Hugh: Pirates of Britannia Connected World (Sons of Sagamore Book 1)
Page 11
“What about DuClare and Rodigio?” Hugh asked.
“They were not involved. Miles spoke to them, but they declined. They were concerned with the authenticity of the items. Falin used their names with the intent of you losing their business as well,” Fawcett said.
“You and John did a good job.”
“I didn’t work with John,” Fawcett said.
Hugh and Gareth stared at John.
“Don’t look at me,” John said.
Chapter Eleven
Sagamore Hall
New Year’s Eve, 1289
“It’s much like I remember it.” Gareth sat in the solar next to the fireplace. This had been his favorite room when he was a boy. He and his brothers played in here after the evening meal while his parents talked. It was a time for them all to be together. He stood, walked to the window, and ran his finger down the frame.
“It’s there. I looked for the mark, too,” Miles said.
“What mark?” said Graham, as he and Hugh joined them.
“Your father decided to carve his initials into the window frame. His mother was furious but didn’t know who to blame.”
“Miles added his initials and she blamed him for being a bad influence.” Gareth flung his head back and roared with laughter.
“Yer having much too much fun with yer brother,” said Moira. “It’s time we went into the great hall. Come, Hugh. Ye wouldn’t want to miss yer own wedding.”
Moira linked one arm in Gareth’s and her other arm in Miles’. Hugh and Graham came up next to them.
“I had a nice visit with you and Lord and Lady Reynolds,” Miles said. “I was touched by the recognition your clan gave me as Gareth’s uncle.”
“Sometimes you need a statement, a ceremony to let go of the old and celebrate renewal. There is something to be said for the old ways.”
The years had begun to fade. They would always be there, but not every day. God’s Toes, it was good to be with Miles and his family. They had so much time to make up.
The three walked down the stairs to the great hall. “Miles, why did ye return to England?” Moira asked.
“Juliet’s father asked me why an English earl was not in England. I gave him vague answers. He accepted my answer with a knowing nod and said nothing more. After Juliet died, we walked through the vineyard, sat with a glass of wine watching the sun set. I told him everything. His advice was to return and make amends. Then and only then would I be free of the guilt that I carried. I came back to England several times on business, but it took me a while to follow his advice.”
“This is where I must leave you. I will see you shortly.” Hugh said, leaving as they entered the hall. It was arranged to Charlotte’s specifications. The hearth was ablaze. The aroma of warm spiced mead filled the room.
Miles took a deep breath. “Wonderful.” He ladled a cup for Moira, Gareth and himself. He moved them to the trestle tables.
“Where was I. Yes, when I returned to England, I went to Fawcett to surrender. He told me no warrant existed. I couldn’t believe his words. Everywhere I went, whether in France or England, I feared someone would recognize me. The only place I was safe was at the chateau. But when Fawcett told me there was no warrant, I made plans to return to England.”
Labatrelle champagne was ready for a toast. Breads and a variety of cheeses were laid on wooden boards on the trestle tables.
“Soon after I returned, Falin approached me in London and shoved the warrant under my nose. Of course, for a price, he would keep quiet.”
“Ye knew he was lying.” Moira said, as she cut a small piece of cheese.
Miles chuckled. “I let him think I believed him and spoke to Neville. He said I needed proof. We worked together gathering evidence. We didn’t find any warrants or anything that would tie Falin to the murders. Falin had those locked up somewhere. But I wouldn’t give up.” He asked, “Gareth, do you remember taking a package of estate papers to Swift, Thomas’ solicitor, for Sarah?”
“Vaguely, why?”
“I went to see Swift. Well, his son. He had all of Thomas’ papers sealed away. I went through them and found information that Forest was using Sagamore land as the center of his smuggling business. It also contained evidence of Falin’s thievery. As Thomas’ bailiff, he had access to accounts and funds. I also found the message Falin sent to Thomas arranging the final meeting.”
“Ye had no idea he was behind the murders?” Moira asked.
“No. He had too much to lose if I found out. Instead, he went on a campaign and had people believe I killed my brother and nephews and let them go after me.” Miles gazed at the people surrounding him. “I have many regrets. Returning to England is not one of them.”
“I have greetings for you and Charlotte. I’ve received a message from MacAlpin,” Gareth said. “The pirate sends his good wishes. He was eager to tell me how he got the arrest warrant. Falin was more of a fool than I thought. Falin believed the relationship between himself and MacAlpin was a close one. He let MacAlpin know he had documents about Father’s murder. Falin had no idea the pirate king was close with Wesley and me. MacAlpin had the papers stolen.”
Miles began coughing. Gareth pounded him on his back. “Are you all right?”
“All right? To keep food on the table and a roof over our heads, I delivered messages and packages for several customers. MacAlpin sent me word in August and asked me to make a delivery for him. Those must be the papers. The man does have an odd sense of humor.”
Gareth glanced around the room and leaned close to Graham. “Where is Donald? We can’t wait much longer.”
“He’s coming from London. I don’t know why he’s late.”
Miles came up to them. “Everything is ready. Where is Donald?”
“On his way from London,” Gareth said. “We’ll start without him.”
A clatter of noise drew their attention toward the door. Donald hurried in, moved to his father’s side, and handed him a small pouch and a document.
“It’s done with the king’s blessing.”
Gareth stood by Hugh and emptied the small pouch into his son’s hand.
“This is my father’s ring. I never thought I’d see it again,” Gareth said.
“The signet is a powerful tool. Showing it to my father’s solicitor was as good as the earl’s signature. Falin had it. He planned to use it to steal money, but Thomas protected the trust. It wasn’t Miles my father worried about. It was Falin and Forest. He went to meet Falin that afternoon to tell him he had enough. They were to stop, or he would take action.”
“The ring belongs to the sitting earl.” Hugh got down on one knee in front of his father. “I pledge my fealty to the Earl of Sagamore.”
Gareth pulled his son to his feet. “I was the fourth son. Sagamore was never meant to be mine. I am content with who and what I am. This is your legacy.” He handed Hugh the ring. “It is yours not because you were born into it, but because you fought for it. Your brothers stand by you as I stood by mine.”
“We stand together, as we always have and always will. We pledge our fealty to you Hugh, the Earl of Sagamore.” Graham and Donald stood with him.
“Yer countess is waiting for ye,” his mother said.
Hugh reviewed a scrap of parchment he had with him.
“Ready?” his father asked.
He put the note away and nodded to his father.
Gareth opened the doors leading into the great hall.
“Lord Hugh,” Gareth announced in a commanding voice from the doorway. He walked into the room and stood before a man in elegant robes. Donald and Graham stood next to each other.
“What kept you?” Graham whispered.
“I had to get their wedding gift.” Donald patted his chest. “DeGraw’s signature on a document with the terms Hugh wanted. There are some other clients of his I may need to speak to. I also have a gift for Charlotte. I spoke to DuClare and Rodigio. The two are sailing from France to Egypt, and they’re willing to tr
ansport the relics for them. And I had to speak to Fawcett.”
Graham’s head whipped around to face Donald. “Fawcett? It’s you who helped the sheriff.”
Donald kept his focus on the cleric and Hugh. He didn’t say a thing.
Destiny made them brothers; fate rendered them friends.
“Shush. Dinna ye know yer brother is marrying?” Moira said.
Donald took a solemn stance and nudged his brother.
Graham shook his head and gave his attention to the Hugh in the front of the room.
“Kneel, my lord,” the cleric, sword in hand, demanded. “Kneel and prepare for the sword of courage. Take your rightful place and humble yourself before your king and maker. As you bravely and solemnly come here today, you have shown to all present that you are worthy and ready to care for this woman, Charlotte, whom you have chosen from this day forward. To take thy woman’s hand is an act of bravery only supplanted by the call to arms. Do you understand and accept this, Sir?”
“Yes, I understand.”
The robed man handled the sword with ease. “Three times I tap thee, once in the name of our King…”
A shout rang up from the attending audience.
“… Once in the name of our bishop, and once in the name of our Holy Protector. Now that you have knelt and been christened and tapped, I declare thee ready to receive your bride.”
Charlotte entered and came down the middle of the hall. She was dressed in a green, fine wool bliaut with fur trim around the scooped neckline, and braided trim around the hem and sleeves. A jeweled belt sat at her waist.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, as she drew up to his side. He took her hand and turned to the cleric.
“Now this is the day and time appointed for betrothal. Lord Hugh and Lady Charlotte are here with family, friends, and neighbors, standing together.
“We are gathered here to join this man and this woman in a binding of life. At this day of binding, if any man declares any reason why they may not be coupled together, speak now.”
“It is all well with us—let them marry,” responded the crowd in unison.
“Sir, do you take this woman Lady Charlotte DeMetz Eden, daughter of Miles and Juliet Eden, to wife?”
“I do.”
“M’lady, do you take this man, Lord Hugh MacDougall Talbot Eden, son of Gareth and Moira Talbot Eden, as your husband?”
“I do.” She knelt before him.
He bent to help her. “What are you doing? Are you well?” he whispered.
“I pledge my felty and love to the Earl of Sagamore.”
Hugh helped her to her feet. “You knew?”
“Your father petitioned the king. Donald carried the message. All I did was cheer them on.”
The cleric coughed. “If you are ready?” he whispered.
Hugh took Charlotte’s hand and stood tall.
Charlotte took a deep breath. This was perfect. Life was perfect. Hugh was perfect.
“You may kiss the bride,” the cleric said.
Hugh faced her as their guests waited and spoke softly, only for her ears. The words were easy to memorize and came from his heart. “What is mine, but only you can have?”
Charlotte smiled at the riddle. “Your heart.” She would love him forever.
Hugh took her in his arms and sealed their pledge with a kiss.
The End
About the Author
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all.
Ruth lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her author voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance.
Visit her website (ruthacasie.com) to see what she writes. Her historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary suspense will keep you turning the pages until the end. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.
Facebook
@RuthACasie
Twitter
@RuthACasie
Pinterest
RuthACasie
Instagram
RuthACasie