Page 10 of Love Set Apart
The food was better than Edna had expected. She noticed that Angus thought so, too. He’d cleaned his plate and was looking at hers.
“I’m no’ going to finish it. Help yerself.”
Angus switched plates with her and devoured every last drop, then leaned back in his chair seeming satisfied.
“We’ll sleep well tonight I think,” Edna said.
“Agreed,” Angus said.
Edna sipped the last of her wine and wiped her lips with her napkin. “I hope the bed is comfortable.”
“If no’, I’m sure ye’ll fix it.” Angus winked.
“Tomorrow will be a busy day. Hopefully we’ll meet everyone we need to meet and I’ll have a better idea of what it is that I need to do to help Emilie.”
“I have faith that ye will.”
Edna appreciated Angus’ confidence that she could do this, but despite her normal self-assuredness, she was having her doubts. A good night’s sleep would probably fix that.
Angus stood and pulled her chair out for her. “Shall we?”
A smile appeared on Edna’s lips. She’d be happy to snuggle up next to her man and enjoy their first night in Paris.
* * *
The following morning, much to Edna’s surprise, the carriage was back. “Good morning,” Nicholas said.
“Nicholas, we werenae expecting to see ye this morning.” Edna and Angus had planned to walk to the palace. She wasn’t sure they’d be allowed in, but thought it worth the attempt. It looked now as though they would have no problem whatsoever.
Nicholas bowed to them. “The Queen Mother would be pleased to see you this morning.”
“That would be lovely,” Edna said. Things were falling into place.
Nicholas opened the carriage door, ushering them in.
Edna elbowed Angus. “Me spell still seems to be working.”
Angus placed his arm around her waist as he helped her up into the carriage. “I’ve been under yer spell since we first met.”
“I had nae need to spell ye, Angus. Ye were quite willing if I recall.” Edna settled into her seat and Angus joined her.
He chuckled. “Nae ye did no’.”
The carriage moved through the city to the gates of Tuileries Palace. As they passed through, Edna could hardly contain her excitement. The immense structure was topped by a domed roof and matching cupola. Rows of windows extended out on either side of the magnificent entry they would soon be strolling through. Off in the distance, Edna could see the beautiful gardens of the palace and was absolutely beside herself at the thought of exploring them. She squeezed Angus’ arm as the carriage pulled up at the palace entrance. Anticipation left her feeling abuzz with excitement.
“This way please.” A liveried servant greeted them as they departed the carriage.
Following him in through the grand entry doors, Edna and Angus were amazed at the beauty of the palace. The massive expanse of the entryway seemed even larger when gazing up at the arched ceilings painted with colorful murals extending along the length of the wide corridor. Life-sized paintings of the royal family, past and present, lined the walls. Edna wanted to stop and admire each of them, but the liveryman continued swiftly in front of them and, not wanting to get lost, she followed him.
Everywhere they looked they were met with the beauty one would expect in the French court of this time. Edna glanced down at her dress, which she thought would be perfect for an audience with the Queen Mother, but that now seemed much too drab in comparison to those worn by the women they passed. Beautifully embroidered fabrics in varying pastel shades were everywhere and the women wearing them moved with a regal grace befitting those who walked the halls of the palace. The men were also dressed in resplendent attire that included silky stockings worn over breaches fitted just below the knee and embroidered waistcoats with matching cravats. Coats with full skirts to the knee were the finishing touch on most of their outfits.
As they reached the open doors to the salon, Edna peeked in and noticed quite a few people milling about. “The Queen Mother will be here soon,” the servant said as he left them to enter on their own.
“I wonder which one of these people is Emilie.” Edna said.
“It may be easier to find Robert MacMillan,” Angus noted as he motioned with his head towards a group of men dressed in kilts on the other side of the vast room.
Two thrones, covered in tufted red velvet, were positioned on a dais centered along the wall and facing the door. Drapes of gold and red brocaded fabric hung from a large ornate gold crown centered above. The rest of the room was more subdued than the hall they’d just traversed and yet was still beautifully decorated with paintings and statues. It gave all the focus in the salon to the thrones where the Queen Mother and her son would sit when they arrived.
