Forever My Princess: The Royal House of Atharia, Book 3 Read online

  * * *

  Theo kicked the wheel of the carriage the following morning and swore. Several sprigs of the wheel were cracked. One had almost entirely broken in half.

  "I do not understand how this happened. The carriage was in perfect working condition only a few days ago. How can it be that the wheel is so shot?" Theo took a calming breath, moving his attention to his lands to calm his temper, the frost burning as the morning sun moved across the grounds, making swirling mist over the fields as it rose.

  This was only a small setback. In a few days, he would be able to commence his journey to London and find his wife before the creditors came and seized his home for unpaid taxes, leaving him with nothing but the title upon his head.

  What would he do should the worst happen? They had a townhouse in London that was thankfully not entailed and had been part of his mother's inheritance. The home had remained in his mother's control, even after marriage. They could go there, he supposed, even if the shame of living in London and having no country estate was better than having nowhere to go at all.

  All thanks to the greedy King George. How he loathed the royal, uppity-thieving bastard.

  "I apologize, my lord. When the wheel dipped into a rut on the drive, it cracked. I suppose we can be thankful that it happened here and not while the horses were in a canter."

  Theo nodded, that was true, and Thomas, the stable hand, made a good point. If the wheel had broken as they were traveling at high speed, the carriage could have tipped, and the horses along with it. He could not afford to lose two of the horse stock he owned, even if they were only carriage horses.

  He ran a hand through his hair. Hell, he missed having a good mount to ride. A horse he could take to town and not have to rent like he always did. The horse he rode at the estate was almost as old as he was, and she would not survive a trip to London.

  "We shall have to take the wheel into the village and have it repaired. There is no other choice. See to it that it's done," Theo said, leaving the offending vehicle and wheel to the stable workers.

  He strode toward the front of the house, supposing that being stuck at his home was not as bad. Better than being stranded on the side of the road, vulnerable to blackguards and highwaymen.

  The sound of feminine laughter, one of them his mama's, which he had not heard in an age, caught his attention, and he glanced out onto the grounds near the estate's front, spying Miss Smith and his mother heading toward the hidden folly in the grounds.

  Of course, like many features at the estate, the circular folly was as rundown and in need of repair as everything else. The new rich wife he would source would fix all that. Make it as grand and as appealing as the garden ornament had once been.

  He stopped at the front of the house, watching as his mama held on to Miss Smith's arm, her animated features telling Theo she was deep in conversation and enjoying herself immensely.

  Relief ran through him that he had made the right choice in the help he hired. It had been so long since she had even stepped outside. He cast a contemplative glance at the house and decided he did not need to go indoors so soon before he found his feet heading in the direction of his mother and Miss Smith.

  Miss Smith...

  What a surprise she was to his home. Not that he was supposed to be here long enough to know her at all, but nevertheless, today, he would not be traveling to town, so why not join his mama and her companion for a stroll? There was nothing wrong with such an activity, and it would do him good. He spent too many hours indoors, hunched over his ledgers that always came to the same amount no matter how many times he added up the figures.

  Nothing.

  It did not take him long to catch up to them, as they strolled at a slower pace due to his mother's health. Although, coming up to them today, he could not help but notice how well she appeared. There was a nice color to her cheeks, and her eyes were bright and alert. More so than he had seen them in a very long time.

  "Good morning, ladies. I do hope you have room for another to join you on your morning walk."

  His mother halted, frowning up at him. "Why are you not on your way to London? I thought you had left this morning?" she asked him, turning to look back at the house as if that would explain his presence before her.

  He turned also, watched a moment as his two footmen carried his trunks back through the front doors. He sighed.

  "The carriage wheel seems to have broken. It will delay my departure a day or so, I believe. I hope you're not too disappointed that I shall be at home for two days at least."

  His mother laughed, taking his arm and letting go of Miss Smith's. "I do not mind at all, my dear. Miss Smith was just telling me how much she appreciates the quiet here in Somerset. I was trying to tell her how the gardens used to be before your father ruined them all."

  Theo ignored his mother's slur against his father. She had long ago blamed him for their debt, but it was not his fault. The king had cheated him in their game of cards and left the family struggling ever since. When a game was not above board or fair, one could not be blamed.

  "The gardens were beautiful once. I remember as a child rows of colored beds, bees, and butterflies everywhere. The lawns on several locations about the estate slope, and I often rolled down them." And one day, he would have his children do the same once he found his rich bride and married her.

  He caught the eye of Miss Smith. Her wistful smile tugged at something inside his chest. He wanted his wife to look so when she gazed over the grounds. When she helped him bring back the estate to what it once was.

  Not that he would not spoil his wife, for he would. He was determined to be loving and give her everything that she desired, including a marchioness coronet.

  "The estate is beautiful, even if it is a little wild and untamed. I could find myself quite happy here, whatever the season," Miss Smith said, continuing with their walk.

  It was a forward statement since she was only to stay here for four weeks, the time he wanted to be away in London. She was so very sure of herself. Not that he knew many companions, but he did not think all of them were so confident and capable of speaking so before a lord of the realm.

  Even so, it pleased him that she appreciated his home, no matter the condition. "I hope your stay is enjoyable, Miss Smith." They came across the stone bridge that crossed the large artificial lake his great-grandfather had dug out by hand. The circular folly was barely visible through the foliage on the hill that it sat upon.

  It did not take them long to come to the base of the old gravel path that led up to the building. His mother stopped, seating herself on a small stone seat that sat under a tree. "I shall sit here and wait for you to return. I cannot walk up to the folly these days, but I can see you most of the way. It will be fine for you to continue," she said, opening up her parasol and making herself comfortable.

  Theo gestured for Miss Smith to precede him, and with a little hesitation, she started up the slight incline. It had been several weeks since he had been here, and the path was starting to be almost unpassable in places from overgrown cherry trees and brambles.

  He would, of course, have his gardener attend to the mess if he had one. He inwardly cringed, wishing that his circumstances were better, even before a lady’s companion such as Miss Smith.

  How very fortunate he was that she was not a lady of influence or society.

  Chapter 5

  Elena started up the hill, the incline not too bad and nothing she had not attempted before. However, the path was littered with weeds and tumbled stones that had fallen from the hillside, making it difficult to keep one's footing secure.

  The vegetation had not had a good pruning for several years in her estimation, and it was not the first time she had seen the dilapidated condition of Lyon Estate.

  There was little doubt in her mind that the sole reason for his lordship to travel to London for a month was to find a wife, and a rich one at that. Such unions were made every day, but it was certainly not the type of
marriage she wanted for herself. It was bad enough fortune hunters saw her as a step to the top of society and nothing more.

  She wanted a marriage of affection and love, like her sisters were fortunate enough to find. It did not matter whether he was a lord or merely a mister, so long as he loved and adored her.

  To marry for wealth and connections appeared a cold thing to do, and she had seen many such unions in the royal court in Atharia, many of them unhappy ones.

  "How are you enjoying your time here in the country? Have you traveled much working as a lady’s companion?"

  Lord Lyon's voice, a little lost of breath, pulled her from her thoughts, and she glanced over her shoulder to answer. "This is the first time I've been out of London, my lord." She was not about to tell him she had traveled extensively on the continent, being who she was, she had visited most countries in Europe, just not the farmland of England.

  But this was her first time in Somerset, so she wasn't too dishonest with her answer. "The estate and grounds are vast and lovely. I hope to take the dowager outside more often if this lovely weather holds."

  "I would never argue with such an opinion on my lands," Lord Lyon said with a small chuckle. "The English weather, however, is likely to change at any moment. I hope it remains fine for your stay with us."

  "So do I." They walked a little farther along until they came to a clearing that overlooked the grounds below. From this vantage point, they could see the dowager, shading her eyes and watching their progress. "If I may be so bold, my lord, I'm hoping you will give me permission to take some of your books from the library to my room to read. I find it difficult to sleep, and reading always helps."

  His lordship cleared his throat, his attention somewhere in the direction of his home that they could see the roofline of peeping through the trees. "Of course, you may make free use of the house and everything in it. There is a music room on the ground floor if you're able to play. I feel I must warn you the piano has not been tuned for some years, but it will play well enough, I'm sure."

  She studied him a moment. He appeared pensive, somewhat disappointed by his words, and she could not help but wonder if he was ashamed of the condition of his home.

  Something had occurred in his lordship’s life that had placed them in such dire financial straits, but what? The late Marquess of Lyon had passed several years ago, but could he have left them with such crippling debt? They had no money. That was obvious, so someone must have been the culprit, the inciting member of the family to bring that situation about.

  His lordship took a deep breath, and Elena regarded his profile. He was a handsome man. Tall, athletic in build, broad shoulders, and chiseled jaw. She had the overwhelming desire to touch his face and see if the shadow that kissed his cheeks was prickly and would tickle her palm.

  What would a kiss from such a man feel like?

  A shiver stole through her, an odd, fluttery sensation she had never felt before, and she frowned. She should not be thinking about his lordship in such a way at all.

  He was soon to London, and she was here to take care of her dearest mama's friend who needed support. His lordship would marry a rich wife and save his family's financial woes.

  You could marry him. You are an heiress too.

  Elena dismissed the thought as soon as she had it. She wasn't ready for marriage yet. She had only just turned nineteen, and no one she had met so far in London had interested her more than sharing pleasantries.

  Lord Lyon may very well be handsome, but she did not know his personality, what his likes and dislikes were. She may not find him at all attractive if she found out he disliked cats or mistreated his horses.

  She bit her lip, knowing she should not imagine anything to do with his lordship. By the time she did return to town, he would be off the marriage mart, so her mulling over him was pointless.

  "Shall we continue?" he asked her.

  “Yes.” Elena turned to carry on just as her foot slipped on a loose rock. She stuck out her hands, bracing for the fall to come when arms wrapped about her waist quicker than she ever thought possible, and she was hauled up against the hardened, muscular chest of Lord Lyon.

  She gasped, his arm embarrassingly close to the base of her breasts. Her heart beat fast, and she closed her eyes briefly. The sensation of a man holding her so close, closer than she had ever been with anyone in her life, sent a delicious tremor to flow through her blood.

  He was everything a gentleman ought to be, helpful when one was going to fall, and so very lovely to lean up against after the fact.

  She cleared her throat. "Thank you, my lord. I think I have my footing once again."

  He eased her out of his hold, ensuring she was indeed secure on her feet. "Do you wish to return or continue? The folly is worth seeing, and the view is even better than this one. But if you are injured, we can start back down."

  "I wish to continue," she admitted, turning back and starting up the hill and hoping he did not notice the warmth burning on her cheeks. She had never been so close to a man before. Not even when her uncle had her locked up in Atharia was she manhandled so.

  The climb to the folly took several more minutes, a particular spot where brambles covered the path difficult before a grassy verge opened up around the folly. They climbed the stairs to walk about its circular edge, giving them a magnificent view of the estate.

  Lord Lyon stopped, and Elena joined him, taking in the view. "Beautiful," she declared. It was one of the prettiest vistas she had ever seen in her life. And that was saying much since she adored Atharia and knew to her very soul that nothing would surpass the beauty of her homeland.

  Somerset, however, was coming in a very close second. The estate from this height was clear to see in the valley below—the home’s windows reflecting in the morning sun. The layout of the grounds was easier to make out from here too, and Elena could see the design, the rectangular and circular beds that were once filled with flowers and small hedges.

  How pretty it must have been, and how terrible for his lordship and his mama not to have a pretty garden to enjoy.

  "Thank you. I'm pleased that you found the climb worth your time, Miss Smith."

  "I will have to come here again, I think. I would like to sketch the house from this view if you're willing to allow me. I shall gift it to your mama since she is no longer able to make it up to the folly."

  Lord Lyon met her eye, and something in his dark-blue orbs made her curious. What was he thinking? Did he like her suggestion? Did it please him?

  She hoped that her gesture would please, but as to why she could not say. Only that she felt for this family, their circumstances, had her uncle succeeded in becoming King of Atharia, a similar fate could have been hers and her sisters’.

  They would not have had a home and would have relied on the charity and support of other royal households around Europe and England.

  "That is very kind of you, Miss Smith. My mother would adore such a gift." He paused, shifting on his feet. "You seem to get along well with my mother. When you first met, I did not think you would last more than a day."

  Elena had wondered that too, but the dowager, knowing who she was, the bond with her mother, had helped to smooth over a new friendship. Not that she could tell his lordship such truths, for he would ship her back off to London faster than she could pack her trunk.

  "The dowager is a wonderful lady, and I knew that once she came to know me, we would get along well. I like nothing more than helping people and no matter how long your time in London takes you, my lord, know that I shall do all that I can to make my time here in Somerset most enjoyable for the dowager."

  His lordship smiled, and Elena fought to school her features. The man was too handsome, too kind and sweet and available when she was determined not to be.

  She swallowed, realization striking her hard that he was unlike anyone she had met so far in England. A little niggle of annoyance settled on her shoulders that she had left London and would not be t
here to get to know him better as equals. Had she met him in her true identity, maybe he could have been a gentleman worth getting to know better.

  Here in Somerset, he thought her a lady’s companion, no more than a glorified servant really. He would never look at her as a possible wife. Certainly not when he needed funds for his estate, and he would assume she had no dowry.

  If only he knew she had a great deal more than just a dowry.

  "Thank you. That is a great comfort to me. My mother has not had it easy since my father passed." He sighed, running a hand through his hair and making her mouth dry. "No one here has in truth. Times are difficult, which is why it's imperative that I return to town and soon."

  Without thinking, Elena reached out and squeezed his lordship's arm in comfort. His eyes widened in shock, and she ripped her hand back. What was she doing? She could not touch him. Not as Miss Smith in any case. She would be lucky if she remained in her position at all, being so tactile. "I do apologize, my lord. I only meant to offer you support. I understand your need to return to town, and I wish you all the very best with your endeavors."

  He did not say anything, merely nodded and looked back out over the estate, a muscle working hard in his jaw.

  Elena scuttled past him, wanting to return to the dowager and quickly before she did anything else inappropriate with his lordship.

  What had addled her mind that she thought to touch him? Such actions were not acceptable. Silly, naïve chit. He would think she was trying her wiles on him, which she was not.

  Her royal upbringing meant she always showed comfort and support when others needed it, no matter their station.

  She had to remember she could not do that here, not with Lord Lyon, who did not know the truth of her situation like the dowager did.