Page 44 of Love Set Apart
“I wish the same for you, my friend.” A sad smile came and went quickly from his face. “Perhaps you will visit me in Rome sometime.”
Matteo had mentioned this once before and Angus found no harm in offering some hope. “If it is possible, I will be happy to come for a visit.”
They continued their walk, marveling at the brilliant white swans floating nearby, the kestrels, cormorants and more otters were spotted bobbing in the rippling waters of the Seine. Angus was happy he’d made a new friend, but sad he’d probably never see him again once he went back home.
11
Edna closed the door to their room at the inn and let out a deep sigh. Things weren’t going the way she had hoped. Angus started a fire in the hearth and Edna stared at it as a thought came to mind. “I’m going to contact Maggie. Maybe she can help me sort this all out.”
Sitting comfortably in front of the fire, Edna stared into the flames and reached out to her niece. “Maggie, are ye there?” Edna waited a few moments before asking again. “Maggie, it’s me, yer Auntie Edna. I need yer help. Are ye there?”
The flames flared and parted as Maggie appeared. “I’m here, Auntie. Where are ye?”
“I’m in France. Paris to be exact, at the court of Louis XIII at Tuileries Palace.”
“Wow! Sounds like fun,” Maggie said, shifting around in her chair.
“Ye look uncomfortable, dear. Is everything going to plan with the pregnancy?”
“All is well, but aye, uncomfortable. Poor Dylan is having to do everything around here. It’s gotten just so hard to do even the simplest of chores. I cannae even see me toes!”
Edna chuckled. She needed this. Her stress level had been through the roof over the past few days, “Have ye shut down the inn yet?”
“The last guests left this morning. We’ll stay closed until after the babies arrive.”
“Promise me ye’ll wait for us to return. We’ll head straight there after we get back.” Edna couldn’t wait to meet the new bairns and she was worried that her mission here was taking much longer than anticipated.
“I’m no’ sure I can make that promise. It depends on when ye’ll be back.”
“I’m hoping it willnae be much longer. I’m having a difficult time with the young lass who called me here.”
Maggie yawned. “Sorry. I havenae been sleeping well. These little ones are up all night. Seems like they’re having a wrestling match in there.”
“I wish I was there with ye,” Edna said. “I could help with so many things.”
“We’ve got it all under control,” Maggie assured her. “Ye’ve got enough to worry about where ye are. So, tell me why this lass is giving ye trouble.”
“She is determined to go through with a marriage that neither she nor the groom want,” Edna’s exasperation was evident in her voice.
“If neither wants it, what’s the problem?” Maggie asked.
“Her father has passed away and she feels she is honoring his last wishes. The wedding is tomorrow.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“Then ye doona have much time to sort this out.” Maggie paused for a moment, closing her eyes. “I’m getting the feeling there is someone else involved. I’m sensing some deceit around the groom.”
“Ye think the groom is being deceitful?” Edna asked. She thought about Matteo and how forthcoming he had been with his feelings about marriage, she hadn’t thought him even capable of deceit.
Maggie shook her head. “No’ the groom. Someone else.”
“I think you are on to something with that, Maggie me love.”
“I think if ye can find that person, yer troubles with the bride will be settled.”
“Oh, Maggie, darlin’, I do miss ye so. I’d better have success with this couple or I may be back to living in Glendaloch.”
“Ye ken we’d love that.” Maggie smiled warmly and blew her a kiss.
“I ken and if that’s what happens, so be it.” She would accept the decision of the council, but in her heart, she wanted to get this right. Emilie and Robert belonged together, she knew that. There was so much at stake here. “It’s just that Angus and I had plans for so many adventures together before we retire.”
