Page 49 of An Inconvenient Vow

Her mind was in turmoil all afternoon as they rode down the slopes at the other side of the pass. She simply could not believe that a sudden and unaccountable desire for her person had brought about this change of heart. For one horrible moment, she even considered that he might feel sorry her after her revelations about her first unsatisfactory marriage. The thought made her feel hot, then cold all over. To be an object of pity to Sir Jeffree would be truly awful.

Having said that, one did not usually feel inflamed toward an object of pity. No, that could not be what motivated him. It must be something else. It could not be material gain, for she had no fortune, and the only thing she brought to the marriage was an extremely modest property. No, that could have nothing to do with this reversal in his attitude.

It was not even as though Morecotte was impressive, she reflected. She was fiercely attached to the house, but even she, fond as she was, knew full well that to the likes of Sir Jeffree, it was little more than a hunting box for a weekend’s sport.

Sabina glanced sideways at him cautiously. He was still riding beside her for long stretches at a time, though he seemed to have precious little to say now he had imparted the shocking news he wanted to consummate their marriage.

And so much for his lifetime devotion to his saintly beloved! What did he expect her to do while he groveled for forgiveness to his former betrothed? Was she supposed to kneel beside him and beg for the bestowal of his lordly penis? Her face twisted into a grimace. As far as she was concerned, it could remain off-limits. She had no use for it. No thank you!

As for the peerless lady herself, Sabina had no desire to meet her. Why should she be dragged along on such a humiliating errand?

She had gone over the matter forward and backwards and wound herself into knots by the time evening came around. They stopped once again to don cloaks for the last leg of the journey, and Sabina stayed close to the boys rather than getting stuck with Jeffree for another secluded conversation with just the two of them.

It was bad enough they would be sharing a room again shortly. She snuck another look at him as he saw to the horses. This latest development was all nonsense, of course. He only thought he wanted a real marriage with her. Sir Jeffree was no doubt one of those contrary types who was no sooner told he could not have something, then he determined that nothing else would do but that he must have it. The thought cheered her considerably.

Yes, that was probably it. She had shown herself disinclined for intimacy, so he immediately thought he wanted just that. Her mind ticked over. Mayhap she could work with that? Knowing how easily they irritated each other, she could only imagine his displeased reaction if she were to suddenly start clamoring for his attention.

If she were now to show a cloying attitude toward him, surely that would snap him out of this latest inclination. She recalled how annoyed Jeffree had been the only time she had ever praised his actions, telling his uncle of how he had reclaimed her home. A little voice whispered in her ear, that maybe she should try and be clinging and affectionate to him now before Lady Maud and Sir Dudley? Doubtless, he would dislike it very much and would speedily reject her advances. She sat up straighter in her saddle.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she grew that the idea had merit. She would just have to bolster her nerve and be willing to make herself look a fool. It would be embarrassing, of course, to be spurned in front of her in-laws, but hopefully, the boys would not really understand what was happening. And doubtless, their parents would think it only natural that he would harbor resentment toward her.

Nodding to herself, Sabina made her resolve. She would do it. Turning in her saddle she found him drawing his horse alongside her again. Before her courage could fail her, she threw him an encouraging smile. Sabina was not really sure it would count as a come hither look, for she had never knowingly bestowed one before, but given Jeffree’s startled reaction, she had disconcerted him at the very least.

She faced front with a triumphant smile curving her lips this time. Well, well, Sir Jeffree was not going to get everything his own way for once, Sabina thought with satisfaction. She had no doubt that after a bit of fawning over him, he would not be able to bundle her off to Morecotte alone fast enough. And serve him right too!

By the time they reached the inn that had been settled on for their next night’s sleep, Sabina had decided on her plan of action. There was not much opportunity to play the smitten maiden at supper, for Crispin was in a plaintive mood and Jasper turned his nose up at the rabbit stew on offer. Sir Dudley delivered them all a crisp lecture on due gratitude which left them all avoiding each other’s gazes.

They had no sooner climbed the stairs to their new bedchamber, than the Vyse’s maidservant Githa delivered the two dogs, explaining that as punishment Lady Maud had determined the boys were not allowed to keep Feste and Brisis in their bedchamber that night. Jeffree rolled his eyes and went back downstairs to demand an extra blanket for their room.

Sabina hurried to get washed and undressed while ordering the dogs to get down off the bed every time one of them made a spring for it. She was feeling thoroughly harassed by the time Jeffree reappeared. He spread the blanket down in front of the fire and ordered the dogs to lay down on it. They slunk over to it and, after casting many soulful glances over their shoulders, finally stopped pawing and circling and collapsed onto it.

Sabina clambered into the bed and drew the covers up to her chin. She felt stupidly nervous and unsure of herself, feelings she was ill-accustomed to, and they annoyed her. Forcing herself to breathe evenly, she stared up at the ceiling, trying to remember her strategy. She was to be clinging and ingratiating, she reminded herself sternly. And thoroughly get on her husband’s nerves. Jeffree went about his wash, oblivious to her schemes.

“Er,” she started unpromisingly. “Who of your acquaintance may we see at Areley Kings?” When he did not immediately speak, she pressed on brightly. “No doubt you have many cronies on the tournament circle.”

Something clattered which might have been his razor blade against the basin. When he spoke, she could almost hear the frown in his voice. “The company of knights varies from tournament to tournament,” he said grudgingly. “There is no guarantee of any particular knight attending, save at the royal tournaments.”

“But among them, whom do you number as your particular acquaintance?” she persisted.

“All and none,” he answered at once. “We are competitors in the field.”

“And off the field?”

“Off the field?” He seemed to consider this a moment. “Off the field, they are nothing to me.”

“Oh.” She did not know why she was startled. Had she imagined he would have moved in some merry band of friends? Now she thought about it, she could not even imagine what manner of man would be a true friend to the likes of Sir Jeffree. An extremely patient one, she concluded after a moment or two. Indeed, any friend of Jeffree’s would have to be practically a saint!

Thinking of saints made her think of his former betrothed, Meliora, which immediately brought a frown to her face. She plucked at her covers. Mayhap that was why he was so attached to the lady, if she had been his only friend in life. “And what of this holy place we must visit after the tournament?” she heard herself ask.

“What of it?” he muttered in a muffled voice.

When she glanced his way, he was wiping his face with a drying cloth. “Well,” she ventured, “where did you make this vow of yours? Was it at some nearby shrine, or on the actual steps of the convent your beloved entered? Must we revisit the site of the oath you made, or”—she paused heavily a moment—“did you make the vow to the lady herself? Is it Meliora in person to whom you must apply to be released?”

Jeffree flung down his cloth and turned to face her with a scowl on his face. “Must we discuss this now?” he asked. “I find the subject distasteful.”

“Distasteful?” Sabina gasped, sitting up. Pompous ass! For one minute she seriously considered throwing a pillow bearer at his head. “I am trying to… to promote some understanding between us!” she stammered angrily. “Which you are making impossible with your… your insufferable rudeness and condescension! How dare you tell me you want to… to… with me! When you cannot even be bothered to tell me anything!”

Jeffree stared at her as she started to struggle furiously with the bedsheets. “What are you doing?” he barked out as she swung her legs off the mattress.