Freeing Joslyn (Freeing Series)

by GG Shalton

  One sunny day, Margie told her they were taking a small boat up the river to a small village in Burra. They would purchase supplies and see what wares they had to offer. Joslyn was happy she had asked her to accompany the group of servants and looked forward to the outing.

  The boat was larger than she thought as it held five servants, seven soldiers, and four oarsmen. The river current was favorable, and they made it within an hour to the village. Joslyn enjoyed walking through the shops although she had no money to spend. Coming out of one of the shops, Joslyn stopped to look at the cart full of ladies’ scarves. She reached for a multi-colored one to get a better look when she heard her name called. “Joslyn?”

  Turning her head, her eyes widened in surprise. “Marilyn? Is that you?”

  “Shh!!” The woman covered her head and glanced around her. “Don’t use my name.”

  Joslyn looked around and didn’t see anyone paying attention to them. “What are you doing in Burra?”

  “I am now Pamela and a Burra citizen. Please tell no one I am from Mallard.”

  “Of course not. Where is Sara?” Joslyn’s heart pounded as she waited for an answer.

  Marilyn’s face paled as she leaned closer to Joslyn. “There is much to tell you.” She hesitated as she looked around the cart. “There is a horse stable behind you next to the tree line. Meet me over there in five minutes.”

  Joslyn didn’t want to leave without hearing about Sara. But Marilyn’s demeanor gave her room for pause. Not wanting to bring unwanted attention, she nodded and walked away. Taking her cloak, she covered her hair and tried to blend in with the crowd. Looking around, she located the stable and took her time walking to different carts that sold wares lining the river. She didn’t see Margie as she got closer to the stable and casually walked behind it.

  After a few moments, Marilyn appeared. “I only have a few moments to talk.”

  “Tell me about Sara.” She said quickly with desperation.

  She closed her eyes. “It was awful.” Reaching over she placed her hand on Joslyn’s arm. “Our caravan was attacked when we neared Merle. The men were killed, and the women were stolen to be sold as slaves. Sara and I were taken to a farm for women to wait until we could be sold. But after the first night, Sara disappeared. I have no idea what happened to her. I am so sorry, Joslyn.”

  Shaking her head in despair, Joslyn placed her hand on her forehead. “Disappeared?”

  “Yes, a few women were gone after the first night. The Burra slave masters were furious. They made the rest of us help the soldiers look for the four women, but they were never found or brought back. I had hoped because two of them were from Merle and knew the area that they were able to find their way home, but none of them were ever heard from again.”

  The guilt invaded Joslyn’s chest. She had made Sara go to Merle and she ended up in a slave camp. But had she stayed with her, she would have suffered the same fate. The people of Burra were savages and enslaved Mallard citizen for their own gain. Breaking her woolgathering, she asked Marilyn, “How did you escape? Why did you change your name?”

  “I was sold to a farm near the border on the Burra side. A caravan came by one day and I knew the man from a fair I had attended once. He convinced the owner that I was his fiancée and paid him for me. Then he took me to Burra with him and told me to go by Pamela and to tell no one that I was from Mallard.”

  “I am happy for you Mar… Pamela. I will tell no one.”

  “Thank you. What about you? Why are you in Burra? Did the council send you away?”

  “Not quite. I am staying at the manor in Broxton.”

  “Broxton? The Duke of Norton’s home?”

  “Yes, I help out there.” She didn’t want to tell her that she was his guest. What would the woman think of her?

  “I just assumed you were in Locket and in exile.”

  “Exile?”

  “Considering Andre is in exile, I assumed you were too. You really don’t know?”

  Starving for information, Joslyn replied sharply, “Tell me everything, please!”

  Lowering her voice, she whispered, “I heard the opposing forces sieged Locket and the council voted Andre out as the heir to the throne, sending him to live in Delbert in exile. Burra allowed Mallard to remain a sovereign nation but under strict control. The king’s grandson Stephan will eventually become king. He is too young to rule, so the council rules on his behalf.”

  “Andre is in Delbert? Did he marry the Delbert princess?”

  She shook her head. “No, they refused him.” She smiled, trying to hold in a laugh. “Delbert didn’t want to honor the betrothal to their princess once they found out that Andre would no longer be king. He now lives in Tamera.”

  Joslyn was ecstatic at the news because she was free of him. But couldn’t help thinking about how furious he must be. Looking at Marilyn, she took a deep breath. “It seems we both have secrets. I will tell no one yours and you will tell no one mine. I don’t want any to know of my relationship with Andre.”

  She reached for Joslyn’s hand and shook it. “Our promise is sealed.”

  Joslyn embraced her and then walked away. Casually looking at the nearest cart she made her way over to one of the vendor’s, feigning interest in the jewels. Margie found her there. “There you are. We were looking for you. The boat is filled and we’re ready to depart. Did you find anything you favor?”

  Joslyn smiled. “Many things, but I will wait for another day.”

  Margie walked beside her back to the barge as they departed for the manor. Joslyn pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulder thinking back over Marilyn’s words. Andre was no longer in charge. He was exiled to the country of Tamera and his cousin is to become the king. What would happen to her now? Would she become a slave in Burra once the duke returned?

  The weeks slipped by as Joslyn settled into her new life in Burra. They had not gone back to the village, but more visitors arrived daily as the war was winding down. Joslyn enjoyed some of the visitors—such as the kind priest who put her mind at ease—but many of them told horror stories of their victory in the battle at the expense of her people. She didn’t have the stomach to hear those stories and often excused herself after the evening meal.

  One day a messenger arrived stating the Duke of Norton would be home within the month and to prepare the home for his arrival. Margie and the staff were excited and took extra care in cleaning the manor, making sure everything was in perfect order.

  Joslyn nervously awaited her fate, afraid for him to come home. Living in Broxton was away from the battle and the constant threat of becoming a slave. She knew she was one of the fortunate ones but worried over her sisters. Her heart would always belong in Merle, but she knew that nothing remained the same in Mallard and Merle was under Burra control. People were killed and taken into slavery. So many atrocities and there was nothing she could do to help.

  A few weeks after the missive, Margie ran up the stone stairway anxiously knocking on her door. Joslyn opened the door as Margie was trying to catch her breath, quickly stating, “Miss Rhodes, I have the most wonderful news.”

  “What is it, Margie? Your face is so flushed!”

  “It’s His Grace… I spotted the royal barge and he should be here within the hour.”

  “Today?”

  “Yes, you must ready yourself. I will prepare refreshments and serve them upon his arrival.” She giggled with excitement and ran out of the room.

  Joslyn quickly shut the door and changed into another dress. Today, she would hear his decision on her future. Pressing her hand against her stomach, she tried to calm herself before finishing her dressing. Mallard was destroyed, her fate of a slave hung in balance. Not knowing how he would treat her, she drank some wine to try to calm her nerves.

  Joslyn waited in front of the home with the rest of the servants, watching the men a
pproach the manor. It was not hard for her to see the Duke of Norton; his broad shoulders and commanding presence was easy to identify. Feeling shy as he approached them, she lowered her eyes, bowing her head at the duke, as the men continued to walk by.

  “Joslyn.” His familiar deep voice caused her heart to quicken slightly as she met his gaze.

  “Your Grace.” She offered her best curtsey.

  “I have been anxious to check on your welfare. Please meet me in my solar in an hour. It will give me a chance to bathe and settle in.”

  “As you wish.” Joslyn curtsied again as he walked away, watching him warmly welcomed by the servants. His men followed, and tents were set up to accommodate the extra people.

  Joslyn went to her room to calm her racing heart before meeting him in the solar. His face was a bit stoic and the normal amusement was not present in his eyes. Did he not favor her any longer? Pushing her anxiety to the side, she remembered the atrocities her people suffered and willed the nervousness to change to anger. How dare he allow her people to suffer such a fate. It was not their crime but Andre’s.

  Looking at the clock, she realized the time had slipped by. She made her way to the solar and knocked on the door.

  “Enter.” She heard his voice and opened the door. A few soldiers stood beside him but saluted and left him alone when she walked inside.

  “Joslyn, you look lovely and well rested since the last time I saw you. Please have a seat.”

  Joslyn looked at the chair and slowly sat down.

  “Have you found comfort in your surroundings?”

  “I cannot think of my comfort in a time such as this.” Her eyes narrowed as she met his gaze. “I have heard the news. I’m not sure if you want my congratulations or not, but I want you to know that most of the farmers in Merle caused no one in Burra any harm. You have made them slaves unfairly.”

  “They are not slaves,” he responded defensively. “They are partners with the crown’s agriculture society and will be treated better under our rule than Mallard.”

  “How can you say that? They don’t even own the land anymore!”

  “Joslyn, you misunderstand,” he spoke calmly. “They work for the government and will produce an allotted amount that they will then be paid for and the government will provide them a fair wage. It will be a better life than in Mallard when the government stole most of their crops and paid them only a set amount. They will be able to grow as much cotton as they want and have a surplus. Trust me, they will come out ahead.”

  She rubbed her forehead worriedly, eyeing him warily. “What is to become of me? Is this my new prison?”

  He studied her face with hurt in his eyes. “Of course not… unless you want to stay with me?”

  “Are you asking me what I want?”

  He took a few steps closer to her. “I would be afraid to ask such a question.”

  “You speak in riddles.”

  “Not riddles but in honesty.” Rubbing his jaw, he seemed to be contemplating something before speaking again. “I have some news for you.”

  “What kind of news?”

  He sat on a chair close to her. “Joslyn, I know you think I am your enemy. No matter what I say or do, you seem to loathe my existence.”

  “Loathe? I no longer have a home to go back to because of Burra. Because of you! I have no idea if my family still lives.”

  His expression softening, he said, “Joslyn, it’s not that simple. I am not the man you think I am. I care about you.”

  She looked away from him. “Why would you care about me?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You intrigued me the first time I ever saw you.”

  Looking back at him, she met his eyes. “Intrigued? You were only out for revenge against Andre.”

  He smirked. “I know I said that, but it wasn’t true after I met you.” Losing his smile, he tilted his head. “If we are being truthful, you took my heart after our outing in Locket. I couldn’t get you out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried.”

  Her eyes widened, taken aback by his honesty. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He shook his head, dismissing the awkwardness of his confession. “You don’t have to say anything. I know you don’t feel the same about me.” She looked at him in silence. After a moment, he sighed wearily. “But I wanted to give you a gift.”

  He stood up and walked toward a leather sack he brought inside and took out a scroll. He walked back, sitting on a chair opposite of her. “I spoke to the King of Napery. He is Queen Krislyn’s uncle and a friend of mine. I asked him for a favor and he has granted it.”

  He handed her the scroll. She unwound it and looked over the etchings wishing she could read what it said, but the writing was hard to decipher. Andre noticed her struggle and offered his hand to take it back. Her face felt warm in embarrassment as she handed it back to him. He cleared his throat. “Joslyn, it seems that you are a landowner and the recipient of a distant title.”

  Smiling a little mischievously, he continued, “The King of Napery has granted you some land in Rupert—a beautiful city surrounded by farms and right next to the ocean. There are two farms on the land you own along with homes on each property. The smaller home is already occupied, so it seems you have some tenants. The other home sits on the cliff overlooking the ocean. It currently has some guests you may be acquainted with as well.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Is this a jest? Are you being cruel?”

  “I am not jesting. The guests of the bigger home are a Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes and their beautiful daughters.”

  Her eyes snapped up to his in disbelief. “My parents?”

  He nodded. “I saw to it personally that they were moved to your new home without incident.”

  “My parents? You saw my parents?”

  “And your sisters. They remind me of you.”

  Joslyn tried to catch her breath. “This can’t be. How is that possible?”

  He grunted, standing up and straightening his jacket. “I am the Royal Duke of Burra. I do have some influence.”

  Taking a moment to digest his words, she met his eyes again. “Is my father well? He looked so frail the last time I saw him.”

  His features softened, pleased by her acceptance of his story. “He walks with a slight limp but appeared to be healthy. Your mother had several questions about you, but I assured her you would meet them soon. Your sisters loved the ocean and begged to accompany me back here to see you. But it was dangerous as there were a few rebel strongholds that we had to deal with.”

  He took a deep breath as he watched her hands cover her face as sobs escaped. “Joslyn, there is more.”

  She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “More?”

  “A few weeks ago, a Miss Sara Markson and her family became tenants living in the farmhouse next door. Although it’s a good half mile away so not right next door.”

  Tears overflowed from her eyes as she tried to take in quick breaths. “Sara is well,” she whispered mostly to herself as she took a moment to let the news soak in. After a moment, she stood up and stared at him in confusion. “Why would you help me? I don’t understand.”

  He met her eyes seemingly thinking on what he was going to say. Clearing his throat, he spoke gently, “I thought about offering you a place with me in my home next to the ocean in Burra. But your rejection taught me a hard lesson in humility.” He grinned and took a step toward her. “I thought about the night we were together and realized with absolute clarity that the best gift I could ever give you would not be a home with me, but freedom.”

  She took a hard swallow. “What are you saying?”

  He smiled. “You’re free Joslyn.”

  She rubbed her temples as she closed her eyes. It was overwhelming. She opened them back up and looked at him for a long second. “Why?”


  “I have been selfish my whole life and never realized it. You helped me see my privileged life through your eyes and I didn’t like what I saw.”

  She wiped the tears from her face. “What do I owe you?”

  “You owe me nothing.” He turned and walked toward the fireplace before looking at her again. “Take the gift, Joslyn. You and your family deserve it.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t deserve anything. I learned that everything comes at a price, what must I do to earn such a gift?”

  “You paid your debt to Andre and now you will receive your justice. I want nothing.”

  She turned away from him, after a moment, she walked toward the window. “I don’t believe you. You will want something.”

  He stared at her back for a long moment. “Joslyn, I could have insisted you live in Burra with your family in one of my homes.”

  She turned to face him as he continued, “But I realized that you would never be free if you lived here. In Napery, you are an official Napery citizen and titled. You are Lady Joslyn. If you want to repay me, then enjoy the rest of your days as a free, independent woman. You may marry who you please if you want to marry at all. You own both homes and farms.”

  She put her head in her hands as she sobbed again. Maxwell walked over and embraced her as she wept. After a few moments, he let her go and smiled. “I also have a box of jewels that were confiscated from Andre’s estate. They are yours too. Selling them will give you enough money to survive for the rest of your days.”