Page 39 of Love Set Apart
“Me brothers dinna believe so. I was the youngest and in their minds incapable of participating in matters involving the family lands. So I left.”
Edna was curious about Robert’s relationship with Louis. “And ye are now a guard to Louis XIII. How did that come about?”
“We met one day while I was riding along the river path. He was doing the same and was impressed with me horsemanship. He asked me to join him at the palace the next day with me horse. He is the king, which he reminds me often, and I am a soldier, but we have become friends.”
“And so when ye asked him to free Madame DuBois, he agreed. He did it for ye.”
Robert shrugged his shoulders. “He wouldnae care about a poor woman accused of witchcraft.”
Edna turned their conversation to the reason she was in Paris. “How did ye meet Emilie?”
“At the palace. When I saw her, I immediately knew she was going to be me wife. I cannae believe I thought it was possible. We met in secret many times and I was pleased that she was exactly the woman I thought she would be when I first saw her. How could I no’ love her?”
Edna heard the sadness in his voice and hoped she could fix things. “Doona lose faith. I’ve yet to fail in me attempts at bringing couples together.”
Robert smiled. “I believe ye. I doona ken why, but I do.”
“Ye’ll find out why soon enough, lad,” Edna chuckled.
They’d reached Madame DuBois’ cottage and could hear the banging and clanging of things being tossed around inside. Robert held his hand out in front of Edna causing her to stop. He peeked in the doorway and a glass bottle was lobbed his way.
“Luckily she has poor aim,” he said.
“Madame DuBois, ’tis Edna Campbell.” She called through the door. “Please allow us to help ye.”
“How did this happen? Who did this?” Madame DuBois seemed understandably distraught.
“There’s nae way to ken,” Edna said. “It could have been the authorities or yer neighbor.”
“My neighbor has not been happy with me. She doesn’t trust me and from the start thought I’d bring trouble. When it was cats that I brought, it was too much for her to take.”
A small crowd gathered outside. None of the onlookers seemed happy to see Madame DuBois.
“Don’t you worry. I will be leaving. I cannot stay here,” she called to them.
“Good,” someone from the small crowd shouted.
“Shall we go inside?” Edna asked.
Madame DuBois moved from the doorway, allowing them entrance.
“Are ye really planning to leave?” Edna asked.
“I have no choice.” Madame DuBois looked around the mess that had been made and deflated a bit. “I cannot continue to live among these people. They now believe me to be a witch.” She pointed towards the door. “They will come for me again. And next time I might deserve it.”
“Ye’ve been so good to them. I was told ye shared yer vegetables and herbs with them.”
“I did, but their minds have been poisoned by that one.” She pointed in the direction of her neighbor’s small hovel.
“Where will ye go?” Edna asked, her heart aching for the woman.
“Out to the countryside where no one will bother me.” She continued sorting through the broken glass and not seeing anything salvageable, threw her hands in the air. “I’ve friends there so I won’t be alone.”
“I’m sorry it’s come to this,” Edna said. “I was hoping to get some herbs from ye.”
“Look around,” Madame DuBois said with disgust. “My herb garden has been picked clean. They’ve destroyed everything. I’ve nothing left.”
“Can we help ye pack what ye’ll take with ye?” Robert asked.
