An adventure, Gabriel had said, and he was right. She was about to embark on an exciting adventure, just as she had always hoped she would. And the best part of it was…Niki, the man she loved, would be by her side.
“Will you be leaving straight away?”
Antonia was watching her, picking at a thread in the cushion on the settee.
Roberta looked up from the letter she was writing to Estelle. Her friend had sent her a message, congratulating her while bemoaning the fact she would not be at her wedding. Though she was ecstatic about the money Niki had sent her and was already planning for her time ahead.
“Very soon afterward. Countess Matilda and her family are traveling ahead to make the preparations for our arrival. And the wedding.”
Antonia nodded, but she looked pensive.
Roberta took a chance. “Will you…would you think of coming with me, Antonia? I know you may not want to—and that’s perfectly all right, I will understand—but if you did come, I would be so grateful.”
It was only when she stopped that she realized Antonia was smiling radiantly. “Yes, yes, and yes!” her sister cried. “I was hoping, but I didn’t want to presume. Yes, please, I want to come.”
“You do not have to stay,” Roberta said earnestly. “You might hate it and miss England. But just to have you there, even for a little while, would mean so much to me.”
Antonia laughed. “Don’t worry, it will be wonderful. I have been reading so much about Holtswig and its history, and it is all so interesting. I know I will be busy, and I plan to be by your side whenever you need me, but there are old parts of the castle I must explore. Did you know…” And she was off, bubbling over with excitement and information.
Roberta pretended to listen, just happy that the sister she had grown to love and depend on would be at her side at the beginning of her new life.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Her wedding day—the first of two—was a delight. With her family around her and the weather fine, she felt she would be greedy to ask for more. The little church was full to bursting with well-wishers, the villagers all wanting to see yet another of the Ashton girls marry—and this time to a prince, no less! Roberta was not nervous; she could be herself because these were her people, and they loved her.
Niki arrived with Freddie, and his bodyguards, and Ernest in tow. He seemed all business. Gabriel joined them, and they retired to a small, private crypt where some of the medieval Ashtons were buried. It was quieter here, and they could be alone.
“We will leave Grantham directly after the wedding supper,” Freddie informed her. “Arrangements have been made. You will be sailing from Dover—let’s hope the winds are favorable and we don’t have to cool our heels there for too long. After we land at Calais, we will make the journey overland to Holtswig.”
“Countess Matilda—” Roberta began, but was cut off by Niki.
“She has already left, with Chamberlain Francis, so she will be there to greet us when we arrive. She will choose your ladies-in-waiting.”
“But I have Antonia. She is coming with me.”
“At least you will have one of your family with you,” Gabriel interjected, as if daring Niki to argue.
“I would not deny you your sister,” Niki said quietly. “She is welcome.”
“Sir.” It was one of the many attendants who seemed to be always about. “They are ready to begin.”
Niki met Roberta’s eyes, and it seemed to her there was a great deal more he wanted to say. There was no time though, and he left with his brother.
Roberta noticed then that the voices from the church next door had dropped away to silence and music had begun to play. The organ was old but perfect, and the rousing sound of it made Roberta’s heart swell in her chest and tears fill her eyes. As she walked up the nave on her brother’s arm, she felt the whispers of the congregation like a warm embrace.
Her gown was simple, made of cream satin with lace at the hem and a modest neckline. It had belonged to Olivia, and her sister had insisted it was perfect for the occasion.Something borrowed, remember, she had said, squeezing Roberta’s hands. Roberta’s hair was loose down her back, her crown decorated with flowers from the Grantham gardens, given to her by her grandmother’s own hands. In her earlobes, she wore the Ashton pearls, with a string of them about her neck.
“Such a special occasion,” Gabriel whispered at her side. “Be happy, sister. If I could wish for anything for you, then it would be that.”
“Thank you, best of brothers.”
“Youronlybrother,” he said with a grin. “Ah, here we are.”
Roberta looked up. Niki was standing with Ernest at his side. He did not see her approach, but she knew he was aware of her. When she stepped up beside him, he turned his head, and hisdark eyes were full of emotion. It settled her, knowing he too was overwhelmed by this moment.
“I didn’t say it a moment ago, but you look beautiful,” he said, leaning in close and sounding very serious. “I want to tell you that I am eternally grateful you agreed to this, Roberta.”
She rested her hand on his, and he covered it with his other hand. “It feels slightly unreal.”
