“I see,” he said, rather clipped. “Well… then mayhap I shall excuse you from the feast tonight. Are… are you sure you do not feel up to it?”
Josephine shook her head. “Alas, I would be grateful for the reprieve,” she said. “My sister just arrived earlier today and I will have her brew some herbs for my affliction. I should feel better in a day or two.”
Alexander eyed her somewhat dubiously, wondering why she hadn’t mentioned this curse before, but he realized their conversation would have been no place to speak of such matters. He didn’t even want to speak of it now. With a sigh of frustration, he moved to the door.
“The earl will be disappointed, Josephine,” he said. “Mayhap, I will arrange for you two to meet on the morrow.”
Josephine nodded. “If I am feeling better, I would be honored,” she said. “But you understand… I do not want to greet the man and then faint because I am feeling so poorly.”
“Of course not.”
“Thank you for your understanding, my lord.”
Alexander wasn’t sure he understood, but he wasn’t going to press her. He didn’t want her fainting, either, because it would embarrass him. Now, he realized that this entire evening was going to be a problem because the earl had already expressed his desire to meet his betrothed when he arrived earlier in the day. Now, he would have to pacify the man somehow. Reaching the door, he paused before stepping through.
“May I inquire how you are feeling on the morrow?” he asked unhappily.
Josephine nodded. “I would be pleased, my lord.”
“Shall I send my wife to you?”
“There is nothing she can do. This, too, shall pass.”
Alexander left without another word, shutting the door behind him. Josephine sat there a moment, listening, wondering if he was going to enter again and demand she attend the feast. He’d appeared most displeased when he’d left. But he didn’t come back and, after several long seconds, she jumped up and ran to the chamber door, bolting it and saying a silent prayer for Andrew’s advice.
A smile spread across her face as she realized just how right he’d been. At least for tonight, she had a reprieve.
*
Returning to the rented room that he shared with Sully well after sunset, Andrew was surprised to find that Sully was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t in their chamber, nor was he in the common room. He saw Esme and made haste to avoid her. But the woman called his name and rushed towards him, so he held his ground, wondering what she had to say to him. He was fully prepared to make any and all excuses as to why they could not spend time together but, much to his surprise, she had a message from Sully to deliver.
Justine has arrived at the castle and I have gone to stay with her. Find me there.
It was a most surprising message. Now, Sully evidently had a legitimate reason to be in the castle being that his wife had arrived from Torridon. He wondered why Justine had come but, in truth, it was no great mystery – her sister was here, as was her husband, and she probably thought she was coming to help them both.
It was not welcome news, either.
Andrew had to shake his head. His mission to help Josephine was growing by leaps and bounds. Now it was turning into a crusade for her sister as well as her sister’s husband. He wondered who else would show up in a valiant attempt to help Josephine. Unfortunately, the more people who came to help her, the more difficult it would be. Soon enough, Alexander would catch on to what was happening, and that would be a problem. Andrew knew he had to get to Josephine to find out what had changed since he was out purchasing the Demon Slayer.
He wished he could bring the weapon to show it to her, for he was certain she would be impressed by it, but he had to leave it behind at the inn. It was in a beautiful sheath, and he wrapped the blade and the sheath up in linen from one of the two beds. Slicing a hole in one of the mattresses, he pulled out a good deal of the stuffing and shoved the wrapped sword up into the mattress to hide it. It was such a magnificent piece that he didn’t want to take the chance that someone might enter his room while he was gone and take it. He didn’t care much about the other possessions he’d brought with them, but the sword… he cared about that.
It had a purpose.
Once the sword was safely hidden away, he proceeded to don his apple man disguise that he had been using. He would then make his way into the castle just before the sentries shut up the gates for the night.
As Andrew slipped from the tavern, Esme was watching him. She was so very hurt that he hadn’t given her any of his time since the day of his arrival, the day he’d given himself over to her. Esme had been with more than her share of men, but never any like Andrew. Tall, proud, and handsome, he was too perfect for her and she knew it.
But that didn’t make her want him any less.
Ever since that lovely moment they’d spent together, when he’d touched her so sweetly, she had been making plans for her and Andrew. But it had been very difficult when she couldn’t even speak to him. She knew he had business at the castle, business that had him sneaking in and out of the gates. But the fact that he had no time for her hurt her deeply. If the man wasn’t going to give her any time voluntarily, then she was going to have to do something about that.
She was going to have to take matters into her own hands.
Once Andrew was gone, she slipped up to his rented room and let herself in. The room was dark, having hardly been slept in since Andrew and his companion arrived. The hearth hadn’t been lit in days. Over in the corner, she could see saddlebags and other possessions shoved down so they were almost hidden by one of the two beds in the chamber. The sight of the baggage gave her an idea because she knew he would have to return for them.
And when he did, she’d be waiting for him.
The man wasn’t going to ignore her again.
*
Unaware that, back at the inn, Esme was making plans, Andrew was lost to plans of his own. He had done a good deal of thinking on this day. It had started last night after he’d left Josephine but, as the day dawned, his thoughts became more and more intense. He was presuming that he would win this fight against his brother, which meant he would inherit the earldom of Annan and Blackbank. It meant he would inherit a house and hold that had been ruled by a devil since his father died, and he was genuinely concerned for the state of Haldane Castle and what he would find upon his triumphant return. It would be up to him and up to Josephine to restore what had been damaged. She was such a strong woman. Already, he felt pride in her that he’d never felt in anyone, ever. With her by his side, he knew he could restore his family’s good name.
He needed that chance.
But it meant giving up the life of a mercenary. As much as that line of work had sustained him, he knew he couldn’t keep it up. It wouldn’t be proper for an earl to continue mercenary ways and fight other people’s battles. He would remain at Haldane and become the benevolent lord of the land, and raise his sons to be fine men who would honor the d’Vant name.
It was a life he found himself hoping for.
But it wouldn’t be his until he could rid the world of his brother. As he entered the grounds of the castle, Andrew was becoming well acquainted with the garden that wasn’t far from Josephine’s chamber. As the sun set to the west, he embedded himself in the garden to watch her window and the comings and goings, making sure he wouldn’t be seen as he entered her chamber. He’d managed to scale the wall quite nicely because of the uneven stones and the corbel beneath the windows. It hadn’t taken him long but if anyone was around, he would be seen. Therefore, he wanted to wait until the feast in the castle commenced and people were mostly gathering in the hall. When the grounds had quieted down, he could make his move.
But it was a difficult wait. He remained crouched in the same position, behind a heavy gathering of vines that went up the side of the garden wall, for at least a couple of hours. That was hard on his joints and, more than once, he had to shift slightly to ease up the p
ain. But, eventually, the grounds stilled and he could hear the sounds of voices and music in the distant hall.
Knowing he had to take his chance, Andrew emerged from out of the vines and quickly made his way to the side of the building. Like a spider, he went straight up the wall, gripped the big stone corbel beneath Josephine’s window, and heaved himself in.
Coming over the windowsill, he lost his balance and fell to the floor, listening to Josephine gasp. When he rolled to his knees, she was sitting in a chair with a heavy bound book in her hands. Andrew flashed her a big smile, perhaps to cover his embarrassment at literally falling into her chamber, and Josephine burst out in giggles.
The heavy book was set aside and she rushed to him just as he lurched to his feet. But she hit him so hard, her arms going around him, that he grunted by the force of her momentum and nearly fell down again.
“Where have you been?” Josephine asked. “I have been so very worried for you.”
Andrew hugged her tightly, relishing the feel of her in his arms. “I am well, love,” he said. “Why were you worried?”
Josephine loosened her grip enough to look him in the eye. “Because Sully did not know where you were,” she said. “You did not come to me today, so I assumed the worst.”
He shook his head. “I cannot come to you in the daylight,” he said frankly. “Everyone would see me. Besides… after seeing my brother arrive today, I had something important I had to do. You have not yet been introduced to him, have you?”
Josephine shook her head. “Nay,” she said, “although the king tried, not an hour ago. I used your excuse and it worked.”
“What excuse?”
She lifted her eyebrows in a dramatic gesture. “My mysterious woman’s cycle.”
He grinned. “Ah,” he said in understanding. “I told you it would work.”
She giggled, not nearly as embarrassed as she was the first time they discussed the subject. “It did,” she said, “and you were correct.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and led her over to the bed. “Say it again.”
“What?”
“That I was correct.”
It was a show of arrogance and she turned to him, frowning. “Why should I say it again?”
He grinned, pinching her chin gently. “Because that is something I always wish to hear from your lips. I am never wrong.”
Josephine shook her head reproachfully at him but didn’t argue. She was too glad to see him to chide him for being so arrogant, even in jest. Sitting down on the bed, she pulled him down to sit beside her.
“So much has happened today that I do not know where to start,” she said. “Where did you go today that was so important?”
He held her hands, bringing them to his lips for a gentle kiss. “To a smithy,” he said. “There is a remarkable street here that I think you should like called the Street of the Blacksmiths. There are many blacksmiths making a variety of things, from mail to swords and shields. Someday I shall take you there to meet a smithy named Abe. He has made the most miraculous sword, which I purchased from him.”
Josephine was hanging on his every word. “Sword?” she said, cocking her head curiously. “But you already have a sword.”
He nodded. “I know, but this is a special sword,” he said, sobering. Suddenly, he didn’t seem so excited about his purchase. He seemed rather serious. “After seeing my brother today, I realized that an ordinary sword will not be enough. Of course, the sword I use in battle is a fearsome weapon, but I want to have something more than that. I want something forged by the gods, something that will end my brother’s life without question. I am not sure how I can describe it to you, only that I had a great need for a special weapon. Something deadly and terrible. I found it at Abe’s stall.”
Josephine was quite interested. “Where is it?”
He squeezed her hands, fondling her fingers. “I had to leave it at the inn,” he said. “I could not bring it to show you, although I wanted to. It has a name.”
“It does? What is it?”
“Demon Slayer. It was named that when I purchased it, so it must be an omen. It was meant to kill my brother.”
It was an ominous title for a sword. As someone who had wielded a sword for the past two years against Colin Dalmellington, Josephine appreciated a good weapon. But to hear the name of this sword… Demon Slayer… it sounded so terribly menacing. Somehow, the name alone instilled confidence.
“If you are happy with it, then I am happy with it,” she said. “But you did not even tell Sully where you went.”
He shook his head. “I did not,” he said. “There was not the opportunity. But when I returned, I received a message from Sully saying that Justine had arrived and he’d come to the castle to be with his wife.”
Josephine nodded. “Justine and Donald came today,” she said. “But Sully… while you were buying your sword, he was in trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
Now it was her turn to clutch his hands, feeling a little guilty for what she was about to tell him, as if it were all her fault. “I became worried that you had not come to me today,” she said. “I did not even stop to think that it was because it was daylight and you did not want to chance being seen. I thought something had happened to you, so I went looking for you.”
He eyed her, warily. “Joey, you should not have done that,” he said. “You know how dangerous it can be for you.”
She nodded, hanging her head. “It was not dangerous for me, but for Sully,” she said. “Ridge de Reyne followed me from the castle and when he saw Sully, he arrested him and put him in the dungeon.”
Andrew’s expression hardened. “Damnation,” he hissed. “Was there a battle?”
She could see he was worried and hastened to reassure him. “There was no battle,” she said quickly. “Sully surrendered because Ridge threatened him should he not. So, de Reyne sent him to the dungeon and then released him when Justine arrived. Ridge said that he had to show Sully that the man couldn’t act against the king, so putting him in the dungeon was a warning. If there is a next time, I am assuming he will put him back in the dungeons and leave him there.”
Andrew pondered the situation with Ridge. “It was Ridge who brought you to Edinburgh,” he said. “And now he follows you? He could be watching the door of this chamber at this very moment.”
Josephine knew that was a possibility. “He does seem to keep a close eye on me,” she said. “But it is strange, Andrew… when he first took me from Torridon, I fought him, and I even tried to bribe him. I told him I would give him money if he would simply tell the king he could not find me. But he refused. He said it gave him no pleasure to abduct me, but he had to because he was simply following orders. It’s as I told you before – Ridge is a decent man. I believe that he truly wants to help me but does not know how to do it and not violate his oath to the king.”
He eyed her a moment. “Ridge de Reyne is a powerful knight,” he said. “We know that he keeps his eye on you.”
“It is his duty.”
“It could be more than a duty, Joey.”
It occurred to her what he meant and she was indignant. “I do not care if there is more to it,” she said. “Ridge has been kind to me, at least as kind to me as he can be, but that is all there is to it. I have no interest in him. My only interest is in you.”
Andrew smiled faintly, seeing that he’d offended her. “I know,” he said, reaching up to touch her cheek. “But Ridge may have some manner of fixation on you. You are a beautiful woman, after all. How could he not?”
Josephine was uncomfortable thinking that Ridge might have something other than platonic feelings for her.
“I do not wish to discuss Ridge de Reyne,” she said, looking away. “I only wish to discuss us and what is to come. You have purchased a terrible sword to kill your brother with. When do you intend to do it?”
Andrew kissed her hands once more before standing up and stretching his long body wearily. He
noticed food and drink on the table near the hearth and he headed in that direction.
“I am not sure,” he said. “Has anything been said to you about the wedding?”
She watched him pour himself a measure of wine into a fine crystal cup. “Nay,” she said. “The only thing that has been discussed with me is being introduced to the earl. Beyond that, nothing more.”
Andrew drank deeply before answering. “I have been thinking about this,” he said. “I have thought of little else. It is my assumption that the wedding will be here, at Edinburgh, so that the king can attend. Of course, I do not know this, but that is my assumption. If I attack my brother within the confines of the castle, it is possible that I will be arrested before I can complete my task. If that happens, I will either be killed or put in the dungeons, and you will have to marry my brother. I will not be able to help you.”
Josephine stood up from the bed, making her way to him. “But what of Sully?” she asked. “He can step in if you have been disabled, and…”
He cut her off, looking at her. “Do you really want Sully going up against my brother?” he asked. “Did you see the man today when he arrived?”
Josephine sighed heavily, leaning against the wall next to the table. “Aye,” she said. “I saw the back of him as he passed by. And, nay, I do not want Sully fighting the man. In truth, it is not his battle.”
Andrew poured himself more wine. “Exactly,” he said. “It is not his battle. It is mine. Therefore, for Sully and Donald and anyone else who wishes to help you, it is not their burden to bear. It is mine. But my thoughts are this – if the wedding is here, you will have to go through with it. For the reasons I mentioned, I will not stop it. But it is my suspicion that my brother will want to return to Haldane immediately to celebrate his wedding at his own castle, meaning he will leave Edinburgh and head home immediately afterwards. I will catch him on the road as soon as he leaves the city. There will be less likelihood that I will be stopped or arrested in that case. I will find him on the road and I will kill him before he can touch you.”