A/N: My apologies for delay in posting this chapter. I have been writing another story in another fandom and it is harder to keep the regular schedule when there are two stories to update.

Jack placed his people on all roads approaching Torquay to get the early warning of his father's arrival. If his calculations were right, the Devon party would be arriving early afternoon. He had half a mind to meet them before they crossed the last hill before Torquay, but had to remind himself that he was the lord of this place and a head of the clan. It wouldn't do for him to rush and meet his visitors like some servant.

Kimberly woke up early with him and was busy ordering everyone to do the last bits of clean-up and to prepare the rooms for guests. The whole place was agitated and Jack left it early to focus on his crew of men. There wasn't enough of them to challenge the full complement of Devon soldiers, but each one of his warriors was worth at least three of Cai's men. Jack was confident that their traveling crew would not overwhelm him and his men.

When his esteemed father arrived, Jack wasn't surprised to see Cai with him. Clearly, Cai was here to both observe how his marriage was faring and to sway father's mind in whatever way was most convenient to Cai.

Kimberly stood with him at the front doors and he noticed the care with which she dressed. She was normally well-dressed, but she preferred less voluminous skirts and less puffy sleeves. Right now she was wearing a deep blue gown with white stomacher and her hair was swept in an intricate style and decorated with one of his present to her - a silver pin with a blue lapis carved flower.

Later, after the greetings and showing the visitors to their respective rooms, Jack was reporting to his father about results of his trip to Salcombe and the investigation it triggered. It wasn't much to report: there was a lie and an attempt to kill Kimberly. His father listened carefully and nodded his head long. And then he focused on Jack's face.

"You went to investigate the situation in Salcombe yourself. Why?"

"I had initially thought they wanted to get me involved. Later, I realized, it was to lure me out and to attack my wife without me to protect her."

"Yes, your wife. Cai told me that she garnered an interesting reputation in Torquay. I must confess, when Cai proposed this marriage, I was skeptical that it would be a good. Whatever your reputation is, you are still a son of a baron. Then, her reputation grew and now rumors are that you are tamed by this angelic being and the Torquay is blessed. You must understand that it makes you too consequential and we must not appear as if we are trying to become too strong. Others might not like it. Though you are only a second son born illegitimately, this marriage made you a contender to higher positions. This wife of yours is creating a lot of talks around. And now that you have gotten rid of the remaining Ushers, people see you as ambitious beyond you station."

"With all due respect, father, your concerns are unfounded," Jack responded calmly and firmly. "Whatever her reputation might be, Isabelle is an orphan. She is no longer from the main branch of the Corneille family and was married off to me by a mere letter from her clan. Her uncle is not interested in her wellbeing and therefore she brings no useful connections or influence. As for opinions of others about my prospects, those would be the same with or without Isabelle. I always knew that the Ushers and I would eventually come into a confrontation. And those matters are just the internal affairs of a small clan. They hardly could be of consequence in any other families in other counties."

Baron Bruer was silent, processing everything. It was all very strange. As a seasoned leader and one of the counselor to the King, he noticed what others, including his first born son, might have missed. In particular, the changes that he observed in his second son. In truth he hasn't spent much time with Jack in the last two years and only briefly saw him when he left to York with the report on Lady Isabelle's traveling party.

But could it be possible that a person changed so much in such short time? These changes were immediately obvious to him. Calm, assured and knowledgeable, Jack was very impressive. There was something there too, something that couldn't be expressed in words. It was as if... Baron Bruer was looking at the smart leader. And conversing with his equal, although Jack was very polite and deferential. And this sudden need to rid the Torquay estate of greedy relatives. It would seem that Jack was more angry over the attempt on his wife, as if he truly cared. Was this girl that important to him? He understood the need to punish plotters as a deterrent, but to exile his remaining maternal family was a reach. Didn't Cai tell him that Jack brutalized his wife almost immediately? Wasn't she treated for bruises the very first week she arrived here?

He recalled the petite and pretty woman with blonde hair and dark eyes. Nothing about her was very striking: sure, she was pretty, but Jack was never one to be swayed by carnal desires. So much so that the Baron wondered if his son was even capable of caring about other people.

The more Baron thought of it, the more questions he had. Who was this girl that his harsh son would hang four people for attempting to hurt her, when he himself did the same? What would happen if he disapproved of Jack's actions? What would happen if he approved? How would this changed Jack react to either decision? What would it mean for Cai? Would Jack be a challenge to Cai? Would Jack become a pillar that supports his brother?

"My Lord, even the dogs get a bone from their masters. And hired men get paid for their service," the same calm and firm voice broke the Baron's thought.

Baron looked up and locked gazes with very perceptive eyes of his son. Did he show too much of his thoughts? Was Jack letting him know that he knew what his father thought? Was Jack reminding him that not long ago it was Jack who assured their safety as the leader of the armed men in Devon? Was it a subtle reminder that the Bruer armed men were loyal to him, but weren't so keen on Cai?

"Why did you decide to exile them?" Baron asked quickly, keeping his attention on Jack's face, curious to hear the reasons.

"Because they wouldn't have stopped at just one attempt. Their goal was to undercut me, but if that didn't work, they meant to see me married to one of their daughters. And I truly don't want another wife."

"Why?" Baron pressed on.

"Because my current wife isn't put off by my scarred face," Jack's response came immediately.

Baron sat back and closed his eyes briefly. The usual guilt he felt when reminded of his past engulfed him. His shame and sins were carved into Jack's face. No one could just ignore it. He himself couldn't bear to look at that scar. But if there was a woman, who wasn't afraid of it or disgusted by it, then she was an intriguing person indeed.

"I shall approve of your decisions. Leona will be placed in a monastery and her family would leave these parts to never come back. I officially recognize you as the leader of the clan here in Torquay," Baron said it all calmly, now looking directly at Jack's face.

Jack bowed and thanked him with the same politeness and deference that somehow didn't look servile.

When the door closed behind Jack, the Baron leaned back and sighed. He didn't even realize that he was so tense during the entire conversation with Jack.

Even when they first arrived, there was something that was different about it Jack. Cai tried in his juvenile way to egg on his brother, throwing thinly veiled barbs at Jack and sending a cold look at Lady Isabelle. But Jack smiled enigmatically and when he was close enough, he whispered to Cai.

"I wish you would grow up soon, brother. I highly recommend marriage. Nothing like being responsible for someone to make a man out of a boy."

Cai fumed, but the Baron wondered: Was it possible that a marriage changed his cold son? Was it possible that a woman accomplished that?

Baron sighed again: Jack was once again a source of his pride and shame...

Jack, too, was reeling from meeting with his father. Now that he stepped out of the library, he could breathe a sigh of relief. His father approved of all the he decisions and wouldn't challenge Jack's claim to Torquay. Not that he hadn't had some other, more confrontational methods to get his way, but this was the shortest and most direct approach. Jack didn't want to go through the trial and he wanted to avoid rattling his sword at his own father. He wanted to go and see Kimberly right now, just to get the support always present in her eyes. No, she was busy with the celebratory meal and it would be first time showing off her hostess skills. She didn't show it, but he knew she was nervous.

"Jack," came a quiet voice of his teacher, commander Hrodolph. "Are you alright? Was your conversation with the Baron so difficult?"

"I'm fine. And, yes, it was difficult, but it's all over now. I thank you for your circumspection: you didn't tell them much about Isabelle and mine relationship."

"Ahh... Yes, my boy, I chose to report on your dealings with the Ushers, not the Corneilles. But I must say, she must be a remarkable woman."

"You have no idea," Jack smiled at his teacher. "Do you want to see the training of my men here?"

Hrodoplh was very much interested.

Later, when the clan elders arrived for the feast, Jack still couldn't spend much time with Kimberly.

At first he was waylaid by his sneering brother. Cai has spent the entire day while Jack met with father visiting various elders and his spies. It was obvious that he had hand in some of the dealings, even if it wasn't the abbot. Johnny was invaluable in tracking Cai's movements. The boy was smart and observant. He also looked so average in his worn clothes and dirty face that he could walk right behind Cai and not get noticed. It was a fortunate thing that Jack put Johnny on his brother's tail. It was how he discovered that the young Jones was Cai's informant. Jack wondered why his brother chose someone so young and without much clout, but then realized the connection. Before, his uncle planned to marry Donna off to Jones. If that happened, young Jones would have been far more influential. And Cai was cultivating the potential ally. Now, of course, his calculation had to change and Jack wondered who would become Cai's new pawn in Torquay.

Whatever his meeting were, they clearly had borne little results and Cai was irritable when he arrived at dinner. Their father was late arriving and the two brothers were in an uncomfortable proximity to each other without the buffer to diffuse the tension.

"I don't understand why father had to come here at all. These kind of matters don't rise to his level," he sneered and looked at Kimberly, who was chatting with Hrodolph.

"The actions by Ushers would have implicated all of Bruers, including father. Him being here is a right call." Jack saw Kimberly's worried glance and responded with a simple nod.

"I still don't get why it would have. It's just internal matters of the Usher clan. You are not a legitimate Bruer after all." Cai was intentionally cruel and vulgar, but Jack only smiled in response, keeping his temper even. "All you are good for is to create more trouble for father and his family. You were sent here to live with your true family and yet, here we are, dealing with the mess you made. You are so useless. How are you planning to live your life here is all you are good for is killing and torturing? And what a bride you've got for yourself. I know her angel-attitude is a sham. After all, she attacked me."

"Your concern is noted, brother. My bride was something I have to thank you for. I wouldn't mention her 'attack' on you, Cai. It makes you look bad. And, please, be mindful of the eavesdropping and clean up your language. You are not a common sailor. If father didn't involve himself here and never met his new daughter-in-law, people would have thought him very careless leader of the clan. And such reputation reflects badly on all Bruers: real and not. If you fail to grasp these nuances, then, perhaps, you should go back to merely shadowing father? And not, say, attempt to strengthen your own influence? Perhaps, like young Jones, you need more lessons?"

Cai hissed like a startled snake and veritably stomped away from Jack just as their father arrived.

Kimberly approached the older man with a bow and showed him to his seat. His father sat her down near him and they spent some time conversing. How did she find Torquay? Was married life agreeing with her? Did she regain any of her memories? How was she acclimating to being in a different country? His father even tested her knowledge of the local language. And then he asked just how pious she was. Clearly, father tried to determine if any of her 'angelic' reputation had truth behind it.

Kimberly smiled mischievously, "I am observant of the church's teachings, my lord."

"Then, you must be observing it most diligently," his father said.

Kimberly shrugged delicately, "My diligence is not as fervent as Lady Leona's. I hear she spent a lot of time in the company of the abbot. I can't say that I converse with the clergyman all too often. I find that my beliefs are a matter between myself and the Lord."

"Indeed? That is an interesting view. Why would you say that? Isn't church and it's servants are our guides?"

"Yes they are. They teach us of religion and God, but people are different. And some could be excellent students, some could be less so. And each tries to learn their lessons to the best of their abilities. Still, some don't ever learn. Similarly, even the clergymen are only men, after all. They have the same foibles that the lay people have."

"It is an interesting view. So what does your understanding of the religion entail?"

"I like the doctrine of 'do onto others as you wish others to do onto you.' I also believe that we all should have courage and be kind to others."

"I heard of your kindness to commoners, Lady Isabelle. You enjoy an unusual reputation because of it," his father was polite, but the undertone of 'this is a dangerous thing' was obvious to Jack.

"I could hardly control how people see me. We, all of us, are at the whim of other people's perception of us. Some are feared, and some are revered all because of rumors and speculations. In the end, it would be our actions that carry the day. I can only hope to live up to the kind opinions of strangers, but I intend to live my life as my conscious dictates."

Jack was sure he heard a mild rebuke in Kimberly's words. She was telling his father that just as her 'angelic' reputation was overblown, so was his 'wolfish' one. She basically told him to judge her and Jack based on their actions, not word of mouth. She also told his esteemed father that she was going to act in ways that she found to be right, not swayed by any other consideration.

His father's calculating expression was something to behold. Obviously, he disregarded Isabelle from his calculations before, but now she rose in his estimation.

After a long silence his father nodded to himself, "I can see now why Lord Marshal was hesitant to let you go as his potential daughter-in-law. His loss is our boon, I say. Welcome to the family, daughter. If the clan matters do not keep you too busy, you should come and visit us in Devon."

Jack and Kimberly bowed at that and Jack wondered if his father's calculations changed since this visit. The invitation was an endorsement of him and Kimberly. Perhaps she was right when she told him that he would become a baron. Stranger things have happened to him already: just look at his wife.