Page 35 of Love Set Apart
Maintaining a serious demeanor, Emilie was determined not to let Marie see any doubt or weakness. “I will be happy to join him.”
“Good. I’m glad you are no longer resisting this marriage. Remember, I always know what is best. It is why I chose him for you.”
“I am grateful,” Emilie said, bowing her head, doing her best not to show her disdain for Concini.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us.” Marie went back to her conversation with Concini.
Emilie knew when she had been dismissed. When Marie was done speaking with you, she just pretended you were no longer there.
Wandering aimlessly out into the garden and not paying attention to where she was going, Emilie found herself at the stables just as Robert dismounted his horse. She tried to walk away, but he’d seen her.
“Emilie, are ye well?” He handed his horse to a groom and was at her side in a heartbeat. ”I dinna see ye at court yesterday. Where were ye?”
“My father has died.” She thought she had no more tears to cry, but somehow being in the presence of someone who truly cared about her had them flowing once again.
Robert took her in his arms. Neither of them had a care that they may be seen. He held her tight. “I’m so sorry, Emilie.”
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be alone. All I can do is think about him.” She poured out her heart to Robert.
“I understand. It is normal. There is naething wrong with the way ye feel. Ye are grieving the loss of a verra important man in yer life.” He rubbed her back while still holding her close.
The warmth of that embrace was exactly what she needed, but she would soon be grieving the loss of not just her father. She would be losing Robert as well. Her heart was breaking, but she had to tell him, knowing that even as she did she would not feel that warm embrace ever again. It took everything she had in her to say the words she was about to say. “I must marry Matteo as soon as it can be arranged. It was my father’s final wish. We will leave for Rome immediately after the ceremony.”
Robert seemed to suddenly realize he was holding another man’s woman in his arms. He let her go and moved an appropriate distance from her. “Is that what ye truly want?”
Emilie dropped her head, shaking it in disbelief. “You know it’s not, but I must do as I am told. I have no choice.” How could she go through with this when the man she truly wanted stood there in front of her looking as though she’d stabbed him in the heart?
Robert regained his composure. “What of Edna? Will she no’ help ye?”
“She wishes to help, but I my fate has already been written. I must marry Matteo.”
“I’ve no’ seen ye like this before. Perhaps ye should wait until the death of yer father is no’ so fresh in yer mind.” He reached out a hand to touch her, but withdrew it almost immediately when she backed away.
“You were the one who said our situation was impossible. That there was nothing we could do and so we should not see each other again.” Why was he saying these things to her now? Why did he wait until the plans had all been made and she’d given her word to the Queen Mother that she would no longer resist this marriage?
Robert was quiet for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts. “I’ve given it much thought. If Edna can help, why no’ let her?”
“I’m afraid it’s too late.” Emilie’s tears had dried and her face was now without emotion. It had to be, because if she gave in for even a brief second, she would fall into his arms once again and beg him to take her away to a place far from here.
The look of sadness and disappointment that Robert was shrouded in was hard for Emilie to see, but he had been right all along. This is what she must do.
“Goodbye, Robert.” She left him, ignoring the sound of his voice as he called to her. The life she thought had once been possible had only been a dream.
9
Robert hurried through the palace in search of Angus. He searched anywhere he thought he might find him. He had to meet with Edna. If everything he’d been told was true, then he would need her help and he was not above begging for it. Emilie was all that mattered to him. He didn’t know how they could make things work considering the situation, but he would do anything. He had to at least try.
He was about to give up when he spied Edna and Angus leaving the palace together and ran to catch them.
“Angus, please stop,” he shouted. “I must speak with ye and yer wife.” This may be a fool’s errand, but what choice did he have.
“Of course.” Edna asked, reaching out a hand and placing it on his arm.
“It’s Emilie. She says she’s going to marry Barbieri as soon as it can be arranged.” He’d accepted it when he thought they could not be together, but Angus had gotten his hopes up only to have them dashed when he spoke with Emilie in the garden. She was truly slipping away from him and the anguish he was feeling could not be disguised.
“Aye. She’s said as much to us. The death of her father has her behaving in a way that I wasnae expecting.” Edna shook her head as she spoke.
“Ye must help us. She told me about ye and the moon.” The words sounded strange as they left his lips, he only hoped that it was all true and that Edna wouldn’t think him daft.
