Page 73 of A Torn Allegiance
“How can I bear your departure to Oldenburg? When will I see you again once you are gone?”
Elsie ached at the thought. “It is my only sorrow. You. Scotland. They are both so far from Oldenburg.” She sighed. How could a heart be so incomparably happy and sad at the same time?
“That is the way of things, I suppose. If you want to marry a man as good as Hayes, he naturally would come with significant responsibility. Oh, my darling, what has been decided? It is not right away, is it?”
“Oh no. We are but courting. Although... he has mentioned a visit to Oldenburg. Perhaps you could come too.”
“Yes.” Her face brightened. “I shall need to come see your new home. It will help if I have a picture in my mind when I read your letters.” She dabbed her eyes. “At least I know you shall write, unlike Duncan, who may as well have disappeared from the earth when he leaves.”
“Did I hear my name so lovingly described?” Elsie’s brother stood in the doorway.
“Duncan. Elsie has the best news.” Her mother patted the sofa on her other side, and he sat with them.
“You are being officially courted by the illustrious crown prince of Oldenburg.” His self-satisfied smile irked Elsie to no end.
“And how could you know such a thing?”
“The whole world would know it if they’d seen his smiling face on a walk back to the Sumter town house just now. The man looked as though he’d eaten an entire Christmas goose by himself.”
Elsie laughed, pleased to hear it. “Well, we are courting, and it is perfectly lovely.”
“Then, I see nothing that could stand in your way, Sister. I wish you every happiness.” He stood and lifted her to her feet so he could kiss her cheek. “Let us hope he never learns we all suspected him of the highest disloyalty to his country.”
She winced. “Why would he?”
“Never fear. He won’t, not until we are all old and gray and slow, and then we can have a great laugh.”
She hoped so, for Hayes would not take lightly accusations of treason.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Later that evening Hayes returnedto the doorstep of the home he had begun to feel was his own. From his first moments in England, he had been so much a part of the lives of Elsie and her family, their activities. He still could not understand his incredibly good fortune to have been so immediately included in their circle and treated as one of their own dear friends. Whatever the reason, he had been immeasurably blessed by it.
Timson smiled—a rare sight—and took Hayes’s top hat. “The family is in the front parlor and has asked for you there.”
“Thank you.” He made his way to the double doors and nodded to the footman. The servant opened the doors and announced, “Prince Hayes Wilhelm, crown prince of Oldenburg.”
The Duke and Duchess of Shelby, Lord Devon, Lady Sophie, and Elsie all stood upon his entrance.
The duke stepped forward. “Thank you for coming early. I assume your brothers and the Duke of Sumter will arrive for dinner?”
“Yes, we are all honored by the invitation, and might I say, by the warm welcome into your lives from the moment I arrived.” He bowed. “Thank you.”
The duke gestured that Hayes should approach. “Of course. Naturally, we would want to welcome a visiting monarch. And do I understand that we are perhaps to be blessed with some happy news?”
Hayes appreciated the easy communication that seemed to flow in this family. Besides Elsie’s frustration that deeper conversations were not shared with her, the family seemed to freely discuss all that mattered between them. He lifted his chin. “Your Grace, I would like a private audience, if you have a moment?”
“I certainly do. Shall we use the study?”
“Yes, thank you.” He winked at Elsie, who seemed just as happy as she’d been earlier, thank the stars. He followed her father into his study.
When the door was closed and both were seated, with a drink from the stand, the duke smiled. “We all approve of you, Your Highness. You’re an upstanding, good man from a fineallynation.” Was it Hayes’s imagination, or had he emphasized the wordally? “As soon as we came to know and trust you, we felt our lives were much improved by your friendship.”
“Thank you, Your Grace, for your kind words. I have felt a great connection and happiness in your home and with your family. I have spoken with Lady Elsie, and she has accepted my offer to court her. I would also like to consider a marriage with your daughter. I would ask her tomorrow if I didn’t think it would be too soon for her sensibilities.”
Elsie’s father nodded. “You are wise, and you seem already to know her well. I appreciate it as well as she will need the time you are taking to court her. No need to rush these things, of course.”
“Then, you approve?”
