Epilogue
As it turned out, the storm delayed the King’s arrival, giving Jonto time to make arrangements for their upcoming announcement.
It wasn’t until early afternoon that King Jaydon’s two-masted brig sailed through the massive twin cliffs forming the entrance to the bay.
Once through, the crew reefed the sails to slow the ship, and when it had crossed enough distance, they furled them altogether.
They coasted until several rowboats approached, at which point the crew tossed the rowers ropes, which were then used to tow the ship up to the long wooden dock leading into port.
Lady Pierpont, Jonto, and Isla waited in the Archduchess’s coach and six, an opulent carriage elaborately decorated with gilding, luxurious fabrics, and intricate carvings.
Nico, Lily, Celie, Judge Riordan, and Fornette, who’d only that morning returned from a business trip to the capitol, waited off to the side while several of Jonto’s sailors, including Ilona, mixed in with the gathering crowd.
Isla pointed out her friends who had come to offer their support.
Jonto noted Pris standing next to Anastasia, sans their husbands, who no doubt had stayed away to avoid drawing the King’s ire should he be vexed at his plans going awry.
Isla grinned, “Oh look, there’s Tilly and her cousin, Edmund. I’ve always appreciated Edmund’s honesty and loyalty. He’s his own man and isn’t afraid to stand up for his friends even when doing so might be considered ill-advised.”
Lady Pierpont sniffed, “Unlike Lords Fitzgerald and Masterson. I’m quite displeased not to see them here with their wives.”
Having the Grande Dame unhappy with her wasn’t something Jonto cared to experience.
She side-eyed Isla, who raised her brows in silent agreement.
Jonto hadn’t noticed Isla’s hands shaking in her lap, and reaching over, she gave them a light squeeze to reassure her that all would be well.
They watched as the gangplank was set into place.
Ropes were extended on either side as handrails to ensure stability as the King descended to the pier.
Jonto growled, “And there’s Montfort waiting to lick King Jaydon’s boots as he disembarks.”
“A bit less color, Lord Jonto, if you don’t mind.”
The Archduchess’s reproving tone reminded Jonto that she was seated in Jaydon’s great-aunt’s carriage. She silently berated herself for not being on her best behavior while in her hearing. “Yes, Your Grace. Forgive me.”
Lady Pierpont lowered her voice. “Although, I have to say I agree with your assessment of the man’s character.”
Turning to face the window, Isla covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile. She watched Montfort bow low and turn to accompany the King as he strode toward the quay.
Lady Pierpont tapped on the carriage sidewall with her cane, and a footman immediately opened the door and stood to the side, ready to help the Grande Dame alight from the conveyance.
Jonto assisted the lady as she rose from her seat and handed her down to the footman, who took most of the woman’s weight as she descended to the ground.
As instructed, Jonto and Isla followed hand in hand and stopped behind the Archduchess, who lowered herself into an abbreviated curtsy due to the impediments of her age.
Montfort’s gaze shot to Jonto and Isla’s joined hands, and his face colored with rage. He puffed up in indignation and quickly whispered into Jaydon’s ear.
Jaydon glanced at the couple and raised his brows. “Aunt?”
The Archduchess didn’t waste any time with pleasantries.
“King Jaydon, may I introduce Lord and Lady Jontoreaux, who had the good fortune to grow quite fond of one another during their sailing expedition to locate and bring back their herbalist. They came to me last evening asking for my blessing on their marriage. It was quite serendipitous that Judge Riordan happened to be visiting at the time. With him there, I decided there was no reason to put off such a fine alliance and hosted their wedding.”
Montfort reared up, puffing his chest out and pointing at the Archduchess. “Impossible! Lady Brighton is already engaged to me.” He jerked his fist into the air and back down again before striding their way to demand his prize. “She’s mine!”
Jonto stepped forward and put a hand on his chest to stop him. “Lady Jontoreaux belongs to no man, Lord Montfort. However, she is my wife, and I’m warning you to choose your next words very carefully because any man who gives insult will answer to my sword.”
The man’s face went beyond scarlet and moved into shades of burgundy, something that couldn’t be healthy for a man of any age. He turned to the King. “Your Majesty. Those lands were promised to me.” He angrily jabbed a thumb into his chest.
As per Jonto’s prearranged orders, several of her sailors moved forward, causing a ripple effect among the crowd. Men and women, peasants, merchants, and noblemen alike, edged closer to better hear what was being said.
No fool, Jaydon glanced around at the lively crowd just as Ilona called out, “Felicitations, Lord and Lady Jontoreaux.” Several others took up the cry, and soon, the air was filled with congratulations for the happy couple.
Reading the mood correctly, the King smiled and waved before turning back and speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Lord Montfort, I gave you permission to ask for Lady Brighton’s hand in marriage.
Should that have happened, I was ready to grant your request so that her lands, herds, and flocks could come under your excellent management. ”
Jaydon turned to face Jonto. “Lord Jontoreaux, do you feel qualified to run Lady Jontoreaux’s estates as well as your own?”
Jonto bowed to the King. “Your Majesty. Lady Jontoreaux is fully capable of running her own lands and estate. I don’t know whether you were informed, but I discovered that her steward and shepherd purposefully sabotaged my wife to the point of nearly destroying her lands.
” She turned an innocent look on Montfort.
“I understand both men are working on your estate for quite excellent wages, My Lord. You might want to keep a close eye to ensure they don’t do the same to you. ”
Turning back to Jaydon, she continued, “I’ve run my familial estates for ten years, and in that time, I’ve increased my holdings from those estates ten times over.
So, to answer your question, yes, should my wife come to me for advice, I am more than qualified to give it to her.
She is an intelligent, caring woman who was put in an untenable situation by conniving, scheming forces beyond her control.
Our land restoration specialist has assured us the land can and will recover from the damage those two wrought, so all will be well with Windsong Hall after several years of Lady Jontoreaux’s loving care. ”
Jaydon nodded. “Well said. In that case, I offer my blessing to you and your lovely bride and trust Fachan’s Bay will be made better by…” he hesitated before nodding graciously to Isla, “…by the combined husbandry of your two estates.”
This time, Jonto’s sailors didn’t need to instigate the raucous cheers, which were loud and full of the merriment only the peasant and merchant classes could provide.
Montfort, his face suffused with fury, thrust a finger at Jonto and roared, "This isn’t over."
Isla came forward to stand beside her husband. She ran her hand through Jonto’s arm and leaned into her steadying presence.
Sending Isla a murderous glare, Montfort stalked to his horse, mounted, and viciously kicked it into an undignified retreat.
They were standing close enough to Lady Pierpont to overhear the King, who’d walked forward to kiss his aunt on both cheeks.
He barely spoke above a whisper, but they heard his words all the same.
“I don’t know how you did it, Lady Aunt, but I find myself indebted to you for your benevolent support yet again. ”
The Archduchess merely raised her brows and graciously inclined her head. “You’ll stay with me during your visit?”
“No, thank you. There’s still enough time to quit Fachan’s Bay and begin my return journey to the capital.” He turned to Jonto and Isla. “Again, felicitations on your wedding.”
Jonto bowed low, and Isla gracefully sank into a deep curtsy.
Once the King had returned to the gangplank, Jonto and Isla escorted Lady Pierpont to her carriage.
Before mounting the steps, the lady motioned for her footman to give them privacy.
When he’d stepped away, she spoke quietly enough that only they would hear.
“I don’t know how my nephew was manipulated into marrying you off to Lord Montfort, Lady Jontoreaux, but I trust that whatever corner he was backed into, he’ll be more circumspect in his dealings in the future.
I’m perfectly aware you overheard his parting words to me.
You’ll forget what you heard and never repeat this conversation to anyone. Do I make myself clear?”
Jonto answered for them both. “Perfectly, Your Grace.”
“My nephew is a good man, though he came to the throne much younger than any monarch should. I ask you to keep that in mind should you have further dealings with him in the years to come.”
Sensing the message behind the words, Jonto understood she was being asked to watch over the king and subtly guide him should anything happen to the redoubtable Archduchess.
“It will be our honor to be his most ardent supporters, Your Grace.”
The lady’s lips twitched, and she shook her head. “Pray don’t overstate the matter, Lord Jontoreaux. I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Jonto grinned and inclined her head. “I wouldn’t be fool enough to attempt to lead you up the garden path, Your Grace.
I understand our friends are holding a celebratory wedding reception for us at the Stately Yew Inn.
Could we tempt you with an invitation to join us?
” She expected the Archduchess to graciously decline and was pleasantly surprised when she did just the opposite.
“I haven’t been in that inn for thirty years or more.
I would be honored to stand in for Alula in celebrating her granddaughter’s wedding.
” She cocked her arm. “Take my elbow, young man, and lead your bride and me to a place of honor inside that time-honored establishment. Will there be dancing, do you know?”
Taking her arm and Isla’s hand, Jonto slowly walked toward the inn. “If there’s not, I’ll hire a band to play just for you, Your Grace.” She leaned in and kissed Isla. “And for you, too, my beautiful bride.”
As Isla returned the kiss, Jonto couldn’t believe that Morgan’s Jest had brought her and Nico to this little kingdom where they’d had the good fortune to combine their seafaring family with a wife for her and a newfound tribe of people to care for as their own.
She silently thanked her brother for convincing her to take a chance on a life despite the absence of his corporeal presence, although she had no doubt whatsoever that her twin was watching over her with that perpetually amused and devilishly mischievous twinkle in his eyes.