the heathens mercy!
The final words were spoken. Sir Henry led Percy and Brigette to the desk across the chamber to sign the necessary documents. In the name of the queen, Sir Henry signed first, then passed the quill to Percy, who signed with a flourish in the name of Iain MacArthur. Brigette stared dumbly at the quill when Percy held it out to her.
The dowager countess opened her mouth to scold, but Percy placed the quill in Brigettes hand and gestured to the marriage documents. Accepting her fate, Brigette signed with a bold flourish. She was Lady MacArthur now, for better or worse.
The dowager countess instantly grabbed her daughters arm and steered her toward the door, saying, Im certain youll want to change your lovely gown before supper, my dear.
Reading the warning in her mothers eyes, Brigette nodded and left. As she crossed the foyer, a peal of masculine laughter rang out, Percys tight control having broken.
2
Almost magically, the mist had disappeared under the cover of darkness. Each person milling around the courtyard noted the change and hoped Basildon Castle would see the suns rays that day. Since before dawn, the Scots had been preparing for their departure, but now most lounged about, awaiting Lady MacArthur.
Wearing a grim expression, Spring entered and crossed the courtyard. Shes not in her chamber, she told the countess. Percy and Madame Devereux exchanged worried glances.
If shes run, Richard snarled, Ill flay her alive.
Humph! Heather snorted derisively. Bries too much of a coward to . . . Here she is. Dressed for traveling in a dark woolen safeguard and cloak, Brigette entered the courtyard from the castles chapel and smiled apologetically.
They thought youd run! Heather exclaimed. I told them â
I was bidding farewell to Father.
The countesss expression softened and she opened her arms to her daughter. Like a bereft child, Brigette flung herself into her mothers embrace. She closed her eyes, felt the warmth of her mothers love, and knew nothing would be the same after that day. When Brigette left Basildon, she would be leaving her childhood behind.
Im afraid, Brigette whispered.
Her mother tilted her chin up and smiled sadly. Theres nothing to fear, sweet. If Lord Percy is any indication, your husband is a good man. Will you promise me something, Brie?
Brigette nodded. Yes . . . anything.
You are impulsive at times, she said. Before you do or say anything, remember you are an earls daughter. Can you do that for me?
Yes, I promise.
The countess kissed Brigette, then held her close. Say good-bye to your brother and sister, she whispered finally.
Brigette turned to Heather. Weeping, the sisters flew into each others arms.
Im sorry I frightened you, Heather sobbed. Im certain Lord MacArthur doesnt kill for pleasure.
And Im sorry I insulted you, Brigette returned. I like your freckles. Youll write? Heather nodded, and they hugged each other a final time.
Brigette looked at her brother. His lips quivered with the effort not to cry. Farewell, my Lord Earl, she said and curtsyed.
In a most undignified manner, the young lord threw himself into his sisters arms and nearly toppled her over in his distress. Ill miss you, Brie.
Learn your lessons well, Richard, Brigette said, hugging him close, and youll grow into as fine a man as Father.
I will, Richard promised, then glanced sidelong at Percy. If you need me, he whispered, send word.
Brigette stood and kissed Sir Henry on each cheek. I will also miss you, my lord. Youve been like a father these past years, and I thank you for caring.
Be happy, Brie.
Brigette nodded, then turned to Percy. Im ready.
Percy helped her mount, then mounted his own stallion. Brigette saw the Scotsman Jamie lift Spring onto her horse and was glad her cousin was traveling with her. At least she would have one friend in her husbands home.
Percy shouted a command. Surrounded by her husbands men-at-arms, Lady MacArthur began her long journey to Scotland.
The final words were spoken. Sir Henry led Percy and Brigette to the desk across the chamber to sign the necessary documents. In the name of the queen, Sir Henry signed first, then passed the quill to Percy, who signed with a flourish in the name of Iain MacArthur. Brigette stared dumbly at the quill when Percy held it out to her.
The dowager countess opened her mouth to scold, but Percy placed the quill in Brigettes hand and gestured to the marriage documents. Accepting her fate, Brigette signed with a bold flourish. She was Lady MacArthur now, for better or worse.
The dowager countess instantly grabbed her daughters arm and steered her toward the door, saying, Im certain youll want to change your lovely gown before supper, my dear.
Reading the warning in her mothers eyes, Brigette nodded and left. As she crossed the foyer, a peal of masculine laughter rang out, Percys tight control having broken.
2
Almost magically, the mist had disappeared under the cover of darkness. Each person milling around the courtyard noted the change and hoped Basildon Castle would see the suns rays that day. Since before dawn, the Scots had been preparing for their departure, but now most lounged about, awaiting Lady MacArthur.
Wearing a grim expression, Spring entered and crossed the courtyard. Shes not in her chamber, she told the countess. Percy and Madame Devereux exchanged worried glances.
If shes run, Richard snarled, Ill flay her alive.
Humph! Heather snorted derisively. Bries too much of a coward to . . . Here she is. Dressed for traveling in a dark woolen safeguard and cloak, Brigette entered the courtyard from the castles chapel and smiled apologetically.
They thought youd run! Heather exclaimed. I told them â
I was bidding farewell to Father.
The countesss expression softened and she opened her arms to her daughter. Like a bereft child, Brigette flung herself into her mothers embrace. She closed her eyes, felt the warmth of her mothers love, and knew nothing would be the same after that day. When Brigette left Basildon, she would be leaving her childhood behind.
Im afraid, Brigette whispered.
Her mother tilted her chin up and smiled sadly. Theres nothing to fear, sweet. If Lord Percy is any indication, your husband is a good man. Will you promise me something, Brie?
Brigette nodded. Yes . . . anything.
You are impulsive at times, she said. Before you do or say anything, remember you are an earls daughter. Can you do that for me?
Yes, I promise.
The countess kissed Brigette, then held her close. Say good-bye to your brother and sister, she whispered finally.
Brigette turned to Heather. Weeping, the sisters flew into each others arms.
Im sorry I frightened you, Heather sobbed. Im certain Lord MacArthur doesnt kill for pleasure.
And Im sorry I insulted you, Brigette returned. I like your freckles. Youll write? Heather nodded, and they hugged each other a final time.
Brigette looked at her brother. His lips quivered with the effort not to cry. Farewell, my Lord Earl, she said and curtsyed.
In a most undignified manner, the young lord threw himself into his sisters arms and nearly toppled her over in his distress. Ill miss you, Brie.
Learn your lessons well, Richard, Brigette said, hugging him close, and youll grow into as fine a man as Father.
I will, Richard promised, then glanced sidelong at Percy. If you need me, he whispered, send word.
Brigette stood and kissed Sir Henry on each cheek. I will also miss you, my lord. Youve been like a father these past years, and I thank you for caring.
Be happy, Brie.
Brigette nodded, then turned to Percy. Im ready.
Percy helped her mount, then mounted his own stallion. Brigette saw the Scotsman Jamie lift Spring onto her horse and was glad her cousin was traveling with her. At least she would have one friend in her husbands home.
Percy shouted a command. Surrounded by her husbands men-at-arms, Lady MacArthur began her long journey to Scotland.
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