The Last in Line (The Royal Inheritance Series Book 1) (20 page)

There was no real lane to Montshire Manor as it had become overgrown with grass long before. Erastus braked in front of the house and they all got out. Erastus played the role of tour guide. “This is where they would have got off their horses; you can still see parts of the courtyard wall.”

The size of the house became apparent as they entered the ruins themselves. Most of the roof had collapsed along with the majority of the walls. Apart from the sound of the wind whistling through chinks in the remaining blackened walls, there was a heavy hush. Ivy had worked its way up the sides and provided a sort of canopy in some corners. A crumbling staircase went halfway into nowhere with the rest of the stone steps piled in a heap beneath it. Moss covered several such mounds of rubble. Renee ran her finger along an immense blackened beam which must have held up the roof at one point. The rotted wood crumbled under her touch.

“Over here is the hearth and in that direction would have been the keeping room,” said Erastus.

Renee walked on without listening. The amount of destruction was overwhelming. She tried hard to remain dispassionate and just view it as another historical site. She bent down to examine some writing carved into a pillar that supported a stone arch. She started back in surprise. There it was in eternal stone:

Montshire anno domino 1425

She ran her finger over the grooved words, proof that her family had sprang from this place. Nothing could be further from the Texas ranch she had grown up on, but she was suddenly overwhelmed with the sense of place when confronted with evidence of how deep her roots ran here. Her family had lived here. They had loved here and prospered here until finally they had fallen. She was filled with a sense of loss.

“The fortunes of fate…” said Erastus, coming up behind her and guessing what she was feeling. “They went a little overboard, don’t you think?” he said looking around at the destruction.

“Yes, it’s very sad,” said Renee, hiding her emotions. She could picture the house before it was destroyed; she could see the tapestries hanging on the thick stone walls where now there was only moss and graffiti left by previous visitors. She could see dogs warming themselves in front of the hearth fire and children running up the central staircase, which now reached longingly towards the sky. An image of four young brothers, smiling and impish with their arms thrown about each other, appeared in her mind. She shivered.

The security guard kept her in sight as she continued to walk throughout the wreckage. She came upon a litter of kittens and a mother cat who hissed when she came too close to their den under a fallen lintel that was propped on two other stone blocks. There was a distant rumble of thunder and the ivy began to rustle from the falling raindrops. “We should head back,” said Erastus and Renee did not object. The air here was heavy with sorrow and tragedy. As it fell away behind them in the car window, Renee made a silent promise to return.

Highlowe was in full preparation mode for the evening’s ball. Catering trucks and hired staff clogged the driveway. Erastus yelled at them to clear the area and directed them to other areas to park so there would be space for the guests. He gave detailed instructions to the valets. When they entered the house, the clutter of the morning had disappeared. All the curtains were drawn back in the large living room to reveal sparkling windows. Vases of fresh flowers had been placed on every table, along with coffee and tea services on the antique sideboards. Piles of cups and silver trays of delicacies tempted them to each pluck a piece from the towering croquembouche before Erastus hurried forward to shut the doors to the ballroom, saying he wanted them to be surprised. Guests would be arriving in a couple of hours and he ordered up a light meal for Renee, Cassandra, and Leanne to eat in the quest rooms, excusing himself with an apology saying he had to attend to the preparations, but Renee was glad to have time to rest. The ladies ate in the guest quarters.

“God, it’s boring here,” said Leanne as she smeared butter over a roll. “I asked the maid what people around here usually did and she pointed me to the library. The library! How unexciting. They need a bowling alley or karaoke bar around here or something; I always take home the prize on karaoke night. I woke up and there was no one here. Y’all could have at least woken me up. I don’t appreciate waking up to a greyhound sniffing my crotch, although that was probably the most exciting thing that’s happened to me since I got here. Really, I thought life would be more fun since you’re an heiress and everything, but all I’ve seen is a hotel, another hotel, and some dumpy women selling cookies. There wasn’t even a Thin Mint or Samoa among them and you know how I love those Girl Scout cookies. I always bought your Girl Scout cookies.”

“I was never a Girl Scout,” said Renee.

“You weren’t? I could have sworn…well, it must be some other kid I’m thinking of.”

Renee didn’t reply. It hurt that her mother could recall so little of their life together. Renee tried to explain to her about the responsibilities that would be on her shoulders, but Leanne continued on with complaints that she wasn’t being given enough recognition as the Queen Mum. “You’d better hope it stays that way,” said Renee, but Leanne didn’t catch her meaning and told her she was being mean. Renee drifted to the window, which afforded a view across the valley to Montshire Manor. The sky was getting dark and the house was sliding into the shadows.

Roberts popped his head in. “Oh good, you’ve eaten. It’s time to get ready. There’s already some press outside, but don’t worry, they’re being kept at a distance since this is a private event.”

“Where’s that handsome hunk of man?” said Leanne, getting up.

Roberts pursed his lips. “Whoever could you mean?”

Leanne wagged her finger at him. “You know who I mean. The muscled one who looks like he knows his way around a bedroom.”

“If you are talking about Mr. Chase, he is in London with many important matters to attend to. He may not make it to the ball at all,” said Roberts with a studied air of indifference.

“Isn’t that a shame. I sure was looking forward to a long, slow dance with him,” said Leanne and flounced off to her room.

Roberts remained rooted to his spot with a disgruntled look.

“You’re just mad that she didn’t want to dance with you,” said Cassandra and laughed.

“Rubbish,” said Roberts, but looked even more disgruntled.

Renee laughed too, but she was more than a little disappointed that Chase wouldn’t be there. She, too, had been hoping for a dance with him.

She went to her room to prepare. Delicious smells wafted up from downstairs as she dressed and pinned up her hair with glittering clips and she could hear the sounds of conversation downstairs. “Showtime,” she said to herself, feeling very nervous. She met Cassandra and Leanne outside her room. Leanne’s ample curves had been wrangled into a sequined gown and diamond studded bangles circled her wrists. Cassandra looked charming in pale yellow with a flower corsage attached to the shoulder strap.

Leanne looked Renee up and down and she felt a childish fear that her mother would think it wasn’t good enough.

“Well, if that doesn’t land you a man I don’t know what will,” said Leanne finally. High praise.

“I’m not trying to land a man, Mama. That’s not the point of tonight,” said Renee.

“It’s always the point,” replied Leanne.

Renee rolled her eyes; her mother’s life hadn’t exactly provided a shining example of finding love.

They went downstairs together and as they reached the landing they were met with applause. The entire center hall, as well as the adjoining rooms, were filled with people. “Long live the Queen,” someone shouted and the refrain was taken up and washed over her in waves. Renee was very moved. She tried to say thank you, but the applause didn’t let up. Erastus stepped forward and led them through the crowded hall into the ballroom. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. Renee closed her eyes and allowed herself to be led by the hand. When she opened them again she had been transported to a world teeming with orange and yellow roses, and candles flickering in covered glass lamps and miniature carved jack-o-lanterns. Trays of food and stacks of gold edged plates covered tables that lined the walls. A jazz band struck up a tune in the far corner and a waiter stopped to offer Renee a glass of champagne.

Renee found her voice. “Not bad.”

Even Leanne had gone wide-eyed. “It ain’t Caesar’s Palace. But it ain’t bad.”

The guests formed a line and Erastus introduced them to her one by one as they entered the ballroom. There were so many that she immediately forgot their names, but felt that she was among friendly company here and would be forgiven. There was such a wide variety in membership among The League. There were polished semi-aristocrats like Erastus, as well as members whose lines of descent had fallen on harder times. She spent a happy five minutes discussing horse power and pistons with a motorcycle mechanic who had learned that James II was his grandfather seven times removed. His many tattoos now included a lion and shield.

In general, the League were a jolly bunch and Renee was pleased to see that they were not inhibited in front of her, but danced enthusiastically, ate and drank with abandon, and never lost an opportunity to shout “Long live the Queen” or “Gloria Regina.” As the evening wore on the jazz band eventually gave way to a string quintet that played waltzes. Renee was out of her depth here and was happy when Erastus took the lead to twirl her around the ballroom floor. He handed her off to another gentleman in order to take Leanne for a turn around the floor. Everything was like a dream and she spun and waltzed with a series of partners, some who were as unpracticed as she, but it didn’t matter.

A new waltz started up and Renee changed partners. She was pleased to find that her new partner was handsome and a good dancer. He led well and Renee could almost believe she was a good dancer herself under his care. He introduced himself as Simon Coakely.

“And who are you related to?” asked Renee. She had quickly learned that this was the favorite question among the members of the League of Royal Bastards, each person trying to top the other with an even more illustrious ancestor.

Simon laughed. “Well, let’s see. On my father’s side I’m descended from one of the twenty children of Charles II. On my mother’s side there are rumors of descent from Henry I. Basically, I’m illegitimate on both sides, but we know how to marry well.” He smiled to reveal a perfect set of teeth. “We’re Eton men for four generations so I’m the perfect example of how you can worm your way into good society.”

Renee couldn’t help laughing. “I’ll have to study you to learn how to do it. You’re illegitimate, but seem perfectly legit. I’m actually legitimate, but can’t get it right to save my life.”

“I’d be happy to tutor you,” said Simon. “High society can be very judgmental. They will look down their long noses if you call a sofa a couch, or say ‘pardon’ instead of ‘what.’”

Renee felt a little weak. “Gosh, there’s so much to know. I’ll never be able to learn it all.”

“You will. I’ll help you every step of the way and I can introduce you to all the right people.”

He twirled her and Renee was hyper-aware of his hand gripping her waist and her hand held softly in his own as they danced. Perhaps it was the champagne, but she suddenly felt light-headed. The waltz ended, but Simon didn’t release her; they remained as they were, gazing into each other’s eyes.

“It’s rude to keep you all to myself,” he said finally. “There are others waiting to dance with you. Dancing with the future queen is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“It doesn’t have to be just once,” said Renee, feeling foolish.

“Duty always beckons though, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Renee with a sigh. “I suppose it does.”

He released her and stepped back with a courtly bow. She nodded her head in return. She wanted to hear more about his life as an outsider on the inside and, oh, more about him! To listen to his delicious accent that spoke of dressing for dinner, taking tea in the garden, driving through France in a convertible, and all the things she had only ever dreamed about. And that scent he wore, it made her head swim. Renee watched him make his way towards a table where the serving staff were continuously opening bottles of champagne and pouring. The music had started again and she knew she should do something because it would look odd for her to stand in the middle of the dance floor while the guests twirled around her.

In honor of the Halloween holiday that was only days away, a quantity of evening masks had been provided. Renee herself had worn an elaborate peacock feathered mask for a dance or two, but found it too hard to talk with it on and had discarded it, but others were wearing the disguises and the ballroom was a moving mass of colorful feathers, sequins, glitter, and paint. A new partner attired in a mask bowed to her and offered his hand. She took it, but gazed over the man’s shoulder towards Simon Coakely. She decided that Simon was everything she had imagined a British aristocrat to be: tall, handsome, educated, well-spoken, polite. He was a far cry from the likes of Ray. If people were going to accept her here she would have to make more friends like Simon. She envisioned herself meeting the aristocrats of the land with Simon by her side making the introductions. He would say something clever and she would rise in the estimation of those she was meeting simply for being his companion. Simon turned and caught her looking at him. He flashed her a smile and she smiled back, feeling the heat wash over her face and feeling as if she had been caught in an illicit dream.