Page 21 of Love Set Apart
“It was a pleasure to have ye with us. I ken Louis enjoyed yer company, as did I.”
“I’m happy to hear it.”
“Shall we get something to eat?” Robert asked.
“I’d like that.” Angus followed him towards the palace kitchen where they would enjoy a fine meal and good wine.
* * *
While Angus wasbusy with Robert, Edna called on Emilie. They walked through the streets of Paris enjoying the fine sunny day they had been gifted with. Vendors along their path sold everything from food and drink, to fine items of clothing, bolts of fabric, and household goods.
They stopped at a small shop selling books. Edna loved seeing the volumes of brand-new books alongside some older well-loved books with worn bindings and tattered pages. She thought she might come back and purchase something to take back home with her, but that could wait. She had more important things to tend to.
“Emilie, tell me about Robert,” Edna said. She wanted to be sure that theirs was a love that Edna should see to fruition.
The young lady blushed, placing her hand on her cheek as if to cool it down.
Edna took her arm and walked back out of the shop and onto the street.
“He is the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. He is handsome, kind, generous and…” She didn’t go on.
Edna understood. He meant everything to Emilie. “Have ye had a chance to speak with him?”
“Many times in the past. We’ve walked together in the garden. He’s brought me beautiful flowers and he has spoken to me in ways that make my heart beat faster and my head spin.”
“What happened to end this?” Edna asked. She thought she knew, but wanted to hear it from Emilie.
The joyful blush drained from her cheeks, “My father decided it was time for me to marry. He spoke with Her Highness and a marriage was arranged with Matteo.”
“I ken that ye doona wish to marry him.” Edna glanced at the now saddened Emilie. “I’m sorry. I dinna wish to upset ye. I can see how difficult this is for ye.”
“It is not my decision, though I wish that it was.” Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked away from Edna.
What Edna was about to say was not going to be what she wanted to say or what Emilie wanted to hear. “I must ask ye to continue to agree to this marriage.”
Emilie put her hand on her belly, obviously distressed by what she’d just heard.
Edna grasped her hand and gazed into her eyes. “Ye need no’ be happy about it, but I promise ye that I am here to help. Ye will no’ marry Barbieri, of that I am sure.” She wasn’t really, but Edna’s record of matching happy couples was a good one. Some might even say it was excellent, but this situation was different. She hadn’t matched this couple. They’d matched themselves and circumstances were making it impossible for them to be together. Edna would do her best to fix this situation for them. Only time would tell if it would work out the way she hoped it would. In the meantime, it would be important for Emilie to continue the ruse. “Do ye think ye can do that?”
“If it means a lifetime with Robert, I can do anything.” Her lips curved slightly in a shy smile.
“Good.” Edna’s nose was drawn to a small bakery. “Mmmm… I love the smell of freshly baked bread.”
“Shall we get some?” Emilie asked. Apparently the idea of eating a fine loaf of bread brought her joy because she was now beaming with happiness.
Edna entered the small shop and glanced around at the different loaves. “Which is best?” she asked, glancing at Emilie.
“Pain mollet.” She pointed to the small round loaves stacked against each other.
“We’ll have two, please,” Edna said.
The man tending the shop handed them two small loaves and Edna obliged with coins from her purse. Once outside, she tore a piece of the bread and placed it in her mouth, amazed what good flavor it had. It was salty, but not too salty. The interior was soft and spongy and altogether very flavorful. As an added bonus, it was still warm from the oven.
“Do you like it?” Emilie asked.
Edna covered her mouth before speaking. “Verra much.”
“Do you eat bread in your time?” Emilie put a dainty bite of bread into her mouth.
