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“Nay,” Nicholas shook his head. “This is a gift from yer future husband. I understand more are on the way.”

Josephine’s smile vanished and she turned away.

Nicholas, knowing her distress and confusion, ordered Madelaine to leave so they could have some time alone.

It was only a matter of time before the king demanded audience with her and, after that, Nicholas had no way of knowing.

He’d heard that Alphonse was on his way to the castle.

When he came, Nicholas might not ever see her again.

The mere thought made Nicholas feel ill.

When everyone was gone, he went and stood next to her, following her eyes as she looked from the window to the yard below.

“I am sorry, Josephine,” he said softly. “I am sorry for the abduction, for taking ye away from Torridon so brutally. I did not even know my uncle had ordered that until we had left Torridon and de Reyne wasn’t with us. I suspected something was amiss and my uncle was more than happy to admit it.”

She continued to stare at the unfamiliar courtyard below. “It is not your fault,” she said. “You have been a true friend, Nicholas.”

Nicholas leaned against the wall, watching her. “As ye have been one to me, as well,” he said. “But I should have foreseen this. I know my uncle and I know he can be unscrupulous. I should have suspected he might have done something like this.”

“There would have been nothing you could do about it.”

“I could have warned ye.”

Josephine stepped away from the window. “Everything happened so quickly,” she said. “Even if you had warned me, I am not sure anything could have been done.”

Nicholas fell silent a moment, thinking of Torridon and the people there. People he’d enjoyed greatly in the short time he’d spent there. “What of Andrew?” Nicholas asked quietly. “Does he know you were taken?”

Josephine shrugged. “If he did not at first, I am sure he has figured it out.”

“He will not stand idly by while ye marry another.”

Josephine looked at him. Nicholas didn’t know that Andrew and the Earl of Annan and Blackbank were brothers and blood enemies.

She was fairly certain no one had told him because the only person he’d really spent any time with at Torridon had been Donald, and Donald did not know the truth.

But she knew she could confide in him and it would go no further.

“Nay, he will not,” she said quietly. “He will come for me and he will kill the earl.”

“Kill him?” Nicholas repeated. “It would do simply to take ye away from here. Killing an earl could be… complicated.”

That was true, but there was a reason for Andrew’s intent to kill Alphonse d’Vant.

Josephine proceeded to tell him the entire story, starting from Andrew’s birth and continuing until The Red Fury came to Torridon.

Nicholas was truly amazed and found himself gaping at the conclusion of the tale.

He knew that Josephine and Andrew were betrothed, but the entire situation was so complex that it was almost unbelievable.

Now, he understood why she was so distressed and so completely unhappy. And he doubly understood why Andrew had to come to Edinburgh to kill the man she was betrothed to.

“That is the most incredible tale I have ever heard,” he said with awe. “They are brothers?”

“Indeed, they are.”

“Does the king know this?”

“I doubt it. But I suspect he will soon enough, especially when Andrew arrives.”

Nicholas could only shake his head, shock on his features. “Alexander’s betrothal has made it possible for Andrew to have more of a reason to kill his brother than ever before.”

It was the truth. “And now you understand,” Josephine said. “I am afraid, Nicholas. Afraid of the earl, afraid for Andrew, and afraid of what is to come.”

Nicholas didn’t say anything to that because he completely understood those fears. Truth be told, he was having some fear himself. This situation was deeper and more complex than he could have ever imagined. Finally, he went over to one of the chairs near the hearth and sat down.

“The earl is on his way to the castle, Josephine,” he said softly. “The chancellor sent word to him.”

Josephine looked at him with stunned horror. “When?”

“Possibly tomorrow. I am not sure.”

Possibly tomorrow . Josephine sank into the nearest chair, mulling that over. “Tomorrow,” she repeated. “I am not expected to marry him when he comes, am I?”

Nicholas could only shrug. He had no idea. His eyes reflected pity and compassion from his deep poet’s soul. He reached out and held her hand for a moment; a helpless gesture of support.

“Be brave,” he told her gently. “Andrew’s love for ye will make him the victor. I have no doubt he will win whatever battle ensues.”

Josephine looked at him. “I pray that is true,” she said. “But I have been told that the earl is a master swordsman. If Andrew wins, all well and good. But if Andrew loses, then I will kill myself. Have no doubt.”

Nicholas looked at her; his eyes silently pleading with her to reconsider. “He will not lose,” he said. “He is fighting for love. That is the greatest reason of all.”

She thought for a moment on his words, believing them as well. She believed that with all her heart. But there would be no fight should the king see Andrew when he came for her. In fact, it was imperative that the king didn’t see him at all.

“Nicholas,” she said. “Will you do me a favor?”

“Anything.

Her expression was serious. “When the time comes and the duel is at hand, you must keep the king occupied,” she said. “I fear that he will interfere and arrest Andrew. I could not bear it.”

“I shall endeavor to do my best,” he promised. “But until then, be strong. And I am at yer disposal.”

She smiled gratefully at him. “I am glad I have a friend in you,” she said. Then, she turned away from him dramatically. “Oh, Nicholas, why is the king surrounded by such good and noble men like you when he himself is a vain and self-centered child? Why couldn’t you have been king?”

Nicholas had often wondered that himself. “God has His reasons,” he said, moving for the door. “Ye must have faith, my lady. There is a reason for everything as it is.”

She turned to him, a smile on her lips. “You are a philosopher as well as a poet,” she said. “I think you would make a wonderful king.”

He returned her smile, falling under Josephine’s spell. He could see what d’Vant and the king saw in her. He paused by the door.

“Now that ye are properly dressed, would ye like to take a walk around the grounds?” he asked. “Edinburgh Castle is quite a place to see.”

Josephine nodded, turning away from the window and coming towards him. “I would,” she said. “It will help take my mind off what is happening around me.”

“Then that is the best reason of all.”

Nicholas would not soon forget the looks he received escorting the utterly lovely Josephine, for he had never felt so proud in all his life.