Page 58 of Love Set Apart
“Yer Highness, Robert MacMillan has been banished from court along with Emilie Toussaint.” She hoped that this news would be upsetting enough to Louis that he would be spurred into action.
“This cannot be true. Where has he gone and why?” Louis didn’t seem to believe what she was telling him.
“He has been taken to a ship that will head for Scotland. Emilie is on her way to a convent.”
“My mother has outdone herself.” He mounted his horse once again. “I will find him.”
Before he could urge his horse forward, Edna stopped him. “May I join ye, Yer Highness? I believe me husband Angus Campbell may be with them.” she asked.
“I have ridden with your husband. He is an excellent horseman.”
“He is and he cares a great deal about Robert. He wanted to be sure he would be safe and that he wouldnae board that boat.”
He motioned to one of his men. “Give the lady your horse.”
The man did as instructed and then gave Edna a leg up onto the horse, which she was grateful for. Ordinarily she would need no help at all, but in the voluminous dress she now wore, climbing up into the saddle would have been amusing, to say the least, for those standing around watching them. “Thank ye. Ye are most kind.” The saddle dictated that she ride astride as the men did, which took some maneuvering as she tucked her dress in around her legs and pulled it out from beneath her seat so that it flowed back and over the horse’s rump. Satisfied, she sat up tall and nodded to Louis.
Once he seemed sure that Edna was ready to ride they headed off. “Where will we be going?” she asked.
“Le Havre. They will be on their way there. If they are not too far ahead, we may catch them.” Louis led his men with Edna at his side. Taking the horses up to a canter, they left the courtyard and headed off to find Robert and Angus.
“Will you be able to hold on if we go faster?” Louis asked.
Edna was surprised by his concern for her, but she was a capable rider and could withstand a gallop. “Of course.”
“Ah, like your husband. You are good on a horse.” Louis signaled to his men and they sped off, leaving Paris behind and heading for the open sea. “Le Havre is more than a day’s ride,” he shouted over the sounds of the galloping horses. “It is doubtful that the guards who took Robert would have gotten very far.”
Edna’s only worry at the moment was whether Angus had managed to get hold of a horse so he could keep up with them. Talking at the speed they were going was difficult, but Edna somehow managed to do it. “I believe Concino Concini is leading them,” she shouted. Edna mentioned this only because it might be something Louis should know.
Louis slowed his horse to a trot and the others followed his lead. “We do not need to hurry then. Concini is not a gifted rider. He is at his best when he has my mother’s ear and is filling it with lies.”
“Ye doona like him,” Edna observed.
Louis laughed at this. “I despise him. He is worthless. I do not understand my mother’s fascination with him.”
“Perhaps he is entertaining,” Edna suggested.
“Perhaps. My mother’s interests are limited to political intrigue and I will tell you that she does not excel at this.” He chuckled, obviously finding his own thoughts on his mother amusing.
“She doesnae ride with ye?” Edna asked, hoping to get more of an understanding of his relationship with his mother.
“No. She prefers her carriage. We have little in common other than the throne. She is the regent for the time being, but I am about to come of age and will take my rightful place on the throne when I do.”
Historically, it wasn’t always a good thing to be a king or queen. They oftentimes found themselves jailed or murdered by those who wished to take their place or didn’t agree with their politics or religion. Edna knew this would not be Louis’ fate. He would die of natural causes. He would not be an old man, but at least he would not die at the hands of another. She glanced at him. It was a strange thing to know another person’s fate. Seeing him now as a thirteen-year-old boy, she understood that he would have to grow up fast. He was already showing signs of being a mature young man who could take decisive actions that would affect not only himself but his kingdom. She knew from history that unfortunately his relationship with his mother would always be strained. Edna was not here to fix history, so she would mind her own business and focus on Robert and Emilie. They were her only reason for being here.
After what must have been hours in the saddle, they spied riders up ahead of them.
“There they are,” Louis said. As they approached, he called out, “You there! Stop!”
The men looked back and recognizing Louis, did as he’d ordered.
“Your Highness,” Concini, who was leading the group, doffed his hat and bowed his head. The other’s followed suit.
“Robert, I’ve come to rescue you.” Louis said, a crooked grin on his lips.
Robert returned the grin with one of his own. “I kenned I could count on ye.”
Much to Edna’s relief, Angus was with them and right beside Robert. How he’d convinced Concini to let him join them was something she’d ask him later.
