Forever My Love (Historical Romance) (4 page)

4

Dearest Papa,

It seems I spend my life waiting for something to happen. Weeks have passed, and still I have neither seen nor heard from Damon Routhland. Is it too much to hope he has forgotten about me? If that were only the case, I could go to France with Aunt Arabella.

Royal was roused out of a deep sleep by someone shaking her.

"Wake up, Miss Royal," Alba urged. "Mr. Routhland is downstairs, asking to see you."

Royal tried to shake off the heavy drowsiness. "Surely Mr. Routhland would not be calling at this hour," she said, pulling the pillow over her head to shut out the intrusion. "Go away, Alba. It must be after midnight."

"Humph, it's after ten o'clock, but little does Damon Routhland care what time it is," Alba complained. "I don't like this business of that man being your guardian. Him with his high airs and demanding ways. Coming here after everyone's in bed and ordering me to bring you down to him because it suits his convenience."

Sleepily Royal rolled out of bed, allowing Alba to assist her into her pink velvet dressing gown. Still in the grip of drowsiness, Royal stood before the mirror and noticed that she did not look her best. Grabbing up her hairbrush, she quickly ran it through her tangled hair.

"Did you inform Aunt Arabella that Mr. Routhland is here? I feel certain she will want to know."

"I went to her room before I came here, even though I knew it would do no good. She complained earlier of being unable to sleep, so she took a sleeping draft, and I was unable to awaken her." Alba tied the bow at Royal's neck and stood back to inspect her. "Don't you worry none, Miss Royal, I won't leave you alone with that man for a moment."

Alba, accustomed to speaking her mind, did so now. "I don't know what your father could have been thinking about to make an unmarried man your guardian. I can only guess what the people of Savannah are making out of this. It just isn't decent for a young girl to be in the hands of a man like him."

Royal's eyes widened with apprehension. "Is there something wrong with Mr. Routhland?"

Alba placed her hands on her hips. "I am sure it's not my place to tell you about men like him."

"Why don't you like him, Alba?"

The housekeeper shook her head. "It's not for me to like or dislike him. As far as it goes, I have the highest respect for Mr. Routhland, but that does not make me approve of him as your guardian."

Royal squared her shoulders and braced herself for the meeting she had been dreading for so long. "Let's go below, Alba."

Moving through the hallway and descending the stairs, Royal had to quicken her pace to keep up with Alba. The housekeeper led her to the formal sitting room, where a welcome fire had been laid to ward off the night chill.

Damon Routhland was standing near the window, and Royal could feel his gaze on her as she crossed the room. He stood in the shadows, his silhouette little more than a dark outline.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Routhland?" Royal asked, stopping ten paces from him. She stood like a frightened little bird ready to take flight, while the housekeeper hovered protectively next to her.

Damon moved out of the shadows to stand near the fireplace, and Royal noticed he was still wearing his greatcoat. It must be raining, she thought, because his dark hair, which was tied back in a queue, glistened in the firelight like silk. "Forgive me for the lateness of the hour," he said apologetically, "but I am forced to make an unexpected trip to Philadelphia, and I could not leave without seeing you since you will have sailed for England before I return."

With a heavy heart Royal asked, "When will I be leaving Savannah?"

"Within two weeks."

"How... long will I have to remain in England before I can come back home?"

"Until you have completed your education."

Damon watched Royal close her eyes as she drew in a shuddering breath. He wanted to assure her all would be well, that the time would pass quickly.

"Miss Bradford," he said gently, "may I call you Royal?"

"Yes, of course," she replied in surprise.

"Why don't you be seated so you'll be more comfortable." He moved a chair closer to the fireplace, and she obediently sat down, while Alba moved to stand just behind her.

"Now that's better." Damon sat down and gave her an encouraging smile. "I can guess how frightened you are about going to England where you have no friends or family, Royal. But I have been assured that Fulham is a good finishing school. Perhaps you will meet people there who remember your mother."

Royal only stared at him with large sad eyes, making Damon wonder if it was a mistake to send her so far away. "I am certain you will make friends right away, Royal. My only concern is that you may not want to return to Savannah after you complete your education."

Royal found much of her anxiety melting away under the softness of those golden eyes. "I have been concerned about finances, Mr. Routhland. Mr. Greenburg made me suspect that my father left behind many debts. I am certain Fulham School is very costly."

Damon hesitated for a moment. He could not tell this young girl that her father had been unwise in his investments. He didn't want her to worry about finances. Looking into innocent blue eyes, he began spinning the half-lie that would divert her fears. "Fulham School is indeed costly, but you need have no concern. Your father made certain that your future is secure. I don't want you ever to worry about anything."

Royal's eyes brightened, for her first concern had been that she would lose her home. "My father was a wonderful man. I should have known he would provide for me."

"Indeed he was a fine man, Royal," Damon agreed, looking up at Alba and seeing a hint of respect reflected in her eyes. The severe line of the housekeeper's mouth turned up into an almost smile. It was apparent that Alba knew Douglas Bradford had made no monetary provision for his daughter, but Damon had the feeling she would keep his secret.

Royal stared in open curiosity at the man who now had control of her life. He was not as formidable as she had feared. There was something about him that inspired her trust, and she suddenly felt secure about the future. She saw the hint of amusement in his eyes as he realized she was assessing him, but she continued all the same.

"You do not know me very well, Royal, but I want you to believe that I am interested in your welfare."

"I thank you for that. But why should you trouble yourself about me?" she asked with her usual directness.

"It's very simple. Did you know that your father and mine were boys together in England?"

"Of course. I was well acquainted with your father, since he was often a guest here. I was very sad when he died two years ago."

Damon's voice deepened. "Both our fathers are dead now, Royal. Perhaps because of their friendship, you and I have a special bond between us."

Her eyes glistened. He was giving her something to hold on to—a feeling of belonging. "I am so sorry for you," she managed to say past the lump in her throat. "I just realized how difficult it was for you to lose your father."

He moved forward, extracted his arms from his greatcoat, and flung it over the back of the chair before he answered her. "Grief has a way of lessening after a while. I know you don't believe that now, but time is a great healer."

"I... shall never forget my father."

"Of course not, nor should you."

For the first time Royal noticed the tiredness etched on Damon's face. His knee-high boots were splattered with mud, so he must have come on horseback. "I appreciate your coming out in the rain to talk to me, Mr. Routhland."

"Don't you think you could call me 'Damon'?"

"I don't think that would be proper, Mr. Routhland. My father would not have approved of my calling an older gentleman by his given name."

He laughed in amusement. This little girl was a real charmer. Golden ringlets framed her pretty face, and her eyes were large and luminous.

Royal covered a yawn with a childish smile of apology. Leaning her head back against the chair, she waited for him to tell her why he had roused her out of bed.

"I will not keep you from your sleep much longer. I only want to let you know my plans concerning your future. I thought you might feel less apprehensive that way."

She looked up at him coyly through her eyelashes. "I am glad that you are my guardian. I am indebted to you for your many kindnesses."

For a moment he turned his head and stared into the fire, as if he were remembering something. When he turned back to Royal, it appeared as if the firelight were reflected in the depths of his golden eyes. "Let us just say that by becoming your guardian, I am repaying an overdue debt to your father."

"What debt?" she asked curiously.

"My father came to the Colonies with your parents, but he had little money. It was your father who loaned him the money to buy land and build Swanhouse Plantation."

"I didn't know that. My father never told me."

"I can assure you 'tis true. Your father settled in Savannah, and my father chose country living, but they remained good friends. Shall I tell you a secret about your mother?"

Her eyes held a light of eagerness, for she knew so little about her mother. "Yes, please do."

"When I was a lad, I was in love with her. She was very lovely, and I suspect most of the gentlemen of Savannah admired her, but she loved only your father. In my mind she has always been the ideal woman. She once told me—I must have been about six years old—that if she had not married your father, she would have waited for me."

Royal eyed him admiringly. "Everyone in Chatham County is aware of how women flock around you."

Damon's laughter was deep. "You are an impudent little baggage. You should not repeat such rumors."

She curled her legs up under her, looking very like a little girl. "Surely you are aware that half the women in Savannah are in love with you?" she said seriously.

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Only half?"

"The other half are either married or too old. But I suspect some of them may be in love with you anyway."

Damon was aware of Alba's shocked gasp. He tilted up his head and pretended seriousness. "Keeping women attentive is a great responsibility for a man of my age."

"How old are you?" Royal inquired.

His smile was warm. "I am twenty-five, Royal."

He was not as old as she had thought, but old all the same to a fourteen-year-old girl's way of thinking. She was reflective for a moment. "At your age, you should be married."

"Well, little imp," he said, amused by her bold statement, "if you are to be believed, if I marry, I would break the hearts of half the women of Savannah. That would never do."

When she nodded in agreement, her face set in a serious expression, he resisted the urge to ruffle her golden curls. "Has anyone ever told you that you are precocious, Royal? You must have been a great source of amusement to your father."

She sighed wearily, and her tongue flicked out to lick her dry lips. "My father was my best friend." Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. "He will always be my best friend." Royal lowered her eyes, hoping to hide her tears. "It is sometimes painful to think about him."

Damon was suddenly stricken with tender feelings for this fragile little girl. His jaw tightened, but he softened his voice. "I can promise you that the time will come when you will smile when you remember your father."

Then he knelt beside her and took her small hand in his. "Will you allow me to be your friend, Royal?"

"Yes," she said. "We will be friends as our fathers were."

"Good." A half smile curved his lips. "Then feel comforted by the plans that have been made for your future. And don't forget that when you get to England, you will be closer to your aunt Arabella. She has assured me that she will visit you often."

Royal laid her free hand on his. "Must I leave? I am afraid of going to England."

"I thought you trusted me."

"I do, but—"

"I know you cannot imagine you will ever be happy again, but you will. What I do now is in accordance with your father's wishes, and I have no alternative."

"I don't suppose you would allow me to come and live with you at Swanhouse?" she asked hopefully, thinking that after all, living at the plantation would be better than leaving Georgia altogether.

Damon glanced up at Alba, and her eyes sparked with a warning. "No, little one. It would not be proper for you to live in a bachelor's household."

Suddenly Royal felt sad at the thought of being parted from her new friend, and with her usual honesty she said, "I shall miss you, Mr. Routhland."

He glanced down at her tiny hand. "The years will pass quickly, Royal. Before you know it, you will be returning to Savannah. At that time I shall have decided about your future."

"May I write to you and tell you of my progress in school?"

His expression softened. "I will expect you to."

She threw back her tiny shoulders and brushed a tumbled lock of hair out of her face. "I am resigned to my fate, Mr. Routhland."