by Marie Hall
"Lord Brice," A deep baritone shouted with much cheer. Io spun and, like there was no other person in the tent, her eyes went right to the tall figure now reaching over heads to shake hands with several people.
"Xavier Brice rumor spoke of you taking a wife. Is this beauty the one?"
Io froze as she watched Xavier pull Sabrina against him in the crowd. Sabrina pressed her cheek against his chest and he placed his hand on the back of her head. "This one?" Xavier laughed. "I wish. This fine lady is not mine." More laughter, but what followed Io didn't know she stumbled out of the tent nearly bent in half by the pain.
"Io, Io," Sarah reached her and put her arms around her. "We will leave, first thing in the morning."
"Why are they here?" Jude asked, taking Io's left arm and helping her stand straight. Ann joined them and they made their way back to camp. Ann made sure the few guards who accompanied them were aware they'd be leaving sooner than planned while Jude began collecting their belongings scattered about in the formally relaxed environment.
Io lay down that night hating her husband for not setting her out before she was witness to his affection towards Sabrina. She knew she needed to return to the house least these women be punished for her slipping away. But she'd leave the first moment she could and Xavier could have the woman he wished for as a wife.
At sunrise, Io and the others woke and began packing only to discover one of the wheels of the cart cracked. Replacing it wouldn't be a problem as the market had smiths and people capable of repair. It'd only mean a delay. Io chose to spend the time in the market. Alone, she could start to remember her old skills. Skills she'd need again soon. She was looking at well crafted ribbon when another stepped up beside her and Io found the opportunity to practice insult as a means to keep distance.
"I see he decided he no longer must hold you prisoner. I should say you have not been missed these last days. Not at all." Sabrina's voice grated but Io simply lifted a pretty pale green ribbon and inspected it closely.
"I see you learned nothing from the beating you took," Io remarked casually jerking the ribbon from reach when Sabrina tried to snatch it from her hand.
"You are the vilest most discussing whore I have ever met."
"Yes, and I suspect given your character you have meet a great many of them. Tell me, are you still spreading your legs for the stable master's son?" Io saw nothing wrong now in repeating what her friends whispered about. It hardly mattered if it was only gossip and Xavier wouldn't approve. "I will take a full length of this," Io told the merchant who was pleased to not only gain a good sale but to be privy to such scandalous talk.
"That someone like you was chosen I will never understand," Sabrina snapped.
"And is that not a wonder. Because it was I who was chosen by the king himself. That he could look over you so easy and select me; well, perhaps he knows something." Io pulled out her purse. "Tell me, does it bother you more that I was chosen or that you had to be forced upon him? That he still resists giving me up completely."
"You are a bitch," Sabrina snarled then snatched the ribbon from the merchant before he could cut Io's purchase. "I want to buy the entire spool. Do not cut any for this… fool."
"I have my money here." Io held up the coin. "Cut my ribbon and when she shows you coin, do as you want."
"I said I want the entire spool. You will not sell her any of it."
"My ladies," the merchant started.
"Do as I said you troll." Sabrina snarled.
The merchant turned frightened eyes towards Io who simply showed him her coin. "The amount the lady is asking for will not diminish what the spool holds," he finally said to Sabrina.
"I want the whole thing," Sabrina screamed like a spoiled child.
"What is this now?" Io cringed at the sound of Xavier's voice. "Io? When did you arrive?"
"I have been here several days, Lord Brice." Io kept her face turned from him so he couldn't see the hurt. "Please, sir, my ribbon?" Io set her coin on the table.
"I have claimed that ribbon," Sabrina cried. "Xavier, please she is only being spiteful because she knows I want it so very much."
"I will never understand how you could find these manners, these behaviors so desirable. I would think a cat in heat would give a better showing than her," Io said and snatched up the ribbon. She slammed down her coins. "I have bought this with my own money. It is no longer yours to claim."
"You have no claim," Sabrina yelled with a whine in her voice. She snatched back the ribbon and swept Io's coins to the ground.
"Bitch," Io snarled, pulled back her fist and let fly. Her knuckles slammed into the side of the woman's face as Xavier pulled her away but not in time.
"Io," Xavier growled and grabbed her. He gave her a violent shake before shoving her back. "Have you no decency? Must you always behave like a little wild animal? Can you not even pretend for a moment to be a lady? Must you always shame and humiliate me with your behavior?"
Io felt her knees shake and her stomach twisted so hard she wanted to vomit. She could say nothing. Just as his claim last evening that he wished Sabrina was his wife, his words now were a confirmation every moment before was a terrible lie. He stepped back leaving her standing there in the middle of the market place, people having stopped to watch and listen.
He said nothing else simply laid several coins on the table took the spool and placing his hand at the other woman's back walked away. Io gasped for breath, she couldn't get enough air in her lungs and her head began to spin. She watched Xavier lead Sabrina over to another table where Io noticed Charlotte and Claire waited. He spoke to them and all eyes turned on her. He said one last thing before turning and heading back.
Io, still gasping from the bitter hurt rolling through her, turned and fled. She wouldn't wait one more heartbeat to escape him. She wouldn't listen to one more thing he had to say. She lifted her skirts and ran. She pushed through the crowds hoping he didn't follow. She didn't stop until she reached camp and she stopped there only long enough to catch her breath.
"Io, good heaven," Ann breathed clutching her. "Io what happened?"
"I have to go. I cannot stay. I have to leave now. I cannot wait I must leave." Io pulled free and grabbed her small bag from the back of the wagon.
"Io, the wheel will be repaired soon; we can go then." Ann grabbed her. Io pulled free.
"No, no I must go now. Now. I cannot wait." Looking around, she determined Xavier hadn't followed her. "I am leaving now. When the wagon is fixed, you and the others can follow."
"Io, you cannot go alone." Ann grabbed her own small bag and informed one of the men they were going to start walking. Hooking her arm, Ann started them forward. The pace was fast which suited Io and they made it some distance before Jude, Sarah and the other came up behind them in the cart. Ann hadn't asked what happened, and perhaps sensing she couldn't bear a retelling, the others refrained asking as well.
Io contemplated her next action carefully as they traveled. As they rolled through the gates, Io knew what she'd do. Before Xavier returned a week later, Io's plan was well in motion.
Chapter Nineteen
Xavier stopped at the top of the steps and watched his wife converse with a young man who'd just ridden in. She seemed quite satisfied with what she was told and he wondered when the man would get to bringing the news to him. To his utter dismay, the man finished speaking with Io turned and rode out. Io watched him go then sweeping her hand across her brow turned and locked eyes with Xavier.
He felt his breath catch. In the heat of early summer, her hair was swept up exposing her graceful neck and the neck of her gown was open a bit more than might be modest but allowing him to glimpse the swell of her breasts.
That he'd not so much as touched his wife as a husband might in more than two months was beginning to take its toll. Certainly he didn't think himself a man so base as to be driven by sexual needs. But Io wasn't just a physical pleasure. She was from the start, his comfort and joy. He might miss the p
hysical relationship, but more, he missed sitting in a quiet chamber speaking of his day or listening to her recount something from her lessons. With the warm weather, he missed the chance of outings. He'd never gotten to take that picnic with her to celebrate a year together.
He heard his mother speaking with Lady Claire as they approached from behind. The resentment rose quickly. Not only was his mother the reason behind the discourse and distance between Io and he, she wouldn't be put out. Three times Xavier tried to extract her from his home. Each time she ignored him in a grand way.
"Xavier, I thought you were going to train?" Charlotte stepped along side.
Xavier pulled on his gloves. "Yes, Mother I am," he said without taking his eyes from Io. Normally when she'd get in sight of his mother he'd see her tense and she quickly made herself scarce. Today she held her ground and his gaze.
"That girl," his mother huffed.
"Mother you will hold your tongue. You will not go back on your word. I did as you asked. You will respect this as my home." Xavier started down the steps. The deal with his mother was nothing less than a deal with the devil but if it kept Io safe from their physical and verbal attacks, he was glad to have it in place. Before he'd agreed to allow them to stay until Alexander arrived, before he'd agreed to take them to shop at the market in Melkin, he'd gained their promise they wouldn't in any circumstance engage Io. They weren't to speak with her, nor were they to come in physical contact. Knowing Io avoided them without being asked, the bargain kept the relative peace for the last few weeks. Now, if his brother would appear and take his mother from his home, he might start rebuilding his life with Io.
He knew he'd be starting over from the very beginning. Everything they built was little more than burnt ruins now. But he also knew Io was a forgiving woman. She was strong and intelligent and always willing to try again when failure occurred. He was still thinking on how they might start on starting over when he passed by Io. Curious as to why she'd not gone out of her way to avoid him this time. He stopped.
"A warm day, Lord Brice," Io said pleasantly even as her manner of address pained him.
"Yes, Io, it will be. You will perhaps be going for a swim?" Xavier asked giving her a smile.
She snorted. "No, I have other things to see to." Io turned towards the house then turned back. "You should take comfort, sir. This is very nearly done."
"Is it?" Xavier asked. Io nodded then turned and headed directly towards the women he'd done his best to keep her from.
He saw them speak. Saw what he could only call joy spread over his mother's face. He heard the faint squeals of happiness from Sabrina before he watched Io walk away. She turned back briefly said something else and all four women disappeared inside the house. Two days later, his mother and her group rode from his house headed south. There was no explanation, no word as to what plans should be made. They simply packed a few things and rode out.
Xavier and his house all breathed a sigh of relief, but Io seemed to take no notice. She went on as she had before the women left. And as a few more days went by with Io still unwilling to retake her place in the house, he couldn't shake the foreboding unease that stayed with him.
* * *
Io took a deep breath and straightened her posture at the sound of someone approaching. She hated she still needed to remind herself to distance herself from everyone. She'd thought with news that her letter reached its destination and the expected inevitable outcome, she'd be able to go back to the way she was before this happen. But every day was a struggle to not step close to Sarah or ask Seth for advice on some matter. It was equally as hard to not be pulled into some matter with the people in the house. She no longer went to the shires at all. All she could do now was leave the house every morning and sit here in the orchards where everyone acknowledged she wanted to be, alone.
Today, for some reason, she was being approached. She prepared to take a sharp tone with the intruder but then Xavier took a seat on the wall beside her and her heart picked up its pace and the burn of longing flickered through her, settling low in her body.
"Io," Xavier started cautiously. "Io, Mother has been gone a week. Do you not think it wise you come and direct the house?"
"She will be back. She only waits for word," Io told him not looking for fear she'd crumple, fall into his arms, and beg him to undo what she'd done. There wasn't going to be an undoing of this. Not if she was to ever have any kind of a life. It needed to be over with and the sooner the better.
"Io, what word does she wait for? Did you speak with her to know her plan? She said nothing to me." Xavier set his hands on her shoulders and forced her to turn.
"She waits for word on the end of our union." Io pulled back then scooted away.
"Well," Xavier laughed. "She will be waiting a long time."
"No, only a few more weeks I would think." She looked down at her hands now. Her nails rough and broken, the skin dry and cracked. It wasn't only her hands showing signs of her old life. Her clothes fit much looser now.
"Io, our marriage is not going to end. No one will end it," Xavier told her but he sounded not at all sure.
"I ended it, Lord Brice. Or rather, I set the end of it to happen." Io blinked to stall the tears. Why she cried over this she didn't know. It was for the best.
"Io?" He now sounded almost afraid. Maybe knowing his own happiness was just on the horizon unnerved him.
"My messenger assured me the king received my request. The letter was in his hands before my man returned. It was perhaps deceptive to use your paper and seal, but I sent the request as official business from the house, your house."
"Oh God, Io, what did you do? What did you tell the king?" Xavier was actually shaking beside her. Excitement? She didn't feel it was so but why not?
"I asked the king to end our union," she said and watched the tear splash and roll over the cracks in her hand.
"Io," Xavier's moan was followed by his standing then bending in half supported by the wall.
"I was most careful in my words. I did not slander or defame anyone. I told him it was yours and your families wish you be given the chance to have a true lady as a wife. That I did not suit. I said Lady Charlotte had found you a very good match in Lady Blake," Io added. Perhaps he worried he'd lose status with the king. For all she was hurt, she didn't want that for him. He was, in truth, a good man. They were just a bad match. The king should've given Xavier the kind of woman he needed. He should have given him a lady.
Xavier reminded quiet, but he was agitated. He was gripping the stone on the wall so tight his knuckles, even his fingers turned white. His head was shaking in some kind of slow denial and he shook. He actually shook so hard he seemed not capable of standing if he'd have too.
"When our, annulment… is that what it is called? Yes, when our annulment is complete, you can write your mother. I think she plans you should join her on the south border so you might head towards the forks and then to court. She wishes a grander affair than what you had with me." Io plucked at her skirts. That beautiful cloth she had so desired would be on Xavier's next bride when she stood at the altar beside him. Another tear splashed down and was absorbed into the rough material of the flax skirt she wore.
"Oh God, Io, what did you do?" Xavier pushed off the wall and paced away then back. He climbed over the short wall and stood before her. She kept her head down but looked up so she might see him.
He looked ashen, and a sweat had broken out on his skin. "I assure you I did nothing, said nothing that would harm your reputation or—"
"My reputation? You think I care about my reputation?" Xavier yelled, then rubbing his hands over his face, took in several deep breaths. "Io, why in the name of Christ, would you write the king for an annulment? Why?"
Io's head snapped up. Xavier never used vulgarities. And he'd never in all the time she'd been in his company used the Lord's name in vain. His utterance was perplexing. Should he not say 'thank you' and walk away?
"I do not unders
tand, Lord Brice. I give you my word I was only flattering in my regard to you. I am sure he will think no less of you. I told him the fault was mine," she paused and watched him as he went from ashen to almost deathly white. "Well, mine and his for his poor choice of wife. But I told him how everyone approves of Lady Sabrina. He need not work hard at all to find you a new wife. She is not so far off either that you need go without a wife in your house for any length of time. You only need—"
"What did you do?" Xavier went from white to red faced in an instant as he screamed at her now. "What did you do? Oh God, Io, what did you do?" His hands settled on her shoulders again and Io braced to be shaken until her teeth rattled. Instead Xavier's hands slid off and down her arms as he sunk to his knees in the grass before her. "Oh God, Io, what did you do?" His voice cracked.
"What did I do? Xavier I gave you what you wanted. What you will need." Io refused to allow his response to affect her. He wanted this he wished for it. He was only worried now about his king. That was why he was so unsettled. Maybe it would be seen as a small failure on his part, but no one could hold him responsible. Everyone knew that a high ranking lord would need a lady. A great man deserved to have a great lady by his side.
"Io, why do you refuse to believe me when I tell you I want you, I am happy with you. I do not need anyone but you?" Xavier whispered.
"I am to believe that after everything." Io stood and stepped around him. "I am to believe this after I witness you telling one crowd of people you wished Sabrina was your wife and then stood there before another as you berated me for not being a lady. I shame you remember? I humiliate you. Always." Io took a few more steps away from him. "I am not surprised and even now I do not know why you behave like you did not expect this, like you do not want this. I think those moments have been the only really honest ones I have ever had from you."
"Io, I never said—" Xavier started.
"You spoke those words, Lord Brice. You spoke them with so many witnesses you will never silence them all," Io yelled when he would deny it. "'Have you no decency? Must you always behave like a little wild animal? Can you not even pretend for a moment to be a lady? Must you always shame and humiliate me with your behavior?' those were your words to me."
