Jehan spoke. “I do, Daughter. Charles is correct on one point—no one would ever believe our tale about Didier. ’Tis likely the scum would be found innocent and set free.”
“Nay,” Simone cried. “He must pay!” She looked to Charles, and was pleased to see the fear in his eyes. “You must pay for what you have done!”
Jehan approached her and took her arms. “And that is what Nicholas has given us, darling—the opportunity to mete our justice, here. Now.”
Simone looked to Nicholas again, to see if he would refute what her father was saying.
“We can take him back to London, if you prefer, Simone,” Nicholas advised. “We can try to convince William that he gave a full confession. I’ll not force your hand. But before you make your decision, I want you to know that I will abide by whatever choice you make.” Nick’s eyes matched the blue of the calm sea beyond his back, holding Simone’s gaze.
He continued. “I love you, Simone. My pride—my own foolish insolence—has nearly cost me all. I hope it has not cost me what I value most. You have given me that which I never knew I lacked, or even needed. You have shown me the meaning of unselfish love—love for my family, my mother and brother. Passionate love, like I have for you. I never knew its meaning until you came into my life. I have no pride now—I lay it at your feet.”
Simone did not want to bring up this thing, not now, when Charles awaited his fate. But she felt that she and Nick stood on a precipice, on the very edge of a future that would be spent either apart or together, and she would not let herself hope against all reason. Not yet.
“But what of Evelyn?” she asked at last.
Nicholas frowned. “What of her? I do not love Evelyn, Simone. I never have.”
“She loves you,” Simone said quietly. “I read the letters she sent you—she regretted her choice of the convent and wrote for you to send for her so that the two of you could be married.”
Nick shook his head. “It matters not. I loveyou.I always will, until the end of my days.”
Simone swallowed. “Are you certain, Nick? Very certain?”
“I love you, Simone,” he repeated, slowly and deliberately. “More than anything or anyone. I want you to stay with me in England and be my wife forever. I want to marry you again. Will you come home with me? Please?”
“I most certainly will,” she whispered. Simone walked to Nicholas, raised up on her toes, and kissed his lips. “I love you, Nick,” she said, looking directly into his eyes.
Then she turned to face the blond man cowering against the ships rail, and Didier’s gamine face sprang to her mind. His huge laughing eyes, his mischievous smile, his love of a good prank, his pure heart.
Charles had stolen that from Simone, from Jehan. And she knew that they could never convince anyone else of the fantastic events surrounding this tragedy.
“Step onto the plank, Charles.”
“Non!” he croaked, his gaze flitting nervously to the long, bowed board. “Non!I cannot swim!”
Simone raised her eyebrows. “Well then, mayhap you can breathe underwater.”
Charles eyes grew even wider. “Of course I cannot. You know I cannot!”
She felt Jehan come to stand at her other side.
“And neither could Didier,” Simone said quietly.
Jehan drew his long, slender blade, and he and Nicholas advanced on the man.
“Non! Non!” Charles screamed, looking around wildly for aid. But of course, there was none for him. The front of his chausses darkened with urine.
Nick motioned toward the plank. “You can walk under your own power, like a man, in acceptance of what you have done, or we shall cut you down and throw your body overboard,” he said, herding Charles to the opening in the ship’s railing. “’Tis your choice.”
“I will not!” Charles insisted, his voice cracking. “I’m sorry! I shall return to France and never see any of you again—I swear it!”
Jehan’s blade flickered. A slash of red appeared on Charles’s left cheek, and he screamed.
“We’ll not see you again, any matter,” Jehan said. “But the only way you’ll reach France is in a fish’s belly. Now, go.”
“Simone, please!” Charles begged, backing gingerly onto the board. “Have mercy on me!”
She could feel all three sets of eyes on her as she stared at the man who had murdered Didier.
