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Now it was Sully’s turn to look at her curiously. “What did you have in mind?”

Josephine turned to him, looking into the face of the man she knew so well.

In truth, she was quite at peace for what she was about to say.

“As the heiress of Torridon, the fortress is mine to do with as I please,” she said.

“Therefore, I am giving it to my sister as a wedding gift. The fortress shall be yours and out of Colin Dalmellington’s reach forever. ”

Justine gasped in surprise as Sully’s eyes widened. Of all the things Josephine could speak of, that had certainly not been in his thoughts.

“ What ?” he breathed. “What are you saying?”

Josephine patted his arm. “ Think , Sully,” she said.

“The king wants me because of Torridon. It belongs to me but I shall give it to you. It will be my sister’s dowry, which is completely acceptable.

Mayhap, now the king will reconsider his plans for me since I will no longer be a valuable commodity. ”

Sully still gaped at her in disbelief. Justine looked at him, equally startled, before returning her focus to her sister.

“You never said a word about this,” she said, shocked and pained. “You’ve never said this was your plan all along!”

Josephine shook her head. “It wasn’t,” she said.

“But when the king came so suddenly tonight, and I knew that a marriage between you and Sully would be faster, it occurred to me that if I gave you Torridon as a dowry, then that would make me far less attractive to whatever the king wishes to do with me. That way, my fortress is safe. It is in good hands.”

Justine looked at her for a moment longer as her words sank in. Then, it began to occur to her just how grand and important her sister’s gift was. A smile flickered on her lips, one of joy and elation, as she looked to Sully.

“Are you not happy?” she asked him. “It is a great gift that she is giving us.”

Sully couldn’t even answer the question. Justine only saw the surface, the gift of a great fortress. She did not see the sacrifice her sister was making. Justine saw through the eyes of a na?ve child; she thought Sully wanted Torridon. But he didn’t.

It was Josephine’s.

God, he didn’t want it at all.

“Your sister is most generous,” he said hoarsely. “I… I do not know what to say.”

“Say you will accept it,” Josephine said quietly. “ Please .”

Looking at Josephine, Sully could see the pain in her eyes.

What could he say now that she hadn’t already thought of or imagined?

She knew what she was giving up– her legacy.

But she was doing it to keep it from someone who wanted it very badly, someone who could upend her life all in one stroke.

She had to make sure it was safe and this was the only thing she could think to do.

Sully didn’t take her decision lightly. He knew how difficult it must have been for her but, in truth, he saw her reason. Reaching out, he took her hand and pressed it to his lips, all the while focused on her eyes. She was watching him with fear, hope, and sadness.

“I shall take the best care of your castle while it is entrusted to me,” he said softly. “This, I swear.”

Josephine smiled weakly. It was such a sad moment for her but such a necessary one.

Sully continued to hold her hand, looking deeply into her sweet face.

The pain and anguish of what certainly was the most jolting decision of her young life tore at him like a great claw, threatening to gut him.

His insides felt as if they were being twisted and wrenched from him.

But whatever Josephine must have been feeling was surely worse, even though she tried to appear brave. “My steward will draw up the contract,” she said. “He will be finished by the time the ceremony is complete, if that damned priest ever gets here.”

Her sharp words were indicative of the fact that she was not as calm as she appeared. God knew, she had every right to be upset. Sully simply nodded as he released her hand.

After that, the conversation between the three of them fell somewhat silent. The knights in the room were beginning to stir, looking at each other in question. They had all been summoned here so hurriedly that they scarce had time to catch their breaths and now they found themselves waiting.

The torches above their heads on the walls flickered brightly, illuminating the enormous room adequately, but phantom shadows still danced near the ceiling.

Ghosts, perhaps of what had been and now what would be.

They were here to witness the change. But the fresh smell of the rushes was comforting, somehow soothing frayed nerves.

Josephine moved away from the hearth, leaving Sully and Justine alone, and conversed quickly with servants as they dashed to and fro, not only preparing for a wedding but for the king’s visit as well.

She was trying to keep the burden off of her sister, who had enough to worry over with an unexpected wedding imminent.

A feast being set in the great hall at this ungodly hour, for the king’s arrival, would serve as Justine and Sully’s wedding feast as well.

When the servants had gone about their duties and Josephine was finally alone, Donald made his way over to her.

He’d stayed to the shadows mostly, watching the happenings but not really clear on what, exactly, was going on.

All he knew was that Josephine had been very busy with the arrival of the mercenaries and now the impending arrival of the king.

It was all quite confusing to him but he hadn’t pressed Josephine for an explanation, thinking that she would tell him when she had the time.

Now was that time.

“What is happening?” he hissed as he came to stand next to her. “What on earth is going on around here?”

Josephine turned to him, wincing when she saw how badly his face was bruising. “Poor Donald,” she said. “Your father is going to think we’ve beaten you.”

Donald had to admit that he looked poorly. But he waved off her sympathy. “Why are we here, Joey?” he asked quietly. “After what ye told us earlier today, about the king’s visit, it looks to me as if there is some manner of action being carried out. What is it?”

Josephine sighed faintly, knowing she couldn’t keep the truth from him. He would see what was going on soon enough when the priest arrived.

“I am saving Torridon,” she said simply. “Sully and Justine are about to be married, if the priest ever arrives. For Justine’s dowry, I am giving her Torridon.”

Donald’s bruised eyes widened. “ Giving her Torridon?”

Josephine nodded quickly. “Please understand,” she begged softly, putting her hand on his arm.

“I have little choice. You know what I suspect by the king’s visit; you know I believe he wants to betroth me to Colin Dalmellington, meaning that Colin will ultimately be in control of my fortress.

And you know I cannot allow that to happen. ”

Donald’s expression went from one of shock to one of apprehension. “But… to give it to Justine…”

“Sully will command it,” she assured him. “Justine is simply the means to an end. If she has it, it cannot go to Colin. Do you understand this?”

Slowly, Donald nodded, but it was clear he was uncertain about the entire situation. “Aye,” he said. “I suppose it makes sense, but what about ye? Even if yer sister is married and the fortress is hers, ye’re still very valuable. The king can still marry ye away.”

Josephine knew that and she nodded, with resignation. “I know,” she said. “But if I do not come with a fortress, then mayhap he will think twice before doing such a thing. It is my hope that he simply goes away and leaves me alone. Besides… I will not be unwed for long.”

Donald looked at her suspiciously. “What do ye mean?”

Josephine wasn’t sure how happy Donald would be to hear that she would wed Andrew, the mercenary leader. She knew that Donald had always been rather fond of her. Perhaps he’d even hoped for marriage one day. She was about to quash that hope.

“Andrew d’Vant has proposed marriage and I have agreed,” she said. “We will be wed as soon as possible.”

She could see the shock, even disappointment, in Donald’s eyes. He blinked at her as if unsure how to react. “I see,” he said after a moment. “When did this come about?”

“Today.”

He grunted and looked away. “If I’d known ye were looking for a husband, I could have offered,” he said, sounding hurt. “But ye’ve never given any indication that ye were even interested in such a thing. Why did ye not come to me?”

Josephine put a hand on his arm. “Because it was not my idea,” she said. “In discussing my suspicions with Andrew about the king’s visit, he was the one who suggested marriage. I am sorry, Donald, I truly am. It just happened to be him.”

Donald shrugged. It didn’t make it any easier for him to stomach, but he understood somewhat. The more he thought about it, however, the more depressed he became.

He and Josephine continued to stand in silence as time dragged on.

Josephine was sure that hours were passing when it was really only minutes.

Unable to stand it any longer, she was ready to perform the ceremony herself when Albert suddenly entered the hall, half-dragging and half-escorting a haggard-looking priest.

Josephine rushed forward. “Father, thank you so much for coming,” she said with great relief. “You have a ceremony to perform.”

The priest adjusted his cowl and straightened his wrinkled woolen robe. “So I understand,” he said irritably. “I must say that I am outraged, my lady, at being dragged here at this time of night. It is completely improper treatment for a man of God.”

Josephine nodded patiently while the priest vented his rage. “Of course, you are right,” she said. “Will fifty marks be enough?”

He didn’t miss a beat, swiftly turning into an eager man. “Where is the happy couple?”

Josephine fought off a smile at his swift change in attitude. She took his arm.

“This way, please.”

Sully and Justine looked to be frozen as they were introduced to the priest, who wanted to seem to chat, but Josephine hurried him along.

“Father, our time is limited,” she said. “May we proceed?”

The priest nodded. If he thought a rushed wedding was odd, he didn’t say anything. Fifty marks assured his cooperation. “Let us not waste time,” he said as he waved his arms and motioned for everyone to take their place. “My lord… my lady… you will face me.”

Justine and Sully did, and he began to intone the wedding mass.

Josephine stood directly behind Justine, a few feet away.

As the priest began reading from his weather-worn Bible, she began to wish her father and James had lived to see this.

And, of course, her mother. She and Justine were the only de Carrons left, and perhaps witnessing the most important event in Justine’s life.

As she watched the priest speak, she was suddenly very sorry that she forced the whole thing on her sister and on Sully.

In the chain of hierarchy, they really had no choice and they knew it.

Josephine got what she wanted, and what she wanted was to save Torridon and her family in the process.

She hoped they truly understood that, deep down.

Now, there was no turning back, come what may.

After the liturgy, the priest pronounced them man and wife by tying a piece of ribbon, provided by Ola, around their wrists.

Sully’s gaze seemed to be riveted to Justine, who looked back at him apprehensively.

Josephine watched the two of them as well, holding her breath for the moment Sully would kiss her sister.

For a few painful seconds, he just seemed to stare at her.

Then, he reached out and grasped her shoulders and deposited a quick kiss on her forehead.

With that, they were married.

Josephine was the first to move forward and congratulate the couple. She felt as if she were moving in a dream, hardly believing her sister and Sully were actually married.

“Sully, retire to your chambers and consummate the union,” she whispered to the man. “Make haste!”

Sully looked blankly at her for a moment before agreeing, putting his arm around his new wife’s waist and pulling her with him.

Josephine walked with them as far as the staircase.

There was a great sense of urgency now to complete the circle so that the union could never be disputed.

Justine would be safe and Torridon would be safe.

That was all that mattered.

The king was in for quite a surprise when he arrived.