**read this! There is not a wedding in this chapter. Sorry. It didn't fit in here.**
Letter of Love (Chapter 3)
When Kagome came from the dinner party she found Nan sitting with the book in her lap. She unfastened her ruff and kicked off her slippers. "Nan, it was kind of you to wait up for me. Please take that worried look off your face; I want to share my plans with you."
"I know you are about to take a big step in your life, my lamb, but before you tell me your decision, I must keep a promise I made to your mother after you were born."
"Nan, what are you talking about?"
"This book; your mother asked me to keep it for you. She said it was a legacy, handed down for generations from mother to daughter."
"But why did you wait until now?" Kagome asked, taking the book.
"Because I feel in my heart the time is right."
Kagome carried the book into her chambers, lit the candles, and lifted the cover. It was old, ancient perhaps and a thing of great beauty. Obviously it had been treasured and lovingly preserved down the centuries. The capital letters were illuminated so that the T's were broadswords, the V's kite shaped shields, and the S's fiery dragons.
Kagome felt great awe as she traced an inscription by a woman also named Kagome, dated over two centuries ago. As she began to read, deciphering the Latin with ease, she realized the tale was a legend and also a great love story. It was fanciful and romantic, as all legends ought to be. Kagome was swept away to another time another place, totally caught up in the story as she turned page after page.
Between the sheets of parchment, she discovered a letter. It bore her name! Her hand trembled as she picked it up and realized it was written to her by her mother.
My precious Kagome:
How do I convey what is in my heart in one short letter? I want you know that from the moment I conceived you, you became the most important thing in my life. I hope you will forgive me. Because of the choices I made, you must suffer.
From the beginning I realized that you would need a special guardian angel and have prayed for months that god would not turn his face from me.
Though we will never see one another, I have passed on the only legacy I have. I am entrusting this book to Kaede for when you are old enough to understand its powerful message. When the time comes, you too must pass it on.
I have written to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, begging her to educate you, knowing you will receive the finest education in the world. I hope she forgives me, I hope my parents forgive me, and also the Tashio's, but most of all, I hope you forgive me.
I beg you not to grieve over my death. I am content because God has answered my prayers to give you a special guardian angel. He has chosen me. Know that I shall love you forever.
Jane Lynton Higurashi.
The words blurred together as Kagome wiped the tears streaming down her face. Her mother's presence in the chamber was a tangible thing, as if she reached out to put loving arms about her. She read and reread the letter, tracing the words with her finger tips, so grateful to have her mother's last thoughts.
Kagome tucked it beneath her pillow and readied herself for bed. Then again took up the book, reading with new insight. Gradually, as time melted away, she began to feel as one with all the women who had gone before. She turned the page and read:
The Quest
You alone decide your Destiny.
At the crossroads, choose wisely.
One path is cursed, the other blessed.
Life is a double-edged sword.
You have free will to carve out the rock.
Will you rise or fall, succeed or fail,
Taste ambrosia or bitter aloes?
To find the key, ask what is never-ending, everlasting;
What is noble and sacred, selfless and eternal?
The answer is Love.
Love is the greatest power on earth.
Pass on the gift of Love.
With honor comes glory!
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The next morning as the wardrobe mistress was fitting her for her wedding gown, the tale was still with Kagome. It had caught her imagination, filled her senses, and touched her heart.
Womanlike, she stroked the satin of the dress, delighting in the crystals scattered across the square-necked bodice. It was such a beautiful wedding gown, she decided not to waste it, but she would wear it when she wed Anthony. Of course, no one would see her besides the bridegroom, but that would be enough. Kagome hugged her secret to herself, silently counting the days the remained until Saturday.
Phrases from the ancient book floated through her mind as she went about her daily routine, and she found she had memorized the letter. On her death bed, her mother had written to the queen, begging her to educate Kagome. And Elizabeth had given her the finest education in the world. For the first time she appreciated the queen's generosity. Without it, her life would have been unendurable.
A page brought Kagome a note from Maru Tashio, asking her to ride out with him in the afternoon. She sent a gracious reply, accepting the offer.
The first frost made the ground hard beneath her palfrey's hooves as she trotted from the stables to beside the earl. Her habit was peacock velvet; her gloves and feathered hat matched perfectly. She realized they had been presents from the queen.
Tashio's golden eyes licked over her like a candle flame. He was in a black doublet and high black boots today, and his short black cape, lined with crimson, made him look as dangerous as Lucifer.
"The ceremony has been arranged for Sunday in the chapel, an' it pleases you, Kagome." His voice was as smooth as the black velvet he wore.
"Is that as close as you can come to a proposal, my lord?" she asked playing a game of cat and mouse.
"You want a proposal? Then how's this? I propose you deal honestly with me. I propose you play me to tricks. I propose you make me a dutiful wife, and in return I promise to make you the best damned husband in the realm!"
Kagomes guilt made her blush. He spoke as if he knew her secret, but that was impossible, unless he were in league with the devil. She cast him a pretty, sideways glance to divert him. "What do mean by dutiful, my lord?"
"The qualities I demand in a wife are chastity, loyalty, honor … I would add obedience, but I fear that is asking the impossible of you," he said with a wicked glint in his eye.
"You are most perceptive, Lord Tashio."
"Call me Maru." It sounded like an order. An order she would not obey.
"What else do you deem dutiful?"
"You will have to leave court. I must return to Ireland almost immediately. The day after the wedding, we leave for Dunster Castle."
"Dunster is in Devon," she said, startled.
"Certes it is. I am the Earl of Devon."
"As you would like me forget." She mocked. Silently she thought, the damned knave would pack me off to Dunster, alone all winter, while he's off playing war! "Surely you would allow your wife to stay at court for the Christmas festivities?"
"Absolutely not. The court's festivities are designed for flirtation and intrigue. You will await my return at Dunster. Your grandparents are less than twenty miles away in Lynton."
She almost gasped. He expected her to visit her grandparents. "They want naught to do with me."
"Strange then, that they entrusted me with this letter addressed to you," he took the sealed packet from his doublet and handed it to her.
Kagome drew rein while she broke the seal and scanned the lines:
Dearest Kagome,
We are so proud that you are to become Countess of Devon. I am sending this letter by Maru Tashio so that you will receive it. I suspect all the letters I sent through your father never reached you.
I beg you will come to see me when you arrive in Devon, if you can spare the time. Having you back will ease our heartbreaking loss of Jane.
Sarah Lynton.
Kagome tucked the letter in her bosom, her thoughts in disarray. "I'm freezing! I'll race you to yon copse," she challenged, digging her heals, leaving him standing.
Maru took off after her, determined to win. He knew she would lead him a merry chase if he allowed it, but he made up his mind that he would not. In this marriage, he would lead and she would follow. And by God's wounds, she would learn to love it!
When a triumphant Maru looked over his shoulder to see by how much he had won, he discovered she had cheated him of his victory. She had turned her mount the moment he had passed her and headed for the stables.
"Devious little bitch!" he swore. Then he decided to go about the business as he would a military campaign. Since he had no time to lay siege, he would have to storm her walls. Maru Tashio was determined to win this battle. She would go down in defeat. He would accept nothing less that unconditional surrender!
He was after her in a flash. He over took and captured her in minutes, dismounted and lifted her down in a heartbeat. Then in full view of the leaded windows of Hampton Court Palace, he mastered her with his mouth. When he let her go, she was panting. Fascinated, he watched as the breath left her swollen lips and turned into frost.
"Four more days," he whispered into her ear.
Three, she thought silently, wishing Saturday were here already.
"Go, you need time to pack for Dunster."
"Yes, I shall pack today," she said breathlessly, then added silently, but I shall pack for Surrey, not Dunster, you arrogant swine!
And Kagome did begin to pack.
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"Nan, I should have told you sooner, but you have probably guessed that I have no intention of marrying a Tashio any more than my mother did. Anthony and I are to be married on Saturday."
Nan did not scold her, but Kagome could tell that the news saddened her. All she said was "Jane came to regret her decision deeply."
"Nan, I am in love! We plan to live in the country. You will come with us won't you?"
"Of course, my lamb."
When Kagome undressed, the letter from her grandmother fell to the carpet. She called to Nan, "I forgot to tell you; I received a letter from Sarah Lynton today."
Nan asked stiffly, "After all this time, what has that woman have to say?"
"She said she had written before, but suspected my father destroyed the letters."
Nan sighed visibly, "Ah, God, I wondered why she never tried to contact Jane. Sarah Lynton was a good woman. Perhaps she did write, but your mother never received them"
"Why would my father destroy the letters?" Kagome demanded.
"Ah, child, you have no idea the bitterness that dishonorable union caused."
There is was again. It seemed everyone spoke of honor and dishonor. Kagome retired, but when she was in bed, she took up the book once more. Its lust was irresistible. Now that she examined it more closely, she saw that most of the women whose hands it had passed through had added inscriptions to the book. Some had lost love, but those who had striven against all odds with honor had found their soul mates. Some of the descriptions of love were rapturous. The last words she read before she slept were,
"With Honor Comes Glory."
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Oki doki that's chapter 3 guys, up next is the wedding, sorry about chapter 2. I'll get to fix that…. Kaspier (Review Please.)