Forever My Love (Historical Romance) (14 page)

Part Two:
A Promise Remembered

14

Dear Papa,

It is the popular belief among my friends that the war will soon come to an end. Oh, Papa, I pray it is so. It's difficult to believe I have been in England for four years. I am not certain when I started thinking of London as my home, but the notion of returning to Savannah at the end of my studies is so disturbing that I can hardly bear to think about it. My life is here now. I only hope I can convince Damon Routhland to allow me to remain.

August 1779

Lady Alissa had completed her education, and a ball was being given to officially announce her engagement to Lord Holden. It appeared that everyone of significance was in attendance.

Royal stood just behind the dowager duchess of Chiswick while they watched the dancers whirl by on the polished ballroom floor. Many gentlemen had approached her seeking a dance, but she preferred to be an observer. There was only one gentleman here to interest her, and she had not yet seen him.

Royal had been a guest at the castle so often that she felt at ease there. She had a great fondness for Lady Alissa's family... well, most of them. She glanced over at the duke and duchess, who were presiding over the affair with bored indifference. Royal was honest enough to admit that she did not care for either of them. Of course, she had little reason to be in their company, and that suited her just fine.

Lady Alissa danced by, trailing a whisper of silk and looking lovingly at Lord Holden. She turned her head slightly and gave her mother a special smile, wrinkling her nose at Royal.

The dowager duchess looked at Royal with a sparkle of satisfaction in her eyes, and she spoke from behind her fan. "If the earth were to open and swallow up this room, England would be minus most of her nobility."

"I suspect you are right, Your Grace. It is apparent that Lady Alissa and Lord Holden are well received."

"They are suited to each other. After all, both of them come from distinguished lineage. Why, Holden's family came over with William the Conqueror. And of course the Seatons can be traced to Henry the First."

Royal had long ago realized that background and ancestry were important to the Seaton family. She felt fortunate that they had accepted her even though she was not of the nobility.

"There was a time when I was concerned about Alissa's happiness because her marriage was arranged by her father. I believe, however, they are fond of each other. Her expression became serious. "I want more than anything for Alissa to be happy. You are her best friend, Royal—is she happy?"

"Yes, Your Grace. She loves Lord Holden a great deal."

The dowager sighed with relief. "That is a blessing." She glanced up at Royal and tapped the chair beside her with her fan, indicating that Royal should be seated—a singular honor, one that was not missed by anyone in the room. "Had it not been for you, my dear, Alissa would never have had the determination to walk, and tonight would never have come about. This family will never forget that."

"Your Grace, it is I who am fortunate, since I have been rewarded by Lady Alissa's friendship and the kindness of her family."

"Look at my scandalous son," the dowager declared as she and Royal watched Lord Preston winding his way across the ballroom, dodging dancing couples while trying to balance two glasses of punch.

The dowager duchess leaned closer to Royal. "It is no secret to anyone that my younger son has rebelled against the marriage that was arranged for him, Royal. He tests my patience." She added as an afterthought: "But he is a good son, don't you agree?"

"Yes, Your Grace. I find him to be a man of great integrity."

The dowager glanced quickly at Royal, and her voice had a slight edge to it. "I have often thought that Preston pays marked attention to you, my dear."

Royal felt her face redden. "I hope you do not think that I have encouraged... that Lord Preston has ever indicated... that he—"

The dowager snapped open her fan and snapped it shut again. "Of course not. That would be unthinkable! It's just that I sometimes despair of my son ever settling down. I have noticed, Royal, that you seem to have a calming effect on him." Her brow furrowed. "Now that I think of it, it seems that the only time he comes for a visit is while you are here."

Royal was stunned by the dowager duchess's observation. "I can assure you that I... that you..."

The dowager changed the subject abruptly. "He's heading in our direction. Everyone in this room watches him, especially the ladies."

Royal saw that this was true. She smiled. "One would think he would be spoiled by all the attention, but he isn't, Your Grace."

The dowager let out an impatient breath. "I could wish he would pay more attention to Lady Alice, his intended bride. Too often he has neglected her." The dowager's expression became cold and piercing. "The alliance with the Stratton family is very important to the Seatons. If my son paid half the attention to Lady Alice that he does to you, they would already be married and have presented me with grandchildren."

Royal stared at the older woman with astonishment in her eyes. "Your Grace, I hope you do not think that I have in any way tried to encourage your son."

"But you like my son, do you not?"

"Yes. Of course, Your Grace, very much."

"Well then, it's up to you to see that his affections for you are discouraged." The shrewd old eyes sparkled. "I credit you with the good sense to do the right thing. Lady Alice isn't going to wait around forever for him to make up his mind. I am certain she has other prospects."

Not knowing how to answer, Royal remained silent. Surely the dowager was not implying that she was to blame for Lord Preston's neglect of his intended bride. She and Lord Preston had shared a special bond since the beginning of their acquaintance. For a brief time, when she was younger, she had been infatuated with him as any impressionable girl would have been. But she had never allowed herself to forget that he was of noble blood and she a commoner.

The dowager came to her feet. "I must talk to Smith about the seating arrangements." She lowered her voice and said softly so only Royal could hear, "I will expect you to talk to my son. He listens to you. Make him see the error of his ways."

When Royal glanced up Lord Preston towered above her, his eyes sparkling as they always did when he looked at her. She turned her head away quickly, hoping the dowager would not mistake her son's friendliness as anything else.

"How fortunate for me that I find you with my mother, Royal," Lord Preston said, handing her a glass of amber liquid, "and not surrounded by admirers."

She saw the teasing light in his eyes. "And what would you have done had I been surrounded by admirers?" His mother had been mistaken. He always treated her the same way he treated Alissa—like a sister.

He suddenly became serious. "If that had been the case, I would have called each one of them out and tested their fortitude with the point of my saber."

She tried to keep the conversation light. "Most likely that's why all the gentlemen in the room have been avoiding me all night." She arched a silken eyebrow at him. "They see your presence as a threat to their safety."

He laughed down at her. "You are adorable, did you know that?"

She was glad his mother had not heard his statement, for she would never understand how harmless their banter was. "You should not make such flowery speeches to a poor, defenseless girl such as myself. Surely you will turn my head."

Suddenly Lord Preston's voice took on a solemn tone. "Have I the right to keep all others away from you, Royal? Will you grant me that right?"

For a moment she felt as if the air were trapped in her body. This was not the Preston she had come to know. Surely he was still teasing. She realized he was waiting for her response, and she did not know what to say to him. "I will always think of you as a dear friend, Lord Preston."

He drew in an impatient breath. "You should know by now that I want more than friendship from you, Royal!"

Against her will, she raised her head, her gaze locking with his. At last she read the heartbreaking truth in the clear depths of his eyes. She felt the sting of tears. "I know, Preston," she admitted with honesty, her words coming as no surprise to her. "I believe I have known for a long time, although I would not allow myself to admit it."

"Can I hope that you return my feelings?" he asked softly.

Her hand was trembling so badly she could not steady it. She took a sip of the punch, giving herself time to answer. "Preston, people are staring at us. I don't think this is the place to be having this discussion." Her expression was one of bewilderment as she stammered: "Your mother... I told her there was nothing... I... never..."

There was misery in Lord Preston's eyes when he took the punch glass from Royal and placed it on a tray. "Come and dance with me, so we can talk without arousing wagging tongues."

"No, Preston, we will not talk of anything so serious. This is your sister's night."

He sat down in the chair his mother had just vacated and crossed his long legs. "Tomorrow, then, we shall speak of our own future."

She was confused and wanted things to stay the way they were between her and Lord Preston. "I shall be returning to school tomorrow morning."

His smile made his eyes brighten. "We will have our talk before you leave. You cannot escape me, you know." His voice took on a deep warmth. "All that remains is for you to say 'yes,' and I shall have you forever."

Her eyes shifted from his as she tried to ignore the excitement that spread through her body. "Please don't say these things to me. It isn't proper. Your family wouldn't approve of our conversation."

"Ah, yes, my family," he said with an edge to his voice. "Nothing will change the way I feel about you."

"Neither your family nor my guardian will favor a match between you and me. You know that, Preston."

His eyes feasted on Royal. She had grown into an extraordinary beauty. Unpowdered, her hair shone like a golden halo of light. Her features were delicate and perfectly molded, her blue eyes soft and luminous. Her skin was creamy and smooth, and there was something almost ethereal about her. If it were not for the protected and secluded life she led, he knew she would be surrounded by admirers, and that thought tore at his heart.

Lord Preston now put forth a question that had been preying on his mind. "I have not asked you this before, because I feared the truth. Is it your plan to return to Savannah and resume your old life, Royal?"

She studied the tip of her satin slipper. "I feel that England is now my home. I don't know how my guardian will feel about that. I am, of course, obliged to answer to his wishes in the matter of where I live until I reach the age of twenty-one, or marry with his consent."

He glanced about the crowded room and wished they were alone so he could speak of his love. He wanted to explain to her that he must go away and ask her to wait for him. He feared that if he did not speak now, another man would win her heart while he was absent.

"I want to make a home for you, Royal." There was a sincere light in his eyes. "I want to take care of you."

She looked away from him, willing her tears not to fall. They were being watched, and she wanted to distract him before they became the object of gossip. "Perhaps we should have that dance after all."

Standing up, he took her arm and with light pressure about her waist guided her among the other dancers. As they had to change partners often, there was no time to talk. Royal concentrated on the intricate dance steps as she moved to another partner and then back to Lord Preston.

At last the music stopped, and Royal placed her hand to her temples. "I am very weary, Preston. Do you think anyone will mind if I slip away to my room?"

His eyes were filled with concern. "You do look pale. I hope I have not been the cause of your distress."

She did not hesitate. "Of course not. It's just that... I need time to think."

Unmindful of the gaping stares, Lord Preston raised her gloved hand to his lips. "I will wish you a good night. Will you ride with me in the morning before you leave?" He led her to the edge of the dance floor. "Will you, Royal?"

"Yes, I'll ride with you," she agreed. She was suddenly struck by how dear he was to her, and that realization was like a knife in her heart. Tomorrow she would be forced to discourage him.

She extracted her hand from Preston's grip and dipped into a quick curtsy. "I must say good night to your mother," she said, rushing away.

"Until tomorrow," he called after her.

Royal had been unable to find the dowager, so she made her way upstairs to the sanctuary of her room.

Hannah was not waiting for her when she reached the room, but then Royal knew she had not been expected back so early. By the time she had removed her clothing and brushed her hair, she was trembling from the emotions Lord Preston had awakened in her.

She slipped beneath a delicate lace coverlet that some long-forgotten member of the Seaton family had painstakingly stitched. Looking at the portrait of an equally forgotten ancestor, she realized again how deep tradition ran in this family.