“Auntie, I think I’m losing me connection here. I can’t wait to see ye and Uncle! I love ye both.”
“Goodbye, dear. We’ll see ye soon.”
Maggie’s face faded into the fire. Edna reluctantly stood and walked to the window. Angus joined her, standing at her shoulder as she looked out on the small courtyard below.
“Did yer chat with Maggie help?” Angus asked.
“Ye heard what she said. Someone is being deceitful.”
“If I had to guess, there are only two people it could be. Marie or Concini.”
“Me thoughts exactly. What would they have to gain though? Arranging a marriage for a girl with nae dowry is kind-hearted, but I doona think either of those two would be doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.” She glanced out to the street. It was dark and quiet. “Emilie kens naething at all about the dowry. It’s apparent nae one has said anything to her.”
Angus rubbed Edna’s shoulders as he spoke. “Matteo’s in the dark as well. He hasnae heard anything at all. He asked me to join him in the morning to speak with Marie about it.”
“That should be an interesting meeting, doona ye think?”
“I’m sure it will be. He has already told me that if there is nae dowry there will be nae wedding.”
“That’s a good thing. I guess we should pray there is none. Although Emilie is still behaving verra strangely. It’s as though she is marrying Matteo out of a sense of duty nae matter what happens. I got the impression that if there was nae dowry it would be a disappointment to her.”
“She is only interested is fulfilling her father’s wishes. I can understand that, especially since it was his last wish.”
“Ye’re right. The poor lass has been through so much of late. It’s nae wonder she feels her world has gone all topsy-turvy.” She had sympathy for Emilie. She really did, but Edna wasn’t about to let Emilie’s doubts derail her. “She called us here with her heartfelt wish on the moon and now she’s behaving like the idea that I want to see her and Robert together is a ridiculous one. My job is to fix things, but I need a little cooperation from Emilie.”
“It will all come to a head soon enough.” Angus once again remained cool and calm in the face of Edna’s rising irritation.
“I can only do so much without spelling her and I really doona want to do that. I think the dowry thing will take care of half of the issue.” She thumped her lower lip with her index finger as she thought.
Angus took her hand stopping her. “Listen to me. Maybe once she realizes Matteo willnae marry her, she’ll come out of this grief-driven melancholy she’s been in.”
“I hope so. Otherwise, I’ll be heading back to the Council of Witches as a failure, and on me first job.” Edna let out a deep sigh as her shoulders slumped.
Angus tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. “Edna, love, ye have never failed anyone in need of yer help. Ye willnae fail this time.” He pulled Edna into his arms, wrapping her in a warm hug. “Ye worry too much.”
“I ken I do, but it’s so obvious that Robert and Emilie should be together. It would be unimaginable if things dinna work out for them.”
“We’ll ken soon enough.” Angus kissed the tip of her nose and Edna nestled into his arms.
“That’s what scares me. I was hoping to have more time, but now everything is moving full steam ahead.”
“That it is, me love. That it is.” He rested his chin atop her head.
“I’m mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted.” She allowed Angus to guide her across the room.
“Come then. Let’s get ye into bed. Would ye want some tea?” Angus asked as he helped her out of her dress.
“Nae thank ye. I just need some sleep. My head is going to need to be clear for tomorrow.” Edna slipped a shift over her head and climbed into bed.
“Did ye see Robert today?” Angus asked, tucking her in.
“Nae. I dinna.” Edna rested her weary head on her pillow, closing her eyes.
“Neither did I,” Angus said, climbing into the bed beside her, blowing out the bedside candle.
“I wonder where he was.”
“I thought I heard one of Louis’ servants say something about hunting.” He rolled to face Edna, placing a protective arm across her waist.
