“How so?” Edna placed her cape on the edge of the bed.
Angus moved away from the fire and sat on the bed. “I happened to see Robert and Emilie together.”
“Oh.” Edna’s brow furrowed with concern. If Marie found out about this she would be angry, and it was well known that she could be unpredictable.
“If they had been seen it would have been a disaster,” Angus said, echoing Edna’s thoughts.
“So true. I will have to speak with Emilie about that.”
“Especially since Matteo was headed straight towards them. If I hadnae been there, he would have seen them together.”
“So ye distracted him.” Edna was relieved.
“I did. He wanted the company, so I walked with him and he spoke to me about the betrothal.”
The pause in the conversation went on a little longer than Edna liked. She wasn’t sure Angus planned to continue and her impatience was showing. “Well, are ye going to tell me what he said?”
“Sorry, love. I was just thinking. Unfortunately, it seems he’s warming to the idea of marriage to Emilie. He’s looking forward to adding her dowry to his coffers.”
“So it’s the money he’s interested in,” Edna said, feeling somewhat vindicated. She knew there had to be a reason Matteo had agreed to this marriage.
“It’s certainly no’ Emilie. If he could have the money without the wife, he’d happily take it,” Angus confirmed.
“If only we had enough money to give him so he’d go back home without her,” Edna grumbled. “Short of that, I would have to use me magic, but getting Matteo alone could be a challenge and ye ken that it could be dangerous for us if I was found out.”
“Ye must be careful, but how can we overcome the situation without it?” Angus wondered.
“I doona ken. I’m trying to understand the motivations of all those involved and it’s no’ looking good.” Edna stood in front of the fire, feeling a sudden chill. “I spoke with Marie today and she is adamant about the wedding for all the reasons that we’ve learned.” She rattled off the list, using her fingers to address each one. “Robert is a soldier. He’s no’ in the same social caste. Marriage is a business contract. Nae love necessary. She really has nae care for the fact that Emilie is a young woman who needs to be loved and Matteo is an old man who, as ye learned today, only cares about what Emilie’s dowry will bring to the marriage. It’s infuriating.”
“I can see the steam coming from yer ears,” Angus chuckled.
“It’s no’ funny, Angus. How am I to do what I came here for if I get nae cooperation from the powers that be?” She turned to look at him, throwing her arms in the air in frustration.
“Come here, me love.” Angus held his arms out to her. “Perhaps a night in the arms of the man who adores ye above all else will help.”
Edna happily went to him and was immediately engulfed in his embrace. They shared slow, intense kisses, each one becoming more and more fiery.
Angus pulled Edna down on the bed next to him. “Tomorrow we’ll solve the problems of the world. Tonight is ours.”
Edna needed no coaxing. She cleared her mind and allowed Angus to work his magic.
7
At court the next morning, Edna sought out Emilie, who was with Marie and the other ladies-of-the-court.
“May we have a word?” Edna whispered to her, tapping her on the shoulder.
Emilie acknowledged Edna and then looked to Marie who was busy with her dressmaker. She nodded and followed Edna out of the room. “What is it?”
They walked down a long ornate corridor with high ceilings and painted murals, but Edna was too concerned about Emilie to admire any of the beautiful things they passed.
“I hear ye met with Robert yesterday,” Edna said.
“I did.” Emilie’s mood was hard to decipher. She didn’t have the usual lilt to her voice when Robert was the topic. “How did you know?”
“I have me ways. It dinna go well, did it?” Edna asked.
“No. He told me we have no future. That we should not meet again.” Emilie seemed a mixture of sad, angry and resigned as she spoke.
