Forever My Love (Historical Romance) (8 page)

8

Dearest Papa,

Since the incident with Mrs. Hargrove's broach the other girls have turned colder and more distant. It's as if they think I am responsible for Kathleen being dismissed from Fulham. I am grateful that I have my studies and you to write to each evening, dear Papa. And, of course, Enchantress, who's always glad to see me.

Two months had passed since Kathleen Griffin's departure, but her presence was still felt at Fulham. Every day Royal was met with frosty stares and accusing glances from the other students. Where she had been miserable and lonely before, she was now an outcast, despised and tormented by the others.

Although the leaves had not yet begun to turn, there was a touch of autumn in the air as Royal sat beside her window, glancing at the houses across the square. Today the school was having an outing, and she had searched her mind for an excuse not to go.

Her gaze moved to a white stone house where she had often seen children romping and playing in the yard. What would it feel like to belong, she wondered, to be part of a family?

Hannah knocked on the door and entered. "You got a letter, Miss Royal. It just arrived in the morning post."

Royal took the letter with trembling hands. Yes, it was from Savannah. Oh, please, she thought fervently, let this be permission to go home.

As she had suspected, the letter was not from Mr. Routhland, but from Mr. Bartholomew. Undaunted, she began to read:

Dear Mistress Bradford,

I am answering your last letter on behalf of Mr. Routhland. He has asked me to convey his hope that you will soon adjust to your environment. It is his wish that you exercise every effort to cultivate friendships. Study and make the most of your education.

Her hopes were dashed. Too stunned to cry, she could only stare at the letter. So it was Mr. Routhland's wish that she exercise every effort to cultivate friendships. How far away she was from home, and more than three years yawned before her like a bottomless pit. A lone tear trailed down Royal's cheek, and she turned away so Hannah would not see her cry.

Each day would be a trial for her. How much longer would she be forced to endure the spiteful innuendos that she was the cause of Kathleen Griffin's dismissal?

She should have written to her aunt rather than Damon Routhland. But, no, it would be cruel to upset Aunt Arabella, who would only suffer needlessly if she knew about Royal's misery, and she could do nothing about it anyway. Thus far Royal had managed to keep her letters to her aunt cheerful, stressing only the good in her life rather than dwelling on her unhappiness.

Hannah broke into Royal's thoughts. "Have you forgotten it's time to leave for the outing, Miss Royal? Mrs. Fortescue has asked that you come below where the others are already assembled."

With a heavy heart, Royal reached for her bonnet and tied it beneath her chin. She felt drab and ugly in her black riding habit, and she knew the others would be dressed in frosty pinks, bright yellows, and stunning reds.

She moved mechanically to the door. Today the students were going to the country for a day of riding and picnicking. The other girls had talked of nothing else for weeks, while Royal had dreaded this day.

At the bottom of the stairs, she stood apart from the other girls while they filed out in an orderly manner. Mrs. Fortescue was directing them into the seven carriages lined along the front drive.

Royal's heart sank and she considered pretending illness when she realized Mrs. Fortescue was placing her in the second carriage with Lady Alissa. She felt her stomach churn, and just for a moment she did feel ill.

"Move along, Royal," Mrs. Fortescue urged. "That's right, in you go."

To Royal's dismay, when she climbed into the open carriage, she accidentally brushed against the shawl that lay across Lady Alissa's lap, causing it to fall to the floor.

"I am sorry... it was clumsy of—"

Lady Alissa's face was etched with fury. "I have often observed that gracefulness is not one of your strong points," she said in an irate voice. This drew giggles from the other two girls in the carriage.

Royal bent forward to retrieve the shawl, and Lady Alissa grabbed it from her. "Troublesome girl. One wonders if you will ever be taught manners. I have great sympathy for your teachers."

Royal felt her anger stir and with great effort brought it under control. There was nothing to be gained by quibbling with Lady Alissa. Her father had once told her that the best way to win an argument was to avoid it altogether. She would test that theory today and just ignore the other girls, Lady Alissa in particular.

Royal turned her attention to the eastern horizon, where the sun had just appeared from behind a cloud. The weather was balmy and the sky was blue, but for a few scattered clouds.

As the seven buggies pulled away from Fulham School in a procession, Royal leaned back and studied the tips of her fingers. It was going to be a long two hours, she thought, feeling a coldness in her heart.

The horses clopped along the wide avenue at a steady pace, while Royal tried to ignore the remarks that were surely being made for her benefit. Deborah Stoughton, who always seemed to be Lady Alissa's shadow, was particularly hateful, and try as she might, Royal could not shut out the girl's high-pitched voice.

"If only Kathleen were here with us now." Her eyes sought Royal's. "Do you ever miss Kathleen, Royal?" she asked pointedly.

"I once had influenza. After it was gone, I did not miss it in the least," Royal replied before turning her face away. "Neither do I miss your friend."

Deborah reached toward Royal, but Lady Alissa caught and held her hands. "All will come in good time, Deborah. One has only to be patient."

Royal could not resist looking at Lady Alissa. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, then Royal glanced away. She supposed they were thinking up some new torment to use on her. So be it—she would not allow them to see her hurt.

"I am appalled by anything that comes from the Colonies," Deborah stated airily. "Their goods and materials are inferior, as is their workmanship. They are a backward people who incite riots, speak of war, and are ungrateful for all the help we British have given them. And if that weren't bad enough," she continued, glancing at Royal, "they have manners that would disgust an Englishman of the lowest birth."

Royal bit back an angry retort and kept reminding herself to follow her father's advice and ignore Deborah, although it was becoming more difficult all the time. She looked up to find Lady Alissa staring at her with what could only be interpreted as a quizzical expression. Without a word she moved farther into the corner and leaned back, closing her eyes. Let them try to torment her—she would just shut them out by thinking of something pleasant. Damon Routhland's face floated before her eyes, and she lost herself in the memory of a pair of golden eyes.

At last they reached the park area where the picnic was to be held. Royal waited until the other girls had disembarked before she scampered from the buggy. There were sounds of merriment as the girls paired off into their little groups, but Royal stood alone, ignored by everyone.

"Now girls," Mrs. Fortescue announced, making her way over the uneven ground with caution. "This is a private estate, belonging to Lady Alissa's brother, the duke of Chiswick. He has generously allowed us to have our outing here. This is to be a day of amusement. There will be games such as lawn bowling and races for those of you who wish to participate. Those of you who have horses and choose to ride must be back by two for luncheon."

Royal watched Mr. Moore, the groomsman, leading several horses into the makeshift paddock he had skillfully constructed with ropes. Enchantress restlessly ran the length of the enclosure, her coat glistening in the noonday sun. Royal rushed forward, taking her reins and patting the sleek ebony coat while the horse nudged her affectionately. Here, at least, she found a welcome.

"Where did you come by such an animal?" Deborah asked sharply, her voice laced with resentment as she came up behind Royal.

Royal tossed her saddle over the horse and tightened the cinch. "Her name is Enchantress," she replied, hoping Deborah would just move on and leave her in peace. She was in no mood to talk to anyone.

"I have seldom seen a finer animal," Deborah admitted grudgingly, with the eye of an experienced horsewoman. "Such sleek lines," she said, running her hand down Enchantress's neck. "I know a lot about horses. The finest in the world are raised on my father's estate. It's obvious this little filly is of superior bloodline."

Royal glanced at Lady Alissa, who was being placed in a horse cart since she was unable to ride sidesaddle like the other girls. "Enchantress is a gift from my guardian, and like myself, she is a product of the Colonies."

Leaving Deborah openmouthed with indignation, and the others to ponder her words, Royal allowed the groom to assist her into the saddle. She galloped toward the distant woods, glad she had escaped her chaperone.

No matter how much Royal pretended otherwise, she would have liked to be accepted by the other girls. She would have enjoyed riding with them and talking about such things as gowns, the latest bonnets, and footwear.

Clearing her mind, she took a path that led her by a twisting little stream that cut its way through the heart of the valley. Once, she caught a glimpse of a huge gray brick structure in the distance with tall imposing turrets and gables. She realized it would be Chiswick Castle, Lady Alissa's home. She reined in Enchantress and stared at the castle, wondering what it would feel like to grow up in such a wondrous dwelling.

She nudged her mount forward. The air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and herbs that grew along the banks of the stream. A bracing wind cooled her face, and she soon lost herself in the joy of being mounted on excellent horseflesh. Enchantress responded to Royal's every command. They waded across narrow streams and explored well-worn pathways, and Enchantress seemed tireless.

After a while they reached a clearing where Royal had a magnificent view of the whole valley. She caught her breath as she stared at the lush green countryside.

Royal smiled, feeling it was good to be alive with the sun beaming down on her in the tranquillity of her surroundings. She shaded her eyes and gauged the sun. Mrs. Fortescue had said to be back by two, and she thought it was nearing that now. So, reluctantly, she turned Enchantress back in the direction they had come.

She soon reached the picnic area and found that with the exception of servants and teachers, there were few people about. She dismounted with a sense of dread when she saw that she and Lady Alissa appeared to be the only students present. Royal made a great pretense of rubbing down Enchantress, hoping Lady Alissa would ignore her, for she certainly intended to ignore Lady Alissa.

As she worked, Royal observed the servants setting up tables and covering them with white linen cloths. The aroma of food wafted through the air, reminding Royal she was hungry. She thought she would take her lunch and eat down by the creek.

She glanced over at Lady Alissa, who was still seated in the horse-drawn cart, her pink gown spread out about her. "It looks like rain," Royal observed, looking up at the overcast sky. "I hope it will hold off until we get back to London."

Lady Alissa pressed her lips together tightly, giving no sign that she had even heard Royal, but then Royal had not expected her to reply.

All of a sudden a jagged streak of lightning split the sky, and the ground rattled from the rumbling thunder that followed.

Several things happened at once, catching Royal off-guard. The horses hitched to Lady Alissa's cart reared and tore at the reins, rolling their eyes in fear. Wildly they lunged forward, jerking against the reins, while Lady Alissa used all her strength in an attempt to subdue them.

She might have succeeded in bringing them under control had not a second bolt of lightning jarred the ground. Thunder bellowed like a cannon shot across the valley, and the horses bolted out of control. Lady Alissa was thrown behind the seat and landed hard in the back of the cart, where she was helpless to check the frenzied animals.

Servants and teachers were scurrying about, trying to protect the food from the impending rain, apparently unaware of Lady Alissa's plight. When the girl cried for help, her voice was drowned out by yet another rumble of thunder, and only Royal heard her.

Royal did not hesitate. She grasped Enchantress's reins and hurried her to the mounting stump. Knowing time was important, she bounded into the saddle and turned her horse in the direction of the runaway cart. With a quick command and a jabbed heel into the filly's flanks, Royal prayed she would reach Lady Alissa before the cart entered the woods.

Enchantress shot forward with powerful strides. Time seemed suspended, yet Royal was aware of a bird's song in a nearby bush—she even felt the first drops of rain against her cheek.

Royal's heart lurched with fear when she saw the cart bounce over a fallen log and careen drunkenly, almost tipping over. By now Lady Alissa had managed to grab on to the sides of the cart, but the reins were dragging on the ground, making it impossible for her to reach them.

With added determination, Royal prodded her mount to a full stride. Enchantress gradually drew even with the back of the cart, and Royal could almost touch Lady Alissa's beseeching hand.