He smiled at her encouragement. He was deeply touched by it, too. But she was too close, too young, and too naïve. His rough, callused hand reached up and gently touched her cheek. It was baby-soft and as rosy as a petal. The issue at hand suddenly faded as he found himself consumed by the warmth radiating from her.
The effect on Josephine was equally as jolting. His gentle touch sent shivers bolting through her body and she found herself pleased at the prospect of getting to know him better, and of marrying him. If the man could make her feel like this at a mere touch, she was willing to spend a lifetime seeking his magic touch.
Magic, indeed.
“I am sorry about your mother, Andrew,” she said softly, dropping her hand from his shoulder. “And I appreciate both your candor and your generous offer. Are you sure this is what you wish to do?”
“I have no reservation.”
“Then I accept your offer. I will marry you.”
And with that, he was a man betrothed. There was some excitement in that thought, the thrill of an unexpected future with a woman he was very much attracted to.
“We shall wed as soon as you are ready, mayhap sooner rather than later if the king’s visit is imminent,” he said, realizing he sounded rather happy about the whole thing. “And, might I suggest we make it a double ceremony?”
Josephine nodded. “Absolutely,” she agreed rising to her feet. “Now, I must inform Justine and Sully. And I fear I must prepare myself for a good argument from them both.”
Andrew grinned, rising from the bed beside her, towering over her. When they stood next to one another, she came to his chest. “Allow me to accompany you to deliver the bad news, my lady,” he said, as he offered her his arm. “They might be less apt to argue with my menacing presence.”
Josephine returned his smile. “You are quite menacing, aren’t you?” she said as she accepted his arm. “But, nay. The news must come from me. And, please… now that we are betrothed, you will call me Josephine.”
Andrew felt as if he’d been waiting for that invitation since the day he’d met her. “It would be my pleasure,” he said genuinely. “You will address me as Andrew. Call me what you wish; I will answer.”
It was a sweetly giddy moment and Josephine found herself fighting off a grin. She’d never been giddy in her life, but Andrew certainly made her feel silly and foolish enough.
She liked it.
They walked out into the corridor, heading for the great hall in warm silence, traversing halls with wide, arched ceilings, halls that generations had tread before them. There were grooves in the stone floors from the traffic. Josephine’s thoughts were still quite giddy and she found herself watching her feet as they moved, feeling his big arm warm and firm in her palm.
“What’s your full Christian name, Andrew?” she asked, purely to make conversation.
“Andrew Albert Deinwald d’Vant,” he said. “And yours?”
“Josephine Alys de Carron,” she said. Then, she grinned. “When I was very small, however, I did not want to be called by my name. I insisted that everyone call me Joey. I suppose I wanted to be a boy at that time in my life. Even until his death, my father would call me Joey. Justine calls me that, too, on occasion, when she is not annoyed with me.”
“Joey,” Andrew repeated, a glimmer of a smile on his lips. “I like that.”
She chuckled and looked away. “It is a boy’s name.”
He was grinning at her even though she couldn’t see him. “Not in this case,” he said, “for you are most definitely not a boy. It is rather sweet. May I call you Joey, then?”
She shrugged, both embarrassed and flattered. “Call me what you wish; I will answer.”
He heard his own words repeated back to him, something that made him grin all the more.
“Joey it is,” he murmured.
CHAPTER TEN
Sully and Justine were corralled in Josephine’s sitting room; each one having no idea why they had been summoned.
Ola had been the summoner and she didn’t give either one of them a clue. Therefore, they sat in awkward silence, eyeing each other on occasion but not really speaking, until Josephine entered the room with Andrew in tow.
Although Sully was glad to see Josephine, he found himself wondering why Andrew was with her. He had just spent the past hour in the Knight’s Haven butting heads with other knights regarding Josephine’s situation, and he was in no mood to deal with his jealousy of Andrew.
As always, he banked it well, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, especially with Andrew now in the mix of things. Although he appreciated the lengths Andrew went to in order to save Josephine from the gypsies, he was coming to wonder if the man wasn’t looking at Josephine as more than simply a job. Even now, as he watched Andrew’s expression, there was something in it that suggested his attention towards Josephine was more than common politeness.
And then, there was Josephine herself – as she took a seat next to her sister, Sully read her like a book. She seemed calmer, much more herself, and he wondered why. Did Andrew have something to do with it? Confused and suspicious, he waited for what was to come.
Josephine, for her part, felt for all the world like a bowl of jelly. She was oblivious to Sully’s suspicions, far more concerned with her own feelings at the moment. She’d been quite calm until she saw Sully and Justine, looking at her expectantly. Now, her insides quaked and her palms were moist. She knew that Sully and Justine were going to be angry about this; she knew it intuitively but there was nothing that could be done about it. Clearing her throat quietly, she embarked on news of the king’s visit and her suspicions, for her sister’s benefit. Sully already knew but, by his expression, it wasn’t any easier to hear the second time around.
Justine was quite naturally outraged, loudly voicing her opposition to her sister’s interpretation of the king’s visit. She swore vehemently that she would call forth the powers of darkness to curse the king. But as she raged, Sully sat in silence, eyeing Andrew intermittently.
There was something not quite right in all of this. He suspected there was a reason behind The Red Fury’s presence, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He partially shut out the conversation between Josephine and Justine, and began mentally searching for various reasons as to why Andrew d’Vant was trailing Josephine like a shadow. He needn’t have strained so hard for, in little time, the answer fell in his lap as Josephine cut to the heart of the matter.
She stood abruptly, cutting off her sister’s argument with a sharp wave of her hand. When Sully finally looked at her, he realized he’d never seen her look so determined.
“Because the king is giving me no choice in this matter, it seems that I must make drastic decisions to save Torridon, and all of us, from Colin Dalmellington,” she said in a tone that left no doubt as to who was in charge. “Justine, I know you are angry, but shouting curses at the king is not helping the situation, so kindly shut your mouth. Since I am convinced that the king’s visit will result in a betrothal to our greatest enemy, it is apparent that the only way to avoid a marriage is to already be married. I have, therefore, decided to marry immediately.”
“What?” Sully asked, shocked. Now, she had his full attention. “Marry? Marry whom?”
Josephine could see the astonishment in his eyes, both the fear and the hope of it. Her manner softened somewhat. “I just do not see that there is any other option,” she said. “Justine will marry immediately, too. We must both be married so King Alexander cannot contract either of us to Dalmellington.”
Justine flew at her. “Married?” she screamed. “I will not marry, not by the king’s command or by yours!”
Josephine, surprisingly, didn’t explode. She looked at her sister with as much patience as she could muster. “I do not like this any more than you do,” she said evenly. “But I truly believe I have come to the only possible solution.”’
“It is not solution,” Justine argued. “It is a sentence for a doomed existence
!”
Josephine’s anger was mounting. “What would you have me do, Justine?” she hissed. “Marry Colin? Condemn you and all of Torridon to living under his sadistic rule? Please tell me if you have any other ideas, for now is the time!”
Justine’s jaw flexed while she thought on those words. It was as if only she and her sister existed; Sully and Andrew faded far into the shadows. This was between the two sisters. Justine didn’t like the fact that Josephine was choosing the path of her life and she couldn’t honestly see that her sister was only trying to protect her. Justine only knew what she wanted from life, and marriage wasn’t a part of it.
“And just who are we to marry?” she finally sneered.
“You will marry Sully,” Josephine said quietly. “And I shall marry Andrew.”
Justine looked at her sister as if she had not heard correctly. Her eyes bulged and her mouth popped open, but strangely, she didn’t argue. Then, with painful confusion, she looked at Sully.
He still sat by the window, his blue eyes riveted to Josephine. He didn’t move or speak, but his eyes screamed with disbelief. He honestly could not believe what had just come forth from Josephine’s lips, and the air in the room seemed to stand still while Justine and Sully digested the news.
Finally, he rose to his feet. His motion was slow, which was unlike Sully at all.
“How did you decide on this… match, my lady?” he asked hoarsely.
Josephine needed him to understand. “Andrew’s father was the Earl of Annan and Blackbank, and he would be more of a suitable match for me,” she said. “You are born of a good family, Sully, and you are a very suitable match for Justine. In fact, you are almost like family as it is, so the marriage would be a mere formality.”
Sully’s gaze lingered on her a moment longer before glancing at Andrew. “And he has agreed to it?”
“It was his idea.”
Sully wasn’t surprised by that; he really wasn’t. All of his suspicions about Andrew’s behavior towards Josephine came to a head; the man has wanted her all along. With her, comes Torridon. Did he even realize that the woman was more valuable than the fortress? Perhaps; perhaps not. Either way, Sully would now have a mercenary for a liege.
But it was better than the alternative.
With a sigh of resignation, he turned away. Josephine went to him, praying the man wasn’t deciding on just how much he hated her at the moment.
“Please tell me your feelings, Sully,” she said softly. “I must know.”
He shrugged, unable to look at her. “It would seem that you have already made your decision.”
“I have,” she said. “But I truly feel there is no other alternative if we are to keep Colin Dalmellington out of Torridon. What would you rather do, Sully – serve him? Or marry my sister to keep him away?”
Sully didn’t know which he would rather do. Both seemed like hellish futures to him. He looked to Andrew, standing silently by the chamber door, and he felt a stab of both jealousy and anger.
As much as Sully’s mind raced to discover an evil streak to Andrew d’Vant, his good sense could not believe that there was anything nefarious to Andrew’s suggestion of marriage. It was, in fact, a very logical solution. And although Sully didn’t know Andrew well, he simply didn’t seem like a man with an ulterior motive. His reputation, even as a mercenary, was an honorable one. But the price to keep Colin Dalmellington away for good was that not only would Josephine marry Andrew, but Sully would marry Justine. Never in his wildest nightmares did Sully ever imagine himself being married to the crazy younger sister he seriously disliked.
But Josephine wished it.
His beautiful, sweet mistress, the woman he deeply loved, wanted him to marry her sister. God, he knew his hopes to marry Josephine had been foolish. He knew he wasn’t of her station, so there was no possibility for a match. It hurt his heart to realize that, once and for all. If there was a silver lining in all of this, a marriage to Justin would forever tie him to Josephine, even if he wasn’t married to her. He would become part of the de Carron Clan, and Hugh’s son.
It wasn’t how he’d always hoped it would be, but it was something he would have to be satisfied with. Taking a deep breath, he turned to look at Justine.
The woman was dressed all in black, looking as strange as she usually did. He’d known her most of his life and although she was an odd one, she did have redeeming qualities. And she was young enough so that a husband could mold her.
At least, he hoped so.
“If Lady Justine will have me,” he said softly, “then I would be honored.”
Josephine smiled with great relief and turned to her sister. “Justine?” she said encouragingly.
Justine’s mind was reeling. While Sully was watching a dream die, she was watching one realized; her most far-fetched dream was to come true. “If she would have him?” Sully was the only man in the world Justine would consider having, as much as she vehemently denied any and all marital aspirations. But he would never, ever know. To let her guard down and admit she had feelings would be admitting weakness, and she had none. At least, that’s what she wanted everyone to think. She was proud and perfect. Taking on a rather arrogant stance, she looked at Sully.
“Since it is so important to Josephine,” she said stiffly, “I will marry you.”
“You are, indeed, wise, Lady Justine,” Andrew said as he finally stepped forward. “Sir Sully will be a fine husband.”
Sully chuckled ironically and turned away. Josephine watched him a moment, hoping the man didn’t hate her overly, before turning to her sister.
“I expect the king within the next day or two,” she said. “He is very close. Therefore, our marriages must take place right away. I will make the arrangements for the ceremony to take place at noon in the great hall. Sully?”
He swung around to face her at the sound of her voice. He’d spent his entire life jumping when she called to him, and would continue to do so.
“My lady?”
“Send someone to fetch the priest in Ayr,” she ordered. “Father Delmo at St. John’s. He will do.”
“Aye, my lady.”
“And, Sully?”
“My lady?”
“After you marry my sister, you may call me Josephine or Joey, as you used to when I was younger,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I realize that when James and Father died, your address became formal with me, as was proper, but soon you will be my brother. There is no place for titles.”
Sully couldn’t help the grin. “Aye, my lady.”
So far, Andrew had remained mostly silent throughout the entire exchange. But now that the situation was starting to ease, at least as far as the decisions that had been made, Andrew suspected the two sisters had much to discuss and he would give them their privacy.
“I will accompany Sully and assist him in his duties,” he said. “Good eve to you, Lady Justine. Good eve, Joey. See you on the morrow.”
Justine looked at her sister curiously as Andrew followed Sully from the room. She waited until both men had left before speaking.
“Joey?” she whispered. “You told him Father’s nickname for you?”
Josephine tore her eyes away from the closed door and looked a little guiltily at her sister. “It came up in conversation,” she said. “I told him he may call me by the name if he wishes.”
Justine eyed her sister for a moment longer before going in search of a chair. She sat heavily, much calmer and quieter than she had been earlier. Josephine sat in a chair opposite her sister, also lost in her thoughts. So very much had happened this day that she was still trying to absorb it all.
“I cannot believe that tomorrow at this time I will be Sully’s wife,” Justine finally said.
“Nor can I believe that tomorrow at this time I will be married to The Red Fury,” Josephine said. “It does not seem possible.”
Justine looked at her sister. “My poor darling,” she said as compassionately as she could muster. “Marri
ed to a man you hardly know, and a mercenary at that.”
Josephine fought off a smile as she turned away. “He is not all bad,” she said, remembering the tale he told her earlier and even the heated kiss they’d shared in the midst of the gypsy’s camp. “He can be rather… pleasant.”
Justine simply cocked an eyebrow in disagreement. “Although I haven’t noticed personally, the women around here swear he’s somewhat of a god,” she said. “It seems he has taken a couple of our servants to his bed. When I think of…”
Josephine cut her off, her eyes wide with shock. “What do you mean by that? He has been bedding our servants?”
“The man is a pig, Josephine,” Justine insisted. “Surely you have realized that.”
Josephine flamed. “How dare you speak of him like that!” she said. “He is nothing of the sort. But then again, you were always a terrible judge of character. Listen to me, Justine – I suggest you reform your opinion of Andrew d’Vant, or at least keep your stupid opinions to yourself. He is to be your brother-in-law, whether or not you like it.”
Justine cocked her head, her eyes narrowing at her sister as if something had just occurred to her. “I understand now,” she said. “You like this… this man, don’t you? You are pleased at this marital agreement!”
“Still your tongue, woman!” Josephine waved her hand irritably. “I do not even know the man. And as for the marital arrangement, I would rather marry a stranger than Colin Dalmellington.”
Justine simply eyed her sister, disbelieving everything she was telling her. With a shrug, she finally turned away, but not before the damage was done.
Josephine was angry – angry at her sister’s wild claims and angry at Andrew’s hot blood. Why on earth should his liaisons bother her? She didn’t know. She felt a distinct sense of betrayal and he wasn’t even her husband yet.
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