Remington shifted slightly, wincing with the pain. “What’s wrong, Jasmine?”
“Wrong? What do you mean?” Jasmine said. “I mean that you are not usually this solicitous,” Remington said plainly. “What are you thinking, sweetheart? Are you afraid because you heard that Gaston killed his wife?”
“Nay,” Jasmine insisted. “If he did, she deserved it for what she did to you and I applaud him. Antonius said he should have killed her long ago for the shame she brought him.”
Remington realized then that Gaston’s secrets were not merely between them. His knights knew of Mari-Elle’s indiscretions and she was not surprised that Jasmine had been told.
“Do not….do not repeat to anyone what you have been told, Jassy,” she said softly. “Gaston is a proud man and what his wife did humiliated him terribly. He hated her a great deal.”
“So did the knights,” Jasmine sniffed. “Just as our household hates Guy. Why couldn’t the hand of God snuff out Guy’s life the way Mari-Elle’s life was taken?”
Remington almost blurted the physical reasons as to why Guy could not have died in the same manner, but she held hertongue. “He’s out of our lives forever, Jassy. That should be sufficient.”
“I know,” Jasmine turned slowly to face her sister, her expression veiled. “Which is why…are you sure he shall never return?”
“We have Gaston’s word,” she said softly, and then added hesitantly. “And do you want to know why? He’s going to London to petition the church for an annulment to my marriage. He wants to marry me, Jasmine.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened. “Truly? Oh, Remi, is it possible? Can he do it?”
“He says he can, and I believe him,” Remington said, pleased at her sister’s happiness.
Jasmine smiled hopefully. “Then I do, too. Rory and Skye will be so happy.”
“Do not tell them, not just yet,” Remington admonished softly. “The less people who know, the better.”
Jasmine nodded, mulling over the revelation. Then it made what she was about to ask that much easier.
“Remi….since Guy will never again harm us, I….” She struggled with her words, finally deciding to come straight to the point. “I want Mary back. I want to go get her today.”
Now Remington was shocked. “Mary? Well….I see no reason why not, Jassy. But why today? Can you not wait until I am feeling better so that I may go with you? I should, you know.”
Jasmine’s face washed with great emotion and Remington was sorry she had dampened her enthusiasm. “I can’t wait another day, Remi. I want my baby back. It has been nearly two long years and I have never even seen her.”
Remington was not about to deny her, for she wanted the same thing. Mary’s second birthday was drawing close next month and she knew a day did not pass when Jasmine was not thinking of her baby. The baby Guy had sired and then forcedher to relinquish. Remington only knew she would die if Dane were taken away from her.
“Very well,” she said softly, gazing at her sister a moment. “Does Antonius know?”
Jasmine shook her head shamefully. “Nay. I have not told him. I have not had the nerve. I thought it would be better to let him see the baby and then explain.”
Remington smiled faintly. “So he has declared his intentions for you?”
Jasmine shrugged, flushing. “He tells me he cares for me.”
“Does he know about Guy?”
“Aye,” Jasmine whispered. “I told him… I had to.”
“Had to?” Remington repeated, and then suddenly understood. “He bedded you?”
Jasmine nodded. “I cried the whole time. I have never….I never knew it could be so tender, so loving. Remi, I have been raped on a daily basis since I was seventeen. I never knew the act was meant to be wonderful.”
Tears sprang to Remington’s eyes, tears of guilt and pain at what her sisters had been subjected to. She couldn’t stop what had happened and she was forever cursing her helplessness. To hear Jasmine’s confession was both wonderful and agonizing.
“Then get me up,” she said, struggling to sit. “I am going with you.”
“You cannot,” Jasmine rushed to her sister, wanting to stop her but not wanting to touch her for fear of causing her further pain. “You were almost killed last night and…”
“I was not,” Remington snapped gently, fighting to a sitting position as the world around her reeled. “I shall be fine, truly. Just….let me sit here a moment and rest. Get my wine-colored silk from the wardrobe, please.”
