Page 20 of Love Set Apart
“They arenae here this morning,” Robert said.
Louis’ face transformed from a disappointed pout to a mischievous grin. “Perhaps you can sing, Robert.”
Robert chuckled at this. “I doona wish to scare the horses.”
It was obvious to Angus that Louis and Robert had a good relationship. They bantered back and forth, teasing and laughing. Angus wasn’t immune to their teasing. He found himself more than once being targeted by Louis. He took no offense. It was all done in good humor and he appreciated that he was being accepted by none other than the king himself. After they’d practiced theirpas de deuxplus one several times, they left the arena and rode the aisles of the garden at a stately walk.
Louis turned to Angus. “What do you think of a man who loves a woman but will not tell her?”
“It depends on the circumstances,” Angus said, slightly taken aback by the question.
Louis adjusted himself in the saddle and checked his posture to a more perfect line. “The circumstances are that he does not believe he is good enough for her.”
“Louis…” Robert tried to interrupt.
“And so he watches her from afar,” Louis finished.
“Well, I think he should take a chance and tell her how he feels. He might be surprised to find she feels the same way,” Angus replied. He was enjoying Louis. The young man obviously had opinions about everything. He was the king after all. It showed his great affection for Robert that he cared so much about his love life.
“That is what I have told him.” Louis looked to Robert.
“Are we speaking of Robert?” Angus asked, knowing full well they were.
“We are.”
“Louis, ye ken she is to marry Barbieri,” Robert said, his exasperation evident.
“He is old enough to be her grandfather,” Louis protested.
“Nonetheless, yer mother is the one who has arranged the marriage.” It seemed Robert thought that would put an end to the topic.
“I can speak with her. She will listen to me,” Louis continued.
“And what of her father, the Comte?” Robert asked. “Will ye speak to him as well?”
“He will do whatever my mother tells him to do.” Louis appeared quite pleased with himself.
Robert’s voice became somber. “Emilie deserves more than I have to offer her.”
“Angus, what do you think?” Louis asked.
“I think love has a strange way of finding those who need it most.”
“Robert needs it,” Louis said.
“Then he shall have it,” Angus assured him.
“Good.”
Magic alone wouldn’t solve Emilie and Robert’s problem and so Angus was pleased the young king would be an advocate for them with his mother. Whether she would listen to him or not was another question all together. Still, it was hopeful news he would share with Edna.
They rode back to the stable where they were greeted by an entourage of people waiting for Louis. He dismounted, leaving his horse for Robert to unsaddle and put away, then walked away followed by those waiting to fuss over him as they made their way back to the palace.
“He’s quite something,” Angus noted. “I like him.”
Robert took each saddle, cleaning his and Louis’. Angus cleaned his own and then they toweled down the horses before putting them away in their stalls and leaving them each with a bucket of oats.
“Thank ye for allowing me to join ye,” Angus said.
