Josephine smiled at the sentiment. “Spoken like a man with a romantic heart.”
Nicholas patted her hand as they walked in silence, making their way to the massive receiving hall. Josephine, once again, began to wonder why Nicholas had brought her here, but she did not ask again. She would know soon enough.
“He’s going to do it at the wedding, isn’t he?”
Nicholas had asked the softly-uttered question just as they neared the door of the hall. He sounded rather concerned about it and Josephine looked at him.
“I do not know,” she said honestly. “I do not even know when or where the wedding is to be. The king has discussed nothing with me. I am living in complete ignorance of my destiny.”
Nicholas felt great pity for his friend’s situation. He felt her sadness and uncertainty, and tried to think of a way to lift her spirits. But, given the situation, he didn’t want to sound callous about it.
“Whatever happens, my lady, and wherever it happens, ye can be assured that I and my sword will be there,” he said. “I may not be very good, but I shall do my best to assist Andrew as needed.”
Josephine looked at him, touched. “Thank you, Nicholas,” she said. “But I hope that will not be necessary.”
It was a bonding moment between them, a moment of true friendship. Josephine knew that she would call him a dear friend until the day she died.
Nicholas led her into the foyer on the way to the receiving hall. There were quite a few servants in the foyer, servants that looked strangely familiar to her. She glanced about her in puzzlement, and then the thunderbolt hit.
Justine and Donald were looking right at her.
“Torridon,” she whispered in shock, then let go of Nicholas’ arm and rushed into the receiving hall. “Justine!”
*
Justine and Donald arrived at Edinburgh Castle with a caravan of wagons and servants. Justine didn’t travel lightly, bringing her trunks and possessions on what was presumably a short visit. The majordomo of the castle was caught quite off guard by their arrival, but once Justine announced she was the king’s cousin, she was promised suites of rooms within the hour.
The man had them wait in the great hall and they obliged, servants scurrying in from the kitchens with trays of refreshments for the king’s cousin. Justine ignored the food and, instead, passed a haughty eye over the riches and wealth that decorated the room. Donald, however, was stuffing his mouth with pears in wine, all the while watching in amusement as Justine pretended the surroundings did not impress her.
The truth was that it was all a little overwhelming. They were tired from their journey and were eager to see Josephine. The emotions were mixed because of the uncertainty of the situation – what had happened since Josephine had been brought to Edinburgh? Was she well? And where were Sully and Andrew? There were a great many questions and, as of yet, no one was able to answer them.
They’d come to Edinburgh for those answers but, in a sense, were fearful to know them. But that all ended when Josephine abruptly appeared and ran at them, swallowing her sister up in her enthusiastic embrace.
It was a joyful reunion with Nicholas at Josephine’s side. Nicholas and Donald reunited warmly, like the friends they were, but the focus was on the women as they hugged and gasped. It was clear there was much surprise, on both sides.
“Why are you here?” Josephine asked. “How on earth did you know to come to Edinburgh?”
Justine knew Nicholas was standing there and she didn’t want to give too much away, given that Sully and Andrew were here. Knowing that Nicholas was close to the king, she didn’t want to give the men away.
Justine shrugged. “Where else would you go?” she said, eyeing Nicholas with some distrusted. “How did you know I was here? We have only just arrived?”
Josephine pointed to Nicholas. “He told me you were here.”
All eyes turned to Nicholas, who simply shrugged as he looked to Josephine. “I saw yer sister arrive as I was out on the grounds,” he said. “There is no big mystery about it. She arrived not long after the earl did.”
The mood of the reunion plunged, and both Justine and Donald looked at Josephine. “The earl?” Justine repeated. “The one you are betrothed to?”
Josephine nodded her head, trying not to show how utterly miserable she was about it. She didn’t want to show that out in the open for all to see.
“Aye,” she said, swiftly wanting off the subject. Instead, she pointed at her sister’s all-black clothing. “What is this? Why are you dressed like this?”
Justine looked down at herself, clad in her usual dark attire. At least, it had been usual until she’d married Sully, but her sister didn’t know what she had planned. Cards, readings, divining her sister’s future… Sully and Andrew had come to Edinburgh to help Josephine one way. She’d come to help in another way entirely.
“I must dress appropriately if I am to properly entertain,” she said, then put up a hand as Josephine tried to question her further. “Please do not argue, Josephine. Just… trust me.”
Josephine was all set to have words with her sister, but something in Justine’s tone caught her attention. The woman didn’t have the usual wild-eyed look about her. In fact, there was some reason in her gaze. It occurred to her that her little sister had something up her sleeve… but what? Josephine didn’t press her, however, but she most certainly would later when they were alone. There was so very much to talk about, she hardly knew where to begin.
“Very well,” Josephine finally said, then looked at Donald. “Donald, I’m very glad to see you.”
Donald, ever gallant, kissed her hand and openly admired her beauty. “Ye outshine the sun, my lady.”
Josephine grinned at her flattering friend before turning turned back to her sister. “Have you been given your rooms yet?”
Justine shook her head. “Not yet,” she said. “But soon, I hope. I am weary from the journey.”
Josephine understood that all too well. “Then come,” she said, gesturing to a nearby table where more refreshments had been placed. “Let us sample some of this wonderful food while you are waiting.
Justine followed her, with Donald and Nicholas bringing up the rear. Justine grasped her sister by the arm and leaned in to her.
“Where is Sully?” she whispered. “Have you seen him?”
Josephine paused at the table, catching Nicholas’ eye. “Aye, I have seen him,” she said. Then, she lowered her voice. “He is in the dungeon.”
“What?” Justine shrieked, her hands flying to her mouth. “Why is he there? What has happened?”
“Shhh!” Josephine grabbed her sister to keep her from attracting attention. “Do not worry; Nicholas will free him, I promise.”
Justine looked at Nicholas in a panic, realizing he knew about Sully and Andrew’s appearance. Certainly, Josephine would not speak so casually in front of the man had he not known. There was some relief to that, but there was also some fear.
“But the dungeons?” Justine gasped, tears in her eyes. “Why is he there?”
Josephine slapped a hand over her mouth because she was growing loud. “Quiet!” she hissed. “Have no fear, please. All will be well but you must trust Nicholas!”
Justine’s eyes were as wide as saucers and Josephine was hit by the intensity of the woman’s anguish. She was terrified for the husband she’d had for less than a week, and rightfully so. She’d never before seen such a look of intense fear on Justine’s face.
But then, it dawned on her. Justine was in love with Sully. Her sister – her strange, flighty, and obstinate sister – actually loved Sully. Josephine would have let her joy show but, somehow, it didn’t seem right at the moment. Sully was in a crisis and Justine was nearly hysterical. With her sister’s feelings in mind, she turned to Nicholas.
“Can we do anything now?” she asked him.
Nicholas looked thoughtful. “Possibly,” he said. “Does the king yet know of Sully’s imprisonment?”
Josephine was at a loss. “I do not know,” she said. “Why?”
“Because,” Nicholas said, “I would imagine that if his two beautiful cousins pleaded with him to release Sully, he would easily give in.”
“There is no need.”
The statement came from the doorway near the table and everyone turned to see Ridge standing there.
Josephine’s face darkened. It had been Ridge who had imprisoned Sully in the first place and she was furious with him. But it wouldn’t do to harass the man, not when he possibly held Sully’s life in his hands. Neither would Josephine tell Justine of Ridge’s role in Sully’s imprisonment. It wouldn’t do for Justine to charge the man and possible be thrown into the dungeons right along with her husband.
“Why not?” Josephine asked the man. “And how long have you been standing there?”
Ridge emerged from the doorway, heading in their direction. He greeted Justine politely before returning his attention to Josephine.
“Long enough to hear you discuss Montgomery with his wife,” he said. “Voices carry in this hall. I would wager to say I wasn’t the only person who heard what you said.”
Josephine sighed sharply, looking about the hall, not realizing voices carried in it. “So, you heard me,” she said, snappish. “That still doesn’t tell me why we should not make the effort to plead for Sully’s release to the king.”
Ridge glanced at the food and reached over to pick up a sweet oat cake. “Because I released him myself not ten minutes ago.”
Josephine was shocked, looking at her sister, who reflected her own confusion. “I do not understand any of this,” she said. “Why is he released? And why did you imprison him in the first place?”
Before Justine could react to the news that it had been the big, dark knight who had incarcerated her husband, Ridge focused on Josephine.
“Because,” he growled. “Consider it a warning to the man. The earl must realize that here in Edinburgh, the king is absolute. There will be no half-assed rescue attempt by a mercenary and a nobleman. The king has decreed that you shall marry the Earl of Annan and Blackbank, and we must all obey the king’s decree. Is that in any way unclear?”
His voice was so very hard, and Josephine’s lovely face darkened with anger. Several heated retorts sprang to her lips, but she refrained. Ridge was speaking with his head, not his heart, and she knew it. She knew the man well enough to know he was saying all of that for show. Voices carry in the hall, he’d said. He was being smart about this, whereas she hadn’t been. But looking in his eyes, she could see that he had every intention of making sure she obeyed the king and her heart sank. It was Ridge, the ever-firm upholder of the king’s wishes. No matter what he felt, he wasn’t going to give in to those feelings.
He would see the king’s wishes carried through no matter what.
God, she hated him for it.
“Remember your debt to me, de Reyne,” she countered with equal steeliness. “That is all I demand of you.”
Ridge’s dark eyes glittered at her but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t react in any way. Infuriated, upset, Josephine turned her back on him, facing the food table as she began to help herself. Justine wandered up beside her.
“What now?” Justine she asked. “And who is that knight?”
Josephine shoved something sweet into her mouth. “He is the king’s bodyguard,” she said. “He came with Alexander to Torridon. Did you not see him?”
Justine wasn’t sure so she glanced at him again. “I do not know,” she said. “What does he have to do with any of this?”
“He is the one who abducted me from Torridon.”
Justine looked at Ridge through new eyes, perhaps newly hostile eyes. “He did?” she hissed. “And then he put Sully in the dungeons?”
“Aye.”
Justine was quite certain that she didn’t like Ridge de Reyne now, not in the least. “Then where is my husband?”
Ridge heard her. “He was released outside of the gates, Lady Montgomery,” he replied, his gaze on Josephine’s stiff back. “No doubt, he was unaware of your arrival. I shall attempt to locate him for you.”
Josephine heard the man’s offer and she almost stopped him, but decided otherwise. Ridge could find him faster than anyone else could and having Sully inside the castle would be the perfect situation – Ridge would bring Sully to Justine and everyone would assume Sully had come with his wife. No one would know he’d come days earlier with Andrew in an attempt to protect her from the earl.
Besides… Josephine felt decidedly safer with Sully close by.
“I do hope you brought your husband some clothes, Justine,” she said to her sister. Her mouth was full of the same pears in wine that Donald had been scarfing down. “The last time I saw him, he was in a sorry shape, indeed.”
Justine stared at her sister, still pondering her words to Ridge. As Ridge walked away, presumably going off to find Sully, Justine found that she was increasingly confused by Ridge’s relationship to her sister. She didn’t know the man at all but, clearly, he knew Josephine and she knew him. There was something strange going on there that Justine didn’t like.
“What debt, Josephine?” she asked. “What did you mean by that?”
Swallowing the food in her mouth, Josephine told her. Having the king’s bodyguard be indebted to her for saving his life was not a bad thing, after all.
*
Sully nearly came to blows with Ridge when the knight found him on the street on his way back to the inn. Sully had thought that Ridge had changed his mind about releasing him and had come back for him. But Ridge’s lips pressed into a hard line at Sully’s defensive stance.
“At ease, Lord Montgomery,” he said irritably. “I came to inform you that your wife has arrived at Edinburgh. If you will trust me, my lord, then I shall escort you to her.”
Sully’s face went from anger to genuine surprise. “Justine? Here?”
Ridge nodded. “And she brought Donald Muir with her.”
Several things rushed through Sully’s mind at that moment – to return to the inn to await Andrew, but he also felt a strange desire to see his wife.
His wife.
Sully found that he very much wanted to see her, and that was reason enough for him to return with Ridge. But another thought occurred to him. By infiltrating the castle and staying with his wife, as she was the king’s cousin and therefore an honored guest, he could also stay near Josephine. He wondered why de Reyne hadn’t thought of that.
Or perhaps he had.
In any case, Sully would go to Justine. Then, somehow, he would get word back to Andrew as to the current situation.
Much had happened.
Sully made the excuse of wanting to gather his possessions. He’d rushed into the inn and told Esme to tell Andrew he’d been taken to the castle. Esme agreed, and Sully followed Ridge back to the castle and all the way to the great hall. As he headed for the door of the hall, he passed by Torridon wagons and servants that were being disbanded. He recognized his people, his equipment and, once inside the hall, his reunion with Justine was rather touching. She rushed into his arms and they embraced as if they were the most passionate of lovers, as if they’d been doing it all their lives.
In truth, Sully was very happy to see her, more than he ever thought he would be. Somehow, annoying Justine had ceased to become annoying and, instead, had become someone he was genuinely eager to see. Sully wasn’t sure how that had happened, only that it had, and he couldn’t have been happier.
As Sully and Justine hugged with the joy of their reunion, Josephine watched from several feet away. She had been truly touched at the scene. Yet happy as she was for her sister, her heart ached with longing for Andrew. She wanted the same kind of reunion with him. The more she watched her sister, the more her heart hurt, and she finally had to turn away to compose herself.
When Justine released Sully enough to allow the man to breathe, Josephine was calm enough to turn around and face him. Setti
ng down the cup of wine she had in her hand, for she’d just spent the wait for Sully sampling nearly every fine food on the table, she made her way over to him.
“How were the dungeons?” she quipped. “Make any friends while you were there?”
Sully grinned, glad to see that Josephine was at least in good spirits. “No friends worth mentioning in mixed company,” he said. “But to be truthful, I was in and out so quickly that I hardly had time to sit down. But I am glad to be out and glad to see my wife.”
He looked at Justine and she flushed prettily. Josephine had to grin at her sister’s reaction; it was truly sweet. But she interrupted the warm moment as she glanced at Ridge, several feet away as he’d come in with Sully, before speaking.
“Have you seen Andrew?” she asked quietly.
“Nay,” Sully answered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Ridge wasn’t close enough to hear. “But I left a message for him at the inn where we have been staying. I told him that de Reyne was bringing me back to the castle.”
Josephine wasn’t pleased to hear that Andrew was still missing. In fact, she was very worried. “I see,” she said, trying not to seem too unhappy about it. “I… I do hope he gets the message.”
Sully could see the worry in her eyes, but he truthfully had no idea where Andrew was. He sought to ease her.
“He will,” he assured her quietly. “He has not abandoned you, Joey. He would not do that. Wherever he is, he has good reason to be there.”
Deep down, Josephine knew that. She forced a smile. “I am sure that is true,” she said. “But it seems as if he has been absent all day and, naturally, I am concerned. I was afraid that…”
She was interrupted by an entourage of well-dressed servants appearing from the door on the south side of the hall. Their finely-shod feet made clacking noises against the stone floor of the hall, an unusual feature when floors were usually made of hard-packed earth. Josephine saw William Ward, the king’s chancellor, as he entered the room with several servants, and she immediately stiffened. She didn’t like the man; she hadn’t the first time she’d seen him.
Mercenaries and Maidens: A Medieval Romance bundle Page 40