Page 56 of An Inconvenient Vow

“He is?” Jeffree seriously considered Sir Dudley’s character, perhaps for the first time in his life.

His mother threw him a quick, rare smile. “Oh yes. That is why I married him.”

13

Sabina felt tired by the time they reached the village of Halterstappe that evening. To Jeffree’s chagrin, the inn he usually made for was naught but a burned-out shell after a fire had broken out the previous spring. They were forced instead to head for the nearby monastery which locals assured them offered accommodation for traveling pilgrims.

The monks welcomed them amiably enough, and they were led to a long low building with white walls and very spare furnishings. They all sat to their supper together, the Vyses, their servants, Jeffree, herself, and her husband’s manservant, Osborn.

Sabina was not altogether surprised to find they were expected to split into male and female groups for the night once they had partaken of a frugal supper of soup and bread.

“The beasts will have to sleep in the stable,” Brother Michael informed them, eyeing the dogs doubtfully. His words were met by an immediate clamor of protests from the boys.

“The dogs will stay with my wife,” Jeffree said firmly, cutting across all heated debate. When Brother Michael opened his mouth to disagree, Jeffree simply dropped a purse of monies into his hand, causing the monk’s objections to cease at once.

“Very well, good sir,” Brother Michael conceded with a small cough. “Your donation is much appreciated.” He directed a bow toward Lady Maud who sat at the head of the table. “If your stomachs are full, I will now show the ladies to their quarters.” Sabina, Maud, and Githa all stood at once.

“Just one moment,” Jeffree said, also coming to his feet. “I will have a word first with my wife.”

Sabina, feeling very conscious of the eyes turned on her, rounded the table and followed Jeffree to the far end of the timbered room. “What is it?” she asked in hushed tones, turning her back resolutely on the others.

Jeffree frowned. “You have not said, but am I to understand this is your first time out of Ganfordshire?” he asked slowly.

Sabina’s eyebrows rose. “Yes,” she admitted.

“You have never left your home county before?”

“I have not,” she agreed.

His frown deepened and he lifted his head. “Brother Michael,” he said raising his voice. “I would speak with you alone.”

Sabina’s mouth dropped, and she watched Jeffree stride out of the room with the cleric. What was he doing? She turned to face her in-laws who were all eyeing her curiously. “Really, I have not the faintest notion what he is about,” she started to utter feebly. Jeffree reappeared and beckoned to her. Cheeks aflame, Sabina hurried to his side.

“Change of plan,” he said briefly. “We are staying in their visiting guest’s suite up at the priory.”

Sabina blinked at him. “But—?”

“It’s all settled,” he said, looking over the top of her head to address his family. “We will join you in the morning and bid you goodnight.”

“What of the dogs?” Crispin’s voice piped up.

“They can sleep with you and Jasper,” Jeffree replied without consulting Brother Michael. Considering how many coins he had likely spent, Sabina did not altogether blame him for his high-handedness on this occasion. The monk beamed at her and indicated she should precede them out of the door.

“Goodnight,” Sabina called waveringly over her shoulder. The Vyses bade them a good night, and Jeffree and Sabina crossed the torchlit courtyard behind Brother Michael who led the way.

“But why are we sleeping separately to the others?” Sabina asked in an annoyed undertone. She had a horrible suspicion that everyone thought it had been at her instigation.

“It does not suit me to be parted from you so soon,” Jeffree replied sounding unconcerned.

“Why?” Sabina persisted. “It must look so strange to your family!”

“You think so?” he sounded skeptical. “We are newlywed after all.”

“Yes, but—”

Her objections were cut short as they approached the looming priory. Brother Michael turned around to indicate they should enter a studded double door. A flight of stone steps followed and then they were led into a large chamber sumptuously decorated with dark wooden furniture and beautifully painted tiles. A large bed was set upon a raised platform, hung about with golden curtains, and littered with tasseled cushions. It was so far from what Sabina would expect to find within monastery walls that she stared at it.

“The rooms were outfitted when the bishop came to stay with us last winter,” Brother Michael explained, setting down a candle on a table. “We use it for visiting dignitaries now. Please, make yourselves at home. I will send some of my brothers to light the fire and bring you hot water and refreshment at once.”