Betrothed by Lori Snow

“Hindsight—most
enjoyable.”
    Isabeau
shivered. She knew Syllba was double talking but she had no clue as to the
deeper meaning—and no desire to decipher through the muck. Escape became her
primary concern. Even if she had to leave behind her precious keepsakes.
    She
made to step around Syllba but her sister-in-law’s hand snaked out and clasped
the soft part of her upper arm. Isabeau cried out as she felt Syllba’s sharp
nails pierce her skin—through her sleeve yet. She made a futile attempt to
disengage the grasp when the door opened without warning.
    Syllba
slowly turned to the two men entering the gallery before just as slowly
releasing her hold.
    “Begging
your pardon, milady.” Carstairs cleared his throat as he motioned Porter to
enter.
    Isabeau
covered the ache of her arm with her other hand. “What is it, Carstairs? 
Is my hour up already?”
    Carstairs
gently smiled at her. She had the feeling he missed very little. “Nay, milady.
You’ve a half an hour yet before you must present yourself at the chapel. If
you would point out your treasures we will see them secured in the wagon.”
    “Thank
you.” Isabeau uncomfortably glanced back at Syllba before indicating the two
pictures and then pulling a few more volumes from the shelves to the small pile
she had begun before Syllba’s arrival. Isabeau made her selections quickly
though she hated to leave behind any of the precious tomes.
    Carstairs
merely nodded when she indicated the task completed. He turned to Isabeau’s
smirking sister-in-law. “And now, Lady Syllba, I have a list of jewels from
Lady Isabeau’s dowry which you have kept for safe-keeping. The earl is now
relieving you of—the responsibility.”
    “What?”
Syllba shook with her outrage.
    “Some
of those items have already been secured from your chambers,” Carstairs continued
calmly as if not interrupted.
    “My
chamber!” Syllba screeched. “How dare you think to put your filthy paws on my
things?”
    “The
last few seem to be on your person,” he continued.
    Syllba
went into a rant, her fingers curling as she swiped at Carstairs. He handled
the attack by simply grabbing the swinging arm and smoothly forcing Syllba into
a nearby chair.
    “Do
you need assistance removing them, milady?”
    Isabeau
snapped her mouth shut when Carstairs winked at her over Syllba’s still raving
head.
    “Get
your whoreson paws off of me,” Syllba hissed.
    “Are
you calm enough, milady?”
    “Yes-s-s.”
    “Very
well.” Carstairs released his grip and wisely took a step back. “The choker,
the broach and the chain and crucifix at your girdle are part of Lady Isabeau’s
dowry. If you would be so kind as to give them to my custody, I will see that
the earl secures them.”
    Isabeau
sucked in her breath in surprise. Even though she had worn a couple of the
pieces when her father lived, she had had no idea they were to be hers. Simon
had simply confiscated all of the jewels as well as other things he considered
of value after her father’s funeral.
    Syllba
possessively covered the broach before she began to sputter. Any semblance of
calm vanished. “You must be under a misapprehension. These were all wedding
gifts from my husband.”
    Carstairs
shook his head with regret. “I am afraid not, milady. Lord Simon was never in a
position to gift them to anyone. They have been part of Lady Isabeau’s dowry
from the date of her birth.”
    Slowly,
with shaking fingers, Syllba began to unclasp the broach. Isabeau’s stomach
twisted with her sister-in-law’s embarrassment. She knew personally, the
emptiness of losing beloved tokens to the hand of Simon.   
     Syllba
made to hand the bauble to Carstairs. He made a lightning move and avoided the
vicious jab she directed at his outstretched palm. Carstairs said nothing but
gripped her wrist in a tight hold while he relieved her of the pin with the
other hand.
    “Do
you need any more help, milady?”
    There
was a bite to his words and Isabeau