Remington, although still weak, attended the funeral. Dane, Trenton, Rory, Jasmine, Skye, and Charles stood silently as the priest from Boroughbridge performed the mass and lay to rest the woman’s evil soul.
Remington kept glancing at Trenton as he stood beside the casket, wondering if he still blamed her for his mother’s death. She hoped not; she would certainly like to befriend the boy and did not want his hatred preventing it. Moreover, she was to be his stepmother someday and she did not want to spend the rest of her life dealing with her bitter stepson.
Dane stood next to his friend as the priest threw symbolic dirt over the grave and intoned the words concluding the ceremony. Sir Roald was one of the four knights Gaston had leftbehind in charge of Mt. Holyoak, and he moved forward out of the shadows with a few others to lower the casket into the grave.
Remington watched the knight who almost died protecting her. His chest wound was recovering slowly, sapping his strength, and he moved sluggishly these days. He smiled pleasantly at Remington as he moved about his duties, yet she couldn’t help but feel guilty that she had caused his pain.
The funeral disbanded, two of the knights already barking orders to Mari-Elle’s household to prepare to depart. Their wagons were packed and waiting for them in the outer bailey and Remington knew Gaston had left explicit orders to rid Mt. Holyoak of his dead wife’s staff as soon as the funeral was concluded. She watched the sobbing ladies and servants make their way back toward the keep under the watchful eye of Gaston’s knights.
Trenton was still standing over the grave, watching Sir Roald and the other men bury his mother. Dane was trying to lead his friend away, but the boy wasn’t listening. Taking a deep breath for courage, Remington stepped forward.
“Trenton,” she said gently. “The cook has made some wonderful berry tarts, just for you. Would you like to go inside and have one?”
He blinked at the grave before turning to look at her. Gaston’s eyes gazed back. “I am… I am not hungry. Mayhap later.”
She was greatly relieved that he did not lash out at her from the first. “I understand. But it is terribly warm already. Why do not you and Dane go swimming? You can play sea battles.”
Trenton was still looking at her and she could see the inner workings of his young mind. “Are you going to marry my father now?”
She choked on her tongue. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Sir Roald paying attention to the conversation.
“Nay, Trenton, not now,” she said; it was, after all, the truth. She wasn’t going to marry him this very second. Quickly, she looked to her son. “Dane, take Trenton and have the cook pack you some food before you go swimming. Charles, why do not you go as well?”
Charles was lingering a few feet away. He moved forward, standing behind his young cousin. “I’d like that. It’s too hot in the tower anyway.”
Trenton turned to look at the young man. He’d seen him only twice and observed him openly. “Why do you stay in the tower? Are you being punished?”
Charles smiled. “Nay. ’Tis my laboratory where I perform experiments and feats of learning.”
Trenton’s eyes widened slightly; it was the first emotion he had shown. “What kind of experiments?”
“Great stuff,” Dane exclaimed. “We can make things explode.”
Life came back into Trenton’s face. “Really? Can I see?”
Charles glanced at Remington, who nodded thankfully. Motioning the boys with him, they headed back toward the keep.
Her sisters joined Remington on the walk back. Oleg and Eudora were several paces behind, walking Mary between them and Jasmine kept turning around to smile at her daughter.
“She’s so beautiful,” she gushed quietly.
Remington glanced at Mary, then to her mother. She had never seen Jasmine so happy or radiant. They all knew of Antonius’ unconditional acceptance of the child and his intent to marry Jasmine. It was only rumor, though, for he had yet to formally ask for her hand. That was most likely because he would have to ask Gaston, and Gaston had already promised to be hard on his knight. He was jesting, of course, but Antonius still had yet to work up the nerve.
The same went for the other two knights who had formed a fondness for the remaining Halsey sisters. Patrick and Rory were inseparable, and Skye worshipped Nicolas. Gaston felt the talk of marriage between the younger sisters and his knights was premature, but Remington disagreed.
“When do you think they’ll return?” Skye asked as they mounted the hill.
“Gaston seemed to think it would not be long,” Remington said. “Mayhap today or tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” Skye said wistfully.
Remington and Jasmine smiled at each other, hearing the longing in their sister’s voice. Only Rory kept her mouth shut.
“What about you, Rory?” Remington asked with a teasing smile. “Do not you miss Patrick?”
Rory turned her face away. “No.”
The other three sisters burst out giggling. “There is no harm in admitting you miss him,” Jasmine insisted. “He’s a fine, gentle knight. Not to mention that he is most beautiful with black hair and green eyes.”
