Chapter Eighteen #3
By the time Summer finished speaking, Margot’s face was as pallid as new snow. Her mouth worked a moment as if struggling to bring forth a rebuttal but the words sought refused to be heard.
“You do not know what you are saying,” she managed to rasp.
Faintly, Summer nodded. “Aye, I know m-more than you would believe,” she said evenly.
“I know that you have spread vicious rumors in an attempt to punish your son-in-law for loving your daughter enough to bless her with a child. I k-know that you hate him and depend on him at the same time. And I know that you must be terribly jealous of me, as the second wife of your daughter’s husband. P-Please tell me if I am wrong.”
Control splintering, Margot labored to maintain her defenses. “You… you are wrong!” she spat, kicking aside the chalice on the floor as she advanced. “He killed her, murdering her with his massive child!”
“B-But it was not an intentional deed.”
“It doesn’t matter!” Margot shrieked; as she moved swiftly toward Summer, Stephan and Ian tensed, preparing to defend their sister against the raging old shrew.
But Summer stopped them, holding up a quelling hand as the furious woman drew near.
“Whether or not my Lora’s death was intentional, Bose was responsible.
He accepted that responsibility the day he married her. ”
Summer, not strangely, was quite calm. Confidence in her argument made her so.
“I-I am sure if Bose had been able to foresee the future, the situation might have been different. Or mayhap it would not have changed. Regardless of his association to your daughter’s death, what do you believe Lora would have done had she been foretold of the possibility of succumbing in childbirth?
Do you truly believe she would have given up the opportunity to have a child simply because there was a chance that she would not survive the endeavor? ”
Margot was visibly shaken, her thin face taut with rage and emotion.
Blue eyes that were razor-sharp abruptly softened with uncertainty as she pondered Summer’s logic.
But years of belief in Bose’s guilt were difficult to dissolve and she turned away, uncertain with the turn of the conversation and subject.
Ever-aware of her audience, however, she knew she had to relay the fact that her duties and motives were correct regardless of Summer’s reasonable words.
Even if the flawed young woman had somehow succeeding in breaking down her wall of defense, it was imperative that Margot maintain her staunch beliefs.
“For Bose, she would have done anything. Just as you will,” from quivering one moment to steady the next, Margot was shockingly in control once more.
“He should have known that his child would have killed her for pure size alone. But his desire for an heir convinced Lora to jeopardize her life and she paid the ultimate price. He is without conscience, I say, as your abduction from the walls of Chaldon clearly support.”
Summer stared at the back of the woman’s well-coiffed head, seeing that she was unwilling to alter her ideas. If reason and calm logic had failed to convince her, then Summer doubted anything would. The Lady Margot would continue to exist, embittered and malevolent, until the day she died.
“I-I am sorry you feel that way, for certainly, you are wrong,” she uttered softly, turning from the old woman and focusing on her father once again. “I would like to see my husband, Father. If Stephan and Ian escort me, would this be possible?”
Edward lowered his gaze, mulling over her request for the hundredth time and truly seeing no further reason why he should deny her.
If anything, it might ease his sons’ anger toward him and he was eager to lighten their disgust and fury.
Coming to understand Margot’s shaded occurrence of events as he had over the past few minutes, he seriously came to wonder if his disregard of Bose de Moray’s petition was provided with any firm basis. He had been wrong.
Unfortunately, the situation was out of his hands. Bose had committed a crime by abducting Summer and as events were progressing, the circumstances were beyond his control. But there were some things he was still able to control.
“I would allow it, if Sir Breck is agreeable,” he said weakly.
When Breck, collapsed exhaustedly against the wall several feet away, suddenly came to life at the mention of his name, Stephan and Ian cast the man menacing glares that would have made God himself unwilling to deny Summer’s request. Breck met the challenging stares, although frankly too fatigued to summon the necessary energy to maintain the fight.
It was of little consequence if Summer saw her husband, for certainly, she could do nothing to aid him beyond sweet words and tender promises.
De Moray was a prisoner, Breck’s prisoner, and the eldest Kerry brother found himself pleased with the control within his grasp.
“I would agree,” he said finally, turning away and picking at his nose. “But only for a few minutes. And I would have my guards present during the meeting.”
Stephan attempted to refute the last command but Summer hushed him, terrified that Breck would reconsider if the terms were challenged.
Without another word to her father, the half-drunk woman in the corner or the repugnant knight pulling the mucus from his nose, she swept from the room with her mighty brothers in tow.
She was gone, leaving Margot and Edward and Breck bathed in an uneasy silence. As the soft hiss of the sea breeze infiltrated the lancet windows, Margot’s thin voice pierced the air.
“She is wrong, Edward,” she said softly. “Her reasoning is shaded with Bose’s version of events. For certain, she is wrong and our cause is as strong as ever. Have no fear.”
Edward, his expression dull, looked to the thin woman. “I do not fear. But I do question.”
“Do not,” she snapped, her confident composure making a customary return. “There is no need. We will not fail in our quest to be rid of Sir Bose. I promise you that.”
Against the opposite wall, Breck looked to the lady curiously. “You have more information against him? Another strategy, mayhap?”
Faintly, Margot shrugged. Faded blue eyes met with those of small, questioning blue. “Indeed. As long as Lord Edward maintains his faith and truth, the results will be favorable.”
Breck cocked an eyebrow. “What you mean to say is that as long as Baron Lulworth does as he’s told, we shall emerge victorious.”
Margot laughed softly, casting Edward a nearly affectionate glance. “He shall do as he’s told. And I believe I have the final answer that will weaken any strength of Sir Bose’s case.”
“You do?” Breck moved away from the wall, toward her. “Do tell.”