“But what if Gaston had not come along? What then?”
She swallowed, feeling Gaston’s hand squeeze her gently. “Then I suppose I would still be at Mt. Holyoak with my family, praying that Guy Stoneley rots in his cell.”
Jasper wiped his nose, picked at it, still scrutinizing her. “He’s a smart man; proved it at Stoke. I know this, for I was in the battle,” he sat back in his chair, his manner somewhat less crude. “I pity you, sweetheart. I sincerely hope the church sees its way clear to grant you what you seek. If they do not, let me know and I shall kill Stoneley myself and say it was an accident. You shall have your annulment then.”
Henry smiled faintly, but Remington looked shocked. She had no idea whether or not he was jesting until Gaston stepped into the conversation.
“We shall keep that in mind, my lord,” he said.
Remington was terribly thankful for Gaston’s intervention, but she was entertaining a more embarrassing thought; did the whole court know of her beatings? How much did they know? Was her life, unfortunately, now for public display? She realized that Gaston had to reveal all of the reasons why she desired an annulment, and she had further realized that the facts and gossip had spread.
But she wasn’t surprised, truly. She had not expected less, but it did not prevent her from feeling somewhat ashamed.
The dessert dishes were cleared and the servants set out bowls of water for cleansing. The men were still conversing about something unimportant, tax tariffs from what Remington could gather when she decided to pay attention, when a soldier entered the room and saluted sharply before his king.
“Speak,” Henry commanded lazily.
“My lord, Sir Richard Guildford has arrived to the Tower,” the sergeant said crisply. “He is being shown to the Brick Tower.”
“I sent for him,” Henry mumbled to Jasper, then looked at Gaston. “Gaston, would you be so kind as to greet Guildford and bring him to me.”
Gaston rose without question, but Remington suddenly looked frightened. Her huge eyes gazed up at him and he patted her cheek gently. “You are in good company, my lady. I shall return shortly.”
“Good company, indeed,” Jasper sniffed. “Get out of here, Gaston, before I am driven to return the insult.”
The corner of Gaston’s lips twitched and he gave Remington one final wink before quitting the room behind the sergeant.
Remington couldn’t help it; she watched wistfully until the door closed, acutely aware that nearly the entire royal family was watching her. Feeling horribly alone and anxious, she forced herself to turn around and smile.
They did not smile back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Iam sorry,my lady, but there seemed to be no easy way to do this,” Henry said softly.
Remington blinked in confusion. “I do not understand, Your Grace.”
Henry stood up. On the opposite side of the room from where Gaston had just left, there was another door. The king opened it.
Two large knights and four soldiers filed in quietly and Henry beckoned the two knights to follow him. Remington watched with growing apprehension as they made a path directly to her.
“This is Lady Remington Stoneley,” Henry said quietly to the armored men. “Her items have already been loaded into the wagon and she is ready to leave. If you will be so kind as to escort her to St. Catherine’s.”
The impact of the situation slammed into Remington and her eyes widened. She sought the king’s eyes.
“I cannot say good-bye to Gaston?” she whispered.
Henry took her arm gently and pulled her to stand. “My lady, Gaston means more to me than you could possibly know and believe me when I tell you that I do not relish provoking hisanger. But I believe it best to whisk you away while he is calm and controlled, not wait until painful farewells crack him, I am afraid. Truthfully, he will have the utmost difficulty letting you go; even though he knows he must. This way, it is less painful for you both.”
She was stunned. “You tricked him into leaving?”
“I did. But I had to.”
Her mouth opened in shock, but she quickly closed it. Her whole body started to shake and she struggled to maintain her composure. Should she scream for Gaston? Should she balk, fight, fall into fits? Dear God, she did not want to go without saying good-bye to him!
Lady Margaret was up, moving to her side and taking her other arm. “Henry, let her go. I shall walk with her to the courtyard.”
Remington was trying so desperately not to cry as Lady Margaret’s warm hand clutched her. She was so shaken she could barely speak, but she felt compelled to. She knew Gaston’s rage would be great when he returned and she did not want him to do something he would regret.
