A Love for All Time Read Free

for him, and by what she felt she must say.
    He was unable to resist the wan smile that creased his face, and his voice when he spoke was warm with his love for her, and faintly teasing. “Say what ye must, Aidan. I can tell that ye will have no peace unless ye do.”
    “Father!” The words came in a rush. “I wish ye would reconsider yer plans for me. I am far too old to be placed in wardship! I will be sent to court, and I will hate it! I am not a social animal by nature, father. I will be pursued for my wealth, and eventually the queen will marry me off to suit her purposes alone. There will be no thought for my happiness. Please do not do this to me!”
    “A woman must be wed,” he said stubbornly. “She is not capable of managing her wealth without the help of a man. Yer an intelligent lass, Aidan, but a husband is a necessity for every decent woman of good breeding. Ye must accept my decision in this matter. I know yer reluctance to leave Pearroc Royal , but these are maiden fears. In yer whole life, my daughter, ye have never been anywhere past Worcester. This is my fault, but ye’ve trusted me before, and have I not always done the right thing for ye? The court is an exciting place, Aidan, and as the queen’s ward the best of it will be open to ye. Yer no simpering maid to be gulled by the insincerity of a fortune hunter. Yer a survivor, Aidan. Ye always have been.”
    She sighed deeply. There was no arguing with him now. She would have to try again tomorrow. “Yes, father,” she said obediently, and he smiled weakly up at her, exhausted with the effort their argument had cost him, and knowing she had not really accepted his will in this matter even if she was willing to let it rest for tonight.
    “Yer a good girl, Aidan,” he whispered huskily. He was so tired now. So very, very tired.
    She stood up, kissing him gently upon the forehead, rearranged his coverlet so that it was once again smooth, and wrinkle-free. “It is late, father, and I am weary. We made both lavender and rose potpourri today after the linens were washed. The laundress has two new girls, and they need constant overseeing, as they are not yet skilled enough.” She gave him a small smile that pierced his heart. “I will see ye in the morning, father. God grant ye a peaceful night.”
    “And ye also, my daughter,” came the loving reply, and he had watched her as she left the room, tears for some unknown reason springing to his tired eyes.
    When Aidan went to wake her father in the morning, Payton St. Michael, Lord Bliss, had gone to his maker, and his daughter, to her great dismay, found herself an undisputed, if unwilling, ward of the crown.

Part One
    THE QUEEN’S WARD
1577–1578

Chapter 1

    “ I ncompetents!” shouted the queen, and she threw her workbasket across the room. “I am surrounded by incompetents!” A movement by the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she turned to see her favorite page, the thirteen-year-old Earl of Lynmouth, waiting patiently for the royal storm to subside. “What is it, Robin?” she demanded in harsh tones, but young Robin Southwood knew that she was not angry at him, and so he gave her a dazzling smile.
    “The newest royal ward has just arrived from the country, madame,” he said.
    “God’s foot! Another one? Well, tell me, lad! Is my newest charge male or female? Yet in nappies, or out of them? Give me a name. Some hint or clue as to this latest in my long line of royal responsibilities.” Her lips were now twitching with amusement seeing the laughter in the boy’s lime-green eyes.
    “It is a young lady, madame. She is Aidan St. Michael, the heiress and only living child of Payton St. Michael, Baron Bliss. Her home is near Worcester. The baron’s estates border on my mother’s home.”
    The queen thought a moment, and then nodded. “Lord Bliss’ family is originally of good London stock,” she said. “The family has always supported the ruling monarch, and stayed