by Gill, Tamara
"Nothing will happen to you, for you'll be locked in your cabin. I shall be out here with the men, protecting you." He did not even want to think about Holly being cut down, slaughtered by madmen. To lose her would send him into a spiral of retribution, and he would not rest until all of those who did her harm paid for it with their lives.
"There will be one among the Medici guards who know me. I must be visible so we can all remain safe and be allowed us to pass." She reached out, clasping his arm. "All will be well, Drew. Do not worry so." She grinned and pushed past him, heading toward her cabin.
Drew let her go, watching as they came nearer to the docks, the armed men and their scowling, vacant, emotionless eyes less than welcoming.
Their ship drew up against the dock, and thankfully, the guards ashore allowed their crew to tie the boat secure.
Holly stepped into view, and the men, their faces hard and unforgiving, changed as quick as the wind. Shock registered on their visages before they knelt in unison, placing their swords against their chest. One man stood, bowing his head as he spoke. "Your Highness, forgive our cold welcome. We did not know who you were."
Holly took Drew's hand as he helped her step onto the dock, Niccolo and Marco close on her heels. Drew placed his hand on the sword he was given for use in an “in case the worst happened” moment, and he was not shy of using it.
"No offense taken, General. Please take me to Alessandro if you will."
"Of course, Your Highness," the general said, leading them past the armed men who remained bowed in respect. Uneasiness slid up Drew's back at the reverence with which they treated Holly. They respected and cared for this woman as much as they did their country.
To see such deference was humbling and not a little unnerving.
He'd grown so very close to Holly over the past weeks that he'd forgotten at times who she was. To him, he'd treated her as a woman of independent thought and capabilities, of charm and someone who made him laugh more than he ever had in his life. She was a breath of fresh air, and he was reluctant to lose her. Holly was a woman to him, his lover, but not a future queen, or crown princess.
Seeing her here and now, the way the people looked to her for strength told him more than anything that their time was coming to an end.
She had responsibilities here that were insurmountable and well beyond his schooling. All her life Holly would have been trained, taught and schooled into being a leader, a queen. He'd been schooled, yes, but after Cambridge, he'd spent his time in London, multiple follies and affairs with women, biding his time until he was forced into a loveless marriage.
That he would find a woman who would actually persuade him into the commitment wasn't something he'd bargained for. Having Holly taken away from him because he wasn't of royal blood made his stomach churn.
They entered the white stone villa surrounded by a large stone wall to stop anyone not invited to gain entrance. The house was a grand representation of wealth and Roman architecture. Windows glistened that overlooked the Mediterranean sea. A warm breeze floated through the house, and a group of servants stood beside the front door, lined up in welcome.
A woman rushed down the central staircase, her long, golden locks bouncing down her back and shoulders. She cried Holly's name, and before anyone could stop her, Holly had darted forward, wrapping her arms about the woman, holding her tight.
Drew stood back, watching as Holly gushed over the lady she called Alessa in her arms. They were similar in height and form and together made a striking pair. Drew could only wonder if the third sister Elena was with them and looked just as remarkable. The three princesses would be the envy of anyone.
A tall, older gentleman with graying hair joined their party and bowed. "Your Highness, welcome to the Medici estate. You and your party are most welcome here. Come inside, and we shall have refreshments and discuss your situation further."
"Thank you, Signore Medici. That is very kind of you." Holly took her sister's arm, letting her sibling lead them toward the stairs.
The house was laid out much like a Roman home, tiled floors, large, open spaces, water features, and murals on the walls. They headed upstairs and into a large room that overlooked the ocean, the windows open, the sheer, almost transparent curtains billowing into the room.
Drew kept to the rear of the group, not wishing to impose on the conversation or what Holly had to discuss with Signore Medici. This was her land, her people, and she would know best how to go forward, although a little part of him wished she would reach for him and ask him for guidance. He may not know exactly what to do, but he could try.
As the conversations started, Niccolo and Marco sat on either side of Holly and Alessa, two solid masses of muscle and protection, immovable and strong. In all the time he'd known Holly, this was the first that Drew felt like an outsider and irrelevant. He swallowed, steeling himself to feel such for some weeks yet to come.
Holly listened as Signore Medici spoke of how he was at court, and it was then he noticed that Alessa and Elena were being denied their rightful place during entertainments and dinners. "He was keeping them locked up, separate from the people who attended to see them. Of course, I did not know this at the time. It was revealed later when my son overheard two servant girls talking of the princesses being held in their room and refused any requests they may have."
Anger thrummed through Holly's veins at the gall of her uncle to treat her siblings so. The future Queen of Atharia's sisters did not have their place, their position at court denied them by a second son who was never going to be king.
How dare he.
"And Elena is still at the palace. How did you become separated?"
"That was Elena's idea, Holly," Alessa said. "She wanted me to get word to you somehow, to our friends. I bribed a footman and was able to sneak over to the guest wing of the palace. I spoke with Soren Medici, and he notified his father of our plight. We left that evening under cover of darkness. Elena knew that should the opportunity arise, I would leave. She is safe from all accounts but still denied the ability to leave her quarters. Uncle must be stopped, Holly. The way he treats our servants and his disdain and loathing he does not disguise when talking to the people sicken me."
"I understand," Holly said, her mind whirling with plans and how to enact them. "The royal house of Atharia is still in court. There are many families in the palace. We need to return to the city, arrive with a full procession, let the people know that I have returned, let them see you and I enter the palace. In front of the peerage and royal family, Uncle would not dare deny us. But if he does, we'll know how to act."
"What will you do if he denounces you?" Niccolo asked, a deep furrow of concern etched on his brow.
"Show my hand," she answered without caution. "I will strike at anyone who dares to hurt my family or me." Holly looked over her two guards, her sister and Signore Medici, who stood listening with a bevy of his own armed men. "It will not only be Alessa who arrives and me but an army of men. Many men loyal to me and my father's bloodline, the rightful heirs to the crown. You all shall be standing behind me, noble families all. We need the numbers to outman my uncle and the few cronies who follow him. The palace has over two hundred and fifty guards. We need more than that. Let Uncle see our strength and let him do as he will. I will not allow him to best me or take away what is mine by birthright."
"With that, I hope Signore Medici, Soren, and myself have been helpful to you, Holly," Alessa said, taking her hand. "We have been gathering men, seeking help to overthrow Uncle. We have close to a thousand men who are willing to fight in your name and Atharia."
The news sent relief to spiral through her. Her sister could not have given better word. "Let us hope we do not need to have a physical war with Uncle, but at least we will be ready should he not step aside peacefully." Her uncle was not a kind man. Fighting him meant she would make a lot of enemies. Even so, it was worth the risk.
Holly glanced over her shoulder, seeking out Drew. She had not
seen him much during the conversations, but she would welcome his input and support. Not seeing him, she turned back to the conversation.
"Uncle may strike out and harm Elena. We cannot allow that to happen. He must not know of our coming to court. With us there, he wouldn't dare hurt her." Alessa squeezed her hand before meeting Soren Medici's eye. Something passed between the two of them. A flicker only, no words spoken, but the younger Medici seemed to understand her sister's bidding and clapped his father's shoulder. "Come, Father, everyone, we shall return to the library downstairs and discuss matters further. Give Her Royal Highness and Princess Alessa some privacy."
Signore Medici's eyes went wide but seemingly understood the sisters needed solitude. "Of course, yes. We shall leave you now. Join us downstairs at your leisure."
The men slowly made their way out of the room. Holly watched them go, looking for Drew again and unable to locate him. She sat beside Alessa, happy to be back in Atharia and with her sibling once again. She would find Drew soon and see where he disappeared to.
"I'm so very glad that you're home, Holly. I have missed you dreadfully, and now with Elena in trouble, I was starting to think that I too would have to flee Atharia to remain safe."
"Nowhere is safe. Uncle tried to rid me of this world in London. It was how I ended up at a country estate with Lord Balhannah."
"Where you met your handsome Englishman." Alessa grinned, reminiscent of how she used to look before their father died, and their uncle had become a madman.
"One day, I shall tell you the whole story of how we met." Heat rushed onto Holly's cheeks, and she shook her head at the fact she was a little lost for words. A little discombobulated whenever Drew was around or in her mind.
"What do you think of Lord Balhannah?" Holly asked, curious to hear what Alessa had to say.
"So many things that I think, but the one most of all is how you managed to get him to look at you the way he does. Even just before, downstairs, when I greeted you, his affection was evident. When he was standing against the wall during our meeting, he watched you, listened to you talk as if you were the smartest, most rational mind here, His lordship had the oddest expression on his face."
"What sort of expression?" she asked, missing Drew already, and she had only been separated from him for a few minutes. However was she going to survive when he returned to England? When she stepped forward in life, married another, and ruled here?
The nightmare wasn't worth thinking over.
"I do not care if you disagree, or try to persuade me otherwise, but Lord Balhannah is in love with you. It is written on his face as clear as his golden locks are on top of his head. What are your thoughts on this? Does this mean our eldest sister has come around to the idea of marrying for love? Has disregarded seeing marriage only as a duty and alliance building for Atharia?"
"You know that I do not have that freedom, even if I wanted to marry him, or loved him, it is not possible. Lord Balhannah will return to London, and I shall continue on here."
Her sister threw her a disbelieving look, wagging her finger before her face. "Oh no you do not, Your Highness. I've never seen your eyes glass over the way they just did when you mentioned his name. You love this man too. Have you told him that you do? I hope you're prepared to tell our advisors back at court that it is your life, and as queen, you may marry whomever you please."
Holly stood, striding to the window to gaze out over the ocean. "That is just it, Alessa, I cannot do that. It has proven more than ever that my marriage must be one of power and influence with Uncle's threat. Drew may be a marquess, a future duke even, but he is not royal. I must marry into a family of strength, a family that rules over countries, not counties."
Alessa joined her at the window, taking a moment to look out over the ocean as well. "Stuff and nonsense, you have to do anything. Father did not think you needed to put your own happiness before that of Atharia. I certainly will not, and neither will Elena. Our people love you. They do not want to see you in a union that makes you unhappy. You deserve more than that."
Holly blinked the tears that blurred her vision. She wished what Alessa said were true, but it was not, nor could it ever be. Her situation was different, no matter how much her sisters may wish it otherwise. It was enough for Holly to know that at least Alessa and Elena could marry for love.
"I adore Drew, he saved my life back in England, and I will forever hold a special place for him in my heart, but he knows and understands that there is no future between us. You, too, need to accept this."
Holly turned from the window, striding for the door and ignoring Alessa's calls for her to stop. She could not talk about this situation any further. To do so wrenched a hole in her chest where her heart was supposed to beat. She made her way up the corridor, a maid beside a door bobbing a quick curtsy.
"Your Highness, your rooms are ready if you would like to rest for a time."
The maid's words were like a gift, and she nodded, hoping the servant did not notice her upset. Within a minute, she was led into a spacious room, whitewashed walls, and furniture, a striking dark-blue bed coverlet, and curtains suited the house's location.
"May I assist you with anything, Your Highness?" the young woman asked, standing with head bowed and hands clasped at her front.
"No, thank you. I wish for solitude."
She dipped into a curtsy and left without nary a sound. Holly walked over to the bed and threw herself facedown atop the bedding. There was so much to do. They needed to leave for Atharia, and moving over a thousand people without being seen would not be an easy feat. Her uncle was no fool. He would find out, and then there would be trouble.
Holly rolled over, staring up at the ceiling that was engraved with a variety of designs. She had never been one to give up, to accept defeat with anything she did in life, but perhaps this was a time she needed to step away, let her uncle have his kingdom. The thought made her shudder, and she knew she could not do that, no matter if her heart and mind were at war over the decision.
To win her kingdom would mean she would lose something else that had grown just as important to her.
Drew.
Chapter 18
It wasn't until the following evening that Drew was able to have a moment alone with Holly. All day she had been discussing plans, sending men who were loyal to her toward the capital of Atharia, where her uncle resided in the palace.
They had decided to gather the men there in the city throughout a couple of weeks, instead of in one large march into the city. Some of the aristocratic families were already in place, waiting to support Holly. The atmosphere here where they were staying, however, was not to Drew's liking. He had the distinct feeling none of the Atharia people who rallied around Holly cared for his presence, so much so that yesterday he'd stayed in his small room and kept out of everyone's way, notably Holly's. He did not wish to cause her any more concern or difficulty than she was already dealing with.
Dinner this evening had seen him placed at the opposite end of the table to her. She had not glanced in his direction once, and he disliked the emotion it brought forth within him. He'd seen her speaking to the dashing Soren Medici, heir to this property, and had noted how he'd gazed at her in reverence. Drew had thought the young man had feelings for Holly's younger sister, but perhaps he'd been wrong in that estimation, watching the gentleman even now fawn all over the woman he wanted like his lungs needed air.
"If you wish to keep her, Lord Balhannah, you will need to fight and perhaps even a little dirty as well. She's the future Queen of Atharia. She was not brought up to marry anyone other than her royal equal. You will need to change her mind about that."
Drew started at the sound of Alessa, who came to stand beside him. He glanced at her, her long, golden locks coiled high upon her head this evening, a decorative diamond-encrusted tiara on her head, making her look the perfect princess. Holly too this evening was adorned in jewels and a regal, dark-purple evening gown that made her eyes sparkle. He'd
lost his breath when she'd entered the drawing room before dinner, and still, he found himself lost for words to describe just how very beautiful she was this evening.
"We agreed, and I accepted when I first found out who Her Highness was that there was no future between us. I cannot go back on my word now."
"Of course you can," Alessa said, clasping his arm and turning him to look at her. "And you will. My sister will not be happy, I think, unless you're beside her in life."
Drew scoffed, not believing that for a moment, even if the words sent hope through his blood. "She has done very well these past days without me. I have hardly seen her. We've barely talked two words since we arrived."
Alessa glanced over to her sister, a small smile lifting her flawless lips. They certainly made the woman of this country beyond beautiful.
"No matter what is happening around you, Holly knows where you are. She watches you as much as you watch her. You may not think she is aware of your goings-on, but she is. Always. Do not ever underestimate her on that score. It would be to your detriment if you did."
Drew rubbed the back of his neck, glancing back toward Holly. Their gazes clashed. Held. Like a physical blow to the gut, he felt her interest. If she were his, he would go to her, stalk across this drawing room and lay claim to her before everyone present. Show all the nobility and royal guests that the future Queen of Atharia was an Englishman's lover, friend, and partner.
He sighed, wishing he could do such a thing.
"You will need to share Holly, should you wish to marry her. She has three great loves in her life. You, I believe, are one of them."
"And the others that I must share her with?" he asked, unsure he wanted to hear the answer to his question.
"Our homeland and its people. She will always do right by them, which means that sometimes you will have to accept she isn't always there for you. That she will miss important dates and milestones, but that will not mean that she loves you less. You will need to love her more to enable her to be queen without having to be concerned about your feelings when duty calls."