Page 55 of Love Set Apart
“Ye’d still be a braw, handsome man, but fate was good to us and we doona have to imagine our lives without each other.”
Edna leaned into Angus, and he placed his arm around her shoulder as they continued their walk.
“Look, there’s Matteo,” Angus said.
It seemed he was coming from the same area where Robert and Emilie had been.
“Matteo,” Angus said, as he was about to pass them.
“I have news for the Queen Mother,” Matteo said. “Excuse me if I don’t stop to speak with you.” He hurried past them.
Edna grabbed Angus by the arm and rushed to follow. He was far from the serene and composed gentleman they’d come to know. Matteo Barbieri was fuming. He marched into the throne room like a man possessed, nostrils flared and face reddened.
“He must be upset that the wedding is still on,” Edna whispered to Angus.
He brushed past several people without a word and headed straight for Marie. “I must speak with you, Your Highness.” His voice shook with anger.
“What now?” Marie seemed disinclined to let him speak, but after a moment seemed to think better of ignoring him and allowed it.
Matteo appeared to take a moment to collect himself and then clearing his throat, proceeded in a more rational tone of voice. “I have just witnessed something unspeakable.”
Marie sat up a bit taller in her throne. He definitely had her attention now. “Go on.”
“I understand that you wanted me to marry Emilie Toussaint and I was willing to do as you commanded, but I have just witnessed her in the arms of another man. I have been cuckolded. I cannot and will not marry her.” It was apparent he was adamant and would not back down.
“Who is the man she was with?” Marie asked, her voice raised in outrage was now loud enough for all present in the throne room to hear.
Concini appeared out of nowhere at Matteo’s side. He ignored the look Marie was giving him. “I have seen it as well, Your Highness. The man is your son’s guard.”
“Robert MacMillan.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement of what she knew to be a fact.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Concini said.
“I want him gone!” she shouted. “I knew I should have sent him away. As luck would have it, Louis is not here. He will not be able to stop me. Find MacMillan and have him escorted from the palace. I want him on a boat back to Scotland immediately.”
Concini hurried off to do her bidding, obviously eager to please her and be back in her good graces.
“If I had known, I would not have insisted you marry her.” She looked down her nose at him, either unable or unwilling to make an apology. “It appears you’ve gotten your wish. There will be no marriage. You may go.”
“I will be on my way back to Rome then.” Matteo straightened his frock and headed for the door.
“I’m going to go speak with him,” Angus said.
Edna took hold of his arm. “No’ yet.”
Marie was speaking again in a commanding tone. “Find Emilie Toussaint and bring her here to me.”
Marie’s ladies-in-waiting hurried out of the room.
“This isnae quite what we wanted, but it has given Marie the perfect excuse to change her mind about the marriage,” Edna said. “Angus, I’d rather ye follow Robert and make sure he doesnae get on that ship. I’ll stay here and see what lies in store for Emilie.”
“Ye’re right. I’ll be sorry no’ to say goodbye to Matteo, but it’s more important that I follow Robert.”
* * *
Angus rushedto the stables where he’d seen Robert headed earlier. One of the footmen saw him coming and ran to get his horse.
“Angus,” Robert was astride his gelding. “Are ye joining me?”
