Page 30 of An Inconvenient Vow

Crispin gasped and both boys turned their heads to stare at him, a quite different expression dawning on their faces. Almost Jeffree asked how she could possibly know about his shaking and bumping Hendry on every step, as she had been outside the property.

“Did you break his pate, brother?” Jasper asked eagerly.

“Nay.” Jeffree shook his head and cleared his throat. “He was a miserable cur, hardly worthy of the effort.”

“What if he should return?” Crispin asked breathlessly. “Would you run him through with your sword?”

Jeffree frowned. “He wears no sword at his hip. Such an action would not be worthy of a knight.”

“You would throw him in the horse trough again?” Jasper suggested with relish.

Jeffree considered this a moment. “Most likely,” he agreed.

“But what if he should bring a band of hired swords?” Crispin suggested. “Would you fight in earnest then, brother?”

“Assuredly I would.”

Sabina looked alarmed. “Do you think that is likely?” she blurted, looking horrified.

Jeffree opened his mouth to say in his opinion it was most unlikely, but his brothers forestalled him with their excited clamor.

“He’s sure to,” Crispin said excitedly. “If he is a craven cur. You should boil some oil, sister, in order to fling it down on his mercenaries.”

“And have some bows and arrows ready to shoot at them,” Jasper added. “Crispin and I have bows and arrows at Longacre. We could ride out to your aid.”

Crispin hastily echoed the sentiment, lamenting the fact he had lost half his arrows in the long meadow. “But likely I can make some more if old Mullins will give me a lend of his knife.”

Jeffree opened his mouth to lambast this foolishness but was prevented once more from getting a word in edgeways.

“That would be most kind of you boys,” Sabina answered gravely. “It certainly sets my mind at rest to know we have such able allies to our cause.”

Instead of snuffing out this nonsense with a few sharp words, Jeffree found himself distracted by the twinkle in her eye which gave the lie to her serious tone. To his surprise, he saw Sir Dudley concealing an answering smile.

“Well, well,” his stepfather said briskly, catching sight of his own expression. “That is enough now boys. Your mother awaits us abovestairs. She is—er—wholly unable to face everyone today as her head is aching fit to split.”

“What a pity,” Sabina responded lightly. “You must convey our hopes for Lady Vyse’s speedy recovery.”

Sir Dudley reddened but nodded gratefully and made his bow. “I think we will be setting forth on our journey before midday, so this is our farewell, Lady Sabina. Perhaps when you are in our neck of the woods, you will visit us at Longacre. I know you sometimes compete in the vicinity, Jeffree, at Lord Blandivar’s event. That must be coming up soon, I think?”

Jeffree looked evasive. “My plans are not yet certain,” he prevaricated. “I will bear your invitation in mind.” He bowed and his stepfather responded in kind before taking a step back.

“You will send word to us if the invasion should go ahead?” Jasper asked anxiously, finally allowing his father to grab his arm.

“Most definitely.”

“I will make more arrows as soon as I reach home,” Crispin vowed, twisting around as they were led away. “So, we are ready for battle.”

“We will be eternally grateful,” Sabina called back. Jeffree regarded her with bafflement. “What delightful boys. I had a feeling I should like them.”

“They are a pair of impudent knaves.”

“They are delightful young scamps,” Sabina corrected him. “Fine boys. Thus far I like them best of all your family members.”

“You seem to have forgotten your prospective brother-in-law,” he pointed out dryly. “I am sure you do not prefer the likes of Jasper and Crispin to the duke himself.”

Sabina snorted. “And I say that I do! His Grace is pleasant enough.” She shrugged. “But after two minutes in his company, I am ready to seek out other.”

Jeffree drew in a shocked breath, glancing about him. “You stand in his home, woman.”