I know this is super-short. A longer chapter is coming before Thursday. Preparing taxes threw a wrench in the works, but I want to get something up today!
With a brief nod to the guard, Christian paused outside the door to the bailiff's chamber. His appearance was immediately greeted by tumult below, for the two bedchambers on the upper floor were reached by a gallery overlooking the great hall, but he ignored the importunities of his men as he sought to gather his wits.
Foolish, reckless woman. She could have been killed, blundering through the forest. If Sir Giles had only performed the task he had been so amply paid to do, and if she had only gone quietly with him, then half the bloodshed could have been averted. He had believed that once he had the baroness in his grasp, her men would be forced to parlay—and, if he had any skill at negotiations at all, to surrender on his terms.
She was in his power now, however, but he was beginning to fear that her men would not react with the docility that he had hoped. Not without her cooperation. This baroness was no mere pawn in a set-piece, as he had assumed that the earl's young ward would be. She had been far more than a symbol above the battlefield. He had seen with his own eyes how she had fought, with her own hands when necessary, and she suspected that she was equally intimately involved in the plans before the battle.
He had let the minstrel stories lead him astray. Lady Steele was no frail bower maiden. She had not the golden hair or the fluting voice of the ballads in her honor, and neither did she have the delicate sensibilities or retiring modesty of the heiress of song.
Though she conformed to few of the ideals of the ballads, with her husky voice, dark hair, and angular body, she had every bit as much power of attraction as the minstrels credited her. The image of her naked body flashed inevitably into his mind. 'Swounds, she was desirable indeed, though peculiarly so—she had the small, high breasts that were in fashion, but with a taut belly rather than the soft, full mound that most men desired. On her, though, the slenderness did not appear to be the consequence of wasting but of health, even strength.
And that was exactly it. Her attractiveness was rooted in her vitality and force of will, not retiring, fragile femininity. That made her fascinating. And dangerous.
Now he had to decide what to do with her. A plan was forming in his mind—a mad plan, yet one that might forge a lasting peace and achieve every objective his father might possibly desire.
His only fear was that too much of its appeal came from the basest and most carnal motives….
Christian took a deep breath and descended the stairs. He crossed to the head of the high table and stood silently, waiting for his men's flow of questions to subside before raising his hand for silence. The last few murmurs died away as he spoke.
"You all acquitted yourselves with great honor in today's battle. Your bravery was matched only by your judgment and levelheadedness. Nevertheless, few wars are without casualty, and today's engagement was no exception. Four knights, eight squires, and seven sergeants were either killed outright or not expected to survive, along with some sixty common soldiers."
He nodded to Sir Johann, who stood and recited the list of casualties. There were several frowns among his men, but they were expressions of gravity and concern rather than dissatisfaction at his leadership.
When Sir Johann finished and resumed his seat, Christian spoke again.
"Our victory upon the field was nearly complete. Most importantly of all, we captured the baroness shortly after the battle, and she is in our power now. Tomorrow, we will send heralds to Astlingmead Castle to inform them of our victory and demand their surrender. As we killed or captured most of the baroness' force upon the field, the castle should be able to offer only a token resistance. However, I plan neither to besiege nor to assault it if such measures are not necessary."
"And what do you intend to do, to insure that they aren't?" Sir James' voice next to him was quiet but cutting.
But Christian had no desire to share his intentions with his father's man. He only smiled grimly and said, "You shall see."
Turning to the hall, Christian raised a flagon of wine. "We have fought well, so let us now feast!"
The men cheered, and upon that signal, a line of kitchen drudges entered, bearing great platters of roast pig, oxen, and piles of bread. Christian sat back upon his chair, surveying his men with satisfaction.
They had prevailed upon one battlefield today. And after supper, he would claim victory upon another.