Clara didn’t think she’d ever be able to look at a canoe the same way again. Why didn’t she insist he check the canoe? Too late now. Hopefully she could get out of these wet clothes. Her leg felt like it was under a pile of bricks.The man took a look at her foot and cursed at the sight of her soggy, fiberglass cast.
“I have a saddle blanket I’m going to take off of my horse. You need it more than he does. I’m sorry I don’t have more supplies available to you. The storm is coming in hard and fast. Have you ever ridden before?” He took the blanket and gently placed it around her shoulders. She was eternally grateful for the extra layer of warmth.
Clara really hoped he didn’t intend for her to ride his horse. “Does a pony when I was about eight years old count?” she asked, hoping to lighten the mood. The man chose not to reply.
“I’ll give you a hand up. You’re going to be placed in front of me. This is an English saddle, so there isn’t a horn you can hold onto. I’ve been riding horses over forty years, however, and I will ensure you won’t fall off.”
Together they took their time as the sandy-haired man assisted her to a standing position. He placed his arm around her waist to help support her weight. The most difficult part was getting onto the tall, black stallion, but the sandy-haired man was stronger than he looked. Maybe it came from spending so much time in the stables.
Clara held her breath and gritted her teeth. They were up and moving at a fast pace away from the scene of the canoe, toward the stables. Clara’s arms gripped the neck of the stallion tightly, her eyes closed. The wind was cold, and droplets of mud and water kicked up and onto her face during the fast-pace ride.
Horse and riders made it to the warmed barn. There were quite a number of people ready to meet them and assist with the horse, the sandy-haired man, and Clara. Time stalled; Clara felt ill. For the second time in a week, she fainted and trusted herself to be taken care of by complete strangers.
“DAVID!GET YOUR ARSE UP AND PRESENT YOURSELF TO ME IMMEDIATELY!” bellowed a strong, authoritative voice. “You have five minutes to change. I expect you in my office in exactly five minutes. Step to it!”
David sat outside of Clara’s makeshift room, sick with worry. His hands gripped his hair as he berated himself for his mistake. He was still soaking wet. “Sir, no disrespect, but I have to make sure Clara is okay!” David knew he was in deep trouble if his uncle was ready to chew him out for the afternoon’s wild adventure.
“There is absolutely nothing you can do until Dr. Evans is done with his examination. My study; four-and-a-half minutes.” His uncle strode with purpose into the King’s apartments.
There was little use trying to argue with the head of the family. David sprinted down the corridor and up one flight of stairs. With skills he learned from his time in the army, David threw on a clean set of clothing and ran a comb through his hair. Glancing at the wall clock, David had one minute to present himself to the king.
David sprinted with his last reserves of energy and placed his hands on his knees, panting from the all-out effort to make it outside the oak door to the king’s study. He straightened himself out and knocked. David let out a deep breath and marched inside.
The private study of King Reginald I was a museum in itself. The furniture had not changed from Victorian times; photos and mementoes on loan from the various branches of the British military adorned the walls. His diligent staff rotated the displayed items once a month. Photos of his children and other family members covered his large desk. Changed from his dirty riding clothing, he stared into the fire with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Excellent. Thirty seconds early,” the king spoke as he pivoted to face David. He was a man of few words, and if he hadn’t been born into the British royal family, King Reginald would more than likely have been the top General within the British Army.
“Reporting as ordered, sir,” David exclaimed. When his uncle was in a mood and in “King-mode” as they called it, he was addressed as such.
“Sit and explain from the beginning what happened his afternoon.”
David nervously ran his hand through his hair and took a seat on his uncle’s couch. “Sir, I need to know if she’s alright first. Have you had any word from the doctor? Is she still upset with me? How is her foot?” David started.
“Halt!” his uncle commanded. David remained seated, fighting the urge to return to his chair outside Clara’s room. “You will receive information as it becomes available. I need to understand, however, how this young woman ended up requiring medical assistance.” His uncle poured a glass of brandy from his private stock and offered it to David. “Drink, then begin.”
David sighed. He wasn’t going to be able to do anything until his uncle was satisfied. He accepted the amber liquid and relished how it warmed his insides. He placed the glass on the king’s desk as his uncle took a seat. “Sir, the young woman you are referring to was the same woman we spoke about last week. Her name is Clara Little. She was invited here today as my official guest to enjoy a tour of gardens and perhaps the State Rooms.” David paused and considered his wording.
“We took the canoe out on the pond for a better view of the grounds, and I accidentally tipped it. My phone was not working, and I went off in search of assistance.” David waited for his uncle to process the information. Should he add that he loved her? That he wanted to make her his official girlfriend?
When had he first fallen in love with her?
“I see.” The king stood and walked out from behind his desk. “I infer from your story there was no other solution than to leave the young woman alone on the grounds.”
“No, sir. I relied on my first instinct to go search for help. You were the person who taught me to follow my instincts first and ask questions later,” David added, hoping he was almost done with this mini interrogation.
“What do your instincts tell you about the girl?” Why would his uncle want to know that? Was there an ulterior motive?Oh, to hell with it all.Mother already knew. Why not get this out of the way too?
“Sir, Clara is made of sterner stuff than she looks. Life has thrown her numerous twists and turns, yet she always finds a way to prevail. Clara is not easily impressed. I had to earn her trust, and hopefully, her respect. She is empathetic, passionate, smart, and an artist. I love her even if she doesn’t love me back yet. She will hopefully agree to be my girlfriend.” David’s intense declaration brought him to a stand.
His uncle remained standing and observed David. “Excellent.” There was no emotion in his uncle’s voice as he sat back down at his desk.
Excellent? What did he mean by that?David was royally confused.
“You are an adult, David. You will make your own decisions. Never before have I seen you take a stance on a woman, or show such spirit. When you find someone you love, a true love, you need to do everything in your power to hold onto it. You have my blessing, even if she is an American.” A rare, but thin smile, stretched out across the king’s face.
Ooooookay. Has Uncle Reginald been bitten by a snake? Has he grown two heads? This almost mushy side to him is scary.
His uncle picked up a set of papers and tapped them together on his desk. “I still charge you to see that my son stays out of trouble until his entry into Sandhurst. If all goes according to plan, you’ll be given the Royal Warrant for your little shoe endeavor.”