Page 30 of Second Chance Prince
Olivia flung her arms around her and held her tightly. As the eldest, Olivia had always loved her sisters, Roberta knew that. All through their childhood, she had tried so hard to look after them and protect them when their mother wasn’t interested—Felicia had wanted a son, not more girls. But Roberta had oftenwondered if Olivia also saw them as a chore. It was only when Roberta had helped Olivia with the dare she had made with Ivo that they had seemed to grow closer, and she had begun to understand Olivia better.
Now she felt guilty that she was risking all of that by lying to her.
“Thank you,” Roberta said, her eyes filling with tears. “And I’m not completely sure why I did it. Throwing myself in front of a loaded pistol, I mean. I’m just so glad no one was hurt.”
“You were jolly brave,” Olivia whispered, giving her another hug for luck before letting her go.
Finally, Roberta felt herself relax. She would need to keep that guard on her tongue, but she could do this. And so what if she was keeping the truth from her sister? She knew for a fact that Olivia had kept plenty of secrets from her. She should be the last one to judge.
Roberta could not remember the last time her family had all lined up at Grantham’s front door. She gave a nervous smile as her younger sisters shuffled about, Georgia and Edwina elbowing each other, and Edwina wearing a fierce frown that seemed out of place on her round, pretty face. Roberta reached out and gave Georgia a pinch, which made her jump and glare at her, but at least she stopped causing fights. Antonia was ignoring them and looking as serene as usual, which probably meant she was looking forward to sneaking off somewhere to read one of her favorite books. Further up the line, Olivia and Ivo stood close together, smiling and whispering, while Justina and Charlesshared their own smiles. Gabriel and Vivienne were at the front of the line, looking very ducal, and Grandmama was clutching her ebony cane impatiently. Of course, as always, she had insisted upon being the first to greet their guest.
There was a clatter of wheels and hooves as Niki’s coach made its way down the driveway to the turning circle in front of the house. The insignia on the side dazzled with gold, and Roberta wondered if Niki should be in something less obvious. Maybe he should have arrived in disguise under cover of night—maybe she should suggest it to him, just to see his reaction?
“Roberta!” The dowager duchess’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “You should be here with me!”
Obediently, Roberta made her way up the line and stood beside her elderly grandmother.
The coach came to a halt, and a footman rushed down to open the door. The first person out was Freddie Hart, and Roberta felt herself breathe a sigh of relief. Of course Freddie would not allow his charge to travel about in such an obvious manner without watching over him. In the next moment, a group of men rode up on horseback, looking serious and alert, and Roberta relaxed even more.
“Is that him?” Olivia said, and Roberta realized she was holding Baby Edward in her arms. Olivia and Ivo—two restless and reckless people—had settled into domestic bliss in a way that had surprised everybody. Seeing them together now, Ivo with a doting look on his face, made Roberta smile.
Next out of the coach was Ernest, already chattering. And then, at last, Niki descended the vehicle and strolled up the steps to be greeted by the unusually effusive dowager duchess.
“Niki, this is such a pleasure! I’m sure if your grandfather were alive, he would be as thrilled as I am to see our families united at last.”
Roberta was aware of Niki’s swift glance at her as he responded with the warmth he had always shown her grandmother. “It is indeed a pleasure, Your Grace. I am very happy to be here.”
The dowager smiled, but her dark eyes were alert. “I am sure you will grow to love Grantham just as much as my granddaughter,” she said, as if saying it would make it so.
Oh dear, it had begun already. “I am sure I will,” was all he said, but Roberta knew he remembered her warning of her grandmother’s desire to liberate some of his money to help with the upkeep of the house.
Niki reached to take Roberta’s hand and place it in the crook of his elbow. “You are well?” he asked quietly. “You took no hurt from the other night?”
He was serious, his gaze searching. “I am very well,” Roberta assured him. “And you?”
Niki frowned. “Apart from the number of bodyguards I have about me increasing to a ridiculous level, yes, I am well.”
“It’s for your own good, sir,” Freddie interrupted. He had already greeted his best friends Gabriel and Charles and looked perfectly at home in the elaborate entrance hall, with its dome of colored glass high above.
“And I am grateful,” Niki said, sounding as if the words were forced out of him. He turned again to Roberta. “As you can see, I did not bring Leopold,” he spoke a little awkwardly. And, when everyone had dutifully laughed, “Your brother has assured me he has horses I can borrow if I wish to ride.”
“You certainly must ride with me,” Roberta hastened to say. “I want to show you my favorite places.”
“Then I must see them,” he said politely, but there was a sparkle in his dark eyes and a tilt to his lips. She was beginning to read him well, and she knew he wanted to ride with her far more than he wanted to be on show.
The line of Ashtons moved restlessly, still waiting. Roberta took a breath and turned to meet her sisters’ expectant gazes. “You know my sisters? Should I introduce them to you?”
He shook his head as if he was as disinclined as she to draw out this formal moment. “No introductions are necessary.”
“But I have been practicing my curtsy!” Edwina cried in disappointment. She was eight years old now but still very much a child.
Niki smiled gravely down at her. “Then you must certainly show me so I can judge for myself.”
Edwina looked a little anxious about this, but she prepared herself and then went down very low before rising again. She waited eagerly.
Niki applauded with enthusiasm. “It is a very good curtsy indeed,” he said.
Ernest wasn’t so easily won over. He tapped his chin with his forefinger, as if he was judging a competition. “I think there was a slight wobble there. Try again.”
