Jack hated the intrigue and spying, but understood that knowing things was akin to being prepared in the battle: only an idiot would charge into a fight without knowing who the opponent really was and what was their motive. To that end, even if he left Ushers alone and hated Torquay, he knew to keep himself informed about his hated home and ancestral place. He had mainly three sources of knowledge about it: his tutor Hrodolph told him about the mood and well being of the knights and other armed men; Mrs. Malone was reliably informing him about the mood of servants and townsfolk; and the occasional missives from Master William served as the negative proof of their intentions. These missives were to be read as the exact opposite of what they were trying to convey and in particular what they weren't saying. He learned to discount all the polite language and discern little tidbits of information from them. Jack thought that being physically present in Torquay would remove the need for this method, but realized now that it was still necessary.
Naturally, there was the obvious reading of the situation in Salcombe: Master William was lied to by Mr. Turner for some gain. But Jack quickly discounted the idea. The man was too blunt and couldn't maintain such lie upon close inspection. So, then, it was the Ushers who made up this lie and asked the man to keep it up. Why they did was far more important to figure out.
Their fervent wish for all his life was for him to not exist. So, Jack easily concluded that this was a way to cut him down. Obviously, there was no physical threat to him here, other than him charging into a fight with raiding neighbors from Cornwall. Was it this simple? Ushers wanted him riled up and ride to Cornwall to pick a fight and, hopefully, die? It was so far-fetched that he quickly dismissed it. He wasn't the Bruer clan's sword and shield for nothing. It took a lot to kill him and some disorganized farmers and forest bandits weren't it.
Then, the Ushers were doing something more political. They wanted to cut him down in influence. This made a lot more sense. He was back in Torquay, asserting himself as an heir and they reluctantly gave him the reins. So this trip to investigate the poor harvest was to prove that he as awful at the clan issues management. He snorted at that. By doing so the Ushers revealed a very important detail: they now believed him to be the real contender to the barony. He didn't fool himself. It wasn't like he suddenly became likeable to the elders. It was most likely that they saw him as the strong lord with faithful troops capable of asserting a claim. And recently, he garnered respect from the peasants. Not by himself, of course, but because of Kimberly, who was so universally liked by the commoners.
That thought made him pause... Kimberly was well-liked by commoners. She was also well-liked by servants. Lord Marshal and his wife showed that they favored her too. With a wife like that, a previously odious figure like him - who was mostly prized for his skill with the sword - suddenly became a potentially fair and strong lord, who'd protect the lands and cared about its people. No wonder Ushers were so disturbed. They needed to prove he was incompetent and they needed to somehow damage Kimberly's good reputation...
And that thought made him chilled to the bone... All this intrigue to get him out of the Torquay and to investigate a bogus claim was a very convenient way to leave Kimberly vulnerable...
Jack strode to Mr. Turner's personal quarter, disregarding the late hour. The servants and two armed men quickly fell by the wayside as he knocked them out with his bare arms. When he kicked the door out of the way, he saw the man scramble off the bed where a barely dressed young woman darted under the blanket.
"My- lord-, what- a-" the man didn't finish as Jack grabbed him by the throat, his thumb pressing into the rapidly beating pulse point. He squeezed harder and the man gurgled with bulged eyes. "Ah- wha- plea- sir-"
"Did Ushers ask you to lie to me?" Jack asked. And then snorted, "Don't answer it. I know they did. All I need from you now is your written confession about it. And then I'll have no need of you."
He kicked the man's knee and the body went a little slack, hanging by the strength of Jack's hold on the man's throat.
The man's face purpled and he wheezed another mangled 'please.' There was a commotion at the door and Jack felt the approach of someone behind. He didn't even bother turning, his hearing guiding his moves. He used his still sheathed sword to knock out the approaching man and heard the muffled curse. A young Mr. Jones fell over and whined in pain.
"Master Jacob, sir," he whined. "Please, stop."
"Were you on it too? I'd say, you father is awfully cavalier to leave you within my reach when they set out to lie to me," he turned briefly at the young clansman and kicked him hard in the stomach.
"No! NO! I don't know anything! I swear, Sir! My father- My father thinks you can be a good baron. He thinks you can become a next Baron Bruer! Please, believe me!"
Mr. Turner made another choking sound and Jack saw the wet spot appear on the man's underpants. Jack scoffed, "If you intend to plot against me, you better be prepared to deal with the Wolf."
Jack let the man go and stared at the pitiful picture. Mr. Jones was cowering away from him, his obvious studious nature shocked by the violence. Mr. Turner was beyond words at the moment and simply rolled onto the floor, face down and frantically gulped air.
Jack dropped into the crouch, one hand holding the sheathed sword and another dangling from where he rested it on the knee.
"Pathetic. Why did you even try? Is that why you send that child into my chambers? To make me pliable and believe your lies?" Jack rapped his finger against the man's ear to get his attention and he whimpered and tried to crawl away.
"Master Jacob, Sir," his young clansman cried. "You promised Lady Isabelle that-"
Jack dragged his eyes away from Mr. Turner and looked at the other man. He stopped talking and Jack narrowed his eyes further, "You keep her name out of you mouth. And I haven't drawn a sword in vain. I don't need a sword to deal with pests like you two."
As a demonstration, Jack thrust his free hand and hit the Jones boy in his throat. The punch was strong and the young man choked and coughed, tears springing to he eyes.
"I'll let you live, Mr. Jones, as you father asked me to look after you." Mr. Turner heard the unspoken 'I don't need to keep you alive' and started crying in earnest. "Of course, I believe he meant I was to teach you some things. What do you think? Should I continue with my lessons? I think you already learned to keep mum about my wife. What else should I teach you? Not to lie to me?" Jack demonstratively thrust his hand towards the young man and he crawled away in tears.
Jack only smirked, which made the two man cry in unison as they tried to roll themselves into tight balls. He had them where he wanted them.
"Oh, if only people stopped teasing the Wolf... I plan to stay in Torquay and won't go away any time soon. I believe it's high time people learned to accept me as the clan leader. Do you agree? Or should I teach you this lesson too?"
The two man cried and begged and Jack had a fleeting thought that he was glad Kimberly didn't see him like this.
Kim arrival at Torquay after the attack was as pompous as it was strained. All the household dwellers were lined up at the the front gate. The servants were bowing and murmuring their happiness at seeing her well. The steward and Mrs. Malone approached her, but Rose and Johnny stepped forward in unison and blocked them. Johnny's mother and father, who mostly recovered from his injury stepped up and suddenly Kim was surrounded by her servants. Even the two maids that Jack put in her service upon her arrival, stepped closer and Kim was grateful that she had some of her own people in this place.
"Lady Isabelle," Master William Sr. voiced from the door. "You must have had a scare! You should rest and Lady Leona will prepare a good tonic for you."
It was comical as Mrs. Malone eye's nearly fell out of her eye sockets at this pronouncement.
"I'd rather not bother the great lady with this task. I have been treated by the town healer, whom my husband trusts," she said amiably, but her pointed hint was noted as Lady Leona pursed her lips and left the yard after a stiffest bows to her. Her daughter-in-law and granddaughters left as well, following the woman like ducklings followed their mother.
"Then a good bath and a good meal would put you to rights. I'll order the servants," Master William Sr. went on and Kim gnashed her teeth. She wanted to be alone and not deal with these people, who clearly wanted her gone, but etiquette required her to be polite.
"I appreciate your concern, Master William. But you should not be bothering with such menial tasks as ordering the servants. Such work is the domain of the mistress of the house and since I am the mistress of Torquay, I shall see to it myself."
There it was: she officially pulled the rank on these people.
"I- I- Lady Isabelle- That is- You came from abroad and as our language is not one you have mastered yet-"
"I assure you I can manage. Good day, sir," Kim said in Old English and moved past him, her entourage all around her making everyone step out of her way.
She marched to her rooms and, once inside, she sighed deeply and plopped on the settee. Her servants all stood silent waiting for her instructions and she gathered her strength one more time.
"I'm grateful for all your help today. Johnny, Rose, you two were very helpful and I am in your debt." They all bowed and Johnny looked particularly pleased with her praise. "The next several days, until Master Jack comes back, would be difficult. The Ushers, Lady Leona and Master William are- not fond of my husband and, by extension, myself. I urge utmost caution. Please, be mindful of what you say and where you go. I do not wish for any of you to get harmed."
They all nodded again and began to file out. Rose lingered behind to deposit Kim's purchases. Kim picked the antidote vile and wondered if she'd have to use it soon. She didn't trust Lady Leona one bit. It was as if Rose heard her thoughts and spoke quietly, making sure to approach as close as she could.
"Lady Isabelle, I believe that most servants like you enough and fear Master Jacob. And we, Anne and the girls and I, would be serving your directly, but if you wish, I can bring the servant's food to you instead. This way we can be double sure. Or Johnny can ran to the market and bring the market food. We just have to hold out till Master Jack comes back. They won't dare to breathe wrong if he is here."
Something irked Kim in Rose's words. we just have to hold out till Master Jack comes back. Obviously, Jack had the most influence here as the heir and the most feared lord in the south of the Kingdom, but Kim was his wife and she, too, had the influence. Wasn't it what Mrs. Malone told her? The reason why Lady Leona and her female relative were ostensibly polite to her and gave her gifts was because Kim could control their lives?
So be it. She wouldn't hide in her quarter till her husband rides to her rescue. She'd use whatever influence she had.
"Thank you, Rose. You're the only one not connected to Torquay and I trust you like no other. Let's do what you suggested. Let's avoid meals prepared for me until we can be sure of all the servants. And would you please summon Mrs. Malone and Mr. Burger for me?"
And so it was that by the end of the day, the new mistress of Torquay greatly reduced the spending freedom of all the ladies residing in Torquay. Their credits in town were now had a certain limit, the number of servants available to them was halfed, their household budgets were quartered and all were put on the general kitchen menu plan. Kim was firm when talking to the housekeeper and the steward. While Mrs. Malone mostly smirked as she obviously disliked Lady Leona, she did ask if the tighter budget would hurt the 'girls' chances at marriage. She had some fondness for Donna and Clair, but Kim only reminded her that 'girls' also had their father's family and that the Bruers (Jack and Kim) had been generous to the 'girls' as it was, given the distant relationship. The steward piped in about Master William's years of management, hailing his expertise, but Kim only answered that in those same years Master William was obviously compensating himself, not counting the free lodging for him and his entire family. Kim reminded Ms. Burger that his employer ultimately was Jack Bruer and that if he had any objections, he was free to find another employment.
The silence that greeted her latest pronouncement was severe. Both long-time Torquay servants who saw years and years of Jack's abuse understood what Kim was doing now. Time came for the young master to step into his rights. Kim let the implications sink in and then offered a brilliant smile.
"Honestly, I think my lord would not care one whit about how the household is run. Or who runs it. You should know by now that he is a man of few needs. Now that I have settled in, I should do my best to meet his needs and let him worry about clan matters. And I hope you can continue working here and help me support him. Lady Marshal told me many a time that the true purpose of the lady is to serve her lord. And she must ensure that all in the estate work towards the same purpose. Lady Marshal is so knowledgeable about such things. Why, even as I left to come here, she told me that I can always rely on her to help me find the purposeful servants. I told her then that I would keep it in mind, and even wrote to her later that I found servants at Torquay very aware of their purpose. Do you agree?"
They did. And left with many bows and affirmations of their loyalty to the purpose of serving the true lord.
Kim didn't fool herself. The Ushers wouldn't take it lightly. But she saw that the balance of power in Torquay was shifting and couldn't go on as it was. Jack's presence and insistence on becoming the leader put him in direct confrontation of the the Ushers and his sudden trip and the attack on her were part of that confrontation. It wasn't direct and it wasn't announced, but the war has began.
She was confident that he would win. After all, she already knew that part of history. She took her chances.
Jack arrived in thin late evening and entered Torquay undetected. His men, who he trusted enough, were following him behind with Mr. Turner with him as the witness of the plot to undermine him. He made sure to bring him and Mr. Jones shackled and hoped that this demonstration was enough to show the elders his resolve. He rode ahead with just two men determined to get to Torquay as fast as possible.
Kimberly's note reached him just as he finished his 'lessons' in Salcombe. He read her missive and stood still, feeling like all the blood in him turned to honey and refused to flow properly. The fear he felt was all consuming and thorough, leaving him momentarily breathless. Kimberly, his light and happiness, was attacked and though she barely mentioned it, he knew - knew - that it wasn't an accident. Ushers, all of them, would pay. He was gratified to see that she used the town's healer to send the message. The clever girl knew not to trust anyone in Torquay. How was he so idiotic to leave her alone in that viper's nest? Did he become so complacent that he thought the fear of him would stop Leona or her feckless husband? They hated his guts and knew he'd have little care for them once he was the clan's leader, but he was willing to let them be, as long as they knew their place. Unforgivable idiocy! Well, then, it was time to teach them all a lesson.
Johnny, who was hanging out by the stables, was the first one that Jack went to see. The boy was mentioned in Kimberly's note and Jack wanted to get the full story form him. The boy nearly passed out when Jack grabbed to drag him into the dark corner. But then he told him an unbelievable story how the bandits couldn't touch Kimberly for she was a true angel. Not a hair out of place, Sir! Jack was inclined to believe that Kimberly used her fighting skills that he observed before with Cai. That his wife had to fight for her safety in his ancestral lands was the shame he'd never live down. Johnny went on to say that Kimberly told off the Ushers and apparently pulled the purse's strings on them. So, she figured out that the attack wasn't an accident either. And then he caught the last part of Johnny's tale: they all - Kimberly and her servants - were eating the food that Johnny scrounged up in town. Realization that Kimberly had been in a stand-off with his hateful family and was afraid to eat or drink anything from within the estate cut him more than anything else. She didn't feel safe here. She wasn't safe here. He, the feared Wolf was only good at advancing the Bruer clan's interest, but failed to keep his woman safe.
He swallowed the shame and put a heavy hand on Johnny's shoulder, "You did well, Johnny."
The boy straightened and for the first time looked him directly in the eye, "Lady Isabelle is the kindest soul, Sir. I would help her even if you didn't ask me." The boy was solemn, but his cheeks and ears burned bright red and Jack realized that the boy admired and liked Kimberly. Once again he wondered how she managed to inspire such devotion in people.
"Thank you, Johnny. I have a task for you."
Then Jack found the rest of his men, who didn't come to Salcombe. They were housed close to the stables and from there it was a direct sight line of his quarters of the estate. He was pleased to see that the regular watch was on post and the man only bowed upon seeing him.
"All is quiet, Sir. Lady Isabelle is inside."
"What of the attackers?" Jack was worried that whoever hired them would get rid of them.
"They are secure for now. We didn't let anyone in and only you have authority over us, Sir."
"Good. Make sure they survive till tomorrow. Who visited Leona and William Sr.?"
"Elders Moore and Smollett saw Master William. Abbot visited Lady Leona. A messenger was sent to Devon this noon."
So, he had about 24 hours before his father's representative showed up here. He needed to resolve everything, so when Cai or whoever arrived, they'd have to approve what he had done or risk direct confrontation with him.
"Stop any further messengers that are not mine. And don't tell anyone know I am here." He paused and finished. "Thank you for keeping her safe."
The man was a trained soldier of his so he only betrayed his surprised with a slight flare of nostrils and then bowed his head low in thanks.
Jack turned abruptly and went to see his wife, the impossible woman who came from another world.