Forever My Love (Historical Romance) Read Free

clean white nightgown over her head. When the housekeeper yanked back the quilt, Royal climbed into bed and sank into the downy feather mattress.
    Alba then shook the excess dampness from Royal's cape and hung it over a chair near the fireplace to dry. All the while she kept a watchful eye on her young charge, wishing she had the words to comfort the child.
    "Now, now, Miss Royal, why don't you just rest a bit while I go fetch you some nice thick stew to warm you up. A steaming cup of apple cider with cinnamon ought to restore some of the color to your cheeks."
    "I don't want anything to eat just now," Royal answered wearily. "All I want is to sleep."
    Alba's eyes fastened on Royal's bent head, where riotous golden curls framed her small face. She thought how frail the girl appeared and how her slight body was dwarfed by the massive mahogany bed where she lay.
    Alba lowered her gaze to the fingers that desperately clutched the quilted coverlet, noting the tiny blue veins that were visible in the well-shaped hands. Even though Royal was too thin, there was a promise of future beauty in her delicate features. It tugged at Alba's heart when Royal raised her blue eyes, and the housekeeper saw that tears clung to the girl's thick lashes.
    "Be at peace, Miss Royal," she said gently. "Take comfort in the fact that God always seems to take care of the fools and the young of this world. He will surely take an interest in your plight. I believe that."
    A slight smile tugged at Royal's lips. "Which do you consider me, Alba—the fool or the young?"
    "Even if you are young in years, you're certainly no fool," Alba answered with assurance. "Most folks don't have half the gumption you've been blessed with."
    Royal seemed totally unaware of the compliment. "I wish... I wish Aunt Arabella would arrive. What can be keeping her?"
    Alba turned her back and moved toward the door. "I'm sure I don't know," she said stiffly. "It's time for you to get some sleep, Miss Royal. I'll be downstairs. Just ring if you need me for anything."
    Wearily Royal's head sank into the soft pillow, and her eyes fluttered shut.
    Tomorrow yawned before her with its dark uncertainties, and the present was just too painful to think about. She was too weary to protest and too heartsick to think. Perhaps rest was what she needed.
    As the smoky blue sky of evening gave way to the ebony night, Royal snuggled beneath the warmth of the down quilt and fell into a fretful sleep.

 
    2
    Dearest Papa,
    Aunt Arabella has not yet arrived. Each day I watch for her with great anticipation. Events have occurred so swiftly that I have had no time to record my thoughts. Nothing could have prepared me for Cousin Victor and his family, who arrived with trunks and valises in excess, thus leading me to believe it is their intention to remain in Savannah indefinitely. Since you would expect me to be a gracious hostess, I have extended every courtesy to make them feel welcome. Cousin Victor says he feels obligated to shape my future, and he is certain that is what you would have wanted. I hope you will not think me undutiful, but I despair at the notion that my future might be under his control. Already he deems himself your beneficiary. I do not know your feelings on this, Papa, but whatever your wish, I will abide by it.
     
    The mood in the dining room was solemn. Royal observed Alba as she bustled about, serving the meal with her lips pursed in a line of disapproval. It was clear the housekeeper did not like Cousin Victor. She removed the pewter serving dishes from a tray and placed them upon the snowy white linen tablecloth, then withdrew to the kitchen without a word.
    Silently Royal watched the people seated about the table. Cousin Victor was a portly gentleman of medium height. With thinning hair and a long beaklike nose, he had the appearance of a man who was not at peace with himself, and he had the annoying habit of never looking at the person to whom he was speaking. Royal found