“My sister died along with my mother.”
She had no response for him, though she was starting to see reasons for his temperament. His words, my sister died along with my mother, were filled with a longing she knew he hadn’t planned to show. They began walking again and the next several minutes passed in silence.
Lukas spoke first. “You must not feel sorry for me. I was close with my foster family. I am named for my foster father, Lukas Hastings, the Earl of Estwitch. His older son, Abiel, was my closest childhood friend.” Something akin to grief touched his face before his features settled back to normal. “Their estate is not far from Dresdonia.”
She jumped at the chance to talk on a more neutral subject. “I was wondering what your connection to Dresdonia was.”
“I visited there at an early age. It is a fine country, one that holds much promise. The Hastings’ estate is so close to Dresdonia, Abiel and I would spend much of our free time riding around the country.”
“Did you know my parents?”
“Severon had already obtained control of Dresdonia when I lived with the Hastings.”
“Oh.” She didn’t try to keep the disappointment from her voice. Of course he didn’t know her parents, he was not much older than she was. Determined not to let her emotions get the best of her, she changed the subject again. “Are you and Abiel still close?”
“No. It has been years since we last spoke. You would get along with him—he shares your belief in Christ. His faith was the only thing we ever argued about. He could not understand or accept my reluctance of it and I could never understand his need for it.” He paused before continuing. “I am to blame for the current breach in our friendship. He has been most faithful in his correspondence. I have been less so.”
She weighed her words. It was obvious to her he was hurting. “It’s never too late. If Abiel is the type of man you say he is, he’ll forgive you.”
A haunted expression crossed his face. “There are limits, Princess Alexia. Even for one such as Abiel.”
She’d opened her mouth to disagree when a messenger interrupted her. “Lord Lukas!” The young man ran up to them and spoke between taking huge gulps of air. “I have an urgent message for you.”
Lukas took the sealed paper and thanked the man, but he refused to be dismissed.
“I was told to wait for a response.”
The color drained from Lukas’s face as he read the note. He spoke to the messenger, “I will leave today.”
When the young man left, she questioned Lukas. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
From his expression, she knew the old Lukas was back. “I advise you not to waste your worry on me, Princess Alexia.” He bowed. “Excuse me please. It appears I must make an unexpected journey.”
She would not be put off so easily. “Do you want me to tell Ebbe anything?”
“I will take care of Bixby,” he said, walking toward the house and not looking back.
Chapter Five
Lexy didn’t see Lukas again before he left. When she spoke to Ebbe of it later that day, all he told her was he imagined Lukas to have business of his father’s to deal with. A reasonable assumption, she thought, and one she would have agreed with had she not seen Lukas’s response to the message.
She found her days lonely with Lukas gone. His absence affected her more deeply than she would have imagined. The last few days before his departure he’d been rather pleasant, and she was loathe to admit how enjoyable it’d been to spend time with him. Not that he’d been overly nice, but there had been no more scary outbursts or sarcasm. Often she caught herself listening for his return, waiting for when they could once again dine together. Maybe once he came back, they could continue their talks. The thought thrilled her.
Three days after he left, she found herself walking in a section of the grounds she had not been before. Upon further exploration, she discovered a collection of tombstones. Michael Stokeburg 1520 – 1574 read the first one. Three others bore only first names: Michaela, Katrina, and Sarah. She knelt down and brushed loose dirt away from the stones, attempting to see if any other information could be seen.
“My family,” Lady Anne said from behind her.
Lexy shot up to her feet. She brushed the front of her dress and glanced away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you coming.”
“There is no need to apologize, child. Please, come sit with me.” Lady Anne led her to a stone bench nearby. “If anyone has reason to apologize, it is I. It has not escaped my attention that while I have offered my home to you, I have been less forthcoming in my company.”
Lexy sat still, uncertain as to how to handle the situation. While her aunt’s behavior had bothered her, she didn’t wish to risk an offense that could lead to greater avoidance or discomfort.
Lady Anne sighed. “You have discovered the resting place of my husband and our three girls, all born still. It appears the Lord did not wish for me to be a mother. Not that I can blame Him. I was not kind to the family He did bless me with.”
It took all Lexy’s effort to keep her mouth from dropping open. Her aunt’s words matched with what Lukas had said.
Lady Anne’s eyes filled with unshed tears, and Lexy hurried to say something to calm her. “Lady Anne, if my being here has caused you pain or suffering, it wasn’t intentional. I’ll speak with Ebbe at once if you want us to leave.”
“No,” Lady Anne whispered. “It is for the best that you are here. I have no reason to presume you would be interested in what I have to say, but I will ask you to listen all the same.”
Lexy nodded, not wanting to interrupt whatever it was her aunt had on her mind.
“My father, your grandfather, was from England. He was an earl who lost favor with King Henry the Eighth. King Henry did not strip him of his title, but father lost a great deal of his holdings in the fallout. With two daughters and no sons, he knew Elisabet and I would need to make good matches in order for the family to prosper and stand a chance of regaining what had been lost. I was fifteen when he arranged my marriage to Michael Stokeburg.”
She turned to Lexy. “Fifteen, still but a child and filled with fanciful notions of marriage and love. Mr. Stokeburg was quite a bit older than I and did not meet my winsome expectations. He was not even titled. But he was a wealthy merchant and that was all my father saw.
“I protested the marriage and complained bitterly to Elisabet. She and I had always been different. She was the younger, dutiful daughter and so beautiful. If I am honest, I was quite envious of her. Elisabet insisted it was my duty to do as father wished and marry Mr. Stokeburg. What did she know? She was but thirteen at the time. I warned her. I told her father would pick out another old man for her to marry, but she was unmoved. She would do all that he asked.
“Elisabet visited us once at Hadden House. Mr. Stokeburg doted on her like the younger sister she was. It angered me. He was never forthcoming in his affections toward me. It was Elisabet everyone loved. I am ashamed to admit I was mean to her during that visit and spoke many hateful things.”
Lady Anne took a deep breath. It seemed as though she was working up the courage to continue. She peeked out the sides of her eyes to where Lexy sat before she continued. “She met your father during that visit. It was unavoidable what happened, anyone with eyes could see how much he loved her. And I knew our father would be overjoyed.”
The telling came slower. “I was so upset, so jealous…so petty.” She began to sob and Lexy tried not to move, unwilling to bring the slightest hindrance. “I knew who your father was, knew who your mother would become. I would be Lady Anne forever, married to naught but a merchant, but your mother—she would be queen.
“I refused to answer her letters after I heard the news of the engagement. I did not travel to Dresdonia for the wedding or to the Coronation years later. I became a bitter woman. Elisabet wrote to me a few more times. I heard the news of your birth and it was as if the wound became new and reopened. Elisabet had everythi
ng: a man who loved her beyond reason, a royal title, and a baby girl.” Lady Anne sighed and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “A baby girl after I had buried three. She had it all and then she…then she was killed. I could never tell her I was sorry. Never apologize. She died not knowing how much I loved her.”
She took a few deep breaths and turned to Lexy. “Then you came.” A half smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “I thought I was ready to meet you, but once I saw you…” she shook her head. “I wasn’t ready for the feelings that came back. It was as if I was looking at my sister again.”
She stood and motioned for Lexy to stay seated. “I hope my behavior will be a bit more understandable now. I cannot hope to obtain your favor and it was, perhaps, selfish on my part. But I do feel better having told you the truth.”
Lexy stood and reached out to grab her aunt’s hand. “Lady Anne,” she called, but her aunt had already moved off and did not turn back.
She stood there for a few minutes, watching her aunt walk away, wishing her to return, wishing she knew how to approach her and wondering what in the world she would say the next time she saw her.
****
Lexy thought about eating in her room that night. On the off chance her aunt decided to visit the dining room, she would be safely ensconced in her room. But then she decided it would be childish of her to hide after her aunt had so completely bared her soul. As it turned out, she shouldn’t have worried. Lady Anne was nowhere to be seen, and she once again passed a quiet dinner by herself.
She walked up the stairs to her room afterward, dragging a finger along the intricately carved banister. Then she realized what it was about Hadden House that made her so uncomfortable. She had nothing to do.
In the twenty-first century, her time was filled. From the time she woke in the morning until she went to bed at night, her days and often nights, left little free time. At Hadden House she had no job—Lady Anne’s staff took care of every detail. She reached the top of the stairwell and looked down to the hall below. The setting sun cast shadows along the wooden floor.
I’m standing here watching shadows. I can’t deal with this idleness much longer.
The time approached when she would have to decide what to do. She headed to her room and as the door closed, it hit her anew that she had no idea if she would stay or go back.
Sighing, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes. Why me, Lord? Why me? The question echoed in her head for what had to be the two-thousandth time. She sat down in her favorite chair and held her head in her hands. Would her life be better spent in the time she’d been born or in the one she’d been sent to? Was it her future to be a princess and potential ruler of a country where she’d spent two days? And what if Ebbe’s plan didn’t work out? What if all the money the Duke of Culberton had wasn’t enough? She couldn’t even think about the alternatives. Groaning, she buried her hands into her hair, not caring if she ripped out the pins Margaret worked so hard to place.
There in her turmoil, the answer came. Her parents might have sent her to the future, but she felt certain it was God’s providence that returned her to the sixteenth century. From the description Ebbe gave of Joseph, she thought the strange man an angel. Certainly if God saw fit to orchestrate such a plan, He wanted her there and not trying to find a way back to where she came from.
She sat up and laughed. It was so simple! How could she have not seen it before? She glanced at her watch to see if there was time to find Ebbe. No. It would be best to wait until the morning.
She called for Margaret to help her undress. Afterward, she bounced to the dressing room and slid out of the overdress, allowing it to puddle on the floor. It felt so good to get out of the abundant fabric. One of the many things she’d have to get used to, she thought, stepping out of the dress and returning to the main room. When she was younger, she thought such elaborate dresses were beautiful. She gave little thought to the lack of comfort they afforded.
Pulling back the covers on the bed, she wondered what Lukas would think of her decision when he returned. Would he be pleased?
Smiling, she pulled the covers up to her neck and settled into the bed. She had been born Princess Alexia of Dresdonia and tomorrow she would inform Ebbe of her intention to reclaim the title.
****
Lexy was all smiles as Margaret helped her dress the next morning. She even put on the uncomfortable shoes retrieved from where they’d landed days earlier. Her charitable thoughts toward dressing had limits, however. The ruff remained in the room.
With a light step echoing her mood, she glided down the stairs, resisting the urge to hum. According to Margaret, Ebbe was in Mr. Stokeburg’s old office. She’d found the room days earlier in her exploration of Hadden House. Decorated in dark reds and black, it was a gloomy place to spend the morning. But she was certain her news would lighten the dreary room.
“Ebbe?” she called, knocking on the door.
“Please come in, Princess Lexy,” he answered from within.
Ebbe rose to his feet and smiled as she walked into the office. He was dressed in a simple outfit of gray woolen pants and a worn, dark green shirt. “What a pleasant surprise this morning. I trust everything is well?”
How like him to think of her needs first, even after the agony she’d put him through since their arrival. “Yes, I think I can say everything is well.”
“Dare I hope you have reached a decision regarding our endeavor?”
She crossed the room to stand before him. “You have been patience itself waiting for me. It hit me last night that God had a reason to bring me back to my homeland. I think the reason is to reclaim it.”
His hand flew to his chest. “My lady! You are certain?”
“I’ve rarely been more certain of anything. Dresdonia is my future, and I’ll do what’s necessary to secure it.”
He dropped to a knee and grasped both of her hands. “I pledge myself and all I hold to bring you to rightful rule of Dresdonia. I forfeit my life if necessary to ensure you are the one to take the throne.”
She covered her surprise at his display. “Thank you, Ebbe, I have no doubt of your intentions or your pledge. You’ve been most faithful to my family, even when such faith seemed unwise. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
His eyes glistened. “We will do this. We will.”
“I believe you.”
He stood and motioned toward the door. “We should find Margaret. She will be most pleased.”
The joy of her decision overshadowed its possible implications and she laughed. “She’ll be here in a minute. I already asked her to join us.”
Before he could reply, a knock came. They both exchanged surprised looks as Lady Anne entered.
“Princess Lexy, Mr. Bixby,” her aunt said, nodding at them both. “I was informed some news I would find interest in was to be announced.”
Margaret entered the room. “It was my doing. I thought it wise for Lady Anne to be present.”
Lexy crossed the room to where Lady Anne stood. Her aunt glanced from person to person, uncertainty covering her face. “Lady Anne, thank you for joining us. I hope my news pleases you.” She took her hand. “You are the last family I have, and your support would mean the world to me.” She looked her aunt in the eye, hoping her sincerity was obvious.
Lady Anne stood transfixed. “Does this mean…”
Lexy waved to Ebbe. “Yes, I just gave Ebbe my decision. I’ll remain and fight to overthrow Severon. I’ll give all I have to bring justice to the man who killed my parents and destroyed my homeland.”
Excitement filled the room and everyone spoke at once. For a few minutes, Lexy stood back and enjoyed the gaiety before her.
“What is this?” A familiar voice silenced them. “I cannot fathom you to be rejoicing over my arrival.”
Lukas had returned.
****
His errand had not been kind to him. He appeared to have aged in the few days he had been away. His normall
y impeccable clothes appeared as if he’d slept in them, although the dark circles under his eyes told a different story altogether. Those same eyes, which before he left had held a lighter quality, were indifferent as they observed the scene in the office.
Ebbe walked to where he stood and threw an arm over his shoulder. “Reynard, it is the most wonderful news. Princess Lexy has reached her decision.”
“I see,” he said, his voice flat and dull. “I can only suppose by the current levity that she will be remaining to aid in your quest?”
“Yes, she will. It is the most wonderful news.”
“So you said.” Lukas looked around the room, his gaze coming to rest on her.
She held his gaze, trying to see if anything remained of the man she’d glimpsed before his departure. “What about you, Lukas? Do you share Ebbe’s joy?”
His eyes were ice cold. “I believe I gave you my opinion once before.”
“I thought your opinion might have changed.”
“You were mistaken.” He moved his gaze to where the others stood silenced by the exchange. “Lady Anne, you will excuse me as I make myself more presentable.” He bowed and left the room.
The mood in the room, which had been so full of life just moments before, became subdued.
“The journey must have been rougher on Lukas than we thought. We’ll hope a change of clothes and rest will improve his disposition.” Lexy reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. “Tell us, Ebbe. What will we do next?”
Ebbe’s voice had lost some of its excitement. “We must send word to the Duke of Culberton informing him of our imminent arrival and the decision to move forward. He resides now at Hullington, a holding much closer than where he was.”
Lady Anne moved to the door. “I shall send a groomsman immediately.”
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