Emerald's Rogue (Part 2)

How could she kiss a man she did not love? What upset her was that Rogue had wiped his mouth off pretending a cough that wasn’t real.

After the ceremony the rest of the day was spent in celebration with games, music, laughter, dancing and lots of food and wine. Rogue stayed near out of duty and nothing more. She wished he would go away and leave her to her own thoughts and simple joys.

Emerald showed her talent with the crossbow and Rogue was truly impressed, even though she hit the center only twice out of six tries. He hit it every time but one when she tickled him with her arrow feather. She wanted him to fail at least once. He laughed about it though with good humor.

Some of the men were wrestling, trying to impress the ladies with their brute strength while others fenced to show their well-earned training.

Most of the ladies were playing cards or chest and of course gossiping. The children ran all over the place playing tag, Blind Man’s Bluff and Ring Around the Rosy.

Everyone was having a grand time, save Justin. He smiled enough and was pleasant but his mind never stopped plotting.

He knew that Emerald would be the key to getting his revenge against all the Hawkington’s. His father and cousin especially for they were the main cause of his misery.

He had discovered where Emerald would be going to school and decided he would go to Picard Harbor as well and begin there. He would make the little fool think she was in love with him then he would plant a bastard in her belly, then demand all he wanted to keep the secret and leave everyone in peace. Or maybe he would take it a step further and see that his cousin never married the girl and he did. Then he could rule in his son’s place until the child was old enough and even then if he raised the boy right he could still rule but through his son.

He liked that idea even better. His father was old and would die in a year or two but Rogue was young and no one’s fool. His demise would have to be carefully planned so it looked purely accidental or all would know it was Justin and he would get naught but a hanging.

As he thought deeper of his plans, the celebration went on around him. Rogue had noticed the black hate in his cousin’s eyes and the covetous way he looked at Emerald. Suddenly Rogue felt it was more than his duty to protect Emerald, it was his complete and total obligation. He sought out her father.

"My lord a word if I may?" He asked Alex. The older man smiled at him.

"Of course my boy. Come let’s go the stables. Less noise there." They headed away and Justin woke from his thoughts in time to see them go into the stables.

"I must be blunt sir. My cousin Justin is a bastard and covets all that I have and will eventually posses. I have seen the way he has looked at Emerald and fear for her sir. I know that you and Lady Whitington are sending her to Picard Harbor to finish her education and I am all for that. I think it would be nice to have a wife with brains as well as beauty." He realized he had just admitted he thought she would be beautiful. "I do not want her to ever be alone.