Page 107 of A Torn Allegiance
“More than you know.” Elsie felt stronger. She cleared her throat.
They turned to her.
“We were at a meeting of the landholders. He spoke up, and His Grace spoke up. Lamoreaux was silenced.”
“When I think of that small excuse of a man here, in Scotland...” His brow furrowed as deeply as Elsie had ever seen it.
“Yes, with Lord Everly. But once Hayes began talking of solutions and unity and loyalty, and then His Grace shared some of his new plants and their capabilities as well as possibilities for better irrigation, the conversation turned.” She was, in fact, extremely proud of him.
“Why, that’s excellent!” Duncan could not look any happier. He turned shining eyes on her. “I suspect you had some influence there as well.”
“I did, yes. But you will be so happy to hear that they are conversing, compromising, and moving forward with productive plans; talk of exiling the tenants like was done in the Highlands has all but ended. That sort of talk was created by Everly with the intent to stir up a divisive problem in league with Lamoreaux so that they could attempt to spread Napoleon’s lies.”
“Wise words, Daughter,” her father said.
A footman returned. “A Prince Hayes Wilhelm to see you, Your Grace.”
“Oh!” She raised both hands to her cheeks as Hayes stood in the doorway, in formal attire. He bowed curtly.
“Something you wish to tell us, Sister?” Duncan stood at her side.
She elbowed him. “So many things.”
Her father stepped forward and bowed in return. “Your Highness, welcome. I owe you an apology.”
“I’m pleased to see you here. I was hoping to have a word.”
“Shall we make our way to my study?”
Hayes sought her, and she nodded. “I think we should.”
Her father turned to leave, and Hayes was about to follow, but he turned back to her. “Although...”
“Yes?” Her father looked from Elsie to Hayes and back.
“Although, I wonder if Elsie might enjoy being part of the conversation.”
A great thrill leapt up to her throat so quickly she coughed, and then her eyes welled and her mouth wavered. Too many emotions at once cascaded through her. He’d invited her in. No more closed doors. Hayes would share everything with her.
He reached a hand out to her, and as she moved past her father to take Hayes’s hand, she tiptoed higher to leave a kiss on her father’s face.
He smiled, and the three of them moved to his study.
As they settled into various chairs in the room, Elsie studied her father’s face and then Hayes’s and wondered what went through their minds. She imagined her father would approve of a request for her hand from Hayes. She hoped that only good feelings existed between the two of them.
Then her father wiped his eyes, and she stared in amazement. Was he crying?
“I do wish to express my deepest apologies to you, Your Highness.”
Hayes took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his own face. “It has been a rough few days, with little sleep.”
She was frozen in amazement, with nothing to say. She looked from one to the other.
“I misjudged you,” Father said.
“I’m certain you had the best intentions.”
“I did. This will come as a shock to you both, but my intentions were not even those you might think.”
