He Who Dares... [Rouland]

[Romily de Braose]

They were expecting an important guest that evening – so her father had informed her that morning. Romily had been sitting in the solar working on some embroidery when Durwin had burst in and demanded that she made herself scarce that evening. “He’s an old friend of mine, so I will not have you making a fool of yourself in front of him” he’d told her sternly.

“Yes father” she replied, “Am I to be introduced to this friend of yours?”

Durwin looked at her as though she’d just said something completely stupid. “Of course!” he glared, “then you shall keep to your rooms for the rest of the evening unless Lord Rouland demands that you do not – heaven knows why he should think to do that” Durwin muttered, “but I expect he shan’t take any notice of you – now, go and make yourself look pretty my dear”.

Her father could certainly change characteristics when he felt like it. One moment he would treat her like a treasured possession, and others? Like she wasn’t of any value to him.
Now she was sat up in her room, making herself ‘look pretty’ for when his lordship arrived.

“I’ve never seen him before” her maid, Bonnie, replied when Romily questioned her of Lord Rouland, “Just know that Lord Durwin speaks of him from time to time”

“Ive never heard him do so”

“All in the eyes and ears of being a servant my lady – don’t you worry yourself over small talk, just be your gracious self and then make your excuses to leave when you wish”

Romily frowned at Bonnie in the mirror, “and what if Lord Rouland asks me to stay with him and my father?”. That would just be a nightmare. Conversation would consist of very little to say the least

“Then do what you feel my lady, it’s not my place to tell you have to live your life” Bonnie told her, and carried on lacing her into her dress that was suitable enough to be introduced to Lord Rouland in.

“It’s strange” she started, “about how my father has barely breathed Lord Rouland’s name to me, and yet here he is coming to dine with us.”

“Stranger things have happened my lady” Bonnie justified her statement to which Romily agreed.

“Yes…yes they have”.




Tagged: Rouland de Archer
Timeline: Beginning of S1
Setting: Wolfhall Manor, Carmelide

[Rouland de Archer]

Rouland had rode hard from his lands and had been glad of a few moments peace. The only problem with his son being, as he was, travelling to find his fortunes, it left Rouland on his own with two women and neither of them gave him an easy time of being him. His wife constantly naged him about this and that, and as for his niece, well, she excelled in many aspects but keeping her tongue still was not one of them. He often wondered if all young women were like Caitrin; probably not but it was worth a wager.

The weather for his ride had been pleasant, and his black travelling cloak flapped about in the wind. He'd been eager to get away as quickly as possible. He was off to see his old friend Lord Durwin. He'd known Durwin on and off for years, even when he had lived in Mercia during his teens. Of course now the distance was heightened and other complicated matters meant their meetings were less and less but still. He'd had a rough job of telling Caitrin she was to stay behind, stubbornly of course she'd wanted to come as was her way. His wife knew her place, she'd accepted it straight away but his niece was less than willing. Eventually he had just ridden off, so he wasn't looking forwards to her reaction when he returned but she was his ward and she should obey him.

Durwin's home came into view and Rouland smiled; he'd made good time and pushed his horse on the short distance that was required of it. There was a stableboy waiting to greet him, "See he's well tended." He instructed the lad, dismounting the horse and near shoving the reigns into the boys hands. He began to unhitch his travelling cloak, handing it to another servant who was bustling towards him, "Inform Lord Durwin I have arrived."

[Romily de Braose]

Romily made her way downstairs to meet with her father. He was stood at the bottom waiting for her. “You look very nice my dear” he smiled as she stopped beside him.

“You know me father, I always have to look my best on your account”

Either her father could’ve taken offence or had not let the words sunk in properly, because all he did was just nod before moving on. “Lord Rouland has just arrived – I shall welcome him and then introduce you”
She knew the drill. Then she’d hopefully be free of the pair for the evening. “As you wish father”

“It’s times like this that you remind me of your mother – she would say the same” This didn’t surprise Romily.
Her mother Jayne had always followed the rules. Everything her father had asked of her she’d done. What he hadn’t asked was that she was to die bearing him a son. “Never the less, you are the image of her tonight”. He told his daughter.

Romily smiled weakly and stood there, “How long have you know Lord Rouland?” she finally asked.

“Since we were very young” Durwin replied, “even when he lived in Mercia – a very trustworthy friend, the most trustworthy I could ask for” he carried on. Well if Rouland and her father were on the same wavelength then this could go either very well, or very badly.
She looked up as her father walked forward with a grin on his face. “And here he is now! Welcome my dear friend!” Durwin was saying as a man entered the hall.

Romily stood there waiting for Lord Rouland and her father to finish their introductions and for her to be introduced. She self-consciously straightened her dress, watching as the two men exchanged their greeting.

[Rouland de Archer]

Rouland was already enjoying the peace and quiet of his new settings. Two steps into his own home and he'd have already been screamed at by one of the women in his life; his wife for staying out too long, his niece for not taking her with him. Sometimes he despaired of them both and it was times like that he was glad he had friends scattered all about the place to offer a quick respite. He'd left his steward in charge of his peasants and Caitrin in charge of the household; his wife hadn't been happy, surprise surprise but Caitrin needed something to occupy herself.

Rouland grinned as his friend came into view, “And here he is now! Welcome my dear friend!" Rouland took the man affectionatly by the shoulders and his actions were mimicked,

"Lord Durwin!" He grinned, letting the man go and looking his friend up and down, "You don't look a day older than when we last met!" He then chuckled, "What's your secret? I feel I have aged twice as much since our last meeting." In Roulands eyes, aging quickly was the result of women; he laughed at the poets who believed that love and women made you feel young; Rouland just felt old and tired with his wife and niece.

Rouland had only just noticed the woman who was in the room, he bowed curteously to her, "And who is this Lord Durwin?" He asked politely, "Your daughter I assume?"

[Romily de Braose]

Her father? Not a day older? Well clearly Lord Rouland needed to spend a year at Wolfhall in order to see just how ‘well’ her father aged. Romily couldn’t help but smile when he asked what his secret was. How very polite. Rouland looked younger than her father in all honesty.

“And who is this Lord Durwin?" At that moment she looked up from where she’d been staring at her feet for the last few moments. Lord Rouland was looking at her. "Your daughter I assume?"

Romily gave a curtsey to Rouland before her father allowed her to take his arm, walking her over to Rouland. “May I introduce my daughter – the Lady Romily” he beamed at his friend.
Romily wondered if Rouland truly knew the extent of her father’s character and how this was technically all for show.

Romily looked to Lord Rouland and smiled, before curtseying again. “My lord” she began, “Welcome to Wolfhall, I trust that everything will to your liking?” if it wasn’t then he’d just have to live with it.

“My daughter will not be joining us this evening” Durwin interrupted, “she hasn’t been in the best of health for a few days”. A lie. One that was always used when Romily wasn’t meant to be present at the formal functions. Truth was she was in the best of health. She’d been out riding just that morning.
She said nothing and instead smiled weakly at the floor. At least she’d be spared of any awkward conversation that evening so that was one thing.

“Does she not look like Jayne? My friend” Durwin now smiled.

[Rouland de Archer]

Rouland eyed Romily up and down quickly, she was well presented and obviously was well trained. He wondered if Romily was more obedient than Caitrin was. As it was, he was much at a loss as how to get his niece to respond to him. He couldn’t even send her back to her home because her father never occupied the family home, and it remained empty for most of the year and it was unseemly for a young woman to be on her own. As well as that, Rouland got a healthy amount for her upkeep so it was all worth it in the end.

He bowed to Lady Romily, not taking her hand because it was an unseemly gesture to the daughter of such a good friend. “I am delighted of course to make your acquaintance Lady Romily.” He nodded at her words, looking around him at the room. It was well decorated and the servants were attentive; who was he to complain? “It is a welcomed change to my own home Lady Romily.” He answered truthfully, “The peace for one is most pleasing.”

He stiffened back up and turning his attentions back to his friend who was excusing his daughter from the evening. Rouland nodded at Lord Durwin, and engaged him, “A pity.” He said shortly and folded his arms. “I must confess old friend, I hoped to see how your daughter reacts in company. I am intrigued to how other noblewomen act; my own niece is unruly and I hoped you could offer me advice on how to ensure she obeys and respects me.” The words rasped off her tongue and he gave a small smile, Caitrin had her mothers spirit as Rouland’s brother had no end of trouble keeping her under his thumb and had never mastered it even by the day she died.

Rouland studied Romily and paused, she was certainly beautiful like her mother, but not nearly handsome enough to tempt him. “She does indeed.” He barely remembered Jayne but he was going to be polite anyway because he remembered that Jayne was beautiful and so was her offspring. “I have been told on many occasions that my son looks similar to me, but alas, I cannot show you.”

[Romily de Braose]

“It is a welcomed change to my own home Lady Romily. “The peace for one is most pleasing.”

Romily smiled. Perhaps Lord Rouland had some very wayward children who drove him mad. Either way he seemed genuinely pleased for the company. “Well then you shall have lots of that around here – given where the house is that is my lord” she replied.

Trust her father to excuse her. She wasn’t ill at all. Lord Rouland seemed to want her company too as he was now expressing how he’d like to see how she acted when there was company. Apparently his niece was ‘unruly’ in his words. That explained why he’d said it was peaceful.

She looked from Rouland and to her father who sighed. “Very well – im sure Romily would be delighted.” Durwin gave in, “However I must admit that conversation with my daughter will be a little dull – she is not as well conversed as other ladies of her rank should be, given the fact that most of the time she is unable to attend gatherings due to her poor health.”

Romily felt her father nudge her discreetly and nodded. “Yes…” she had to agree with him and looked at the floor. “I apologise in advance my lord”. This was well rehearsed so it seemed, and she could tell that Rouland was no fool.

As for the question about her looking like her mother, Romily gave a small laugh. “Come now father – I expect Lord Rouland cannot even remember her.”
Her father leant into her ear. “Don’t be so disobedient girl, otherwise I’ll have you locked in that room of yours for a week – now act as a young lady should and escort lord Rouland into the solar”.

Romily nodded and Durwin turned to his friend. “My daughter shall escort you to the solar. I just need to check with my servant that everything is in order and then we shall let our evening commence.”

With that he pushed Romily forward towards Rouland. She looked from the floor to him awkwardly. “If you would like to follow me my lord” she told him quietly, and led the way to the solar.

[Rouland de Archer]

As Rouland considered his friends daughter he could little help but comparing her to his niece. A few years ago, with only a son in his household he probably would have not given the girl a second glance. Now however, he found himself intrigued by her ways and her courteous replies. He knew Caitrin conversed with nobles at his household not for her own pleasure but for her Uncle’s. It was one of the few duties that Caitrin did oblige in. Rouland was glad that Romily seemed in good order, no doubt it would one day win her a husband of equal ranking and she could have a child a year and be all the more happy for it. He sniffed back; he respected women, but sometimes they needed to know their place in the world. That didn’t mean he loved his wife or niece any less, it just meant it irrigated him when his niece acted more like his brother or son than his ward.

“My home is out of the way as well Lady Romily,” Rouland answered, “However, even with two women one finds that a headache is never more than a stones throw away.” He smiled, but it wasn’t friendly, it was one of amusement. Rouland had no time for the idle chat of women.

Rouland turned his attentions back to his friend, “Perhaps that is where I have gone wrong. My niece, Lady Caitrin, is perhaps too in society for her own good.” Rouland noticed Durwin’s daughter was a lot more quiet with her response to him, but he considered it no further than noticing it, “You should not apoligise for it.” He said sternly, “For the lack of society has probably turned you into a more dutiful daughter than my Lord Durwin could ever have hoped for.” He raised his eye brows, crossing to his friend, “At least I assume this is the case?”

Rouland crumpled his nose up as Romily decided that he could not even remember her mother. He thought it a bold move on the young ladies part, most would just politely either ignore the comment or move the conversation along. He felt like she was letting her personality through the dutiful daughter act she was dancing along to at the moment.

As Romily escorted him to the solar he was able to take in the splendour of Durwin’s household. It showed that he was a man of middle standings, much like Rouland. Rouland prided himself that his home was possibly slightly larger then Durwin’s, but what were a few rooms between friends? He then considered Romily. She was certainly outwardly dutiful, but she did not blush or was as slow to speak as daughters from other households he had come across. He considered her to be much like his own ward, but perhaps kept under the thumb a little better. Rouland made a mental note to ask Durwin for tips.

“Thank you Lady Romily.” He said dutifully, setting himself down in the grandeur of the room and smiled. “Well this is cosy isn’t it?” He asked, “Could you instruct your servants to send forth some wine?”

[Romily de Braose]

Romily raised her chin slightly at Roulands reply. “My home is out of the way as well Lady Romily, However, even with two women one finds that a headache is never more than a stones throw away.” How dare he!

“I suppose that you prefer the lack of conversation then?” she answered, hearing her father growl slightly behind her. “Romily”. She ignored this. “I can certainly provide you with just that as my father stated my lord”.

Durwin of course, stepped in at that very moment. “See what I mean my friend – you must forgive my daughter of her outspoken views” he told her and then said to Rouland quietly, “between you and me this will never get her a husband”. A small sigh escaped him.

“You should not apologise for it. For the lack of society has probably turned you into a more dutiful daughter than my Lord Durwin could ever have hoped for. At least I assume this is the case?”
Romily narrowed her eyes at this comment. “Dutiful or not, I have my opinions my lord and make them known when I feel it is necessary. I wouldn’t take it personally – besides, I have not been in society enough to know whether ‘this is the case’ that you speak of”

“Romily” her father said with a warning in his voice and grabbed hold of her wrist tightly. “Do not listen to the girl my friend – it is an unfortunate trait that she had inherited from my late wife.” He explained and nudged Romily again. “Go”.

She led him to the solar and walked in behind him. He was taking in the décor with approval. “Well this is cosy isn’t it?” What exactly was he implying?

“I apologise if you are used to something grander my lord. I did instruct the servants to make it as welcoming as possible”

“Could you instruct your servants to send forth some wine?”

“They are bringing it as we speak my lord” Romily replied, “our servants know when to comply to the needs of visitors” she told him as a servant carried in a tray and set it down on the table. “Please do be seated” she gestured to one of the chairs, “I very much doubt that my father will be long, he likes to make sure that everything is running smoothly”.

How was she going to survive a whole evening with a man such as this. “You mentioned you had a niece and a son?” time to start some conversation even if he wasn’t in the mood, “it’s times when I wish that my brother Thomas had survived childbirth – perhaps this would’ve raised my fathers spirits when my mother died” she admitted.
Had Thomas had survived then she wouldn’t be sitting here now – she’d be leaving her younger brother to make conversation and be the apple of her father’s eye.

[Rouland de Archer]

Rouland frowned at Romily’s answer to him. She was sharp tongued he could gather that much; he had known his friend Durwin long enough to know that that kind of behaviour must grind against him. Durwin had the temper which Rouland had been deprived of. Rouland could take Caitrin’s teases and babble for hours, Durwin would probably last moments with her, and he suspected his daughter would quickly irritate him. “Not so much a lack of conversation my Lady, but a conversation with a lack of things to say.” He grinned, hoping she caught his meaning. “I find the topics the women in my household choose are, how would you put it nicely, uninteresting at the best of times.” Rouland had no interest in the latest piece of silk that the peddlers were preaching down at the markets, nor whose bastard child had been born to which wench.

Rouland smirked at his friend, the topic of marriage always went hand in hand with daughters and womenfolk on the whole. He nodded in agreement; a sharp tongue did women no good in the pursuit of marriage, especially if it was to a high up noble. He scratched his nose, looking Romily up and down, “Perhaps Lady Romily, and my niece Lady Caitrin can grow as old maids together.” He said thoughtfully, “For with her temper she will never come within an inch of marriage.” Rouland turned to Durwin, “More and more women in my life seem to have similar traits.” He looked at Romily before turning back to her father, “Perhaps it is a result of exposure to me Durwin.” He laughed, clapping his friend on the shoulder and continued towards the solar with Romily.

Rouland could see nothing wrong with the solar, it wasn’t amazing, but it was comfortable and practical. Although Rouland was always one for the finer things in life he would never show his snobby behaviour to such a close friend. He shrugged to Romily, “The surroundings make no difference to the quality of conversation my Lady.” He took a seat as instructed, realising then how tired he actually was. He had been riding for the majority of the last few days as if he had been fleeing the scene of a crime. Although that wasn’t true, it certainly felt like he was escaping his life for a few days. Out here he was free of the burdens being a feudal lord had with it.

Rouland understood the pain his friend had when his wife had lost his son. It was hard on men to lose the only heir to their estate and instead be presented with a daughter. “I do indeed Lady Romily, your observational skills precede you.” As he finished his words a servant bustled in, and Rouland was handed a goblet of wine. Gratefully he took it and took a swig, then continuing his statement, “But you will always hear me speak more of my niece than son Lady Romily.” Rouland could not deny that a son would have indeed raised Durwin’s spirits through the clouds, but that was depressing conversation so early in the evening, “A son is the apple of his fathers eye.” He said thoughtfully, looking at his reflection in the goblet, “Daughters are important as well, perhaps Durwin will find you a husband to take over his lands?” He suggested, knowing full well Durwin would have to engage in these plans because there was no other alternative.

[Romily de Braose]

“Perhaps Lady Romily, and my niece Lady Caitrin can grow as old maids together. For with her temper she will never come within an inch of marriage.”

Romily glared at Rouland, “then it’s just as well that I am not interested in marrying my lord”. She couldn’t help it, and she didn’t care what her father said. Rouland was irritating her already, “I don’t see why our only goal in life is to be married off to some Duke or Knight as soon as possible – women are far more skilled in other areas than just baring children.” Again these were strong words, but they rang clear and true.

Once the servant had left the solar, Rouland was once again musing. “The surroundings make no difference to the quality of conversation my Lady.”

“I didn’t say that they would my lord” she replied sweetly. She’d much rather be upstairs in bed and feigning a headache rather than having to entertain a man with a snooty attitude towards her. “Although you do not have to make any conversation with me at all should you wish.”

Then came the subject of his son and niece. This Caitrin sounded like a headstrong woman with the same kind of opinions that Romily seemed to have. It was a shame that she wasn’t here with her uncle now. Perhaps conversation may have been more interesting. “A son is the apple of his fathers eye.” Rouland was saying as he was studying himself in the goblet. “He is indeed my lord, and I suppose yours is the apple of your eye too?”
Romily really couldn’t see Rouland as a father, so it had come as a surprise when he’d mentioned his son earlier on. “My father never re married and I always wondered why – after all a second marriage could have gained him a son, but unfortunately none of those things have come to pass.”

“Daughters are important as well, perhaps Durwin will find you a husband to take over his lands?” Rouland now put in. Romily couldn’t help but laugh at this, “My father keeps me away from social gatherings, including ones that are as small as this, so I doubt that I shall ever marry, not that I want to anyway. I am content with my life as it is now”.

Romily stood up and crossed the room to where the tray had been placed earlier. She took the jug and bustled over to Rouland, “another drink my lord?” she asked.
Where was her father?! And what was he playing at?!

[Rouland de Archer]

Why was it, wherever he went, Rouland managed to surround himself with headstrong stubborn females? He would say it was in his personality or good looks, but he was pretty sure it was just bad luck on his part. For instance, his wife was always giving him a headache and he had expected his niece to listen to him and be dutiful. However, she often gave his wife a run for her money where annoying him was concerned.

“What else would you have women do Lady Romily?” He challenged, he’d learnt from his niece that poking fun at peoples anger was the wrong thing to do. He’d had a bruise from the first time he had done that to Caitrin for weeks and would probably never live it down, “Perhaps you would have them protect us as Knights? Or become Lords of the Manor?” He lazily drew some wine from his cup and waited for her reply, it should be amusing at best.

He leant forwards towards Romily and gave a short chuckle at her. The clever woman was twisting his words. She was certainly stubborn, but he had no problem with that, after all, it just felt like he was at home. “You misunderstand me Lady Romily, I am quite enjoying our conversation.” He grinned at her and once again leant back in his seat, “But if you are not do not hesitate to tell me for I shall endeavour to turn the conversation to something more appealing to you. Perhaps we could speak of dress making, or some such?”

Rouland was now more glad that he had left his niece at home than ever before. If Lady Romily thought she could give him a roasting it was nothing compared to what his niece was capable of. If he topped her impressive rants and temper he would be surprised, heck he might even treat her with some respect. He mulled over her words, was Dristan really the apple of his eyes? In truth he thought the man a fool, not in the same way his niece was a fool. Dristan had his head in the clouds and the thing which ailed Rouland most was the thought that Dristan would inherit his lands, no doubt they would be in ruin within the week of his death. No, perhaps Caitrin should inherit, it was unconventional but who was to say Dristan would even return from his travels to claim his inheritance, and Rouland would be damned if he was about to let his lands fall into Uther’s greedy hands. “We have a different relationship.” Rouland said shortly, “Our opinions differ too much for me to consider him in any favourable light.” That was all he was giving her, he of course loved Dristan unconditionally, but further than that he would not say. He nodded slowly as she mentioned her father did not marry again, he had always wondered at that but he had thought it best not to question his friend, after all, Rouland would probably not take another wife after the headaches marriage had saddled him with.

Rouland was unsure why she laughed but was unfazed by both that and her words, “I am certain my friend will find you a husband.” He said quickly, “I myself am on the hunt for a suitor for my niece’s hand, all women of standing must marry at some stage Lady Romily.”

How could Rouland refuse her offer? Wine given out by a beautiful face, it was like he had temporarily died and gone to heaven, “One thing you will learn about me Lady Romily, I never say no to a goblet of wine.”

[/blockquote]

[Romily de Braose]

The conversation about the roles of women was becoming intense. She’d hit a nerve with Rouland. “I would have women choose to do as they wish” she told him, “travel where they wish, learn the art of defence should they wish to – when you are of nobility then of course you are asking to be robbed if out alone”. Yes. That would shake him up. “We ladies are our own ‘lords of the manor’ as you so graciously put it earlier. We deal with household management; we are the ones who decide of the furnishings and whatnot. It would be nice if we were recognised for that once in a while”

Romily – 1 , Rouland – 0

Romily sat and listened intently as Rouland spoke of his son. They obviously were not like two peas in a pod then. She wondered whether Thomas and her father would have been alike, had her brother-survived birth. Then again Romily wondered if she herself would’ve been a different person. For a start she would have been married off by now.
Rouland seemed to have high hopes that her father was going to marry her off soon enough anyway.

“He wants to marry me off and yet he will not let a man near me” she admitted, “it is most peculiar, and there is only so many evenings of embroidery that I can handle my lord” she smirked, “I am fed up with doing the same things whenever my father has to attend court or dine here with visiting nobles”.

“I myself am on the hunt for a suitor for my niece’s hand, all women of standing must marry at some stage Lady Romily.”

Romily wondered whether Rouland’s niece actually knew about this. If he was anything like her father then perhaps not. “If your niece is as headstrong as you make her out to be, then how do you expect to marry her off my lord?” she mused, “because surely you shall never hear the end of it”. She took a small sip of wine, before handing Rouland his. “One thing you will learn about me Lady Romily, I never say no to a goblet of wine.”

“Good” Romily smiled, “Because in times like this…neither do I” she gave him a look over the rim of her goblet and took another sip. Placing the goblet on the table next to her, she put her hands in her lap and looked across at Rouland who seemed quite at home. “Your wife did not wish to accompany you?” she asked. It wouldn’t surprise her if Rouland’s wife hadn’t wanted to come anyway.

[Rouland de Archer]

Rouland watched Romily carefully, lord, how had he managed to find someone so like his niece when the whole point of coming here on his own was to escape both her and his wife. He didn’t let Romily’s words faze him at all, he had heard them all before just from different lips. No, this woman would certainly not get the best of him at all. He pressed his lips together, his goblet still in his hand, “I should remember to keep you away from my niece Lady Romily, as she shares your views.” He furrowed his brows and he took a swig of wine, “And she hardly needs more encouragement.” He smirked, but Romily obviously thought he was less modern than he actually was. He often let his niece, Caitrin, ride out to wherever she wished, and of course he still let her practice her archery. “But tell me, how would you expect to be able to manage a household so… perfectly if you were training in defence and travelling to wherever you wanted to? For that is the reason men cannot run a household; you cannot have it all.”

Although Romily’s wonder about the fact that her father would not let a man near her sounded perculiar to her, it sounded reasonable to Rouland. Sometimes it was easier to throw a couple into the deep end where an arranged marriage was concerned. If you allowed the couple too much time together there was too much room for disagreements to begin, and after that it was even more of a nightmare to shove them both up the aisle. Rouland pressed his lips together, he was sure his friend would marry his daughter off to great advantage when the time was right, he needed to for the advancement of his family, “I am sure your father has your best interests at heart. After all Lady Romily, you will need a strong husband to step into your fathers shoes.” It was true of course, husbands were needed because women could not inherit property by themselves unless specified in a will; which hardly ever happened. Romily would need a husband, to keep her in line more than anything.

Romily’s words rung true, and it was something that Rouland had often considered when he had looked at suitors for Caitrin’s hand. The girl had made it quite clear she would marry who she wanted and when she wanted. However, that meant that Rouland just needed a change of tactics, to dangle a man in front of Caitrin’s face and wait to see if she liked him or not, before the thought of marriage was even mentioned. And if that didn’t work, and if Caitrin did choose a man of standing then he could always lie to her father and tell him that it was an arranged marriage after all. “Unfortunately, Caitrin will do as she wills, but I’m sure she would not deny the advancement of her family.” He didn’t believe his own words, but he didn’t want Romily to think that he wasn’t going to just sell his niece off to the highest bidder; that might give Romily ideas and he was sure her father wouldn’t thank him for it.

Rouland was pleased somewhat that Romily was joining him with a goblet of wine because solitary drinking was dull and made him look like an alcoholic. He shook his head at her question, “I am sure she would have liked to join me, but I confess I wanted some time away from my wife and niece.” He gave a small sort of smile, “My niece particularly wanted to accompany me, but I thought she should use this opportunity to show me she can conduct a household.”

[/blockquote]