Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,78
is in England.”
“I do understand. But I am curious, why did you come here if not to claim your inheritance?”
“Solely to save Miss Fortin from being forced to marry an English duke. Her parents hunger for a title and are compelling her to wed him to improve their station.”
The prince’s raised eyebrow showed a hint of confusion. “But you are betrothed to her, are you not?”
“Not yet. Her parents don’t look favorably on my suit, and she is determined to honor their wishes. Our families have long had bad blood between us, in addition to the issue of my baseborn origins. If I were royalty, they might perhaps reconsider their opposition. Otherwise, my only course would be to persuade Sophie to disavow her parents.”
“I expect you will succeed. You have your mother’s passion.”
Jack thought it best not to be drawn into any further discussion of his mother or of his difficult courtship of Sophie.
“I can well comprehend why you would want to wed Miss Fortin yourself. She is very beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.” Inside and out.
“She cares for you a great deal, I think. You can see it in her eyes, in her voice when she speaks of you.” The prince’s expression grew bleak again. “My marriage was not a happy one. I hope yours will bring you great joy.”
When Jack didn’t answer, the prince cleared his throat. “Would you and Miss Fortin consider allowing me to show you the palace and grounds and then join me for luncheon afterward? If you are willing, I should like to introduce you to my—to our—country.”
Jack hesitated before finally nodding. “I am willing.”
“Then shall we meet in the Great Hall in a quarter hour?”
“Yes.”
Jack started to turn away, then halted and glanced back at his father. “Your injury—you said it still pains you?”
“A great deal, yes.”
“I have a friend who was shot while serving in the British cavalry,” Jack commented. “He was deathly ill from a fragment of bullet still lodged in his chest. Once that was removed and the putrification stanched, he was able to recover. Perhaps you suffer from a similar affliction.”
The prince frowned thoughtfully, then shook his head. “My physicians have said nothing more can be done.”
Jack shrugged. “You must do as you like, but if I were you, I would consider seeing an English physician. There is a particular surgeon in London—a colleague of my cousin, Lord Traherne—who is known for his brilliant if unorthodox theories. He might be able to help you.”
Once more Jack started to turn away, but Prince Raoul spoke again. “Jack … do you have any memories from when you were very small?”
“What sort of memories?”
“Of me. Of us. You were always begging me to ride. Do you recall when I would take you up before me on my horse? Or lift you onto my shoulders? You squealed with laughter and joy. Those were your mother’s favorite times, watching us at play.”
A long-ago scene such as his father described flashed in Jack’s mind. A sunny morning with his mother and his father. The delight. The laughter. The love.
“I remember my mother was happy then,” Jack said in a low voice, a deliberate concession to his father’s need for forgiveness.
The elderly man looked grateful. “She was indeed. We were a family then, even if our union was not sanctioned by marriage. I loved you both dearly, Jack. I know I can never make amends for the loss of your mother and your childhood, but I would like to try.”
Jack nodded briefly and finally left. He had spoken the truth to Sophie. He would never be able to hold his father in affection as he would a real father, but perhaps he could ease Prince Raoul’s final days. It was what his mother would have wanted.
It was not forgiveness or even reconciliation, but it was a beginning.
For the following two days, Jack made a determined effort to quell his animosity toward his father, so that even though their relationship was tenuous and careful, he felt Sophie’s silent approval.
They toured the palace and royal estate first, including the extensive gardens and deer park, then branched out to the surrounding environs, which proved colorful and charming. Navartania boasted several villages, with one large enough to qualify as an actual town, while the rural countryside prospered with farms and vineyards, and mountain mines produced precious metals and gems.
In response to Sophie’s questions, Prince Raoul discussed ministers and government briefly, but dwelled most on the history of the country. During Napoleon’s reign,