Page 127 of Ironling
Fia nodded slowly. “Good. She deserves nothing less.”
“You have my promise, Mayor Doherty, that all knights will behave with utmost decorum,” Aislinn said to the aggrieved mayor of Dundúran. As an elected magistrate of the people, it was his duty to bring issues concerning the townsfolk to the Darrows, particularly for sudden or urgent problems.
Doherty, a kindly man with a bald head and portly gut and far too many grandchildren, as he put it, scowled at Bayard. The baron stood off to the side, aloof and imperious. For the entire meeting with Doherty, he’d looked as though he bit into something sour.
Aislinn was beyond annoyance—hearing of how dozens of Bayard’s knights were carousing nightly, harassing women, scaring livestock, and even drunkenly rolling barrels into the river had her gall rising. Fates, how did Endelín function if Bayard allowed his company to behave like spoiled youths?
Perhaps he didn’t.Perhaps they’d been told to be as unpleasant as possible while in Dundúran.
The thought soured Aislinn impossibly further toward thebaron—and didn’t fill her with confidence that Captain Aodhan would find a way to turn enough of them against Bayard.
“Please send me a report of everyone whose property was damaged. Baron Bayard will happily compensate them.”
Bayard choked, glaring at her before smoothing his expression. “Yes, compensated in full,” he said.
Doherty sighed. “Very well. I’d rather this not be necessary at all. The people are worried enough with so many unfamiliar swordsmen about.”
“I mean only to ensure the safety of our heiress,” said Bayard. Aislinn had to wonder if he knew his smile was so oily or if he was attempting something else.
Doherty made an unconvinced sound, turning back to Aislinn. He took her hand in his dry, wrinkled one and patted it. “Is there any news from your father?”
Aislinn felt the prickle of Bayard’s interest along her neck.
“No, nothing yet,” she lied. “But then, the roads are muddy.”
Doherty nodded. “Let us hope his mission is successful and for his swift return.” Casting another moody look at Bayard, the mayor bowed his head. “Thank you for seeing me this morning, my lady.”
“You are always welcome, Mayor Doherty. My warmest wishes to your wife and all two-hundred grandchildren.”
“Ha!” the old man laughed. “Try at least five hundred!”
Aislinn smiled, waving farewell as the mayor took his walking stick and marched from the great hall. Her heart rested a little more content knowing her people were resilient; they could weather whatever was to come. She hated lying to Mayor Doherty and the people of Dundúran, but there didn’t seem to be a compelling enough reason to cause them worry.
When she knew more, she’d tell them herself.
For now, she had to handle the problems she could.
Turning on Bayard, she leveled him with a frown. It was awonder what a good night’s sleep after being thoroughly made love to by her blacksmith could do for her. Aislinn felt downright feisty, sizing up the baron as she decided how best to scold him.
“Keep your company in line, Bayard. They aren’t on leave, and they have no right to terrorize the people.”
“Have you really heard nothing from our dear Liege Darrow?”
He caught Aislinn off-guard with the sudden question.
Pursing her lips, she said, “If I had, I’d tell the staff.”
“Would you, though?” Bayard smiled that slick smile and began to stroll in a loose circle around her. “Maybe you would, if his return was imminent. But then, what if he wasn’t returning? What if he’d been delayed? Would you tell them then?”
“Are you concerned you may soon have to face my father and explain what you’ve done?” she asked instead of answering, one of her mother’s favorite tactics. “You should be.”
“I’m not, in fact.”
Coming to a halt, that frivolous smile played at his lips, but his eyes had gone dark enough to put a tremble of fear in Aislinn’s belly. She reminded herself they weren’t alone; her guards were near.
“What I am is impatient. You’re stalling, hoping for word of your father that may or may not have come.”
“You’re welcome to leave at any time, my lord. I’m certainly not keeping you here.”
