Page 42 of Love Set Apart
Emilie lifted her downturned eyes to gaze at Edna. “Thank you, but I do not feel beautiful.”
“I willnae argue with ye, but I see a beautiful young woman ready to start a new life.” Edna’s voice lacked the enthusiasm one might expect at a moment like this. Emilie’s beauty in this moment should be shared with Robert, not Matteo.
“Would you excuse us for a few moments?” Emilie said to the woman marking the dress.
“Of course. I’ll be right outside when you’re ready to continue.” She left the room, closing the door behind her.
“Emilie, we must talk.” Edna walked closer and could see dark circles under the young woman’s eyes. “I have an important question for ye.”
Emilie stepped down from the riser she’d been standing on.
Edna took Emilie’s hands in hers. “I ken we discovered that yer father was destitute before his death. I wonder, did he arrange a dowry for ye?”
A wide-eyed gaze met Edna’s question. “I don’t know,” Emilie stammered. “He didn’t discuss those matters with me. Perhaps the Queen Mother knows.” Emilie ran her hands down the front of her dress, but there didn’t appear to be any pleasure there.
“If he dinna, doona be surprised if Matteo doesnae wish to marry ye.” Edna was bubbling with excitement, which she did her best to contain while she waited for Emilie’s reaction.
Her face a mass of confusion, Emilie took a moment before speaking. A tiny hint of hope appeared. “What do you mean?”
“This could be exactly what we’d hoped for. If Matteo willnae marry ye, then ye’d be free to be with Robert.” Edna could see her excitement wasn’t moving Emilie in the way she’d expected it would. The elation she’d expected simply wasn’t there.
“I’m sure my father would have seen to it that everything was in place when they made the agreement.” There was an uncertain tone in her voice as though she was unsure about pinning her hopes on what might only be a pipe dream.
Her reply was a bit defensive, and while it made sense that she was protecting her father’s name, Edna still couldn’t tell whether Emilie was happy about this possibility or not. “Do ye agree that it would be a good thing?”
“I am to be married tomorrow. I don’t see how that will change,” Emilie said. Emotion seemed to have been drained from her as there was none in her voice or her face as she spoke.
“I do.” Edna was adamant. “I must figure out how this all works. Is there a marriage agreement? Has it been fulfilled? What would happen if it is no’?”
Emilie’s response was sharp and unexpected. “I do not know the answers to any of those questions. I will not get my hopes up only to have them dashed once again. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’d like to finish with my dress.”
Edna couldn’t understand why Emilie was behaving like this. She should be happy that there may be an opportunity to get out of this marriage, but instead she seemed irritated that Edna would even mention it to her. Dismissed as she had been, Edna left the room and hoped that there would be some way to get the information she needed.
* * *
Angus knockedon the door of Matteo’s room and was greeted by a servant. The decor of the room was simple in comparison to every other room Angus had seen at Tuileries, but more than comfortable by his standards. Matteo was seated in a cushioned chair reading when Angus arrived.
“Angus, I am happy you are here.” Matteo stood and greeted Angus at the door.
“What can I do for ye, Matteo?” Angus asked, wondering why on earth Matteo needed to see him.
“I wonder if you would be present when I meet with the Queen Mother.” Matteo raised his eyebrows in question as he waited for Angus to answer.
“Of course, I’d be happy to join ye. What is this meeting about?” Angus didn’t have a clue as to what Matteo was about to tell him.
“No mention has been made about Emilie’s dowry. Her father is now deceased and I am not sure where the dowry is.” Matteo’s face was a mixture of worry, frustration and irritation.
“Ye mean ye havenae received it yet?” Angus asked.
“I would not expect to receive it until after we are married, but no plans were made for the transfer of the dowry to my name. I am hoping the Queen Mother will have the answers.”
Angus was wondering the very same thing and voiced his opinion. He hoped he wasn’t overstepping his bounds here, but felt it was unfair for Matteo to be left in the dark. “Matteo, I have been concerned about the verra same thing. When Edna and I joined Emilie at her father’s estate, we were shocked to see it in terrible disrepair and with only one servant present to care for the man.”
“Do you think there is no dowry?” Matteo’s voice rose in pitch as that thought seemed to make its way into his brain.
“I doona ken. I would have thought that was already taken care of.” This was turning out to be an interesting turn of events. Matteo didn’t know where the dowry was. Marie hadn’t said anything about it. Angus was fairly sure there was no dowry and if he was right, things were about to take a turn.
“I must find out. If there is no dowry, there will be no wedding,” Matteo slammed his fist into his palm.
