Page 66 of A Torn Allegiance
“How could your parents allow it? Did they not know the torture that would ensue in your life?”
She clucked, and Cinnamon perked up his ears. “You make fun, but it was torture indeed, only not for as long as you might imagine.”
“Oh? How so?”
“While the instructor and stablehands were in the corral, trying to teach Duncan how to hold his hand thus and lift his head thus and squeeze his thighs thus”—she shook her head—“I led out my favorite mare, climbed up on a mounting block, and swung up onto her bare back, in a dress, mind you, and rode out into the pasture.”
He held his head back, thrilled at this woman. “Do you know, I can picture it.”
She smiled. “Of course, I had no idea how to ride or sit or control the animal, so I was very lucky she was of a gentle nature and walked only. But we had quite the time of it before anyone realized we were gone.”
“I can well imagine.”
“After that, I knew I was born to ride.”
“And they knew then not to continue teaching only Duncan, I hope?”
“There wasn’t much we didn’t learn together after that.” Her smile took on a tranquil quality. “He is the greatest brother. I am truly blessed to have him.”
“He said the same of you. You make quite the pair.”
“That we do, when he is here in London.”
Hayes nodded.
“Your turn. Tell me something of your home or family,” she said.
“We have a rather energetic father.”
“I would hope so, since he’s the King.”
Hayes smiled. “It will take all of us brothers combined to be able to fill his shoes when he is gone.”
Lady Elsie was quiet for long enough that he turned to her. Her face was full of caring when she said, “Prince Hayes, you will be the King you are meant to be, and from what I can tell, Oldenburg is already blessed to have you.” Her eyes shone with sincerity, and he wished to capture her image just so.
“It is difficult to compare with such a great man, but I’ve come to accept that I offer my best and that is all I can do. Hopefully, my capacity will continue to increase.”
“I think the highest limits of our best efforts do increase. How could they not?”
Hayes admired her strong outlook on life. She was firmly, decidedly positive in everything. If a problem presented itself, she moved to fix it, advising her brother regarding their beloved Scottish tenants and leading her Books for Change group. Lady Elsie was of the type to act. And he could not imagine a better quality in a queen—or in his wife. His heart seemed to enlarge at the thought. His shoulders broadened in his seat. He must convince her.
With all these thoughts tumbling around in his mind, he said only, “I hope you are right. I should like to be the sort of leader my father is,” he said. “He has an array of customs for all of us brothers, you know. And our mother.”
“Oh? And what are they?”
“For one, we eat together when we can.”
“That’s lovely.”
“We all participate on the council. We work together with different assignments within the kingdom. Each of us has a title, like the royal dukes here in England. And, in truth, we each have our own home—some castles, some estates. Mine will be the main palace.” He searched her face for any reaction at the thought of his home, but he saw no change. “Until then, I have a smaller home near the hills outside the city, though it is still large enough to house us all. My parents might live a great many years yet, God willing.”
“Does it overlook the sea?”
“Yes, and we’ve added as many windows as we can to the palace.”
“It sounds sublime. I was in earnest when I said I should like to visit. I really should like to see your home.” She reached out a hand, which he grasped for a moment, hoping she would do much more than visit.
“I think it will begin to have meaning only once you have stepped foot within its walls.” He smiled. “I thought all along to have been surrounded by meaning, but I suspect I didn’t know how much more there could be.”
