But Josephine didn’t look at the maids. She was looking at her sister.
“Leave us,” she ordered, and the maids scampered out.
Justine looked at her sister guiltily, bracing for a fight. “I… I am sorry that I did not ask you,” she said. “No one seemed to know where you had gone and I did not want to go downstairs dressed like… that is to say, everything I have is dark, and I wanted to… I mean, I have seen you wear this dress before and it is so pretty, so I thought…”
Josephine cut her off. “That dress never looked so good on me,” she said. “I believe it was made with you in mind.”
Justine looked at her in surprise. “You are not angry?”
Josephine shook her head. “Why should I be?” she asked. Then she looked down at her jewels. “Here – try the pearl collar. It goes with the gown.”
She pulled forth a three-strand pearl and diamond choker and put it on her sister’s neck. It was perfect. Justine looked at herself in the mirror, seeing a well-groomed, fashionably-dressed woman for the first time. Josephine brushed her sister’s hair back from her face and braided it, twisting the braid elaborately at the back of her head. Then, she selected a dozen pearl pins and placed them strategically in the coiffure. Finally, she stood back to view her work.
Justine looked at her timidly, but Josephine could only smile. She looked absolutely lovely, and nothing like the strange pseudo-witch she had been masquerading as. It was as if a light had been lit and now burned brightly in the eyes of Justine, Lady Montgomery.
It was an astonishing transformation.
“Come,” Josephine said softly. “The king awaits.”
Justine looked down at herself. “And… and I look presentable?”
“More than presentable, darling. You are beautiful.”
Justine blushed furiously as Josephine took her by the hand and led her from the chamber.
“Where are Sully and Andrew?” Justine asked as they descended the stairs.
“I left them in the dining hall,” Josephine replied. “Andrew was being abhorrently rude to Nicholas de Londres, the king’s nephew. Have you met him?”
“Nay,” Justine said. “Why was Andrew being rude to him?”
Josephine snorted. “Who can say?” she said. “Nicholas and I were having a pleasant conversation when Andrew demanded Nicholas remove himself from the chair so that he could sit next to me. He was quite overbearing.”
Justine glanced at her sister, seeing the outrage, but perhaps also seeing an expression that suggested she might have been flattered by it. “Where you are concerned, Andrew has every right to be,” Justine said, but she was unusually soft-spoken. “You are his betrothed and I believe he loves you.”
Josephine looked at her sister with a great deal of shock. “Andrew loves Andrew,” she said matter-of-factly. “There is little room for anything else.”
Justine took on the stubborn look that Josephine knew so well. “You are so wrong,” she said. “Last night, he stood guard at your door because he was afraid the king would attempt to seduce you.”
Josephine shook her head, unwilling to give any credence to her sister’s wild idea. “He simply wanted to keep me pure so that he could claim my virginity,” she insisted. “Besides, our king is a married man.”
Justine pulled her sister to a halt. They were in the foyer of Torridon’s keep and there were servants lurking about, so Justine kept her voice low.
“Josephine,” she said seriously, “the king sent three soldiers to retrieve you last night. Andrew killed two of them, and Sully killed the other.”
Josephine was stunned. “What?”
“It is true.”
Josephine was beside herself with shock. “How do you know this?”
Justine’s expression was full of concern. “I heard the noise and peeked from my door,” she said. “I saw it all. It was a terrible, brutal fight and when they were finished, they carried the bodies away. I heard Sully say something about not wanting the king to discover what they’d done.”
Josephine was truly stunned. She’d never had a man kill for her honor before. “God’s Bones,” she finally hissed, thinking of the far-reaching implications of Sully and Andrew killing the king’s men. “He is absolutely right; the king must never know this. He could punish Andrew and Sully, and we would never see them again.”
Justine, surprisingly, understood that. She wasn’t a fool. “I know,” she said quietly. “But I wanted you to know what Andrew did for you last night. That is why I believe he feels more for you than you realize.”
Josephine looked at her sister, seeing some logic to what she was saying. Was it really possible that she was right? Did Andrew, indeed, feel something for her, or was he simply protecting what belonged to him? It was difficult to know. But one thing was for certain – there were three dead men to prove that whatever Andrew was feeling must have been serious.
“I suppose it is possible,” she said. “But we have known each other so short a time.”
Justine simply shrugged. “I am not sure one needs years and years to know if feelings are valid and true,” she said. “Sometimes, all it takes is a glance. Or so I’ve heard.”
Josephine was at a loss for the whole conversation; she was feeling bewildered and uneasy. “Mayhap.”
Justine could see her sister’s expression was one of confusion. She took the woman by the hand and began to lead her towards the door.
“Come now,” she said. “The king awaits, does he not?”
Josephine suddenly remembered that the king needed to speak with her, as he had requested. Her thoughts switched from Andrew’s behavior to the king’s agenda, and a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach made her swallow hard. She mentally prepared herself for what was sure to come as she and her sister entered the torch-filled hall.
She would find out soon enough.
*
The king had retired to the privacy of the Knight’s Haven, waiting for Josephine to return. She was informed of this by the king’s steward when she re-entered the dining hall, but she had to speak to Andrew first. Her eyes scanned the hall quickly, searching for his auburn head.
She found him on the dais with Sully and Thane, engaged in conversation. But the words fell from their lips as Josephine and Justine approached, with each man affixed to his respective lady as Thane wisely excused himself. Andrew smiled warmly at Josephine, pulling his eyes away long enough to glance at Justine.
“Lady Montgomery,” he greeted. “Marriage seems to agree with you.”
Everyone in the room noticed the metamorphosis of Justine, and none more so than Sully. This was not the same woman he merely tolerated just two short days ago. She was transforming into a lovely woman and Sully took it as a sign that she very much wanted to please him. He reached out and took his wife’s hand.
“Join me,” he asked softly.
Justine actually seemed to blush at his attention, as much as she pretended otherwise. She took the seat beside him.
Andrew came from behind the table and stood in front of Josephine, gazing at her with appreciation. She put a hand on his arm.
“May I speak with you?” she asked.
He nodded and offered her his arm. “Of course.”
Josephine took him to the small room that the servants used. It was quiet and private there, with the dark and sooty hearth smelling heavily of smoke. Once inside, she released his arm but did not stray far.
“Justine informed me of last night’s events,” she said quietly. “She told me you killed three of the king’s guards when they came for me.”
Andrew wasn’t really surprised she’d heard what had happened. He paused for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“I would not let them have you,” he said simply.
She put a hand on his arm. “But what if the king discovers what you have done?” she argued softly. “You have put yourself in danger.”
He shrugged. “No more than usual.”
H
e was making light of a situation she considered serious and she was afraid for him. Josephine’s face took on a pained look and she gently squeezed his arm.
“I could have handled the king myself,” she said. “It was not necessary for you to jeopardize yourself so. But please know that I am grateful for your efforts.”
He unfolded his strong arms and tilted her chin up so that their eyes met, soft brown melding with her green. There was a significant amount of tangible emotion that poured between them, growing stronger by the moment.
“You are my betrothed,” he said quietly. “What I do for you is not a service, but what any man would do for his lady. None but me shall ever touch you, and woe to any man who would try. Even the king.”
Josephine was oddly fulfilled by his words. And his touch was warm; she could grow to crave it. Justine’s words came back to her in that instant; I believe he loves you. Looking into Andrew’s eyes, she could almost believe that. There was something there, something meant only for her, and her heart soared because of it.
She was feeling the very same way.
Was it possible to know feelings after having only known someone a few days at most? Perhaps there was no timeline for feelings, as Justine had wisely suggested. Perhaps, they were present in a day as much as they were present in ten days or in ten years. Who could know the unpredictable nature of emotions? Josephine didn’t pretend to. All she knew was that she felt them, too.
And she was worried for what he’d done, but there was no time to dwell on it. She knew the king was waiting for her.
“For all that you have done for me and for my sister, I am touched and grateful,” she finally said. “But I do wish you would be careful. I do not wish for you to be punished because of me.”
He flashed her a grin. “No one would dare punish me, my lady. You worry overly.”
Josephine couldn’t help but grin at his devil-may-care attitude. “Mayhap,” she said. “But mayhap not. In any case, the king is expecting me. I must go to him.”
So far, Andrew had managed to keep the entire conversation rather light in spite of the serious nature of it. But at the mention of the king, his face darkened. He knew that she must attend him, alone, and he wasn’t happy with that thought.
“Then I shall escort you and wait outside the door,” he said firmly.
Josephine didn’t argue with him. Truth be told, she would feel better if she knew he as nearby. The moment that she had dreaded was finally at hand and she took his arm as they headed towards the Knight’s Haven. Andrew noticed her tense shoulders and taut brow as they walked.
“You are troubled,” he said as they passed down the hall. “There is nothing to fear; I am here.”
She didn’t answer for a moment. “There is a great deal to fear,” she said. “I am frightened.”
“You?” he said, teasing her gently. “I do not believe it. You are afraid of nothing.”
She sniffled and came to a halt. There was a tear on her cheek and she tried to brush it away before he saw, but he caught it. He felt his heartstrings pull as she let go of his arm and leaned against the cold, stone wall.
“I am afraid of being forced to marry a man who hates me,” she said, her voice tight. “I have saved everyone but myself, and now I am sorry. I do not want to marry Colin Dalmellington.”
Reaching out, Andrew gathered her hands and held them to his chest, standing very close to her.
“Josephine, look at me,” he ordered, and her eyes reluctantly lifted to meet his. Her sadness was almost more than he could bear. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded, with a sniffle. “Aye.”
He smiled faintly. “Then trust me when I tell you that you shall not marry Colin, or anyone else but me,” he said in a tone that left no room for doubt. “Whatever the king might say to you in there shall have no bearing on our future. You shall become my wife and bear my sons, and we shall have a long and happy life together. Do you believe that?”
He sounded so very sure. “But I cannot disobey the king’s directive,” she said. “To go against a royal order would mean terrible things for us all.”
Andrew cocked an eyebrow. “You made a promise to me before the king ever became involved,” he said. “No directive he can give you will supersede the one you have with me. I will marry you.”
She was caught up in his words, so strong and so confident. “You are used to having your way, in all things.”
“I am.”
“But… I do not understand why you are so determined to marry a woman you have only just met.”
“I told you why. I have explained this to you.”
He had but, somehow, it didn’t seem enough of an explanation. Josephine sensed something more behind his determination, something stronger than he was willing to admit. Before she could think about what she was saying, she spoke.
“Justine thinks it is because you are in love with me.”
Andrew was caught completely off guard by that statement. He stared at her, his eyes caressing her sweet face as those words rolled around in his mind. His first reaction was to scoff; love? Who had ever said anything about love? He had loved his mother and father, and what had that brought him? Only pain and grief. But as much as he found himself denying it, he knew it was true. The little witch was right.
God’s Bones, he was in love with her!
Andrew dropped her hands and looked at her with a furrowed brow. Josephine stared back at him, seeing his nearly enraged expression, and she was very sorry she had even mentioned it. She should not have. But she couldn’t take those words back, not now.
It became apparent very quickly that she had made a terrible mistake. Embarrassed, Josephine turned away from him and prepared to continue down the hall. She hadn’t taken two steps before Andrew managed to grab her arm and stop her forward movement. When she turned to look at him, her expression full of shame, he opened his mouth as if to say something but couldn’t seem to speak.
Still, his expression said more than words could. The outrage turned into puzzlement, and puzzlement to understanding. His features softened and he pulled her close, and closer still. His gaze was intense, his arms holding her fast, and he could feel her relax against him. Her warmth against his warmth, her body molding to his. Andrew had never experienced a more comforting or emotionally satisfying embrace in his life and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this same feeling. He wanted to capture it, to savor it, and to spend his life loving Josephine.
Without a word, Andrew’s lips slanted over hers softly, yet with increasing passion. Josephine gave in to his kiss immediately, swept away with the sheer tenderness behind the action, and even as his tongue licked at her pink mouth, she could think of nothing but the sheer pleasure of it. Emotions stirred so deep within her that her limbs ached with her need for him.
Indeed, she needed him.
He needed her.
Feeling her respond to him undid Andrew. It released a passion in him stronger than he ever thought possible. He pulled his lips from hers, kissing her cheeks, her eyes, and her neck. His strong hands roamed her body, exploring her with every touch, every caress. There was so much in his heart, so much that had built up in a very short amount of time that he hardly knew where to start.
“I think that I have always loved you,” he whispered between fevered kisses. “I cannot remember when I have not. I have been a fool to deny it.”
Joy soared in Josephine’s heart. She threw her arms around his neck and, for the first time in her life, felt as if she could depend on someone other than herself. She was no longer afraid to show her feelings because she knew, with Andrew, they were safe. She was safe.
It was the most wonderful feeling she had ever known.
“Promise me,” she whispered into his ear. “Promise that you will never leave me and that you will always love me.”
He heard her wistful tone and pulled back, his hands cupping her face. “I vow on my father’s grave that I will love
no other but you, for now and for always,” he said hoarsely. “But we must be realistic. There will be times when I will have to leave you, but I shall always return to you. Not even death can keep me from returning to you, Joey. I swear it.”
Josephine believed him, implicitly. Moving forward, she kissed him sweetly and put a finger to his lips as she drew back. “Then what the king says matters naught,” she said. “For I know where my true destiny lies. It lies with you.”
He kissed her finger, caught up in a maelstrom of emotion that was overwhelming him. “As mine lies with you,” he murmured. “Let me hear it from your lips, Joey. Tell me you love me.”
She didn’t hesitate. “I love you.”
“Love is what life is made of.”
She smiled faintly. “Truly… it is.”
He kissed her fingers again and they resumed their walk down the torch-lit hall. For now, what lay at the other end of it didn’t matter any longer.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Had King Alexander not found Josephine de Carron so utterly lovely, he might have been truly annoyed at her tardiness. Instead, he poured her a cup of wine himself and indicated for her sit next to him at the massive table where the de Carron knights would meet.
Josephine accepted his invitation graciously, already on her guard and so very grateful that her beloved awaited just beyond the door. Although her heart was still fluttering with delight from her conversation with Andrew, she made a sincere effort to focus on the king. After all, he wanted to speak with her about something evidently serious.
She needed her focus.
“Now, Lady Josephine,” the king said as he sat back comfortably in her father’s chair, the chair that Josephine usually sat in. “The time has come to reveal the purpose of my visit. I know that you are unmarried, and I had not heard of your sister’s marriage until my arrival. The latter revelation has disturbed my plans somewhat, but not entirely.”
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