Trouble in the Forest Book One: A Cold Summer Night by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Page B

completely.
    “And have it appear I am unable to protect her? That I am unwilling to do her the honor her family is entitled to receive from me? No, I think this would not sit well with Stephen deBeauchamp.” Sir Gui’s voice rose half an octave and he put his hand to his chest in a show of dismay. “What sort of bridegroom would I be then?”
    “I would hope you would be prudent enough to make sure that men she knows give her escort.” DeSteny lowered his eyes. “I would like to think her father would not want her to face danger among unfamiliar men-at-arms, so that she would not know whom to trust. It would be wiser to have her with those who have learned to value her for herself than send her off among strangers, who have not determined her worth beyond being your bride, as I fear may be the case in our current arrangement. I would be remiss not to speak of this before undertaking the mission.” He was so annoyed with Sir Gui that he might had walked out of the room had Sir Gui not been his superior. There had been a time in his life when that consideration would not have stopped him, but those years were behind him and he could not persuade himself that insulting Sir Gui would achieve the ends he sought.
    “A trifling matter. What woman knows soldiers, who is worthy of being called Lady?” He made a performance of scoffing, his face set in furious lines.
    “I believe you may underestimate your bride if you think that,” said deSteny sharply. “She is a fool if she does not recognize her guards. All the more reason for her to travel with her father’s soldiers.”
    “I know that she was brought up a deBeauchamp, and has not been permitted to know low company,” Sir Gui said with a look of condemnation directed toward the Sheriff. “She is said to be of a submissive and noble nature.”
    “Then you have not met her?” asked deSteny, less surprised than he might have been with a man of different temperament than Sir Gui’s.
    “I have not had that privilege. Our union was arranged with the good offices of cousins, who knew both of our fathers were seeking a suitable match.” He wiped his upper lip with his finger, making sure his moustache was in place. “I am awaiting her eagerly. I have sent word to her saying as much.”
    “And she?” asked deSteny, thinking she might be disappointed by Sir Gui when they met at last.
    “She is charming, virtuous, biddable, sensible, modest, and mild, or so I am told,” said Sir Gui, as if reciting these qualities would make the marriage more welcome to him.
    “If she is all those things, she is aware of the risks her position imposes upon her, and she is prepared for them. No doubt she has carried a knife in her belt. And she knows every one of her father’s officers by name, and the men-at-arms who guard her: you may depend upon it; she has been taught this so that no imposter may impose upon her, and no abduction could succeed,” said deSteny, knowing it was useless to argue, that he would not convince Sir Gui to use her father’s escort to bring Lady Marian to Nottingham. He was growing tired of this brangle, and sought for a reason to conclude it. “It is nearing time for our mid-day repast. Surely you will honor your men by joining us at table?” he asked, with the certainty that Sir Gui would not.
    Sir Gui gave deSteny a hard stare down his nose. “This is not settled, deSteny. Do not suppose that it is. I will expect your men to report to Stephen deBeauchamp’s current seat at Arundel, in my name, and to provide honorable escort for my affianced bride. You will order your men to travel in battle-harness, of course, and to display my badge. You will present yourself as my deputy. My bride will have her two maids to accompany her, of course, and whatever servant her father wishes to accompany her. Her father has not yet recovered from the wounds he received in the Holy Land, and that is the reason he cannot bring her here himself.” This last