He stared at the blue and silver ring glittering at his feet. "I must. It is the only way to keep them safe. They don't know," he said. A moment's silence until he looked up, met her gaze. "Keep the ring hidden." He gave a crooked grin. "It is a connection you should not advertise."
Angelo stepped forward and caught him by the arm. "We must go."
Still Edouard hesitated, staring at her.
"Don't give up, you have more courage than this," she said.
"What do you know of it?" Angelo turned to her angrily. Then more softly, "Let it be."
"Angel, enough," said Edouard. He looked to her. "Don't feel sorry for me," he was not smiling now. "It is a just punishment." He raised a hand before she could speak. "Truly it is not a punishment, more a chance to make amends, to renew a pledge. Be happy for me."
Angelo was right. What did she know of it? "Be safe," she said.
He raised his hand and then turned away. She watched as the two men disappeared among the trees. Then she went to pick up the ring. After holding it for a while she wrapped it and buried it beside Rosa. Then she sat by her sister's grave until her mother's voice called her back to work.
Epilogue
Mariette brought an armful of late summer roses to Hugo's grave. She arranged the flowers and stood for a moment in silence. Sometimes it seemed to her that she missed Hugo more now than ever. So much had changed. Francis and Caterine were safe. She was safe. Life went on.
The graveyard at Montmercy was beside the lake. A cool breeze swept across the water to dry her tears. She looked back to the castle. So peaceful in the evening sun, for a moment she was able to forget all that had happened. But that moment never lasted long.
She turned from Hugo's grave to Mathieu's. The two men would have been friends, she was sure of it. Though they came from very different backgrounds, in so many ways they had been alike. Mathieu had the same gift for leadership, for inspiring men, and the same unshakeable honesty that was beyond rare. Without him the Compact would not have existed. So many more innocents would have suffered and died. His greatest legacy was Debrauche. She smiled. Bruno and many of the Compact's men had returned to Debrauche. She had promised to visit the village.
She turned. Jaime was sitting on the grass by Hugo's grave. He held a rose idly in his hands and the look on his face made her heart break. Some things could never be mended.
"You were to take me to Debrauche," she said.
He looked up at her, hazel eyes narrowed. "Of course," he said. "We can go tomorrow." He set the rose on Hugo's grave and stood up slowly. The wounds he had received from the shadow creature still not completely healed.
She stood for a last moment beside Hugo's grave. Then she took Jaime's arm. Together they walked back towards the castle.
"It is very quiet here, now Francis and Remy and gone to Chamfort."
"I think Caterine more than makes up for both of them. She tried to take my dagger yesterday," he said.
They walked in silence for a while.
"Do you think Francis will be happy at Chamfort?"
"He will love it. He is a natural horseman and swordsman, just like his father. He makes friends as easily as Hugo did. And he has Remy." He turned to her. "Don't fuss."
She tightened her grip on his arm. "We have guests coming," she said.
"Mariette, why are you smiling at me that way?"
"It is your mother, Diane is coming."
"Saints of mercy. How could you do this to me?"
"At least she waited until you were well," Mariette studied his face anxiously. "I truly think she has been worried."
Jaime snorted. "She has missed having someone to call a fool. Piers won't stand for it." He sighed. "And she will want to plan my life."
"You are not well enough to make plans yet and I will tell her so."
Jaime laughed. "Good luck." He stopped walking. "You said there were guests coming. Tell me you haven't invited Piers."
Mariette looked out across the lake. "Roslaire de Lyon is traveling with your mother. Do you mind?" She had only just got him back; she didn't want to lose him again.
He shook his head and smiled. "How can I disapprove if my mother approves."
"She does not disapprove," said Mariette. Diane had lectured her on the risks of renewing her relationship with Roslaire. But being Diane she had seen the benefits too.
"I know he took care of you, when I did not." Jaime would not meet her gaze.
"That was not your fault." She kissed his cheek. "Roslaire is coming as a friend. We are not love sick children. He has many other commitments."
"I want you to be happy," Jaime said. After a moment he looked at her and said softly. "I will always be here for you, Francis and Caterine, but I will never tell you what to do. I have learned my lesson."
She laughed. "I'll hold you to that."
They walked on, arm in arm. Montmercy was waiting for them, safe and peaceful in the sunlight.
THE END
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Traitor Blade: (Books 1-3) Page 102
