“Bleu,” Guillaume said, tapping the tip of a quill pen across a page, making nothing more than a mess. “Please don’t worry. The Marquis has been neutralized. There is no more danger.”
“I shall continue to worry until everyone is safe under my roof and done with this terrible debacle. And all those prisoners with whom they are traveling? How can you say there will be no more danger?” She paced to the large window at the other end of the room.
“Laure, we knew that there could be danger,” the duke said as he placed the quill back in the ink and left it there. “I wouldn’t have sent Philippe in the first place if I thought it would be too much.”
Once Michel had been dispatched to help Philippe undertake all the trouble that had come to him, Laure had become sick. Her cool composure for her husband’s sake had begun to splinter. Two of her boys were now out fighting this foe who, as they had learned, was the Marquis himself.
Everyone kept hushing her and telling her that everything would be okay. Though in her heart she knew that Philippe was alright, she wouldn’t sit comfortably again until she could hug him for herself.
This life with her sons fighting all over the place and defending the kingdom wore on her. On days like this she wished to relinquish everything, take all of her family, and go live safely in a cave somewhere.
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t bring Alex home with you,” she bristled at Michel.
Michel stared daftly at her for a moment. “Uh, Mother, I believe she was free to make her own decision on that one.”
Laure sank herself into the couch. “You’re right, darling. I’m sorry. I just don’t see why they are not home yet. They should have been here by now.”
“Perhaps they took an extra night and stayed at one of the inns rather than make camp,” he shrugged.
“Why would they do that?” she asked, both perplexed and frustrated.
Michel and Guillaume exchanged a look. Michel cleared his throat.
“Philippe and Alex?” Laure said, looking between them. “You don’t mean…”
Her words were cut off as the footman outside began calling for help with the incoming party. Attendants whizzed by the doorway to the sitting room. The three looked at each other for a moment and then rushed to the front of the palace. The gates at the far end were opened and a cloud of dust rose on the road. Laure stepped out, farther from the steps of her home, to identify the riders. She raised her hand to her eyes to shield them from the sun.
As they got closer, she felt her heart go light. It was Philippe indeed, returning home. She scanned the riders and saw Alex by his side. They looked road-worn but as they approached, she could see that they were both beaming. Laure smiled back and stood in the sun, waiting for them to reach the steps.
“See Mother,” said Michel, “I told you they were fine.”
“I had to see it for myself.”
“Hurry up, Brother,” Michel called when they were in range. “Mother is anxious to have you home.”
Philippe rode to them, the horses kicking dust high up into the air. “She is not the only one anxious to have me home.” Philippe grinned. He settled his horse and jumped off, as the men behind him began to do the same. He hugged Laure as soon as he was steady on his feet.
“I was so worried about you and this company,” she said.
“I am safe,” he said warmly. “Though I admit it became a little more involved than we imagined it would.”
She let him go so he could embrace his brother and father before Laure grabbed him again for another hug.
“Mother, I was fine,” he laughed. “I believe your anxiety was made worse because of my companion on this journey.”
With that he turned and took Alex’s hand as she dismounted her horse. To Laure’s delight, she saw that he didn’t let it go.
Laure reached forward and hugged Alex around the neck. She was the same wild-haired creature that Laure had always loved, but Alex had a whole new essence about her. The restlessness was gone, Laure could see. She brushed a lock of hair away from Alex’s face and welcomed her back to the palace.
“Mother,” Philippe said after a moment.
“Yes dear,” Laure replied, squeezing Alex’s shoulders once more before turning to her son.
“Alex and I have something to tell you.” They glanced at each other.
Laure stepped back and looked at the two of them. She couldn’t have been happier at the match. It had been a long time in the making, but she’d always known, somewhere deep down, that these two would end up together. They looked so happy, hands enlaced. Philippe was handsome and held himself with pride. He looked more pleased with himself than she had seen him in years. And Alex had a softness about her that had disappeared in her youth. She was smiling, grinning, just like a young woman her age should be doing. Laure felt the happiness well up inside her until she had to dab at her eyes. Michel reached out and handed her a handkerchief. She accepted. They would be perfect together, she thought. Simply perfect.
“Well let’s get inside so you can wash up. I’m sure whatever news you have, it will be wonderful,” she said.
