Chapter Four
Niki pretended to listen to his aunt, Countess Matilda Brooks, but he was watching Roberta and Karl as they twirled around the floor.
He wasn’t surprised his brother had asked her to dance—Karl was irritatingly curious when it came to Niki’s personal life, and no doubt he was trying to discover all he could about their relationship.
Karl was a far better dancer than Niki, much more graceful and relaxed in his movements.
He was relaxed in most things, and Niki had always envied him his friendly manner and the way in which he won everyone over, whereas Niki’s shyness always made meetings with those he didn’t know well awkward and uncomfortable.
Niki’s father had been responsible for several illegitimate children, but Karl had always been the favorite, and when Prince Edgar had brought him into the family fold he had hoped Niki and Karl would become close friends, and Karl seemed to want that too.
But as young as he was, Niki had had his position as legal heir drummed into him all too well by then, and he had rejected Karl’s overtures of friendship.
Niki suspected that as a child, he was also rather pompous and arrogant, and by the time he had matured, it was too late.
As charming and accommodating as Karl always seemed, he had never offered him that sort of close, brotherly friendship again.
They were polite, but that was about it.
Matilda’s twin daughters were whispering together, no doubt about Niki and Roberta, and probably Karl and Roberta.
Maybe they were expecting there to be a love triangle?
A duel? Niki had always found his cousins far too dramatic, although he enjoyed their company in small doses.
Well, they would have plenty to speculate about after the grand ball, where Niki and Roberta would announce their engagement.
Matilda also had a son, Tomas, who was sixteen and not present tonight.
His aunt’s English husband had died four years ago after a long illness, and she had finished her period of mourning.
She could have returned to Holtswig, and she did occasionally visit, but she seemed happy to remain in her adopted country and keep her relatives at a distance.
These days, Niki’s closely related family consisted of his mother, who lived in Italy with her lover; his father’s sister Matilda and her three children; Karl, his older half-brother; and Ernest, a younger half-brother.
It was a small but powerful group, much like Holtswig itself.
His relatives had been shocked and outraged at the attempt on Niki’s life, and he was grateful for their support.
But someone was creating unrest in his country, and someone was willing to do everything they could to get rid of him.
It could be just a radical few, but Niki could not help but let his thoughts drift into uncomfortable places.
Again, he asked himself who had the most to gain with him gone. Did one of the people he trusted most want to take his place as ruler of Holtswig?
During the dance, even while his thoughts wandered, his gaze remained on Roberta and Karl, and he saw now that she was laughing at something he had said.
Karl was always able to charm the ladies, and he was definitely charming Roberta.
Niki felt a tightening inside him, a sensation he wasn’t eager to admit to.
He reminded himself that tomorrow, he would meet Roberta for a ride in the park, and during that ride, he would ask for her hand—that was the story they would tell, anyway.
Their engagement could then be announced officially.
On the dance floor, Karl threw his head back and laughed aloud.
Roberta’s blue eyes sparkled. She was looking particularly stunning in a fashionable pale blue gown, and her dark hair was fastened on top of her head with loose curls that framed her face.
The Ashton girls were all lovely, but Niki had always thought there was something particularly fetching about Roberta.
Her vivaciousness had caught Niki’s attention from the first—to him, she seemed more alive than anyone else of his acquaintance.
She was very animated tonight, and he wondered uneasily if that was because of Karl.
The dance was finally over, and Karl bowed over her hand, raising it to his lips.
That was when Niki realized with dismay what that tight, sick feeling was inside him.
Jealousy.
The following morning was still and chilly, with mist swirling around the tree trunks in the park. It was perfect for riding, but unfortunately, Niki couldn’t relax and enjoy it because this was the day he supposedly made his fictional proposal to Roberta.
Freddie Hart had spoken with him late last night, after the ball was over, and seemed to think all had gone well after Roberta had been introduced. There was a tidal wave of whispers and speculation about his relationship with her, and everyone was set to hear the good news that was to come.
Freddie had also assured him that he and his fellows were doing everything in their power to discover who it was who wanted Niki dead.
Names of revolutionaries had been mentioned, those who had long disagreed with the way Holtswig was ruled and the changes that Niki’s father and grandfather had made.
They wanted to return to the old ways, but this was nothing new.
Niki did not think these people were any more dangerous than previously.
He always imagined them huddled in small rooms, whispering sedition but not quite daring to act on it.
No, whatever was happening now was more serious, more personal, and so he told Freddie.
“Who would take your place if you died?” he had asked. “You are the only legitimate heir, is that correct?”
“Yes. My half brothers cannot rule. The Holtswig throne descends firstly through the legitimate male line, but if I were dead, then my aunt’s son would be my heir.
” He hardly knew the boy, and he was so young.
How could he run the country? But, he reminded himself, he would have Chamberlain Francis to help him.
Perhaps he should start to make arrangements now, just in case?
He stopped himself. It was all very well to be practical, but it felt as if he was wishing for the worst. He looked at Freddie and realized the man was watching him with his keen hazel gaze.
There was sympathy in his expression too.
Niki had been told that Hart had spent his early years in a home for orphans.
He suspected such an upbringing would harden a man, and yet it seemed Freddie also had a softer side.
Suddenly, all thought of his conversation last night was forgotten as movement stirred the mist in front of him.
His heart gave an unexpected jump. The next moment, a horse appeared, galloping toward him, and the woman upon its back was dressed in a dark blue riding habit, with a jaunty hat set upon her dark curls.
Roberta.
“Leopold!” she exclaimed, and Niki’s stallion danced uneasily at the sight of her approach. Perhaps he remembered her stealing him and putting him through that prickly hedge? Or perhaps not. Leopold was nervous with anyone apart from his master and his groom.
Roberta looked so pleased to see him, her eyes sparkling; there was a flush on her cheeks from the exercise, and her beautiful face lit up with her smile. Niki tried to tell himself that it was Leopold she was pleased to see and not him, but his heart didn’t seem to realize it.
“Sir,” she said, as an afterthought, her gaze clashing with his, and then narrowing. “Are you well?” she said in her usual impulsive way. “You look as if you did not sleep.”
“I am never ill,” he retorted. “It is just that I have a great deal on my mind.”
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry.” She took a breath. It seemed to suggest that conversing with him was hard work, and Niki forced himself to try to relax. He searched for something to say that was less fraught.
“Karl thought you the belle of the ball.”
She looked startled and then amused. “I very much doubt that, but he was delightful. I am sure he has many admirers, and he doesn’t need me to add to their number.”
Niki thought she was right. Surely he wasn’t jealous of Karl, or did that emotion only raise its ugly head where Roberta was concerned?
She was still rattling on, as if his silence made her anxious.
“I was wondering if you have any other brothers. I mean…I know you don’t have any brothers as such, but maybe you have some who are…
” She stopped, having tangled herself up in the complexities of being polite and yet being nosy at the same time.
Niki felt his mouth curl into a reluctant smile. “I have one other half brother and several half sisters,” he said, putting her out of her misery. “My father liked to spread his favors about.”
“Like my own,” she replied wryly. “Perhaps in that we are well matched, sir.”
“Perhaps we are. And please, call me Niki. We are old friends, are we not?”
“Niki,” she said, watching him carefully. “So how will we do this? Or will we just make it up and pretend you’ve dropped to your knee and expressed your fervent love of me?”
She pulled a face, as if she thought she’d said too much again, but Niki laughed.
It was a relief to release some of his apprehension.
“No, I think we should perform the proposal as if it was a play. Then we can repeat the story from memory if anyone asks. If we make it up, there might be details we forget to share, and someone might notice the inconsistencies.”
“That makes sense,” she agreed.
She seemed to be waiting for him to take the lead, and Niki was happy to do so.
“Should we ride a little first? There is a secluded spot over in that direction. I noticed a couple there yesterday, although I didn’t actually see the gentleman drop to his knee and propose.”
That made her smile, but all she said was, “Do you ride often, Niki?”
“As much as I can. At home, I try to ride every day, but it is not always possible. Here, I feel at liberty to indulge myself, or at least I did until recently.”
The park was nearly empty, only a few grooms and early riders to interrupt their solitude. Niki hadn’t been explicitly told that he had a bodyguard somewhere about, but he knew Freddie would have arranged that. The man was very efficient.
The secluded spot he had spoken of was just ahead, and they drew to a halt.
Niki jumped down from Leopold and went to assist Roberta.
He was sure she was perfectly able to dismount alone, but it was the gentlemanly thing to do.
She slid down into his arms, her body warm and soft and with the faintest of floral scents.
He released her reluctantly, and she stepped away, her gaze sweeping over the area.
“Here, do you think?” she said. “Although I’m not sure that you should kneel before me. You are the ruler of Holtswig and far outrank me.”
“That’s not the point,” he said earnestly. “Aren’t even the greatest in the land humbled when it comes to matters of the heart?”
She smiled as if she liked what he had said. “Down you go then,” she said, and then gave an awkward laugh, as if she wasn’t sure her words were acceptable.
That amused Niki, and at the same time made him a little sorry.
The Roberta he had known three years ago wouldn’t have cared a jot what she said to him.
His fondest memories of her were of some of her most outrageous and inappropriate comments.
Not to mention the day in the garden at Grantham when she had decided to turn a cartwheel, and her skirts fell down around her legs.
Even his twin cousins had never done such an outrageous thing.
But here was Roberta trying to change herself, trying to damp down that spark he had always admired, and although he understood why she needed to conform while she was in society, he really did not like it.
He dropped to his knee before her and then tried not to wince when he landed on something small and hard. He cleared his throat. “Lady Roberta Ashton, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”
Her blue eyes widened. “You sound so serious,” she whispered.
“This is a serious business. Will you accept my proposal? I would prefer not to be seen like this.”
“Oh.” She took another of those deep breaths. “Yes, I will accept your proposal,” she said in a rush. “With—with all my heart.”
Of course she didn’t mean that. But it sounded very nice, and Niki couldn’t help but smile up at her. A smile so wide it actually hurt his cheeks. Enough. He rose to his feet.
“There, it is done,” he said with relief. “Our perfect moment. Now we can tell the tale without having to make it up.”
He took her hand to lead her back to her mount, but she hesitated, casting him a curious glance.
“Last night, I realized how little I know about you, Niki. I would hate to seem ignorant if someone asked me a question. I know my grandmother and your grandfather were friends, perhaps more than that, and that you have a brother Karl, and you tell me there are more half siblings. I know you have an aunt Matilda who is a countess and lives in London. Is there anything else I should know?”
“I’m sure that is enough to be going on with. It isn’t as if you will be questioned by my chamberlain and if you fail—”
“I’ll have my head chopped off?” she finished cheerily. “Very well. We are in love, and that is enough.”
“That is enough,” he agreed quietly.