“Robert, I’ll share something with ye, but ye must promise me on yer honor that ye willnae tell a soul. Can I count on ye?” He looked him directly in the eye.
“Of course. I’ll no’ say a word.”
Angus took in a deep breath and letting it go, knew what he had to do. “This is going to sound unbelievable, but Edna and I are from a different time, in the future. Emilie made a wish on the moon and we were tasked with coming here to help make that wish come true.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed as he furrowed his brow. Angus waited for him to fully understand what he’d just said before he would continue.
“Is it true?” Robert backed away from him. A brief flash of fear appeared on his face. He took a moment, eyeing Angus the whole time.
Angus waited, hoping Robert would make the decision to believe him. If he didn’t, it could spell disaster for all of them. It took a few moments, but the fear faded from his face, replaced with curiosity and just a bit of hope. “Doona be afraid. It is true. It is why we are here. Now, do ye trust me and can I trust ye to keep this secret?”
“Aye. ’Tis the strangest story I’ve ever heard. I trust that ye would no’ lie to me.”
“Good. Now ’tis best for all involved to let Edna do her work. She will try to fix this first without using magic, but if she can no’ it will be employed.”
Robert’s confusion was obvious as his brows scrunched and his eye twitched. “Why would she do this for us? I doona understand.”
Angus hurried to alleviate Robert’s discomfiture. “If ye ken anything at all about me wife, ye’d ken that she will do anything for love. She has matched many couples over the years and now it is yer turn.”
A relieved smile broke out on Robert’s face. “Ialmostbelieve ye and I am grateful for the help. Is there anything I must do?”
“I believe it would be best to stay away from each other. We doona need to raise suspicion at this point. Ye are lucky ye were no’ caught today.”
“It will be difficult to do, but I ken meeting her today put us both in danger. It willnae happen again.” Robert looked up at the sky, as if he were looking for answers. Then shaking his head in disbelief asked, “Yer wife is a witch?”
“Shhh… Doona speak of it.” Angus glanced around to make sure no one was nearby.
Robert held his hands up in what seemed an effort to calm Angus. “Sorry. I’ll no’ say it again.”
“Thank ye. I’m no’ sure I was to tell ye what I did. Edna may be angry with me.”
“I pray she is no’. Ye are a good man and have only done what was necessary.”
“I think so and ye think so, but Edna may have had other plans.” He thought he had information to share with her before, but this information would be vital. “Doona worry. Go about yer day. All will be well.”
“Thank ye for yer honesty, Angus. I will tell nae one.” He smiled again. “My heart is lighter now and the pain has left me.”
Angus watched as he walked away. He was happy to have given him hope. Now it was up to Edna to fulfill their dreams of being together.
* * *
That nightthere was another reception at the palace. This time it was for some traveling dignitaries who’d arrived from Rome. Edna and Angus had been invited to attend. In the short time they’d been at Tuileries, they’d become a part of the court, which Edna was grateful for. Being close to Emilie and Robert made her job a little easier. She’d forgiven Angus for telling Robert, even though she wasn’t actually angry with him. It had been perfectly all right for him to do so. She might have even done it herself sooner or later.
The ballroom was brightly lit by chandeliers glowing with candles high above their heads and tall candelabra set about the room. Experiencing history in this way was so much better than reading about it in books.
Concino Concini seemed to be well acquainted with the evening’s special guests. He paraded them around the room introducing them to the comtes, viscomtes, dukes and barons who were in attendance. He bypassed Edna and Angus, which was not surprising. It was clear since their arrival that he looked on them as his inferiors and felt no need to be bothered even speaking with them. Edna’s intuition told her he was up to no good. She got an uncomfortable feeling every time he was around. From what she’d witnessed, he seemed to delight in causing trouble. Being Marie’s favorite elevated him in the eyes of almost everyone at court and so he seemed to always let it be known that he was quite important. Yes, he was up to something and Edna was determined to find out what.
“Good evening,” Matteo Barbieri greeted them. Unlike Concini he appeared to enjoy Angus’ company and made a point of chatting with him whenever he saw him.
“Good evening, Matteo. Are ye enjoying yerself?” Angus asked.
He made a face that bordered on a mixture of irritation and disgust. “I don’t enjoy these receptions, but I will do my best to seem pleased to be here.”
“Ye’re doing a verra good job,” Edna said.
“Madame Campbell. It is a pleasure to see you.” Matteo bowed slightly in her direction.
“And ye,” she replied. “Where is Emilie?”
