The Iron Knight (The De Russe Legacy Book 3) (39 page)

“She will,” he murmured, holding Sophina close. “She is a dreamer, that one. Look at her face. When she looks at Colton, she sees everything she could possibly want in him.”

“Including love?”

“Including love.”

“I thought you said he was too young for such things.”

Lucien sighed faintly. “I was wrong,” he admitted. “One is never too young or too old for love.”

Sophina’s gaze upon him was an adoring one. “I do love you, you know.”

He looked down at her, this spectacular woman with whom all things, for him, were possible. Four days ago, he was resigned to a hopeless existence, but now, all he could feel was eagerness towards the future.

“I know,” he said, bending over to kiss her. “As I love you.”

“Forever?”

“Until the end of time.”

The man of iron, with a soul of courage, finally managed to heal his fractured heart.

EPILOGUE

Year of our Lord 1411 A.D.

Month of July

“P
lease let me
pin the ribbons on!” Susanna begged. “They would be so pretty in your hair!”

It was hard to resist her when she’d worked so hard on fashioning the bows. In her massive and lavish bower, which she now shared with Aricia and Emmaline, the girls were preparing for a very big day ahead, the biggest day Spelthorne had seen in a year.

“They would look quite pretty,” Aricia said to Emmaline. She was no longer wearing the scarves over her face, as the potions Sophina had made for her had greatly helped her tender skin and the transformation had been quite astonishing. She grinned at Emmaline, holding up one of the bows. “Let us fashion them in your hair.”

Dressed in a gown of pink silk that Aricia had made for her, Emmaline looked like a queen. But that was befitting considering it was her wedding day. In just a very few hours, she and Colton would stand before the entry to the church in Tisbury and say their vows. Emmaline could hardly believe this day had come and, to be truthful, she was a little flighty because of it. It had taken both Aricia and her mother, on this day, to keep the woman sane and calm.

“Come,” Aricia said. “Sit down. We will fix your hair.”

Emmaline sat carefully on a stool, careful not to muss her spectacular gown. With a long, trailing skirt and long, trailing sleeves, the bodice had been embroidered with flowers and birds by Aricia in some of the finest example of sewing Emmaline had ever seen. Aricia had even sewn most of Emmaline’s trousseau, now filled with more beautiful surcoats and shifts.

In all, it was quite an elaborate production for Emmaline to begin her new life as Lady de Royans and, having turned seventeen years of age last month, Emmaline was more than ready to embark on her new life. The joy of a future with the man she loved was all she could think of. Surely nothing could be finer.

But her hair style on this day was her crowning glory. Aricia had combed and braided and pinned it on top of her head, with a single thick braid emerging from the top of the very elaborate style, draping over Emmaline’s right shoulder with a curl at the end of it. It was to this elaborate hairstyle that Susanna pinned her pink bows and, under Aricia’s guidance, Emmaline soon had four beautiful bows pinned to the upswept style. It made for a truly stunning creation.

As Aricia and Susanna were fixing the last of the bows, the chamber door opened and Sophina entered. Enormously pregnant, she was still moving swiftly, busily, and behind her came a pair of servants bearing trays of food. Emmaline took one look at the food and waved her mother off.

“Nay,” she told her mother flatly. “I cannot eat. I will vomit!”

Sophina was trying not to grin at her dramatic daughter. “You will not vomit,” she said. “And you must eat something, Em. You will become ill if you do not. I’ll not have you fainting dead away while you take your vows tonight.”

Emmaline stood up from the stool, her lovely dress trailing out behind her. “I will not faint,” she said irritably. Then, her manner changed swiftly to that of an eager bride. “Where is Colton? Have you seen him?”

Sophina nodded as she poured her daughter a measure of wine to calm her down. “I have,” she said. “He is in the hall awaiting the arrival of his parents. He has eaten and so should you.”

“Is he excited?”

“More than you are.”

That brought a smile to Emmaline’s lips and she accepted the cup her mother was extending to her. Taking a big gulp, she put her hand on her mother’s belly because that was something she had been doing since the day her mother informed her that she was with child. Emmaline liked to put her hands on the woman’s belly and speak to the baby, making a nuisance of herself at times. On this day, she put both hands on her mother’s massive stomach and kissed it.

“Good day to you, my sweet babe,” she said. “I am so very happy you will be at my wedding today.”

As Sophina watched her daughter, the smile faded from her lips. She didn’t want to tell her that she’d been having odd pains since late the night before, cramping that was in her lower back and down her thighs. She hadn’t even mentioned it to Lucien for fear the man would fall into fits, as he was extraordinarily protective and concerned about his pregnant wife. Considering what had happened to his last wife, she didn’t blame him. But she couldn’t take a step without him ensuring her way was clear and was, therefore, afraid to tell him about the pains she’d been having for fear he’d force her into bed so that she would not be able to attend her daughter’s wedding. And nothing short of hard labor was going to prevent that.

“He shall be there,” Sophina said, patting her stomach. “We would not miss it.”

Emmaline went back to drinking her wine and Sophina forced the young woman to eat some bread and cheese along with it. The last thing they needed was a tipsy, nervous bride. As Aricia went to help Susanna with the dress she was going to wear for the wedding, there was a soft knock at the door. One of the servants went to answer it.

Lucien was standing at the door when it was opened. Dressed in leather breeches and a finely embroidered dark tunic, he looked incredibly handsome. He smiled at the women in the room but did not attempt to enter.

“May I come in?” he asked. “I do not wish to disturb the bride.”

Emmaline crossed the room towards him, wine in hand and resplendent in her pink silk gown and elaborate hair. “You are not disturbing me,” she said, greeting him with a kiss and pulling him into the room. Then, she stood back. “Well? What do you think of my gown? Do you like it?”

Lucien looked at her, all pink and perfect and beautiful. “My God,” he said softly. “You are a magnificent creature. I do believe I may shed a tear.”

Emmaline laughed, twirling about in the garment so he could see the whole thing. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she said. “Aricia made it. I think it is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.”

Lucien nodded. “And I completely agree,” he said. “Colton is a most fortunate man.”

Emmaline stopped twirling. “How is he?” she asked anxiously. “He is not nervous, is he?”

Lucien fought off a grin. “He is not,” he said. “But he is eager to be wed. And he is eager for his parents to meet you. They have arrived, in fact, and I have brought them with me. May I bring them in?”

Emmaline’s eyes widened. “They are here?”

“Aye.”

“But surely Colton wishes to introduce us!”

Lucien nodded. “He does, but Baron Cononley refuses to wait. He wants to meet you now and Colton says he is not permitted to see you before the wedding, so we have a dilemma.”

Emmaline pursed her lips, torn. “Well,” she said reluctantly, “I told him he was not permitted to see me before the ceremony. I want my dress to be a surprise. Mama, what do you think? Should I allow him to introduce me to his parents now?”

Sitting on Emmaline’s bed because her legs were starting to seriously ache, Sophina simply grinned as Oswald played in what was left of her lap.

“That is your choice, sweetheart.”

“But I do not know what to do now!”

“Then mayhap you should let Lucien introduce you to Colton’s father since he is already here. It would be rude to turn him away.”

That made sense to her, so Emmaline turned to Lucien with a nod. “Very well,” she said hesitantly. “I would like to meet the baron and his wife.”

With a smile, Lucien turned for the door. He went out to the landing and disappeared down the stairs to the floor below. When he returned, it was with two people – they could all hear the voices out on the landing. Emmaline went to the door, positioning herself in front of it as she nervously prepared to meet her future husband’s parents.

Lucien came through the door first followed by a man and a woman. The woman was dressed in green brocade, an absolutely lovely woman who was, perhaps, Lucien’s age, with green eyes and honey-blonde hair. She was followed by an enormous man with shoulders so wide that he nearly went from once side of the doorframe to the other.

The moment Emmaline looked at him, however, she knew it was Colton’s father because they looked exactly alike – square jaw, dimpled chin, and the shape of the nose was the same. The resemblance was uncanny. She smiled timidly at the couple as they fixed on her.

“Lord and Lady Cononley,” Lucien said, indicating Emmaline. “I am proud to introduce you to my daughter, Lady Emmaline de Gournay. Emmaline, be honored to meet Colton’s parents, Weston de Royans and his wife, Amalie.”

Lady Cononley was the first one to move forward, reaching out to take Emmaline by the hands. “My lady,” she said softly, her voice sweet and rich. “We have eagerly awaited this moment for months, ever since Colton told us he had asked for your hand in marriage. I am so very pleased to meet you.”

She kissed Emmaline on the cheek and Emmaline smiled bashfully. “It is an honor to finally meet you as well, my lady,” she said, quickly looking to Lord Cononley. “Both of you. I have heard so much about you from Colton that I feel as if I already know you.”

Lord Cononley came forward, looking Emmaline over, scrutinizing everything about her. An intimidating man and a fierce warrior much like his son, he wanted to get a good look at the young lady who had stolen his beloved Colton’s heart. He had waited a long time for this moment and he was the first one to admit that he had created all sorts of terrible scenarios in his mind. Of course, no woman was good enough for his son but in gazing at the lovely Emmaline, he realized that he was not displeased. Perhaps she would, indeed, do.

“My lady,” he greeted formally. “As my wife said, we have been eagerly awaiting this moment. When Colton wrote to us to tell us when the wedding would be, we wasted no time in coming to Wiltshire. I will admit that I wanted to see you before I would permit any nuptials to take place.”

Emmaline’s face fell. “You… you wanted to…?”

Lady Cononley saved the moment. “My husband is very protective over his children, my lady,” she said. “Please do not misunderstand. It is simply that my husband is very attached to his children and most especially to Colton, as his first-born son. He wanted to see for himself the woman that Colton speaks so fondly of. As a parent, it is always difficult to realize that your children are growing up and will soon have children of their own.”

Emmaline looked, wide-eyed, between Lady Cononley and her husband. She still wasn’t sure if that meant Colton’s father would permit the marriage. Now, she was frightened.

“If you have any questions of me I would be happy to answer them,” she said, struggling not to tear up. “My mother has taught me a great deal on how to run a house and hold. I can manage money, I can manage kitchen stores, I can….”

Lady Cononley cut her off, putting her hands on Emmaline’s shoulders. “You are young and beautiful and Colton adores you,” she said. “I can see that you are also well spoken and polite. That is all I need to know. I am sure you will make my son very happy.”

She kissed Emmaline on the cheek again but there was still the matter of Lord Cononley. He was looking at Emmaline seriously. He seemed to still be trying to figure out how he felt about all of this. After a moment, he lowered his gaze.

“I have six children, my lady,” he said. “My eldest, Aubria, was recently married. Colton is two years younger and now I find myself attending his wedding. When my children were young, I will admit that I spent too much time with them. Far too much time. I was attentive to the point of hovering. Has Colton told you any of this?”

Emmaline nodded, still uncertain of the man and his motives. “Aye, my lord,” she said. “He said that you insist on hugging him constantly.”

Lord Cononley nodded. “I do,” he admitted. “I hug all of my children. I adore them all. Aubria, Colton, Torston, Kingston, Elizabeth, and Seton. My youngest, Seton, has come to the age in life where he fights me off when I try to hug him. He does not want to be embarrassed. But my point is this – it is difficult for me to let my children grow up. Colton is my heart. Now, I give him to you so that he will become your heart as well. All I ask is that you be a good wife to him, my lady. Love him unconditionally. He is a good man and deserves that.”

Emmaline was starting to understand Lord Cononley a little now. He was obviously quite emotional about his children and quite concerned. He wanted to make sure his beloved Colton was marrying someone who would care for him as he did. Truth be told, she felt somewhat relieved now that she understood his reasons.