CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Exactly forty minutes after discovering the king’s visit was imminent, Justine stood in her room before her full-length mirror in a gown of pale blue silk. She stood silent and immobile as Josephine and two maids fussed over her, flittering around like frightened chickens.
Josephine was not even out of her leather and mail as she strung a belt of gold around her sister’s hips, with the center of each square implanted with a large sapphire, ruby, or emerald. Justine’s brown hair was brushed until it gleamed, then a gold diadem inlaid with small sapphires were rested gently on her head.
Josephine stood back a moment, inspecting her handiwork. Justine looked beautiful. She turned one of the maids.
“Go down and see if the priest has arrived,” she said quickly, and the girl bolted for the door. “And make sure Sir Sully is in the hall!”
When the girl was gone, Josephine turned to her sister and tried to smile reassuringly.
“Now,” she said quietly. “Before you enter into this marriage, there is something I must tell you. I want you and Sully to be happy. I know you love him and, someday, I am sure that he will come to love you.”
Justine’s eyes threatened to pop from their sockets. “Wherever did you get such a… a ridiculous idea that I love Sully?”
Josephine smiled knowingly. “You forget who you speak with, my dear little sister,” she said. “I know how you feel about him. I have for some time. Why do you think I suggested you marry him? In the years to come, he will be much happier with someone who loves him, who worships him. It would be better for you both.”
Justine opened her mouth to protest yet again, but she thought better of it when she saw the look on her sister’s face. There was no use in denying it. And she thought she’d been so cool in her admiration for the man. She was coming to feel like a fool.
“Have I been that obvious?” she said, embarrassed.
Josephine chuckled softly. “Not at all,” she said. “I began to realize your feelings for him when you took on a glassy stare every time he came near you. You pretended that you did not care, but your expression said otherwise. I do not blame you, you know. Sully is a fine example of a man.”
But he is only in love with you, Justine wanted to say. But she didn’t. For once, she kept her mouth shut because there was no point in starting an argument about it. Perhaps, Josephine already knew how Sully felt about her; perhaps not. In any case, Justine saw no reason to point it out.
“He does not wish to marry me,” she said after a moment.
Josephine took her sister’s arm, giving her a squeeze. “I think, at this point, no one wants to marry anyone,” she said. “This plan has come about so quickly that no one has had time to become accustomed to it. But do not fret; give it time. I am sure Sully will come to appreciate you.”
Justine wasn’t so sure. She’d been worrying about that very thing but, now, it was too late to give her concerns any validation. She had to marry the man regardless.
“Mayhap,” she said quietly.
Josephine could see her sister’s apprehension. She understood her fears, for she was facing some of those fears herself. But she put forth a brave face.
“Do not be afraid,” she said. “I will stand with you.”
Justine shook her head. “I am not afraid,” she said. “But you were correct when you said this was all happening very quickly. I can hardly believe it.”
Josephine smiled. “It will be wonderful for you. I am certain of it.”
Justine wasn’t so certain; she simply shrugged. “I suppose we shall find out.”
“Aye, we shall,” Josephine said, giving her sister’s arm another squeeze. “Come along, Justine Afton Louisa de Carron, and let us attend your wedding.”
Justine didn’t resist as her sister pulled her towards the door of the chamber. Josephine turned to the maid still in the room, who was starting to clean up the mess they’d left in their wake.
“Cassia,” Josephine said. “Please escort my sister to the great hall. I must quickly change clothes and will join you as soon as I can.”
The woman dropped what was in her hands and preceded Justine and Josephine through the chamber door. The sisters started to part as they reached the top of the stairs, but Justine came to a halt.
“What of Andrew, Josephine?” she asked. “Will you still marry him, too?”
Josephine paused at her door. “Aye,” she said. “I do not know when, but I will.”
Justine shook her head in disbelief; disbelief at the whole situation. Her sister’s defiance of the king, her own marriage to Sully, and she had great fear and uncertainty where the future was concerned.
“Do you… like him?” Justine asked with genuine concern.
“I do.”
“Do you… could you… love him someday?”
Josephine looked at her sister as she thought on that question. Love? It had crossed her mind, but she had always dismissed love as a silly child’s fantasy. The very fact that her parents had been madly in love was a fluke. And then her mother died, and her father had never been the same. Having never experienced love for herself, Josephine drew forth from the only experience she had ever known, and deduced love was a very self-destructive emotion.
Love?
She wasn’t sure she wanted to risk it.
“Nay,” she whispered finally. “I admire him and respect him, and I am sure he will make a fine husband, but I will never love him.”
With that, she went into her chambers and closed the door softly. That act left Justine standing there at the top of the stairs, thinking that her sister was in for a sad life if she couldn’t bring herself to feel more than admiration for her husband because Justine knew for a fact that she would always love hers.
In a sense, that gave her more hope and joy than her sister would ever know.
As Justine and the little maid headed down to the great hall, Josephine went about removing the leather and mail she wore. She also forced herself to put aside her sister’s question. Could you love him? There was too much to do and she didn’t want to be distracted by the seed that was now planted in her brain. Ola emerged from her alcove as Josephine went to her wardrobe and began roughly pulling through the garments on pegs.
“I need to wash, quickly,” she said to Ola, who went scurrying. “And put plenty of rose oil in the water!”
Within minutes, she was stripped to the skin and Ola was quickly washing her with cold water and rose oil. After a hasty drying, Josephine slipped into the most lavish dress she had, a rich purple silk with a plunging neckline and a full skirt. Gold and silver thread decorated the long sleeves and hem, and there were semi-precious stones sewn into the neck.
It was a lovely, striking dress that required no adornment. Quickly, Ola brushed her mistress’ hair furiously and braided it because that was all that time would allow. With a pinch to her cheeks for some color, Josephine fled the chamber.
She took the stairs quickly and walked forward into the great hall, pulling her sleeves straight as she walked and straightening her skirts. She felt as if she were only half-put together, but it would have to do. Head down, she was fussing with a portion of the bodice that didn’t seem to want to smooth out. Entering the hall, she lifted her head into a room that was full of light.
It was nearly midnight but the hall was ablaze with dozens of torches. Fresh rushes on the floor scented the room; it smelled like a forest. The knights that had remained behind when she rode out earlier that evening stood on either side of the room in their best armor. As she walked further into the room, she saw that they had even combed their hair. Donald was there, too, with his dark-rimmed eyes and swollen nose. She forced a smile at him as she entered the room but she made no attempt to speak with him, not yet. She had business with the soon-to-be married couple.
Justine and Sully stood at the end of the hall in front of the roaring hearth. Justine actually appeared properly demure while Sully simply looked pale. He looked as if, given a chance, he might actually bolt, and she stifled the urge grin at the man.
“Hasn’t the priest from St. John’s arrived yet?” she asked as she approached them.
“Nay, my lady,” Sully said softly. “Not yet.”
He sounded so very serious. Josephine did a double-take on him. He, too, was dressed in his best armor, his squire having polished it until it was mirror-perfect. His face and hair had been washed. He looked like a little boy whose mother had forced him to take a bath in honor of grandmother’s visit. Clean and shiny, he looked very handsome and, at this point, she couldn’t help but smile at the man.
“Do not look so frightened,” she said. “You are marrying my sister, not the devil in disguise.”
He forced a smile. “I am not frightened of her,” he insisted. “But I think the thought of marriage frightens all men. It reminds them of the responsibilities of this world.”
Josephine understood. Reaching out, she took Sully by the hand then turned to her sister, extending a hand to the woman as well. Justine joined their group, taking her sister’s hand and holding it tightly. Josephine beamed at her.
“There is something I must tell you both,” she said. “I wanted to tell you together.”
Justine looked at her curiously. “What is it?”
Josephine took a deep breath. “As you know, plans have changed quickly because of the king’s imminent approach,” she said. “That is why you two are marrying so quickly, so that Justine will be safe. But even so, that leaves the problem of me, still unmarried and still quite eligible to any of the king’s whims. Therefore, I have come up with a way to make my situation far less attractive to Alexander. Torridon, above all, must be safe.”
Now it was Sully’s turn to look at her curiously. “What did you have in mind?”
Josephine turned to him, looking into the face of the man she knew so well. In truth, she was quite at peace for what she was about to say. “As the heiress of Torridon, the fortress is mine to do with as I please,” she said. “Therefore, I am giving it to my sister as a wedding gift. The fortress shall be yours and out of Colin Dalmellington’s reach forever.”
Justine gasped in surprise as Sully’s eyes widened. Of all the things Josephine could speak of, that had certainly not been in his thoughts.
“What?” he breathed. “What are you saying?”
Josephine patted his arm. “Think, Sully,” she said. “The king wants me because of Torridon. It belongs to me but I shall give it to you. It will be my sister’s dowry, which is completely acceptable. Mayhap, now the king will reconsider his plans for me since I will no longer be a valuable commodity.”
Sully still gaped at her in disbelief. Justine looked at him, equally startled, before returning her focus to her sister.
“You never said a word about this,” she said, shocked and pained. “You’ve never said this was your plan all along!”
Josephine shook her head. “It wasn’t,” she said. “But when the king came so suddenly tonight, and I knew that a marriage between you and Sully would be faster, it occurred to me that if I gave you Torridon as a dowry, then that would make me far less attractive to whatever the king wishes to do with me. That way, my fortress is safe. It is in good hands.”
Justine looked at her for a moment longer as her words sank in. Then, it began to occur to her just how grand and important her sister’s gift was. A smile flickered on her lips, one of joy and elation, as she looked to Sully.
“Are you not happy?” she asked him. “It is a great gift that she is giving us.”
Sully couldn’t even answer the question. Justine only saw the surface, the gift of a great fortress. She did not see the sacrifice her sister was making. Justine saw through the eyes of a naïve child; she thought Sully wanted Torridon. But he didn’t.
It was Josephine’s.
God, he didn’t want it at all.
“Your sister is most generous,” he said hoarsely. “I… I do not know what to say.”
“Say you will accept it,” Josephine said quietly. “Please.”
Looking at Josephine, Sully could see the pain in her eyes. What could he say now that she hadn’t already thought of or imagined? She knew what she was giving up – her legacy. But she was doing it to keep it from someone who wanted it very badly, someone who could upend her life all in one stroke. She had to make sure it was safe and this was the only thing she could think to do.
Sully didn’t take her decision lightly. He knew how difficult it must have been for her but, in truth, he saw her reason. Reaching out, he took her hand and pressed it to his lips, all the while focused on her eyes. She was watching him with fear, hope, and sadness.
“I shall take the best care of your castle while it is entrusted to me,” he said softly. “This, I swear.”
Josephine smiled weakly. It was such a sad moment for her but such a necessary one. Sully continued to hold her hand, looking deeply into her sweet face. The pain and anguish of what certainly was the most jolting decision of her young life tore at him like a great claw, threatening to gut him. His insides felt as if they were being twisted and wrenched from him.
But whatever Josephine must have been feeling was surely worse, even though she tried to appear brave. “My steward will draw up the contract,” she said. “He will be finished by the time the ceremony is complete, if that damned priest ever gets here.”
Her sharp words were indicative of the fact that she was not as calm as she appeared. God knew, she had every right to be upset. Sully simply nodded as he released her hand.
After that, the conversation between the three of them fell somewhat silent. The knights in the room were beginning to stir, looking at each other in question. They had all been summoned here so hurriedly that they scarce had time to catch their breaths and now they found themselves waiting.
The torches above their heads on the walls flickered brightly, illuminating the enormous room adequately, but phantom shadows still danced near the ceiling. Ghosts, perhaps of what had been and now what would be. They were here to witness the change. But the fresh smell of the rushes was comforting, somehow soothing frayed nerves.
Josephine moved away from the hearth, leaving Sully and Justine alone, and conversed quickly with servants as they dashed to and fro, not only preparing for a wedding but for the king’s visit as well. She was trying to keep the burden off of her sister, who had enough to worry over with an unexpected wedding imminent. A feast being set in the great hall at this ungodly hour, for the king’s arrival, would serve as Justine and Sully’s wedding feast as well.
When the servants had gone about their duties and Josephine was finally alone, Donald made his way over to her. He’d stayed to the shadows mostly, watching the happenings but not really clear on what, exactly, was going on. All he knew was that Josephine had been very busy with the arrival of the mercenaries and now the impending arrival of the king. It was all quite confusing to him but he hadn’t pressed Josephine for an explanation, thinking that she would tell him when she had the time.
Now was that time.
“What is happening?” he hissed as he came to stand next to her. “What on earth is going on around here?”
Josephine turned to him, wincing when she saw how badly his face was bruising. “Poor Donald,” she said. “Your father is going to think we’ve beaten you.”
Donald had to admit that he looked poorly. But he waved off her sympathy. “Why are we here, Joey?” he asked quietly. “After what ye told us earlier today, about the king’s visit, it looks to me as if there is some manner of action being carried out. What is it?”
Josephine sighed faintly, knowing she couldn’t keep the truth from him. He would see what was going on soon enough when the priest arrived.
“I am saving Torridon,” she said simply. “Sully and Justine are about to be married, if the priest ever arrives. For Justine’s dowry, I am giving her Torridon.”
Donald’s bruised eyes widened. “Giving her Torridon?”
Josephine nodded quickly. “Please understand,” she begged softly, putting her hand on his arm. “I have little choice. You know what I suspect by the king’s visit; you know I believe he wants to betroth me to Colin Dalmellington, meaning that Colin will ultimately be in control of my fortress. And you know I cannot allow that to happen.”
Donald’s expression went from one of shock to one of apprehension. “But… to give it to Justine…”
“Sully will command it,” she assured him. “Justine is simply the means to an end. If she has it, it cannot go to Colin. Do you understand this?”
Slowly, Donald nodded, but it was clear he was uncertain about the entire situation. “Aye,” he said. “I suppose it makes sense, but what about ye? Even if yer sister is married and the fortress is hers, ye’re still very valuable. The king can still marry ye away.”
Josephine knew that and she nodded, with resignation. “I know,” she said. “But if I do not come with a fortress, then mayhap he will think twice before doing such a thing. It is my hope that he simply goes away and leaves me alone. Besides… I will not be unwed for long.”
Donald looked at her suspiciously. “What do ye mean?”
Josephine wasn’t sure how happy Donald would be to hear that she would wed Andrew, the mercenary leader. She knew that Donald had always been rather fond of her. Perhaps he’d even hoped for marriage one day. She was about to quash that hope.
“Andrew d’Vant has proposed marriage and I have agreed,” she said. “We will be wed as soon as possible.”
She could see the shock, even disappointment, in Donald’s eyes. He blinked at her as if unsure how to react. “I see,” he said after a moment. “When did this come about?”
“Today.”
He grunted and looked away. “If I’d known ye were looking for a husband, I could have offered,” he said, sounding hurt. “But ye’ve never given any indication that ye were even interested in such a thing. Why did ye not come to me?”
Josephine put a hand on his arm. “Because it was not my idea,” she said. “In discussing my suspicions with Andrew about the king’s visit, he was the one who suggested marriage. I am sorry, Donald, I truly am. It just happened to be him.”
Donald shrugged. It didn’t make it any easier for him to stomach, but he understood somewhat. The more he thought about it, however, the more depressed he became.
He and Josephine continued to stand in silence as time dragged on. Josephine was sure that hours were passing when it was really only minutes. Unable to stand it any longer, she was ready to perform the ceremony herself when Albert suddenly entered the hall, half-dragging and half-escorting a haggard-looking priest.
Josephine rushed forward. “Father, thank you so much for coming,” she said with great relief. “You have a ceremony to perform.”
The priest adjusted his cowl and straightened his wrinkled woolen robe. “So I understand,” he said irritably. “I must say that I am outraged, my lady, at being dragged here at this time of night. It is completely improper treatment for a man of God.”
Josephine nodded patiently while the priest vented his rage. “Of course, you are right,” she said. “Will fifty marks be enough?”
He didn’t miss a beat, swiftly turning into an eager man. “Where is the happy couple?”
Josephine fought off a smile at his swift change in attitude. She took his arm.
“This way, please.”
Sully and Justine looked to be frozen as they were introduced to the priest, who wanted to seem to chat, but Josephine hurried him along.
“Father, our time is limited,” she said. “May we proceed?”
The priest nodded. If he thought a rushed wedding was odd, he didn’t say anything. Fifty marks assured his cooperation. “Let us not waste time,” he said as he waved his arms and motioned for everyone to take their place. “My lord… my lady… you will face me.”
Justine and Sully did, and he began to intone the wedding mass. Josephine stood directly behind Justine, a few feet away. As the priest began reading from his weather-worn Bible, she began to wish her father and James had lived to see this. And, of course, her mother. She and Justine were the only de Carrons left, and perhaps witnessing the most important event in Justine’s life.
As she watched the priest speak, she was suddenly very sorry that she forced the whole thing on her sister and on Sully. In the chain of hierarchy, they really had no choice and they knew it. Josephine got what she wanted, and what she wanted was to save Torridon and her family in the process. She hoped they truly understood that, deep down.
Now, there was no turning back, come what may.
After the liturgy, the priest pronounced them man and wife by tying a piece of ribbon, provided by Ola, around their wrists. Sully’s gaze seemed to be riveted to Justine, who looked back at him apprehensively. Josephine watched the two of them as well, holding her breath for the moment Sully would kiss her sister. For a few painful seconds, he just seemed to stare at her. Then, he reached out and grasped her shoulders and deposited a quick kiss on her forehead.
With that, they were married.
Josephine was the first to move forward and congratulate the couple. She felt as if she were moving in a dream, hardly believing her sister and Sully were actually married.
“Sully, retire to your chambers and consummate the union,” she whispered to the man. “Make haste!”
Sully looked blankly at her for a moment before agreeing, putting his arm around his new wife’s waist and pulling her with him. Josephine walked with them as far as the staircase. There was a great sense of urgency now to complete the circle so that the union could never be disputed. Justine would be safe and Torridon would be safe.
That was all that mattered.
The king was in for quite a surprise when he arrived.