by GG Shalton
The duke climbed down from the dais and walked with his royal guards to his tent. The villagers looked at each other shocked at the turn of events. The Merle guards pulled Joslyn by each arm escorting her roughly to the tent. She looked back over her shoulders searching for her sisters. Finally spotting them standing by Samuel, she tried to give them a reassuring look. Next to them, Sara’s pale face was full of worry as she waved a hand of support.
Reaching the tent, one of the guards looked down at her. “Wait outside until they call for you.” Joslyn sat down on a barrel, jerking her arm out of his hold. The guard took a step away but stayed within reach.
After several minutes, a huge royal guard with golden tresses on his shirt came outside. “The duke will see you now.”
Joslyn was escorted into a rather elaborate room considering they had just put up the tent that morning. Luxurious furs and golden tables with fancy dishes were displayed throughout. Stacks of food were in bowls for the duke’s disposal along with sweet smelling colognes on top of heavy wooden trunks in the corner. Joslyn kept her head down until they stood her in front of the seated duke flanked by some of his noble companions.
She lifted her head and saw the commander looking toward the duke refusing to meet her stare. The mayor was seated in a chair near the corner of the room. Joslyn curtsied to the duke. “Your Grace.” His lips twitched as his eyes roamed over her body, resting for a brief second on her womanly curves before settling back on her face.
“Miss Rhodes, we seem to have a quandary.” His deep voice confident with authority. He looked at the commander and back to her, taking a moment before continuing. “You see, the commander will swear that your parents attacked him and there will be no witnesses to refute him. Your case will be lost.”
Joslyn’s eyes filled with tears, but she tried hard not to let any fall to show weakness. She searched the room for anyone to come to her defense, finding no supporters she kept quiet and lowered her eyes.
The duke rubbed his lips together while assessing the situation. “But I want to help you.”
His words registered in her mind and snapped her to attention. The rest of the occupants in the room also looked around confused about his meaning. The duke was not known for any kindness. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The king had three daughters by his first queen and two daughters by his second wife. The duke was a nephew to the king and the heir to the throne. He was spoiled by the royal court since he was the only a boy and famous for his tantrums and overspending of the country’s resources. People bowed to his every command, pumping him full of self-confidence he should not have because they were afraid of his wrath.
“I would be grateful for any mercy, Your Grace.” She lowered her head again submissively, her hands shaking.
The duke lifted the corner of his mouth. “How grateful?”
Joslyn looked up to meet his seductive eyes. She was not versed in the world of nobles, feeling confused by his statement. “I have not much, Your Grace. But I do have a few coins that I saved and can probably sell off some animals to raise some more. I will give you all I have, if you would only spare my parents. I can promise you that we would never be in this predicament again. My mother would never go back to the village square.”
The duke looked at one of his companions with a condescending smile. Her innocence seemed to be a source of laughter among some of the guards.
He smiled. “Miss Rhodes. As tempting as your coins sound, I don’t believe that will satisfy the debt.”
Joslyn did not appreciate the men laughing at her. She lost her battle of tears and some escaped her eyes.
The duke held up his hand and a guard leaned down as he whispered into his ear. After a few seconds, the guard walked over to Joslyn. “Miss Rhodes, if you will accompany me outside of the tent to wait for their decision.”
Joslyn nodded, looking at her feet. She did not look at the duke or any of the men in the tent as she followed the royal guard outside. He gave custody over to the local Merle guards to hold her. They stood a few feet away waiting for their orders.
Several moments passed before the mayor appeared and walked out of the tent. He approached her and took off his hat. “Miss Rhodes. We will postpone your parents’ trial for three months. At which time, we will have a special court session. The duke has asked his special council to monitor the proceedings. Your parents will be released to your custody until then. The commander has also dropped the charges against you and you are free to go.”
She felt dizzy and thought she might pass out. The mayor touched her arm. “Do you understand?”
She nodded her head. “Yes, I am just a bit nauseous. Thank you.”
The mayor opened his mouth, then seemingly changed his mind in what he was going to say. “Don’t thank me. Thank the duke. Though I am sure you will.” He turned and stomped off.
Joslyn looked at the Merle guards and turned away. Not wanting anyone to change their mind, she steadied her breathing and walked swiftly through the crowds until she found Samuel. He was waiting as close to the tents as he could on the villager’s side of the court. His face softened when he saw at her. “What happened?”
Joslyn took his arm. “I have been released and my parents will be released into my custody. The duke has given me three months for a new trial. Let’s hurry before anyone changes their mind.” Joslyn looked around him. “Where are Sara and my sisters?”
“They are at the cart. I told them to wait so we could leave as soon as possible. I wanted to get your sisters out of here.” He held on to her arm until they reached the jail and they approached a guard.
“I am here to have my parents released to my custody.”
The guard seemed to recognize her. “I have not been given such orders.”
Joslyn looked up at Samuel helplessly. Samuel stepped forward. “Sir, if you could ask your superior. They told her that she could get her parents.”
The guard was about to protest when the mayor appeared. “Martin, you may release the prisoners to Miss Rhodes care.” He turned to Joslyn visibly disgusted. “Let me warn you, Miss Rhodes, that you will be punished if they commit any more crimes in Merle. Keep them away from the village square until the trial.”
Joslyn swallowed hard. “Of course, sir. My mother will remain at our home.” The mayor shook his head. “Your father too. His shop will be closed.”
“Sir, please. How will my father make a living? We will starve.”
The mayor shrugged. “You are all criminals in my opinion. It’s only by the grace of God the duke has taken an interest in you temporarily. Do not doubt, your parents will be hung in three months.” He leaned closer to Joslyn smelling of brandy. “You came very close to becoming a slave for the west. We will be watching you, Miss Rhodes.” He smiled slyly and took a piece of her hair running it down his fingers. “I do not care if you starve. Your stunt today has humiliated my authority in front of the entire village. I will remember this.” He let go of her hair and pulled his gloves tighter on his hands while walking away.
Samuel touched her shoulder and gave her a comforting squeeze. While the guard went inside to get her parents, Samuel whispered into her ear, “I will bring the cart around the back, so we can be discreet when we leave and go home.”
Joslyn covered his hand with hers. “Thank you,” she answered weakly. He nodded and walked away. A few moments later, her father struggled out of the back doors and limped out to see her. “Papa!” She ran to embrace him. He held on to her tightly as she saw her mother exit the doorway. She leaned back and held out her arm for her mother. “Mama!” They hugged, and Joslyn and her mother cried. The guards ignored them as they left the jail in the shadow of the tree line instead of out in the open for the villagers to see.
Her father cupped her face adoringly. “How did you do it, Josie?”
“I am not sure, Papa. But it’s only for three months. Di
d they tell you?”
Her father nodded. “Three months is better than nothing. Perhaps we can think of a better defense.”
“Did they tell you about your shop?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I heard. But don’t worry, child. I will think of something. God will take care of us.”
Joslyn nodded her head in agreement as she wiped her tears. “Samuel is bringing his cart to take us home.”
“Let’s get out of here as fast as we can.”
They saw Samuel a few moments later pulling up with the cart. Her sisters jumped out and ran to their parents sobbing. Joslyn started crying all over again at their reunion.
Samuel helped get her parents into the cart and they all snuggled together as they rode home.
The next morning Samuel dropped off a wooden box full of vegetables and eggs. He also left a few chickens and three loaves of bread. “You can’t feed us like this, Samuel. You have your own family.”
“We have plenty, Josie.” He smiled shyly before looking away.
Joslyn was touched by his generosity and stepping up on her tiptoes, kissed him on the cheek. The shock made him sway a little and then he caught his balance. He turned a deep shade of pink and made an excuse to leave. “I have chores to do but was hoping you may want to take a walk after supper?”
A smile crept across her lips. “I would love to. Come back around eight?”
He nodded, put his hat on and walked away.
As Joslyn closed the door to go back inside, she noticed her mother watching her from the table. Her usual smile was missing, and she pulled out a chair to sit beside her.
“Josie, I need to talk to you.” The seriousness in her tone frightened her.
“What is it, Mama?”
She reached out and took her hand across the table. “I may not have properly prepared you for the evils in this world. I need to speak to you about something that you cannot repeat to anyone, not even your father.”
Joslyn nodded slowly, taken back by her mother’s serious tone. Her mother managed a tight smile. “You looked stunning yesterday when you ran out into that court. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Joslyn looked down, embarrassed. “Sara thought the court would listen to me if I dressed up.”
Her mother nodded. “Indeed. The dress was not only beautiful, but it was a little provocative.”
Joslyn opened her mouth to protest, but her mother held up her hand. “Your body has blossomed and so have your looks. When you took your wimple off and washed the grime from your face, your beauty could compare to any noblewoman in Locket.”
Joslyn laughed. “I doubt that, Mama. I am not refined, and I am not beautiful.”
“I beg to differ. But sometimes that is a problem. And I am afraid you may have attracted the wrong kind of attention yesterday. I need you to be very careful. You may not go outside unescorted and never go back to the village square.”
“Do you think the mayor will harm me?”
Her mother looked down at the table clearly worried. “I don’t know about the mayor, my dear. But once powerful men notice a beautiful young woman, they get ideas in their heads.”
“Mama, please just say what you want to say.”
“I think they will make you pay for interfering yesterday. The duke does not care about justice. His reputation is one of overindulgence. I admit, I have never seen him or any of the royals before, but rumors are usually true. If he allowed you to go free and move our trial for another three months, he will want something in return.”
“I offered him my coins and told him that I would sell our livestock for more money, but he said he didn’t want that.”
Mrs. Rhodes let out an exacerbated breath. “What do you think he wants, Josie?”
She took a moment before responding, searching her mother’s face before tears welled up in her eyes. “I don’t want to think about that, Mama. I left his tent and never looked back. I pray he left town this morning and is on his way back to Locket.”
“I hope you’re right, my darling. But he will not want to go away empty-handed. Keep your guard up.”
“Yes, Mama.” She leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and then cleaned up the breakfast dishes.
Samuel came by later that night to take her for a walk. He wore clean pants and a nice white shirt that fit him snugly across his chest. He smelled of a woodsy scent and had shaved his beard. Joslyn felt a little uncomfortable as she had her work dress on and did not take any extra care with her appearance. Samuel did not seem to notice and could not keep his eyes off her when he spoke to her parents before their walk. They said their goodbyes and took off on the old dirt road.
The sky was clear, and she could see the stars. Samuel kept a hold of her hand not really talking, just guiding them toward the ridge that looked over the valley. She had been there hundreds of times before, but this was the first time she had been there with him. She had known Samuel her whole life, but he was four years her senior. He never paid her much attention until this past year. His younger brother Henry was a couple of years younger than her and he was always into mischief. Sara was her same age and almost like another sister.
“Would you like to sit down?” His voice was a little shaky from his nervousness.
Joslyn agreed, noticing how the moon gave enough light that she was able to make out a blanket set out on the ground with a basket. She instantly smiled and looked up at him. “You planned this?”
“Yes, I’m guilty. I have a surprise for you inside the basket.” He leaned over the fire pit. “Let me get the fire started.”
She sat down, and he took a seat beside her. Opening the basket, he handed her a skewer of sweet meat. Her eyes widened at his thoughtful gift. “I know how much you liked them at the parade. I asked Mary Sue if they had any left over and she had a few, so I bought them from her.”
“Oh Samuel, you should not have spent your coins on me.”
“Nonsense. They’re my coins and I earned them. It makes me happy to see your smile.”
She looked away, so he wouldn’t see how her face warmed from his compliment.
He smoothed down the blanket with his hand. “Josie are you comfortable?”
His attention was heartwarming, and she felt herself enjoying it. “I am, Samuel. You have been so kind to my family and me. I just don’t know how to thank you.”
He took a piece of bread and handed it to her. “I must confess that you are always in my thoughts. My father says I must marry this year and my parents have spoken with Tracy Norman’s parents for a match.”
“Tracy Norman? Sara never told me.” She put the bread down, suddenly unable to eat.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure Sara knows. I asked my parents to keep it quiet until I made my decision. My pa is putting pressure on me to make an offer. We started building my cottage at the back of his property a few days ago. Tracy wants the match and I am to go to their house for dinner tomorrow. She had to work at the parade, so my parents did not question my attendance with you and Sara.”
Joslyn played with a blade of grass in her hand. She may not love Samuel, but he would make a devoted husband and she felt safe with him. She felt a twinge of jealousy thinking about him with Tracy Norman. Not able to look at him in the eye, she muttered, “Tracy is a nice girl.”
Samuel took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it. “I know I may not be the best catch in the village, but I would take care of you, Josie. I would cherish you and treat you the way a man should a woman. I want you to be my wife.”
Joslyn rubbed her thumb over his hand. “What about Tracy?”
Samuel looked down at their joined hands. “She is a good woman. But my heart is with you. I wanted to see if you returned my feelings before I committed to her. If you don’t, then we can remain neighbors and friends and I will marry Tracy. But if ther
e is a chance that you could love me one day, I want you, Joslyn.”
She smiled hearing him use her proper name. Her close friends and relatives called her Josie, she hardly heard anyone use Joslyn anymore. After a moment, she realized that she wanted to marry him too. Love was not always practical; being cared for and cherished was enough. After settling in her mind that she would be Samuel’s wife and Sara’s sister, a slow smile swept across her face.
“Yes, Samuel. I will marry you.” She reached up and hugged him as he slid his arms around her, pulling her body against him. She liked the feel of his muscular arms embracing her.
She pulled back and he took something out of his pocket. “I wish it could be diamonds, but for now it’s all I have.” Looking down he slid the metal band on her finger. There were etchings of roses in a circle. It must have cost him several coins. “Samuel? This is beautiful. Where did you get it?”
He smiled. “I bought it at the parade when you were speaking to your sisters.”
She held up her hand and liked the feel of it on her finger. He watched her closely as his smile faded to seriousness. Feeling shy, she tried to look away, but he reached up with one hand and moved her hair away from her face. She lifted her eyes up to his face as he moved closer to her. Her heart sped up realizing he was going to kiss her. Her first kiss! Closing her eyes, she felt his soft lips meet hers. It was thrilling as he applied pressure and moved his lips against hers. It ended quickly, and he backed away. “Thank you, Josie. You have made me very happy.”
“We should be going.” He smiled and helped her pack up the basket and cover the fire with dirt. They held hands as he walked her home. As soon as her cottage came into view, they noticed horses in front with a few guards. The colors were not of Merle, and she knew that there had to be trouble. Their walk slowed as Samuel held her closer against him. “Who do you think they are?”
Joslyn’s heart beat harder with every step. “I don’t know. I hope it’s not the mayor changing his mind?”