Page 56 of Love Set Apart
“Robert there’s something ye should ken.”
“Ye seem serious. Is there trouble?”
“Aye. The Queen Mother has ordered ye to be taken to a ship bound for Scotland.”
Before Robert could say another thing, the Queen Mother’s guard arrived along with Concini.
“You are under arrest Robert MacMillan.” Concini’s smug appearance belied the fact that he’d just been berated by the Queen Mother.
Robert glanced at Angus and then back to the guards. “I willnae fight ye.”
Angus realized there was no place for them to go. Escaping the garden would be difficult if not impossible and so Robert had made the right call to go along with them. Angus silently let Robert know with a look and a nod of his head, that he was with him.
“Bind his hands,” Concini ordered.
Robert dismounted while the guards tied his hands and then helped him mount his horse once more. They seemed saddened to do so. These were men who were Robert’s friends and fellow guards.
“We are bound for Le Havre. Get your horses ready.” Concini motioned for one of the footmen who brought a horse all saddled for him to ride. He mounted and looked at Robert. “The Queen Mother has wanted you gone for some time now, but Louis always got in the way. She now has good reason to send you back where you came from.”
“What good reason?” Robert asked.
“You have been with the woman who was to be Comte Matteo Barbieri’s wife. You are now banished from court. Luckily, Louis is away and will not interfere.”
Angus stayed silent. He intended on making the journey with them and if an opportunity presented itself, he would free Robert. He was sure Concini would make a mistake somewhere along the way.
Edna knew where they were headed and if she was able, she would meet them. Hopefully she would have Emilie with her. Then decisions would need to be made, but for now he would follow along a short distance behind them. He would be at the ready should Robert need him.
* * *
Emilie was seatedin her favorite spot, enjoying the fresh air for a few moments longer before going back inside. Feeling happier than she had in some time, she thought about Robert and about their time together this afternoon. It was the first time that they’d felt able to begin making plans for their life together. She knew it wasn’t what her father had wanted for her, but she also thought that if he knew how happy Robert made her, he would approve.
The sound of skirts swishing hurriedly towards her caught her attention. Looking up, she saw the other ladies-of-the-court heading her way. She stood, wondering what was wrong.
“Emilie,” Antoinette, one of the ladies said. “We have found you.”
“What’s wrong?” Emilie asked.
“The Queen Mother is angry. She wishes to see you right away.”
“Why? What is it?”
“I would rather not say. It is not my place.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“You must come with us, now.”
A knot formed in the pit of Emilie’s stomach. Something about this felt ominous. She couldn’t imagine what it would be other than something to do with her betrothal. Perhaps they hadn’t found the dowry and Marie was angry about that. If that were the case, Emilie would happily deal with Marie’s anger. It would mean that she was free to marry Robert and start a new life with him. From the look on Antoinette’s face though, she thought it might be something more, but what? There was no way to know until she stood before the Queen Mother.
The ladies escorted her to the palace, but left Emilie to enter the throne room on her own. Approaching Marie, Emilie curtsied before the Queen Mother and stayed in position until she was spoken to.
“Look at me,” Marie commanded.
“Your Highness,” Emilie said, as she raised her eyes.
Marie stared at her for what seemed an eternity before she spoke. “Emilie Toussaint, I am very unhappy. Do you know why?”
“Is it because I have no dowry?” Emilie asked, seeming puzzled.
