To Dream of You: The Royal House of Atharia, Book 1 Page 15

  A pained looked crossed his features. “I distrusted Lord Balhannah that is true, but I have come to accept he is an honorable man. A man you can trust, and who is dependable with secrets the Crown keeps. I was wrong, Your Highness. I saw shadows and threats where perhaps there were none. Know that if you allow me to serve you, that I shall support and keep you and your family safe for the remainder of my days.”

  Niccolo’s words were what Holly wanted to hear, and she was proud of the stoic, sometimes too opinionated guard that he had apologized. It would not have been easy for him. She smiled, reaching out to pat his shoulder. “Thank you for telling me this, Niccolo. I will admit to fearing a time or two that you worked for my uncle.”

  Niccolo gasped, horror written across his features. “Never, Your Highness.”

  She smiled, satisfied at the sincerity she heard in his voice. “I know that now, and I’m pleased you sought me out to explain. Of course you may remain in your post. Our family will be safer for it.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing and stepping back.

  Holly turned toward her sisters, unable to remove the smile from her face. "Now, I’m off to win my future husband. Do you approve my choice?" she asked, meeting both her sisters’ gazes.

  Alessa hugged her, and Elena joined them. "Oh, Holly, I endorse your choice one hundred percent. Lord Balhannah is the most honorable, sweet man. You will not regret your choice," Alessa said.

  "I think he's dashing," Elena returned, her eyes misting with tears. "I would love a husband to look upon me as he does you. Anyone who has seen you together knows he adores you so. I'm so thrilled with your choice."

  Tears welled in Holly's eyes, and she sniffed, blinking away the tears. "Thank you, my dearest hearts. I can only hope that he will forgive me for not declaring my hand last evening."

  "He will understand, once you explain," Alessa said, turning Holly toward the corridor she needed to walk down to make her way downstairs and to the carriage. "Now go. We look forward to your return."

  Holly started down the passage, increasing her pace until she was running. Not very queeny, but then, what was that when there was a husband to catch before the evening tide? One must run when running is required. She would make that rule law as well if she had to.

  Drew stood at the ship's bow, staring out over the vast ocean they would soon be sailing on. He did not want to leave, remove himself from Holly. The severing that tore his soul in two threatened to keelhaul him.

  He adored her, but he had asked for her hand, and she had said no. In fact, she had said nothing at all, which he wasn't sure was worse.

  A commotion behind him sounded, and he turned. A shining black carriage with the royal standard flag waved on its roof—a bevy of armed men standing guard both in front, behind, and at the side of the carriage. A woman descended the steps, her golden gown, a crown atop her head, made his breath hitch.

  Holly. Queen of Atharia.

  He did not move, scared that if he did, it might shift some fantasy he was seeing before him and dissipate into the salty sea breeze.

  She strolled along the docks toward him, taking the time to talk to the people who gathered to meet her. Her smile warmed his heart, her care of these people as genuine as ever he'd known her to be.

  Her guards did not try to stop her from speaking to her people, and already he could see the type of queen she would be. Present and calm, a kind and caring queen that all countries needed.

  Her gaze lifted toward his ship, and over the many people separating them, and he knew she had spotted him. Saying something quickly to her people, she moved on, her determination not to be delayed evident with each step. And before he could gain his wits, she was before him, looking up at him with what he hoped was optimism in her green eyes.

  "Lord Balhannah," she said, and nothing else.

  He cleared his throat of the lump that had formed there. "Your Majesty," he replied. His eyes devoured every morsel of her. She looked stunningly beautiful, young, and strong. He was in awe of her, and he swallowed again, fearful that he would break down and beg her to not let him go. He could only dream of such a thing.

  "I have come here today, as the Queen of Atharia to ask you, now that I'm at liberty to do so, for you to be my husband, my lover, my best friend, and king consort, if you will have me."

  Drew stilled at her question, unable to comprehend for a moment what she was asking. Had she really just asked him to marry her? Hope eviscerated the despair of only minutes before, and he pulled her against him, holding her so tight that he doubted even her guards could come between them right at that moment.

  "Do you mean it?" he gasped against her neck. "Truly, do you wish for me to be your husband, Holly?"

  She pulled back a little, meeting his eyes. "I do. I could not say yes yesterday, no matter how much I had wanted to. But today, as queen, I may choose whomever I want, and no one can naysay me. You are my equal, in all ways that matter. I love you. I think I may have loved you the moment you shoved me down in that sandy hole and saved my life."

  He laughed even though his vision of Holly was decidedly blurry. "Yes, my darling, beautiful, kind friend. I shall marry you, support you, be there for you and your people. I adore you, my love, and I love you. I think I may have loved you from the moment you slapped my face on the beach to ensure my survival."

  Holly laughed, wrapping her arms about his neck, kissing him before all who were behind them. Cheers reigned loud on the dock, people hollered with laughter and cries of congratulations. Drew deepened the kiss, forgoing protocol and etiquette for the moment and simply enjoyed having her in his arms. He would marry her, and they would love each other until the end of days.

  He would be her king consort and anything else she demanded. He was hers to rule, both in love and country.

  Epilogue

  Three months later, Sotherton, England

  Holly stood beside Drew in the Sotherton library, the Duke of Sotherton staring at them as if they had both lost their minds. "You're the Queen of Atharia all this time? My son," the duke said, pointing toward Drew with an accusatory finger, "helped you escape an attack from your uncle, and then you married him?"

  Drew chuckled, and Holly smiled at the older gentleman's incapacity to accept what they had just told him. They had not written, preferring to travel back to England and tell His Grace to his face of his only son's marriage, to introduce him to his new daughter-in-law as who she truly was.

  His Grace was beyond pleased the first time they feigned marriage, but to hear the full truth seemed to have shocked him to a disturbing gray color that did not look healthy.

  "Your Grace," Holly said, going around the desk, clasping his hand. "I know this is a shock. We have lied to you, yes, but it was only ever for your own safety. I love your son, and he loves me, but his being my husband will mean that the majority of his time will be abroad. I hope you're not disappointed."

  His Grace stared up at her, blinking. "While I shall miss our verbal bouts, my boy, I am happy for you." The duke stood, going around the desk and wrapping his son in his arms. Drew smiled at Holly over his father's shoulder, and her heart rejoiced at the sight.

  "I shall come home as much as I can, and I hope that you, too, will come to visit me. We promise to look after you, Father."

  The older man pulled back, tears welling in his aged eyes. "I would cherish to visit with you and in time, my grandchildren."

  Holly grinned, rubbing a hand over her stomach that was not the least bit bulged, but in any case, carried the little bundle of love that she and Drew had made. "That is what else we wished to tell you, Your Grace. You're going to be a grandfather, so I suppose you shall have to come to visit in about six months."

  The duke stumbled back, and Drew reached for him, steadying his feet. "You're enceinte?"

  "We are, Father," Drew said, pride filling his handsome visage. Butterflies took flight in Holly's stomach, and she marveled at the thought that he made her breath
catch still. She hoped that it would never change and forever be perfect, and just as it was now.

  "I do not know what to say," the duke hollered, clasping his son and lifting him off the ground, before hugging Holly in a more orderly fashion. "I'm going to be a grandfather. Oh, I do so hope it will be a boy, two boys, in fact, one who will take over Atharia and one who may take over the dukedom here, if the elder child agrees. How wonderful," the duke sighed, wiping his eyes with the handkerchief he fumbled out of his pocket.

  "I'm sure we shall work something out that is suitable for all our children, Father."

  Holly joined Drew, wrapping her arm about his waist. "There is one more thing we would ask you, Your Grace?" Holly said, glancing up at her husband, who stared down at her with the most adorable, pleasing look.

  "Of course, anything at all," the duke said, sitting back down at his desk and smiling up at them.

  "We ask if you would be willing to sponsor my sister to a Season in London next year. She had been kept a prisoner by my uncle in Atharia, and I wish for her to enjoy herself a little before she settles and marries like I have. My youngest sister is not yet old enough to travel abroad, but Princess Alessa is. Perhaps Drew's Aunt Rosemary may suit as a chaperone. She will have guards, all who are trained not to cause a stir, but I feel I owe it to her. Alessa has the kindest soul, she will not be a bother, I promise you."

  The duke stared at them both a moment before he stood. "It would be an honor to have Princess Alessa stay as my guest. Aunt Rosemary will be more than accommodating, and I shall have her move into the ducal London home for the Season's duration. We shall have a jolly good time, and I'm sure the princess will return home a very enlightened lady."

  Not too enlightened, Holly hoped, but it was what was best for Alessa. She had been down a little of late. She needed laughter and gaiety in her life, and London could give her that before she married. Perhaps even she too would find herself an Englishman to love.

  "It is settled then. You are for London next Season. Alessa will return with you to England after you come to visit for the birth of our child," Holly said, pleased with the turn of today's events.

  "That is a royal proposition that I cannot refuse," the duke declared, standing once more. "This calls for a toast. I shall ring for champagne."

  The duke rang for a servant and Drew turned to her, wrapping his arms about her back, pulling her close. "You're a good sister and wonderful wife. How is it that I've been fortunate to win your love?"

  Holly wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him and not caring they had an audience. "Because I love you just as much, and because of one other small detail."

  Drew frowned down at her, confused. "Oh, really, and what was that?"

  Holly played with Drew's hair at the back of his nape, knowing how much he enjoyed her touch there. "Because I asked you to marry me and you said yes."

  "Ahhh, yes, of course." He pulled her close, rocking her in his arms. "I do believe I asked you first, however, so it would seem that I am the victor in that bout."

  "Perhaps." She shrugged. "But I think that in this marriage we are both the winners in the end. I'm truly blessed, I know that I was born into greatness, but I now know what it is like to truly love and be happy. I adore you so much, Drew. Promise me that we'll always be there for each other, no matter what occurs."

  He kissed her soundly. "Always, my love and forever, my queen."

  Thank you for taking the time to read To Dream of You! I hope you enjoyed the first book in my new, The Royal House of Atharia series.

  I adore my readers, and I’m so thankful for your support. If you're able, I would appreciate an honest review of To Dream of You. As they say, feed an author, leave a review!

  If you'd like to continue with, The Royal House of Atharia series, A Royal Proposition will be available in 2021. You can pre-order your copy here.

  A Royal Proposition

  The Royal House of Atharia, Book 2

  Coming 2021 - Pre-order your copy here!

  Lords of London series available now!

  Dive into these charming historical romances! In this six-book series, Darcy seduces a virginal duke, Cecilia's world collides with a roguish marquess, Katherine strikes a deal with an unlucky earl and Lizzy sets out to conquer a very wicked Viscount. These stories plus more adventures in the Lords of London series! Available now through Amazon or read free with KindleUnlimited.

  Kiss the Wallflower series available now!

  If the roguish Lords of London are not for you and wallflowers are more your cup of tea, this is the series for you. My Kiss the Wallflower series, are linked through friendship and family in this four-book series. You can grab a copy on Amazon or read free through KindleUnlimited.

  Also by Tamara Gill

  Royal House of Atharia Series

  TO DREAM OF YOU

  A ROYAL PROPOSITION

  FOREVER MY PRINCESS

  League of Unweddable Gentlemen Series

  TEMPT ME, YOUR GRACE

  HELLION AT HEART

  DARE TO BE SCANDALOUS

  TO BE WICKED WITH YOU

  KISS ME DUKE

  THE MARQUESS IS MINE

  Kiss the Wallflower series

  A MIDSUMMER KISS

  A KISS AT MISTLETOE

  A KISS IN SPRING

  TO FALL FOR A KISS

  A DUKE’S WILD KISS

  TO KISS A HIGHLAND ROSE

  KISS THE WALLFLOWER - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE

  Lords of London Series

  TO BEDEVIL A DUKE

  TO MADDEN A MARQUESS

  TO TEMPT AN EARL

  TO VEX A VISCOUNT

  TO DARE A DUCHESS

  TO MARRY A MARCHIONESS

  LORDS OF LONDON - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE

  LORDS OF LONDON - BOOKS 4-6 BUNDLE

  To Marry a Rogue Series

  ONLY AN EARL WILL DO

  ONLY A DUKE WILL DO

  ONLY A VISCOUNT WILL DO

  ONLY A MARQUESS WILL DO

  ONLY A LADY WILL DO

  A Time Traveler’s Highland Love Series

  TO CONQUER A SCOT

  TO SAVE A SAVAGE SCOT

  TO WIN A HIGHLAND SCOT

  Time Travel Romance

  DEFIANT SURRENDER

  A STOLEN SEASON

  Scandalous London Series

  A GENTLEMAN’S PROMISE

  A CAPTAIN’S ORDER

  A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR

  SCANDALOUS LONDON - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE

  High Seas & High Stakes Series

  HIS LADY SMUGGLER

  HER GENTLEMAN PIRATE

  HIGH SEAS & HIGH STAKES - BOOKS 1-2 BUNDLE

  Daughters Of The Gods Series

  BANISHED-GUARDIAN-FALLEN

  DAUGHTERS OF THE GODS - BOOKS 1-3 BUNDLE

  Stand Alone Books

  TO SIN WITH SCANDAL

  OUTLAWS

  About the Author

  Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.

  A mother of three, her two little gentlemen in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and time travel.

  www.tamaragill.com

  tamaragillauthor@gmail.com

 

 

 
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