Page 89 of A Foreign Crown
“Thank you.”
They descended, Aribella in the center of the Wilhelm princes, and she had never felt more protected, more loved, more cared for by men she hardly knew. But after a few steps, they faded from her awareness.
Layton’s smile filled her with happiness. He stood as tall and as broad as any of his brothers. His hair shone in the candlelight. And when he held out a hand to her, eyes full of joy and expectation, she hoped to never forget this moment her whole life through.
She placed her fingers in his palm, and he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “You fit so well here. And you are beautiful in every way. Shall we?” he said.
“Absolutely.”
They made their way to the ballroom entrance and waited in line to be introduced.
“Something you might want to get used to. I’m the youngest, so...” He indicated that no one else stood behind them.
She laughed. “Gives us more time to ourselves, does it not?”
“Precisely.” He stalled so that Prince Josef, the next youngest, could move farther ahead and not overhear their conversation. “I would like a private audience with you tonight.”
“You would?”
“As many as we can muster.”
She laughed again. “I admit our walks in the park in London were a lovely luxury.”
“I imagined we would have more time here.”
“But I only just arrived.”
“True. I’m sure you might be in less demand from everyone else the longer you are here.” He studied her face, and the flash of concern warmed Aribella’s heart. “You are staying, aren’t you?”
She lifted her eyes to his, full of anticipation. “I hope so.”
“I would like you to stay. I feel bound to say little of what I long to say at the moment, bound by the short amount of time we have been reunited, by possible misunderstandings in the British royal family, and by your own time of mourning.”
“That sounds like quite a bit binding you.”
“But I can say this: I most desperately want you to stay.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Please do.”
She swallowed, unable to immediately make a sound, her heartbeat pounding through her body, rushing to her fingertips. “I—thank you. I wish to stay.”
He breathed out in relief and tucked her hand anew into the crook of his arm. “Then, we can weather all the other issues that might hold me momentarily bound.”
She nodded, unsure how some of those problems could be resolved. “I do know the princesses and Queen Charlotte have closed any previously held plans while they mourn Amelia and the gradual loss of the King. It is a trying time for all involved.”
“Another reason to tread carefully there.”
“Though you’ve given them no promise?” She held her breath.
“None.”
She tried to dim her smile, attempting not to find happiness in what might bring sorrow to another, but she couldn’t help the relief that coursed through her. “Then, perhaps a simple response? They do understand that the actions of the King could very reasonably have put you off, and everyone knows he forbade you to marry his daughters.”
“We shall see.” He tipped his head. “My mother said she is thinking on this very topic. Perhaps she can create a solution that causes rejoicing on both sides of the sea.”
“Your mother seems remarkable. I’m happy to have met her and your father... and your brothers.”
Layton laughed. “Yes, the brothers.”
“They are asking if one day they can return to London.”
