He brushed back the strand of hair that had escaped her braid, letting his fingers linger on her soft cheek. “And then when you saved my life by shooting Ulrich . . .” He looked into her eyes to convey the truth of his words. “It was not difficult to forgive you.”
Odette’s warm smile sent an ache through his chest. “And I forgive you. You did not know you were shooting me, and you were only doing your job.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.
“You could have died. And you almost did.”
“But I didn’t die. And it was my own fault, anyway.” After a pause, she said, “I am glad we found out that it was Ulrich trying to kill you, but I’m sorry you still have not captured the poacher who killed your father.”
“Perhaps someday we will. Even though I do still want to capture him, it no longer seems to matter as much.” He thought for a moment. “You know, I would not be marrying you if you weren’t such a good archer.”
“How is that?”
“Because if you had not been so good at poaching, Rutger might have convinced you to marry Mathis months ago.”
“Very amusing.”
“I love you, Odette.” In case she was still wondering, he made it very clear. “Even though I did feel hurt when I realized you were the poacher, it was not difficult to forgive you. I love you too much to stay angry with you for long.”
“Good.” She nestled her face against his neck. “I do not think I was able to forgive Rutger that quickly. But he has suffered too. I am thankful the margrave allowed him out of the dungeon after three days. He found a small house near the south gate. Did you know?”
“Yes.”
She sighed, her breath warm against the base of his throat. “I keep thinking how everything has turned out, how everything is the reverse of how it began . . . the opposite of what I thought would happen.”
He rubbed the back of her shoulder, wondering when he might kiss her again. “I know.”
They stood like that for several moments. Then Odette lifted her head and looked him in the eye. “I am so overjoyed to be marrying you. I hope you don’t change your mind.”
She was looking at his lips. He kissed her but purposely kept it brief.
One more week. Just one more week.
Odette awakened with a sense of anticipation, a bit of crispness in the late-summer air.
Her sleepy eyes flew wide. No wonder she felt a sense of anticipation. Today was her wedding day!
She jumped out of bed as Anna came into her room, bearing a tray of food.
“I was astonished at you sleeping late on your wedding day!” Anna said. “I did not sleep at all the night before my wedding.”
While they ate breakfast together, Odette was thinking that she would never wake up in this room again. Already she shared it with two other girls. With Odette married and gone, more girls could come and have a home here. It felt so good and so fitting. Odette sighed.
When they were finished, Anna helped Odette on with her dress. A shade of blue green, the dress was made from Flemish fabric Rutger had brought home eight or nine months ago. The fabric itself was decorated with a repeating pattern of silver and green stitching, with a matching border around the neck and a belt that settled below her waist on her hips.
The style of the gown was simple and fitted, with sleeves that hung down to the floor. When she had first tried it on, Anna said, “It brings out the color in your eyes.”
“I will go see if the children are getting ready to go to the church.” Anna hurried out of the room while a servant finished preparing Odette’s hair.
A few minutes later, her hair was ready and Anna was running up the stairs. “Jorgen is here! And he is impatient to see you. He sent me to hurry you down. Odette, you look beautiful.” Anna stood staring at her from head to toe. “That dress is perfect.”
“Thank you.” Odette gathered her skirt to go.
“No, don’t go yet!” Anna held up a hand to stop her.
“Why not?”
“You should make him wait.”
“But you said he was impatient.”
“That is why you should make him wait.” Anna winked. “Husbands need to know right away that we will not be rushed. And they like it when we stand up to them and do not let them order us around.”
“And you know this how?” Odette couldn’t decide whether to laugh or look shocked.
“Because Peter and I have been married four years.” Anna winked. “And my mother and father have been married for thirty years and they are still in love. I used to hear them laughing together every night, and I don’t have ten brothers and sisters for nothing.” She gave Odette a knowing look. “My mother never lets my father tell her what to do without telling him what she thinks.”