Page 86 of A Foreign Crown
“And I’ve done nothing but think ofyouthere. I cannot wait to show it to you.”
Her hands squeezed his forearms, but she didn’t turn to him again. Had he spoken too strongly? Assumed too much? He hoped not.
They watched in silence as the ship moved farther into the bay and the royal palace came into view. It sat deep inland at the back of the bay, a sprawling white palace, perhaps twice as big as Brittiny Castle. It was stunning from the water.
“And that must be your father’s castle.”
He nodded. “And where we meet for council, family dinners, balls, and the like.”
“It’s perfect.” She gestured toward Brittiny Castle. “But that.” She cleared her throat. “That is breathtaking.” She turned back to Layton, her eyes welling with tears. “I am speechless. I’ve never seen anything so lovely.”
“I could never express how happy it makes me to hear you say such things.”
They passed a large docking area in front of the main castle. The other ships that followed looked to be dropping anchor, but Layton’s ship continued on. “The best way to visit my home is by water.”
His ship slowed and turned to navigate right next to the rocky cliffs.
“How does one approach by land?” She appeared to be fascinated with the prospect, and her interest gratified Layton and made him all the more eager to show her the inside of his home.
“From the other side. There is a road that enters through the woods. It is steep but passable.”
She nodded and then grinned. “Otherwise you travel by ship to your parents’ palace?”
“I do.” He studied her face. Would such a prospect seem troublesome to her?
“And you have only the visitors you expressly invite to your home?” Her smile grew, and he again appreciated how alike they had always been.
“Precisely.”
She laughed. “And now I too most appreciate this aspect of your home.”
“You are a gem of a woman. How is it that we were able to meet?”
As they approached the great wall at the base of his home, his crew threw out thick ropes. Men jumped ashore, tying the ship into place.
“With you here and me so far on the other shore in England, I believe it must have been fate,” Aribella said in answer to his question.
“Shall we thank the pirates?” he said.
Her grin told him she enjoyed the thought, but she said, “Never; not when they might be employed by the devil himself.”
“Oh, the lady has political sentiments.”
“And don’t you?”
“I do indeed, as you well know. And so we are one in thought about the current war as well. Will there be an item upon which we disagree?”
“I hope so.”
“You do?”
“Most certainly. I enjoy a good row every now and then.”
He nodded, grinning, and held out his hand. “Shall we exit so I might introduce you to my home?”
“I would be honored.”
They stepped down the gangplank his crew had lowered. Most often, Layton leapt ashore with the rest of them, but he was pleased to see they had carried out his orders. When the doors to his home opened and the staff exited in two neat rows, lining the entrance, he was pleased to seetheyhad carried out his orders as well. He dipped his head. “And now, Lady Aribella, might I introduce you to Brittiny Castle?”
