Page 34 of Love Set Apart
Edna hurried to place an arm around her waist for fear she might fall. “Shall we collect the things we will need?”
Edna walked with Emilie, holding her close as they headed to Florimond Toussaint’s chambers. Her heart ached for the lass. She knew how hard it was to lose a parent. It would take time for her to get over it. “Emilie, ye will always remember yer father. He will live forever in yer heart, but with each passing day the pain of yer loss will become more bearable.”
“I know. I remember what it was like when my mother passed. My father and I had each other. We were not alone.” Her voice broke once again as she spoke.
“Ye are nae alone, Emilie. Angus and I are here for ye. In time all will be well.” Edna knew her words, though meant to reassure Emilie, were not penetrating Emilie’s grief.
In the hall at the foot of the stairs, Claude appeared. His concern on seeing Emilie was evident as he glanced from her to Edna and then to Angus who was following along behind them.
“Claude, my father is no longer with us. Will you help Lord Campbell with the burial?”
“Beside your mother, mademoiselle?” Claude asked.
“Yes. Is there anyone else here to help?” Emilie questioned.
“I’m afraid not. I am the only one who stayed.” He turned to Angus. “If you’ll follow me, sir.”
The two men left the house together and the ladies went up the stairs to attend to Florimond.
* * *
The carriage ride backto Tuileries was quiet. Emilie stared out the window occasionally dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. In her mind, her life was no longer her own. All hope had been lost and she would be at the mercy of Marie de Medici now that she was alone and penniless. Emilie could see from the concerned looks Edna shared with Angus that they were worried about her and wished there was something they could do to help.
As they neared the palace, Emilie straightened and wiped her eyes one final time. “We’re back. I will tell the Queen Mother that I would like to go through with the marriage right away. There is no need to wait.” She said the words that she never imagined she would say.
“Emilie, ye doona mean that,” Edna said.
“I do. I am merely following my father’s last wishes. He explained the reason he went through with the betrothal was only so that I would be taken care of. He felt Comte Barbieri would be the one to do that.”
Edna seemed shocked and Emilie could understand why.
“I cannae let ye go through with this. If ye doona want to marry Matteo, there are ways I can use me magic to help.”
“That won’t be necessary. I will do what is right.” Emilie straightened her spine and held her head high.
She watched Edna’s face turn pale as she turned to her husband and then back to face her. Edna’s voice sounded frantic to her ears. “I cannae let ye do it,” Edna said again. “It’s no’ what ye want. What about Robert? What about love?”
“I can live without them,” she lied. “I shall look forward to making a new life in Rome with Matteo.”
Edna seemed as though she might jump right out of her skin as her panicked gaze fell on Emilie. “I’m no’ sure what to do,” she said to Angus before turning to face Emilie. “I ken in me heart, Emilie, that ye doona mean what ye are saying. I ken this is no’ what ye want. I did no’ travel all the way through time to fail in me mission, but I can see that now isnae a good time to talk about this. I want ye to ken that I am no’ giving up on ye and Robert.”
“I appreciate all you’ve tried to do for me, Edna, but my mind is made up. It is for the best.”
* * *
As Emilie enteredthe throne room, Marie de Medici and Concino Concini were deep in conversation. She cleared her throat to get their attention.
“Emilie, you are back,” Marie said.
She curtsied to the Queen Mother. “I have news. My father has passed away.”
“I’m so sorry. I knew he was sick, but thought he would be well enough to attend your nuptials,” Marie said.
Emilie noted that Concino Concini stood a little taller and seemed much more interested in what she was saying than he ever had before. He was undoubtedly happy to hear the news as a small smile lifted one corner of his lips before disappearing and being replaced with a false look of concern.
“I am happy I was able to be with him in the end. I wish to tell you that the sooner I can marry the better. It was my father’s only wish for me and I will honor him.”
“Of course. I will speak to Barbieri. He will be thrilled. He is very interested in going home as soon as possible.”
