But most humiliating of all was the outlaws’ appropriation of a few of King John’s guards, who had travelled here with Hugh. Not only had those men been found tied around a tree in the village keep outside the castle, but they had been left dressed in women’s clothing. There for all to see.
Yes, it had been a very bad week indeed.
He gave himself a mental shake, trying to snap out of these morose thoughts. He turned his head. ‘This is a fine morning, is it not, Lady Eleanor?’
‘I beg your pardon—did you say something?’
‘No, nothing of importance.’
‘My apologies, Sir Hugh. I was deep in thought.’ She looked over again to meet his gaze, all wide-eyed innocence.
‘And would you like to share those thoughts, my lady?’
‘I was pondering the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the attacks from these outlaws. Are you close to finding them?’
He felt a sudden annoyance at himself and his rare incompetence in finding a few clever outlaws. Really, though, his mind had been otherwise preoccupied. It was not every day a man was about to enter into an unwanted marriage with a woman who no doubt preferred the company of a three-legged goat to her betrothed.
‘Not yet, but I will catch them. Sooner or later they’ll make a mistake and I will be ready when they do.’
‘It’s all so strange. We never had difficulties like this before. Well, not since my father’s death. It makes me quite fearful to know there are dangerous outlaws nearby.’
Hugh shot her a sideways glance, trying to understand her interest. ‘It is after all why I am here, my lady, to secure these lands. You have nothing to fear.’
‘My thanks, Sir Hugh. What would I do without you otherwise?’
Her voice was toneless and that fake smile was pasted back on her face, setting his teeth on edge. He swore an oath under his breath. How long was she going to proceed with this pretence of being a polite, docile and biddable wife-to-be? Frankly, at this moment anything would be preferable company than this shell of Eleanor Tallany—even that three-legged goat.
Hugh knew he needed to shed some of the mounting tension from his body. ‘Lady Eleanor and I will continue our ride alone,’ he said to the few retainers and her maid, who had accompanied them.
Her handmaid, the ever-faithful Brunhilde, caught her mistress’s eye for confirmation. Eleanor gave a single nod.
Hugh and Eleanor rode towards a stream, allowing their horses a quick drink, and fell back into silence. He jumped down and strode to her palfrey and extended his arms, offering to help her down. But she declined, shaking her head.
Hell’s teeth! He had been right to believe this was going to be another miserable day.
Hugh marched to the stream in exasperation and splashed some water over his face, then took off his gambeson and tossed it on the saddle. It was a remarkably warm morning for a spring day, but that was not why he needed to cool off.
He turned and met Eleanor Tallany’s impassive gaze, and sighed as she turned away. He had wondered whether perhaps her change in behaviour was due to her fondness for her first husband, Richard Millais, but he’d dismissed that after something she had said. It certainly didn’t fit with what Hugh had known of Millais’s reputation for debauchery and cruelty, but who knew with women.
Who knew Eleanor Tallany? Certainly not him. His one and only experience of a close relationship with a woman had left him with a bruised heart and wounded pride.
He reminded himself once again that he hadn’t wanted this either, and shared with Eleanor her sentiments about this forced marriage, but he was honour-bound to make it work. And, notwithstanding the unwanted attraction he felt for Eleanor, Hugh found her beguiling.
Why had her behaviour changed so much since that first day when they’d found they were to be betrothed? He’d given her all the assurances he could that he would be a good husband, but it had raised no response from her. He’d tried every possible means to get her to talk to him but had failed. She was void of any emotion. In fact, the only emotion she had ever displayed was the anger and defiance she’d shown when they’d first met.
Well, now...perhaps he could somehow unleash that anger again and break through her mask? He didn’t know why it mattered, but he knew that somehow it did. He glanced briefly at Eleanor, still looking haughty, and the corners of his lips slowly rose.
He mounted his horse and rode to her side. ‘As I said, Lady Eleanor, there is no need to worry about these outlaws or anything else,’ he said dryly. ‘Now that I am here you can rest easy and need not concern yourself with the running of Tallany any longer. It’s time for a change.’
Her back stiffened instantly. ‘Sir Hugh...?’
‘This place needs a man in order to implement some changes around here.’
‘As do I, I suppose?’
‘Why, yes. As a matter of fact, I believe you do.’
She turned away. ‘I have managed perfectly well without anyone else.’
Hugh sensed that she was trying to conceal the irritation in her voice and that her perfectly placed smiles were beginning to crack. He should have thought of this earlier, but now he’d had enough.
‘Ah, but you don’t have to. Not now that I am here and can manage everything as it should be.’ He smiled at her with what he hoped was a look of smug arrogance.
‘Everything as it should be? I can assure you that my steward Gilbert and I have managed perfectly well, even during difficult times, and—’
‘Oh, I am sure, my lady, that you have done your very best. As much as you could,’ he mocked. ‘For the villages, the tenants and all the lands...being just a woman.’
The pink hue in her cheeks and neck heightened as she breathed out, no doubt trying to control her temper. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, vacantly.
‘Just a woman, Sir
