Free My Brother's Crown by Mindy Starns Clark Page A

slip out now. Even if Father Philippe had chosen to look the other wayabout her presence here, she did not want to force his hand. Besides, Grand-Mère would be startled to see her, so perhaps it would be best to connect elsewhere, away from prying eyes.
    Catherine rose and moved quietly toward the narthex. She was not sorry she had come, for it had been important to her to have this final farewell. Now she needed to find out about the absence of her cousin, which had been both shocking and deeply disappointing. This was not the end of things with regard to Amelie, not in the least. In fact, now that Uncle Edouard no longer stood in the way, it was time to bring his daughter back home for good.
    Catherine made her way through the dim light, opened the door, and slipped outside without too much noise. After softly closing it behind her, she turned to go—and stopped short, startled to see Pierre Talbot standing in the shade of a nearby tree, looking as if he had been waiting for her to emerge. Her heart stirred at the sight of him—at his broad shoulders, handsome face, and dark, wavy hair—even as she braced herself for the reprimand to come. Swallowing hard, she moved toward her betrothed, not lifting her veil until she was right in front of him.
    â€œI thought I would find you here,” he said, pulling off his hat as he stood up straight and locked his deep blue eyes on hers.
    Rather than being upset, his expression held only compassion. She sighed in relief.
    â€œAre you all right?” He reached out to brush his fingertips across the back of her hand.
    Somehow, the kindness of his concern was nearly her undoing. She had remained stoic for the most part when she was inside the church, alone, but now that she was out here and face-to-face with someone who cared about her, it was all she could do not to sob aloud.
    The man she had known and loved for years was now gazing down at her with such tenderness that she felt as if her heart might break. Turning away, she closed her eyes and took in a breath, a few tears slipping through as she managed to gain control.
    He squeezed her hand and pulled her close until they were almost touching but not quite. Pierre was a gentleman, after all.
    â€œI am so sorry.” His voice was deep and steady. “At least you were able to see Amelie, oui ?”
    Catherine shook her head as the tears started to flow. He brushed his free hand against her face and then looked past her, toward the cathedral, and pulled it back.
    â€œPeople are starting to stare. We can talk later.”
    She pulled her veil down again. “Yes. And you should be getting back to work anyway, I imagine.”
    â€œ Oui .” He squeezed her hand again. “I’ll see you soon.”
    She watched as he hurried back toward rue Saint Jean. She had thought since she was a child that she might marry him some day, but it was not until about two years ago that she knew she would, and that he desired the same in return. If not for all the upheaval and conflict and persecution of the Huguenots, they would have married by now. She hoped their day would come soon.
    When Pierre disappeared around the curve in the narrow street, she turned her attention to the cathedral doors just as her grandmother emerged. Catherine managed to catch the woman’s eye, and then she stepped back into the shadows to wait for grandmother to join her.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Grand-Mère drew close, grasping Catherine’s wrist.
    â€œThe same as you.” She gave a nod toward the door of the cathedral. “I left a few minutes early, to be safe.”
    â€œI see.” The older woman’s lips pursed in displeasure, but she held her tongue, apparently seeing the hypocrisy in reprimanding her granddaughter for doing the very thing she had done herself.
    â€œAmelie did not come,” Catherine said.
    Grand-Mère looked equally disappointed. “I thought for sure she