She started to walk away but she heard him laughing low behind her. Puzzled, she turned to look at him; she had never truly heard him laugh and her heart jumped crazily at his smile. He had the most beautiful smile she had ever seen and she suddenly realized she wasn’t the only one who thought so. That is, if the woman he had loved previously loved him in return.
Irritation and uncertainty swept her. “Why are you laughing at me?” she demanded.
He continued to snicker, closing the distance between them. “Because you are jealous and I find it amusing. No one had ever been jealous on my behalf and I am flattered.”
“Do not be,” she turned swiftly and marched into the castle.
He watched her go with a smile still playing on his lips. “Oh, Remi, do not you know who it is I love?”
*
Mari-Elle was waitingdutifully in the solar when her husband joined her nearly an hour later. Truthfully, she was fuming that he had kept her waiting so long, but acted nothing but the proper wife.
“My lord, how kind of you to break off from your duties for me,” she said. “Would you care for some bread and cheese? You missed the evening meal and….”
He put up a sharp hand to cut her off as he moved into the room. “Stop prattling, madam. I have no desire to eat,” he stopped in front of her and braced his legs apart, crossing his massive arms. “We have several serious matters to discuss and I would begin. Firstly, why are you even here?”
Slammed, Mari-Elle sat quickly in the nearest chair and folded her thin hands. “I…I missed you, my lord. We have been apart for so long that I longed to see you.”
His brow furrowed. “Youmissedme? Please, Mari-Elle, if you are going to make excuses, then try to think of believable ones. I want the truth, madam. Why are you here?”
“I told you the truth,” she insisted. “My lord, I have had ample time to think on my life and I realize how I have grievously wronged you,” she looked down at her hands pathetically. “I have been a terrible wife, I know, and I have prayed seriously on the fact. I wish to make amends, Gaston. I want to be a true wife to you.”
He had known her far too long to believe anything she said. “’Tis too late for that,” he said coldly. “You ruined your chances thirteen years ago.”
He went instantly wary when tears appeared in her eyes. “Can you not forgive me, my lord? I was young and foolish and knew naught the treasure I had in you. I am so proud of you and your reputation, my lord. As is Trenton.”
He found himself angry that she had pulled his son into this. “Trenton is naught to do with you, madam. You birthed the lad and for that I shall always be grateful, but you are no more a mother to him than I am a father. Yet to my son, I will make amends. But not with you.”
Her hand flew to her face and the tears started. “Why must you be so cruel when I am trying to apologize for my sins?”
“Confess your sins to God, madam, for he is the only one who cares. I do not. Furthermore, you will gather your householdtogether and leave Mt. Holyoak no later than the day after tomorrow,” he raised a stern eyebrow at her. “Is that clear? You are not welcome here at my keep.”
“But I am your wife,” she suddenly shot back, much more like the Mari-Elle he knew. “How can you disregard me like rubbish?”
“Easily,” he responded. “Since you treat me the same way. You will return to Clearwell and you will stay there, for I am giving it to you.”
She was preparing to hotly respond when his last words suddenly caught her attention. “Give it to me? What are you saying?”
“Just that,” he said. “I will give you the title to Clearwell and three-quarters of my wealth.”
She stared at him, wondering what in the world was going on with the man. Had he suddenly lost his mind? Clearwell was worth an enormous amount, and with the added gift of wealth, the numbers were staggering. She swallowed, her tears vanishing.
“Why would you do this?” she asked in a hoarse whisper. “I do not understand.”
For the first time, he uncrossed his arms and moved to the chair opposite her, feeling the heat from near the hearth. He watched the flames for a moment.
“Mari-Elle, we have never had a marriage. It has been a contractual obligation,” his voice was quiet. “My father and your father betrothed us when we were six years old and we had met only three times before a priest joined us in matrimony. The only thing of value that has resulted from this union is Trenton. The rest I have tried sorely to ignore.”
She watched his face, thinking him terribly handsome but far too large for her taste. He met her gaze. “Are you happy?” he asked.
“Happy?” she repeated as if the concept had never occurred to her. “I…I suppose so.”
“Then that is another way in where you and I are different,” he said. “I am tired of living this life, Mari-Elle, and I am tired of hating and resenting you. I want out.”
“Out? What do you mean?” she asked in alarm.
“I want to end our marriage,” he answered calmly. “I will leave you well supported and you will want for nothing, and all I ask is that you agree to an annulment. I will walk away with Trenton and one-quarter of my wealth. You will get everything else.”
