do not want to be persistent if it is not welcome.”
Vesper’s heart was thumping against her ribs, excitement and happiness she’d never before experienced. She never imagined that on this terrible trip home, she would find something redeeming and lovely about it. Something utterly unexpected but utterly wonderful. Truthful as she was, she couldn’t toy with him.
“It is welcome, Val.”
His breath caught in his throat. “I have never heard my name sound quite so beautiful,” he murmured. “Your voice has such a beautiful quality about it.”
Her smile broadened. “I have never in my life been so flattered as when I met you.”
“You will hear it quite often from me. You had better become used to it.”
“I believe it is something I could grow quite accustomed to.”
He smiled at her, a giddy smile that caused her to giggle. He laughed because she was, both of them giddy with the attraction they were feeling between them, something new and delightful to explore. But Val caught a glimpse of McCloud heading back in their direction and he quickly sobered.
“I wanted to escort you and your father home today because it is my intention to ask your father if he will permit me to visit you at Durley,” he said. “Will you be receptive to that?”
“Of course I will.”
Val very much wanted to take her hand and kiss it but he was afraid it might alert McCloud, or worse, offend the man. So, he clasped his hands behind his back to lessen the temptation.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “I am very much looking forward to it. And to you.”
Vesper averted her gaze, both delighted and embarrassed by the man’s attention. She was in new territory and struggling to adapt.
“I hope to return to Eynsford soon,” she said. “I… I hope that is not too far for you to visit.”
He shook his head. “You could go to the moon and I would find a way to get there. Do not worry about me; where you go, I will follow.”
It was a very sweet thing to say. Vesper didn’t think her heart could get any lighter. This was better than anything she could have ever dreamed. Before she could reply, however, McCloud joined them and disrupted their conversation.
“Your mother is most gracious, Val,” McCloud said. “She has invited us back next month to visit again and stay for a few days. She says the forests in the area still have game in the winter and that you and I will hunt.”
Val liked that idea very much and he was, frankly, surprised his mother had suggested it. Perhaps McCloud’s flattery had softened her up, after all.
“That sounds like an exc
ellent suggestion,” he said. “I welcome it.”
McCloud seemed very happy about it, as well. “I am pleased to spend more time with you, my old friend,” he said. “But, for now, must return home. Shall we depart?”
Val nodded, turning to indicate the stables over by the western wall. “If you are ready, then we shall,” he said. “It seems that we have a great deal to discuss on the ride home.”
They started walking towards the stables. “Oh?” McCloud said. “What about?”
Val and McCloud were walking together with Vesper following. Val turned to glance at Vesper before answering, just to make sure she was there. She smiled sweetly at him when their eyes met.
“A position with me,” he said, tearing his gaze away from her to look at McCloud. “I need a man to cover the extreme southern portion of my territory and I was hoping to hire you for that task. I pay two pounds a month in silver. It would make a nice income, McCloud. Would you be interested?”
McCloud stumbled, faltering as he came to a halt. His wide-eyed gaze was on Val. “An… an appointment? With you?”
Val nodded. “I have needed a man in the south for some time now but I have found no one I can trust. Forgive me for not thinking of you all along. Are you interested?”
McCloud was speechless for a moment. “Two pounds a month?”
“Is that enough?”
A look of joy rippled across McCloud’s features. “It is more than enough,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “You… you would not want a younger man for this task?”
Val shook his head. “Younger men often do not have the experience. I need someone older, with such experience as you have. Will you do this, McCloud? You would be doing me a great favor if you did.”
The old, tired man that McCloud had become suddenly felt a resurgence of life through his veins. He saw the potential of redeeming himself in a way he could have never expected. And the money… God’s Bones, the money! It would keep them from starving. But it did not deter him from his plans for Margaretha; nay, that was a much bigger prize. But for now, Val’s offer would do.