The Lady of Fairhaven Read Free

late to send protection for those venturing into the village,” Giles stated. His face had turned bright red. It was his responsibility to keep the Lady safe and at this moment in time, he had in a sense failed. “Indeed, all has been calm.”
    “ Her protection must be the utmost concern of the guards,” Oliver said. He stared down Giles like an adversary on the battlefield.
    “ As it has always been, Sir,” Giles replied. He was not backing down.
    “ From now on a guard will travel with the lady,” Oliver asserted.
    Giles nodded. “As you wish, Sir.”
    “ Uncle Oliver,” Gillian protested. “I’m not accustomed to having an escort and have discouraged Sir Giles from providing one for me.”
    “ Nonsense!” Oliver retorted. “What could a silly chit know about such things? It is now obvious to me that my presence here is past due. I intend to right the affairs of the estate. It is evident that the manor is in need of a strong hand that will defend and protect. You need not fear niece.”
    Anger flared in a heated splash of color rising through Gillian’s pale flesh. Her eyes lowered to look at her hands, unable to fix her eyes upon her relative without spewing an obvious helping of distaste in his direction. She had no intention of letting her uncle or anyone else witness her impatient temper. The impassive expression memorized so well from years of hiding fear, anger, and grief served her well.
    “ Please, Uncle Oliver, let me have Alice show you to your room.”
    “ I will take my brother’s chambers,” Oliver declared boldly. He looked back over his shoulder to the small contingent of men awaiting orders.
    He never saw Gillian’s eyes grow round with shock at his impertinence. Certainly it was within his rights to select the lord’s chambers, but he was not the lord, just the overseer. And to make a decision without thought to her sensibilities seemed incomprehensible.
    Oliver turned back to watch Gillian, and by that time her masked expression was carefully restored. Without another consideration for his niece, Oliver turned to his man and barked out a command, “Bring my things up to my chambers. I wish to bathe before dinner. Make sure Katherine’s belongings are sent up to my quarters as well.”
    “ Is Katherine my aunt?” Gillian asked in disbelief. “I had not heard that you had wed, Uncle.”
    A gush of laughter burst free. “And so I have not. She is my leman. I have brought her with me since I don’t have the heart to do without her. She will now assume the role of chatelaine of the manor. She is older and will provide strong leadership. She has already requested that she assume the duties.”
    Gillian’s gaze turned from one of surprise to icy shock. “That is not within her rights nor yours, Uncle. I have been chatelaine since my parent’s death and wish to remain so. It is my due to claim this responsibility. It was the last wish of my father and mother. Even as my guardian it is not within your power to strip me of my rights as chatelaine. You must inform your leman that you misspoke.”
    Gillian forced her mouth to close. Astounded by the turn of events overwhelming her, she responded with an urge to strike out, to fight back. Giles chin tilted in proud respect and subtle defiance of his new leader.
    “ I will do no such thing,” Oliver hissed.
    He took a menacing step forward. Muscles clenched taught with restrained anger, the older knight bunched his fists so tight his nails sliced into his roughened thick-skinned palms. Dog’s ears lowered once again and a threatening snarl sizzled from between his large ragged edged teeth. In response the castle defenders gripped their sword hilts in readiness to defend the lady of the castle. A ripple of drawn weapons shivered through the line of warriors.
    Oliver’s voice lowered to a whisper meant only for Gillian’s ears. “If you want to maintain the position of chatelaine you must fight for it. I will not say nay to my leman.