Page 12 of Love Set Apart
A brief lull in the conversation was followed by Marie dismissing them. “Off with you then. Walk the gardens. They are quite beautiful.”
Looking past them, Marie nodded to someone behind them who obviously was waiting for an audience. Edna and Angus took their leave and headed for the open doors they assumed would lead to the gardens.
“It seems we’ll have our work cut out for us. The Queen Mother made this match and she is the only one who can change its course. Let’s go find Emilie, shall we?”
“Lead the way, me love,” Angus stood by the door allowing Edna to pass through before him. Once down the steps and onto thegrande allée du jardin des Tuileriesthat would lead them through the garden, Edna and Angus stopped for a moment to get their bearings. Marie had been right, the gardens were a spectacular sight. Greenery lined the path on both sides, accompanied by the fragrant smell of roses. The garden was divided into several rectangles filled with colorful flowers and shrubs and separated by pathways for walking.
As they strolled arm-in-arm, Edna spied a young woman walking along with an older man. “That must be Emilie,” Edna said, picking up her pace as she headed straight towards them.
“How can ye tell?” Angus asked, keeping up with her.
“I cannae. I’m just guessing.”
Angus chuckled on hearing this.
Edna gave him the look. The one she saved for when she wasn’t having any of his shenanigans. “Well, there’s nae way to be sure from this distance. We must meet them.”
As they approached, the couple turned towards them. Edna put the brakes on and slowed to a crawl, smiling brightly at them. “Good day to ye,” she said.
“Good day,” the gentlemen bobbed his head in greeting.
“’Tis a beautiful garden. We just met with the Queen Mother and she told us we simply must explore it.”
“It is the perfect day to do so,” the man said.
“I’m Lord Angus Campbell and this is me wife, Edna.” Edna was grateful that Angus made the introductions. She’d been so focused on getting to Emilie she’d completely forgotten all of the niceties involved with meeting people you didn’t know.
“I am Comte Matteo Barbieri and this is my betrothed, Emilie Toussaint.”
Edna had to keep herself from jumping for joy. They’d found her. Now all they had to do was convince all parties that it would be in their best interest to allow Emilie to marry for love and not as part of an arrangement that would benefit the Queen Mother, the Comte and, she imagined, Emilie’s family. “Emilie, I was hoping to meet ye.”
“Is this true?” Emilie asked. A young woman in her early twenties, with pretty honey-colored curls and a sweet face, she seemed a bit shy and reserved.
“Why aye, it is. We wanted to congratulate ye on yer betrothal. The Queen Mother told us all about it.”
Seeming less than enthusiastic, Emilie replied. “Thank you.”
“Will you attend the reception the Queen Mother has arranged for this evening?” Barbieri asked.
“We will be there,” Edna said. She eyed Emilie. “Did ye happen to see the glorious full moon the other night?”
Emilie’s mood shifted from solemn to curious. “I did, Madame Campbell.”
“Wasnae it beautiful? Do ye ken, I’ve heard if ye make a wish on the night of the full moon that it will be granted.”
Emilie’s eyes widened as a hopeful smile lit her lips. “I had not heard,” Emilie said.
“Aye, ’tis true, or so they say.”
Angus took Edna’s cue and engaged the Comte in conversation. The two men wandered further into the garden, leaving Edna alone with Emilie.
“I am here to help ye, me dear,” Edna said, once the men were out of earshot.
Emilie’s hands flew to her mouth as her eyes filled with happy tears. “Bless you, Madame Campbell.”
“Call me Edna, please. It may take some time to sort this all out, but in the end ye will marry the man ye wish and no’ the Comte.”
“My only wish is to marry Robert MacMillan.” Her shoulders slumped and her demeanor returned to sadness once again. “I have spoken to the Queen Mother, but she will not allow it and my father agrees. Robert is a soldier and I am the daughter of a Comte. It is not possible for me to marry him.”
