To Dream of You: The Royal House of Atharia, Book 1 Read online

  With her gown already ruined and well past stained, Holly sat, promising once again that her uncle would pay for her current conditions. "What do you suggest?" she asked.

  "You should return to Sotherton with me, to my family estate, regroup from there, hire new men if need be, and travel to Atharia when the time comes. My estate has a deep harbor, we can have ships port there. Not to mention no one knows of my being at Lord Bainbridge's estate and nor will they if you write to him about what happened there. I can have the letter posted from London to throw off any spies who may be watching the mail to his lordship."

  Holly bit her lip, thinking over his idea. It certainly appeared sound enough, and at this time, she really had no other option but to do as he suggested. Her men were lost to her at present. Who knows how many survived or had been captured? Niccolo was missing, and even though she hoped that he would meet her here as they had planned should something terrible befall them, something told her he would not. If he had died, all that she could pray for was that it was fast, and he had not suffered.

  Her guards were like family to her, older brothers whom she knew as well as her own sisters. To think of them slaughtered in cold blood, for no reason other than an old man's greed, left a hollow void in her chest.

  "Very well, I shall come with you to Sotherton, but what will you tell your father? Will he not be scandalized that you've brought a woman home with you?"

  Drew swallowed, a pensive look on his face. "He will be surprised, but that is the next thing that I wished to speak to you about. Are you open to the idea of us being married? Not in truth," he quickly added when she blanched, "but just for the time that you're living at Sotherton? My father will be nothing but pleased should I return home with a wife, and we can make up some title and family history for you. Maybe an Italian heiress recently returned to enjoy the London Season."

  Holly mused over the idea. It could work, but what would be the terms of this falsified marriage? "Will we have separate rooms, my lord, or am I expected to share your bed for the sake of your father's morals?"

  A light blush stole across Drew's cheeks, and she bit back a grin. "You shall have a separate suite of rooms, Your Highness. I would not expect anything from you, of course. We may, however, need to hold hands at some point in time, or at least appear besotted with each other."

  Holly chuckled. It would be no hardship feigning a likeness for this man. What a diversion he had become in the two short days she had known him. All she could hope was that he not only diverted her from her problems, but helped her solve them as well. Enabled her to return home and take the crown that is rightfully hers.

  "You know that I cannot stay forever. At some point, you will need to tell your father that we must leave for Atharia. Of course, I shall not return with you. How will you explain it to your sire then?"

  "I will tell him the truth at that point. You will have the crown and your country back by then, and there will be no more reason for secrecy."

  "I only have weeks left before the crown becomes legally mine to take. I cannot delay returning to Atharia, my lord, not just because of my uncle's dividing and cruel rule but also because my two sisters are under his care. I fear for their safety. I am unmarried and without a child. Should I die, he would have no qualms killing the two people next in line."

  "Why do you think he has not done so already?" Drew asked.

  Holly hoped he had not. The thought of Alessa and Elena cold in the ground sent a chill down her spine, her heart to stop. "I do not know that he has not hurt them. I have little doubt they are under lock and key, but I think he would be a fool to hurt them. He needs them at the moment to show the people that although the country is under his rule, his brother's children are safe. I'm in England, miles from my people's eyes, he does not care what happens to me here. Should I fall on his sword, he can merely announce that I have died of some disease or tragic accident while abroad."

  The concern on Drew's face reminded her that her situation was precarious and not without danger. She was a strong woman, an intelligent willful one, but going up against her uncle and his army would not be an easy feat. Some days, days like today, where she had to huddle in a shepherd's hut, made her question whether she'd be able to accomplish her goal.

  She should never have left Atharia, as her uncle suggested. Had she known he would do as he had, she would never have left her homeland and allowed the country to fall into his corrupt hands.

  "I will go down and fetch more water and look for some firewood and then return. If you're comfortable, see what you can make of the bedding situation before we lose sunlight."

  "I can do that, my lord. If you see anyone, do not try to confront them. My uncle's men, my men, are ruthless killers when the need arises. No amount of Gentleman Jackson boxing lessons will save you against them."

  "I have my gun, but I promise I shall not be long or do anything foolish."

  Holly watched Drew leave, going over to the bucket and taking a sip using her hands. An action that she'd never had to do before in her life. It was degrading for a princess.

  Going to the door, she watched as Drew disappeared over the ridge of the hill. Needing to relieve herself, she stepped outside, going around the opposite side of the hut. Holly hoisted up her skirts as best she could and, squatted. She looked about, hoping against hope that no one came into view and saw her. That the future queen of Atharia was crouching in the soil outside a dilapidated cottage like some animal, made her eyes smart with tears.

  She bit her lip hard, stemming her upset. She would not cry. She was stronger than that, and she needed to remain so to win this battle against her uncle. A footman had died on her watch, an innocent servant. Others, no doubt, were traumatized by the event. Their lives would not be in vain just because she did not have the backbone to fight her uncle.

  Finishing her business, she stood and walked back inside, staring at the bed that looked like it hadn't been used for fifty years. The bedding was ripped and dirty. Animals had slept on it, and droppings littered the rotten mattress. They would not be able to use it, but perhaps it could be set up against the window at one end of the cottage to stop any light escaping from the building.

  She collected the linens, ripping them up into smaller pieces, and placing them where the fire would be laid in the room's center. If they could not find any small wood for kindling, at least this linen could be used.

  Holly busied herself as much as she could while waiting for Drew. She picked up rubbish to burn, hung an old blanket stained with something she did not wish to contemplate over the window that the kitchen sat before. Hopefully, this would help in stopping the drafts. As it was, again tonight, they would have to sleep close together. It would be the only way in which to stay warm.

  The idea of lying against Drew's chest was not an unwelcome thought. He was strong, tall, handsome as sin, and kind. She just hoped beyond hope that he had not led her uncle to her. Holly dismissed the unhelpful thought. He could not do such a thing. Her mind was running away with her again, making her see ghosts and threats where there were none.

  Footsteps sounded outside, and she glanced up just as Drew stepped back into the hut, a load of wood in his arms. "This will hopefully see us through the night, but I would not recommend we stay here a second. With no food and little shelter, we would be best to push on to Sotherton."

  "If Niccolo was to join me here, I should think he would've done so already. That he is not here, I do not think he survived." The thought of her most trusted guard lying dead somewhere on Lord Bainbridge's property made her want to cast up her accounts. He did not deserve such a death. He was supposed to live, to help her make her uncle pay.

  "Have you thought about the guise of playing my wife?"

  "I have," she said, leaning down to help him build up the fire, placing some of the ripped bedding around the wood. "I think it is a sound idea. We shall tell your father that we married in secret several months ago. You've not been away from home long enou
gh to have traveled to Gretna and back to have a new wife, or procured a special license. If we have separate rooms and you do not try anything beyond what you stated, I am in agreement."

  He chuckled, meeting her gaze across the unlit fire. "I promise not to attempt to kiss you, Your Highness, no matter how tempting. Your reputation is safe with me."

  Holly cleared her throat at the mention of kissing. "Yes, well, let us hope it is. Secondly," she continued, "with no one knowing you were at the estate, I think it shall be safe to use Holly as my given name, but we need to create a surname. Perhaps I could be an heiress you met in London last Season. Our backstory must be solid to halt your father from thinking we're lying."

  "Maybe a distant cousin to Lady Mary, Lord Bainbridge's daughter? You were staying at her estate, after all. It would make sense to stay as similar to your circumstances as possible."

  "That is true," she mused, staring down at the makings of their fire and not missing the fact that the air had turned sharp or that the light had dimmed in the cottage. "I will not be circulating in society at your father's estate in any case. We shall use the name Devereux as I did previously. However, we will need to come up with a ruse as to why your father cannot tell anyone of our whereabouts. Perhaps we can say we wish for privacy for several weeks, to enjoy our marriage alone without the gossiping ton talking about us."

  "We can do that, of course," he said. Drew stood and went about the room, looking around the fireplace that had unfortunately caved in and was unusable. He searched in a couple of old tins atop the mantel. "Ah-ha, there is still some tinder and flint here. Now we shall have a fire."

  Coming back to kneel beside her, he flicked the steel striker against the flint, and the tinder caught, along with the wood Holly had wrapped with old bedding.

  Heat met her skin, a little comfort in their miserable surroundings. The night would be long, but at least they would be warm.

  "Before I close the door, do you wish to use the retiring room, Your Highness?"

  Holly chuckled, shaking her head at his attempt to lighten the mood. "You mean the ground outside? No, thank you. I'll be fine for the night."

  Drew closed the door. Thankfully with the roof missing some of its wooden slats, the smoke drifted up and out of their eyes. "Thank you for looking after me, my lord. I know I am asking a great deal of you."

  "You saved my life. I am merely doing what is right and what anyone would do in the same situation. You do not need to thank me." He sat fully on the ground, leaning up against one of the wooden walls. The dust settled on his coat. His shirt, too, was stained from the day's activities. Holly looked down at her gown that bore the mark of a day on horseback and the previous night in a hole.

  Her mind wandered to the servants of Lord Bainbridge's home, and her heart ached for their suffering. How would she ever face his lordship again after bringing such horror to his doors?

  "Tell me about your home. Your sisters," Drew said.

  Holly met his gaze over the firelight. They were as warm as the heat from the flames, kind and giving. Here, in this hobble of a house, far away from the opulent life she was used to, she did not feel unsafe. In fact, with Drew, she felt more relaxed than ever before, even with her uncle's men pursuing her at every turn.

  Something about the man told her he would fight to save her life. That when he declared he would look after her, he meant it.

  "They are younger, as beautiful inside as they are out. There is only a year between each of us, so we are very close. They mean everything to me, and I long to see their faces again. I would have already been home had my life not been threatened in London."

  "Are they married or betrothed?"

  "No, our marriages must be one of state. Of royal blood. It is what has always been done, but I know my sisters do not like this family tradition." She smiled, remembering all the arguments they had over the right to choose their own husbands. "They wish for marriages of love. When I am queen, I shall give them that choice, even if it is not a possibility for myself."

  "Why not you? As queen, surely no one would naysay you?"

  She shrugged, playing with a little twig that sat before her crossed legs. "There are anticipated expectations on my shoulders. I cannot disappoint my people, not after leaving them for the past few months under the care of my uncle, who has failed miserably."

  Drew stared at her for a moment. Holly could see he was mulling over her words. A look of disappointment crossed his features, and she wondered at it. Why would a marquess from England be concerned with her future marital status? Was the lord a romantic at heart? Or, perhaps, he was judgemental over her decree to marry a man of royal blood. He wasn't so far beneath her in status, he was a lord and future duke after all, even so, a man of his caliber wasn't good enough for a crown princess. Unfortunate as that was.

  Tiredness swamped her, and she yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. "Would you mind if I slept next to you again, my lord? I'm feeling very fatigued and would like to sleep."

  "Of course." He stood, coming over to her and sitting beside her on the dirty, dusty floor. Without asking, he pulled her into his side, leaning back against the wall of the hut. His hand idly rubbed along her arm, sending goosebumps to rise on her skin. For a time, Holly stared at the flames licking the wood in the fire. She would never forget her time here with his lordship. Maybe even in her dotage, she'd tell her grandchildren of the time she had to flee for her life and was rescued by a peer of England's realm.

  Her eyes grew heavy, her ability to think at all waning. "Will we reach your father's estate by tomorrow evening, do you think?"

  "I think so." Holly placed her head on his chest, his voice, deep and gravelly with his own exhaustion, rumbled against her ear. She had to admit that his voice was really quite disturbing in all the improper ways. Reminded her of a few times back in London when the gentlemen thought to try their wiles on her. Not that Drew was doing any such thing, but in his case, his muffled voice relaxed and soothed her soul. Made her forget her troubles and simply revel in the sound.

  "Dream of a long, hot bath and clean sheets, Your Highness. I will push our mount tomorrow to ensure we arrive at Sotherton. I will not allow you to sleep so rough again."

  "It is not so very bad," she lied, adjusting herself when a pebble dared to poke her though her gown and injure her hip. "But I will be glad to be at least safer than we are now." Holly looked up at Drew, meeting his hooded gaze. "I do not wish to bring trouble to your family doors either, my lord. I do not think that my heart could stand another such event."

  "It will not. No one will know you're there. Now sleep," he ordered, his fingers pushing a lock of hair from her brow. The scene was intimate, more so than she'd ever experienced in her life, and she quickly lay back onto his chest, needing to cease gazing into his stormy blue eyes. There was no future here, not in England and not in this man's arms. However, there was room for them to be friends, which she was certain they were fast becoming.

  Anything more than that was impossible. She was the future queen of Atharia. That was her first and only love and her only goal.

  Chapter 8

  As promised, Drew pushed their mount hard the following day north, only stopping to rest twice and water the horse and to allow Holly to relieve herself. Unfortunately, while taking care of business beside a large oak, Holly had smelled the unfortunate odor that had started to permeate from her skin.

  The knowledge both horrified and humbled her. When she returned home to Atharia and had the power in her hands, she would do more for the poor. For those who lived in squaller and struggled with everyday necessities. Living off the land, not having the basic needs for life, water, food, hygiene, and adequate clothing for the climate was not a struggle she would allow her people to face alone.

  Drew pulled the horse to a stop atop a hill that overlooked both the vast ocean and his home, Sotherton. The sight made the breath in her lungs catch. It was simply beautiful and perfectly placed. Never before had
she seen a house so happily situated. Even her own palace that overlooked the Mediterranean sea was a little off the coast. This house appeared to be perched nearer to the water's edge, an extensive garden and parkland making it a private oasis.

  "It's beautiful," she said, unable to tear her eyes from the sight of it. Sandstone walls and a gray-tiled roof glittered in the afternoon sun. The land was green and lush, the ocean calm and a perfect blue that would tease the sky itself.

  Drew glanced over his shoulder, pride filling his eyes. "I do love it here, and I want you to feel safe and welcome. Father will understand once he hears we're married. You will not be harmed while at Sotherton."

  "Thank you," she said, squeezing him a little about the waist.

  He kicked the mount, and they started down the hill, a leisurely pace now, allowing the horse to gain its breath and rest a little. "I will show you about when we've rested a couple of days. I know you must be exhausted."

  "Thank you, that is very kind. I will also need some letters sent as soon as possible to Lord Bainbridge and my contact in London, letting them know of the events that have taken place. My contact will join me here and regroup."

  "Can he be trusted?" Drew asked her.

  "Of course," Holly said without question. Marco was Niccolo's brother, and he would search for her missing guards and ensure she was well prepared for her journey back to Atharia in a matter of weeks. All she could pray was that Niccolo would be found and returned to her. He wanted her uncle removed from the throne as much as she did. After being under his command before being sent with her to England, Niccolo understood her uncle's cruelty better than most.

  They rode down to the estate, and Drew pointed out a few features that piqued Holly's interest. The beach was a place she found soothing and good for the soul to think things through and relax. She looked forward to visiting Drew's.

  She observed ancient oaks that were planted by his several-times-removed grandfather, The estate, which had been built beside an old Roman fort and still had remnants standing today. The manicured, fragrant, and simply stunning gardens that his mother had planted during her time here.