Page 49 of The Tempest
Payne nodded. “She was.”
Fox put a hand on his belly, looking sick. “And you did not marry her with royal approval?”
Payne shook his head. “Her father is dead and her nephew currently sits on the throne,” he said, suspecting what Fox was leading up to. “Fox, ye worry too much. She’s not close tae her family. In fact, she was married tae the Duc de Tarragona until last year when he passed away. Ye may as well all know thetruth of it, something my mother doesna know, so please dunna share this with anyone other than our group. It seems that the Duc de Tarragona was not only involved in legitimate trade, but also had a fleet of pirate ships. His legitimate ships would deliver goods and then the pirate ships would sweep in after the delivery was made and steal it. At least, that is how it was explained tae me. It seems that Astria—my wife—was involved with the pirates as well as the legitimate business. She’s a fiery woman, fearless in manner. Tae answer yer question, Fox, she has no relationship with the royal family that she has told me of. According tae her, she is quite on her own.”
That didn’t seem to ease Fox much. He still looked concerned. “Marrying a woman of royal blood by force will see you executed,” he said seriously. “I do not want that to happen to you.”
Payne shook his head. “Please dunna worry over me,” he said. “I know ye’re only thinking of my life, but the situation is far more complex. I’ve only given ye the main facts of the matter and I’ll tell ye more when we have the time, but for now, that is the situation. Denis and Sebastian are fully informed. I intend tae stay here and continue my duties, but at some point, I will need tae return tae Scotland and see tae my lands.”
There didn’t seem much more to say, especially since they had a class facing them. But Sinclair had something more to speak on and wanted to make sure Fox and Kristian knew.
“There’s something else you should know and it does not seem as if Payne is going to tell you,” he said. “Evidently, he has a brother serving with Bloody Maude who covets Payne’s titles. We must be cautious of any Matheson brother who comes around, looking for Payne.”
Payne knew they were only watching out for him and he appreciated it. Was he truly concerned about Declan? Probably not, but he also hadn’t seen his brother in ten years. He didn’tknow just how ruthless the man had become, so vigilance wasn’t a wasted effort when it came to Declan. But he’d rather wished Sinclair hadn’t said anything, because it made him feel as if he couldn’t handle Declan on his own.
And he’d always been able to handle him.
“Speaking of being cautious,” he said, pointing to the assistant who was warming up the class. “Have ye noticed that Anteaus is as good as ye are with a sword, Sin?”
He was changing the focus deliberately, and the three men glanced over at Anteaus de Bourne, an assistant trainer from a very fine northern family who was, indeed, as good as Sinclair was with a sword.
Almost, anyway.
“Of course I have,” Sinclair said. “And do not change the subject. I am concerned that your brother covets your title and property. He is a pirate, Payne.”
“I know.”
“Killing and stealing is his vocation.”
Payne put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I am well aware,” he said, giving him a pat. “I love ye for worrying over me, Sin, but it is unnecessary. Declan will keep his distance. Soon, he’ll be back out tae sea and I’ll probably never see him again.”
“He’s your brother,” Sinclair said. “Of course you’re going to see him again.”
Payne shook his head. “Ye’remy brother,” he said quietly, a twinkle in his eye. “Ye are, and Fox and Kristian and the rest are. Ye’re all my brothers. Declan and I may be related by blood, but that’s all. That’s where it stops.”
Sinclair nodded, a smile playing on his lips as he turned his attention back to the recruits. “I’m sorry that your brother is in blood only,” he said. “But you have the rest of us, and we make a loyal bunch.”
“Ye do,” Payne said, removing his hand from the man’s shoulder. “Speaking of loyalty, ye have a class tae teach and I have a wife tae return tae, so let’s get on with it.”
They did. Payne was about to collect a sword from the collection Anteaus had brought out, but he was distracted by someone calling his name. As Sinclair and Fox and Kristian went to start the class, Payne found himself being summoned by St. Sebastian, who was waving an arm at him.
Payne went to meet him.
“Good,” St. Sebastian said. “I wanted to catch you before you started with your tasks. Do you have a moment to speak, Payne?”
Payne nodded. “Of course,” he said. “How may I be of service?”
St. Sebastian seemed to grow uncomfortable. “I come with a message from my father,” he said. “Not me, mind you, but my father.”
“What’s the message?”
“He wants to know when your mother is leaving.”
Payne had been expecting a message of that sort, just not so soon. He could see that St. Sebastian, a truly likable man, was uneasy asking it. He held up a hand to relax the man’s nerves.
“Very soon, I’m sure,” he said. “I married the Portuguese princess this morning and that was the only reason my mother came tae Blackchurch, so I’m certain she’ll leave immediately. Tell yer father not tae worry.”
St. Sebastian looked surprised. “Youmarriedher?” he said. “My God, Payne, that was very fast… wasn’t it?”
