Page 36 of An Inconvenient Vow

“It would go a long way toward reconciling me to your marriage,” the older woman replied frankly.

Sabina lowered her gaze. She supposed that ought to hold sway with her. If she were in a normal marriage, she would court her mother-in-law’s approval. But this strange state of affairs that existed betwixt her and Sir Jeffree was proving hard to navigate. “Just how do you imagine I would bring such a thing about?” she asked.

“I had always thought that my second or third son would enter the Church,” the Lady Maud admitted with a sigh. “But alas, neither of them show the disposition, whatever my husband thinks. Very likely, Dudley and I must soon start looking about us for a knight who will take Jasper for a squire.” She gave Sabina a significant look.

Oh. “And you have not broached this subject already with Jeffree?” Sabina asked slowly.

Lady Maud’s expression soured. “The chance would be a fine thing. Jeffree has not visited us at Longacre in an age. He does not,” she added in aggrieved tones, “even tell us when he is in the vicinity.”

A memory stirred in Sabina’s mind of something Sir Dudley had said. “There is a tournament that Jeffree competes in, that takes place near where you live?” she asked.

“There is, not that we attend such things.”

“What is the name of it?” Sabina asked.

A pucker appeared between Lady Maud’s finely arched brows. “It is held in the grounds of Lord Blandivar’s estate, for he is its patron,” she said slowly, as though trying to recall the details to mind.

“We are leaving for something called Areley Kings on the morrow,” Sabina admitted without enthusiasm.

“Areley Kings!” Lady Maud repeated in astonishment. “But that is the one! Yes, it is practically on our doorstep!” She looked instantly thoughtful. “This is all most fortuitous. I must speak to Dudley at once. Why, it would make perfect sense for us all to journey together on the morrow! That way, we shall not need to employ any additional guards to escort us. Two men are sure to be adequate for our party and we have our manservant Hadley and Githa too, of course, to drive the cart.”

Sabina felt a twinge of misgiving. Clearly, Sir Jeffree had not intended traveling with his family or even admitting to being in their neighborhood for the next two weeks! Seeing the Lady Maud stepping briskly toward the door, Sabina was half inclined to call after her. But then what could she say?

Her hand on the latch, Lady Maud turned back. “Leave it with me,” she said authoritatively. “Men will drag their feet so when it comes to arrangements.” She flashed the merest ghost of a smile in Sabina’s direction and was gone.

Well, thought Sabina, certainly Lady Maud had force of character. She dawdled a moment, before following in her wake. She had no wish to be present when Jeffree learned that they were to make up a family traveling party. Instead, she sought out Naseby and asked if she could be led to pen and ink and a quiet, comfortable corner to write letters. Bethencourt’s steward led her obligingly into a small chamber where she was furnished with such objects, and she proceeded to spend a pleasant hour writing a missive to her family.

First, she let them know she would be away from Ganfordshire for at least three weeks as she was to accompany her new husband to an upcoming tournament. She then gave them the good news that Morecotte was once more in her possession. She bade her father, if he had the time or inclination, to ride over and check on the Lancers who would be in charge of the place while she was away.

She made sure to keep her tone light and to let none of her misgivings show. Isemay, she knew, would be sure to read between the lines where she could. She was just signing her name when a brief knock on the door heralded the arrival of Sir Jeffree. It swung open and he stood on the threshold. “Here you are,” he said sourly and entered the room, a martial light in his eye. “What’s all this about you reorganizing my travel plans?”

Sabina twisted around in her chair. “Your mother sought you out then?” she asked. “She’s a very determined woman. I could scarcely get a word in.”

“It seems you got in several as you were the one who revealed I was competing at Areley Kings.”

Sabina bit her lip. “Yes,” she admitted. “I suppose that was indiscreet of me. I did not realize it was on their doorstep, though.”

He folded his arms. “Didn’t you?”

“In truth, I know next to nothing of your family, Sir Jeffree. Next time you must warn me if I am not to betray you on some vital matter.” He snorted. “Will it be so very inconvenient? To travel with them on the morrow? I thought duty to your family was your byword.”

“When did I say that?”

She waved a hand vaguely. “If you did not, then it sounds very like something you would say.”

His brows snapped together. “I am a De Crecy, not a Vyse.”

Sabina eyed him severely, rising from her chair. “If you would deny the bond between mother and child and brother to brother, then your notion of family is a very strange one, indeed. Or mayhap it is only to your titled relatives that you feel honor-bound.”

Seeing the way his eye kindled, Sabina hastily changed the subject. “If the prospect is so very disagreeable to you, then why do you not refuse?” Jeffree had just opened his mouth to respond when another knock was heard on the door.

It was Naseby, who had come to collect her letter for delivery to Tipton Hall. She folded it hastily and handed it over. “Thank you, Naseby.”

“I will have Colton take it over directly,” the efficient steward responded, disappearing back out of the room.

“What was that?” Jeffree asked grudgingly.

“A letter to my parents informing them of our going away.”