“And what are your wishes?”
“I want to accept his proposal of marriage which is what you walked in on. We were on our way to speak with you when you interrupted. But you would not hear reason, and now you’ve driven away the only man I will ever love, and I will never forgive you for it.”
“Jean, I am sure he is not gone.”
“Nay, then why have I not heard from him?”
“Because I told him not to and he listened. I will go speak to him now and then we three can sit down together and sort this business. Is that acceptable to you?”
She didn’t speak at first but rather stared at him. He hoped she was considering his words to find them sincere.
“Aye, Alex, that is acceptable to me.”
“Good. I will leave you two to discuss the transition of duties and seek him out now. We will need new furniture added to my chamber and I would like a hot bath drawn for the countess. She has had a hard ride over a long journey and could use the comfort to ease the ache.”
The fully intended hidden meanings were not lost on Marion as he had hoped, and he caught a slight pinking of her cheeks. Thankfully, if Jean noticed, she did not let on that his words were anything but straight truth.
Alexander left the library to find his horse and ride to Alain’s cottage. He would apologize in any way the man wanted, but first he wanted to hear Jean’s words repeated with as much enthusiasm as he’d viewed in her. He was in no doubt whatsoever of her feelings. If Alain’s were in that sphere, he would bless them both and give them whatever they wanted for their future happiness.
Alexander knocked on the door and waited. When he did not get a reply after knocking a second time, he lifted the latch and swung the door wide. The stench of sour ale met him as he entered the cottage and found a sleeping Alain on a cot by the stove.
Shaking his shoulder, he called, “Alain. Wake up.” He shook a little harder, which finally did the trick, and Alain blinked awake.
“My lord. What are you doing here?” he asked as he sat up.
“I’ve come to talk to you about Jean. Come outside. It stinks in here.”
Alain stood and brushed his hands through his hair as he stepped outside with Alexander. The man looked like he hadn’t slept in days despite having just been awakened.
“You look like shit,” Alexander said.
“Aye, I feel like it.”
“Alain, I have questions for you.”
“I’m listening.”
“Do you love my sister?”
“Aye. I do love her, and I want to marry her.”
“How long have you been secretly meeting with her?”
“Just the once. We have only spoken one time prior to that of our feelings, but we have noticed one another for a long time.”
Alexander watched how Alain’s face softened when he spoke of her. He was convinced of two things in that moment. What was between Alain and Jean was real, and he was the biggest arse in all of Scotland for not recognizing it earlier.
“Very well. I give you my blessing. We can discuss the details of her dowry after dinner this evening. For God’s sake, get a wash and put on something clean,” he said with a grin. “You stink as much as your cottage.”
Instead of laughing, Alain crouched down and placed his face in his hands. A small sob erupted from him before he wiped his eyes and then stood and reached his hand out.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“You will henceforth call me brother, for after you are wed, that is what we shall be.”
Alain gave him a watery smile. In truth, he was exactly the sort of man he’d always hoped Jean would find. But none of the young eligible gentlemen displayed half the wit or gallantry as Alain. His heart was light for this result. This would bring about a new turn for all of them.
As he turned to gather his horse’s reins, he realized he’d not spoken of Marion. When he turned back to say something, he saw that Alain had been looking skyward with his hands together in prayer and mouthing thank you. Alexander was so moved by the sight he forgotthe words he was about to say. He vowed to himself he would make up for whatever torture he’d put him through over the last several days. For he could not imagine what it would have been like had someone made the determination he could not be with Marion when he had made up his own mind. But he did not require the same kind of permission Alain did. Permission came with his current station and with that many privileges. He would be certain to remember that in the future. Alexander mounted his horse and turned to take the short road back to the castle. This evening would be a time for celebration and joy as he would invite the village to come welcome their new countess and announce the betrothal of Alain and Jean. And then another thought occurred to him. He would need to find a new steward.
