Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

Kate made a face at him. “Perhaps, but Uncle Cornelius says that reading of any kind will strengthen my mind, even fairy tales. And at least,” she added defensively, eyeing the small book of Greek myths she had brought with her, “fairy tales usually have happy endings, unlike those violent Greeks and Romans in literature—”

Ash held up his hand to cut off their dispute, knowing his headstrong sister wouldn’t let go of her romantic notions or cease her desire to problem-solve without a firm rebuff. “I’ve vowed to look after you all, Kate, but marriage is out of the question just now.”

“If not now, then when?”

“Someday.”

Clearly disappointed, Kate flopped back down and gazed up at the sky overhead. “I wish it would happen soon. You could find us a mama in a trice if you would only bother to look, Ash. We know how all the ladies swoon over you.”

“She does have a point,” Quinn offered, amusement lacing his drawl. Quinn was smirking, enjoying his discomfort, Ash realized.

He skewered his cousin with a piercing look. “If you think bringing home a mother for the girls is such a capital idea, why don’t you volunteer to find a wife? You could marry just as easily.”

“No, I couldn’t. I haven’t sown enough wild oats yet.”

“Why would you want to sow oats?” Skye asked.

Jack let out a snort of laughter. “Never mind, puss.”

“You are clutching at straws, Katie,” Ash said finally, although softening his tone. “I love you more than life, but I won’t wear leg shackles simply to spare you boarding school.”

Additionally, he was convinced the girls would benefit from a new environment, where they wouldn’t be so isolated and insulated as they were here at Beauvoir or Tallis Court, the nearby Traherne family seat.

“You will meet new friends at school,” Ash added consolingly. “And of course you can come home for the summers and every holiday. We will all be together again before you know it. And I mean to visit you frequently at your new school—”

“You had better, or I will never forgive you,” Kate threatened before glancing away. “Even so, it will never be the same ag-gain.…”

On that last note, her voice broke, a show of weakness that Ash knew was anathema to her.

With a huff of self-disgust, Katharine climbed to her feet and stalked off a short distance to stand with her back to them, trying to control her sniffling.

Feeling inadequate, Ash rose and followed her. When he touched her shoulder comfortingly, she suddenly turned and flung her arms around his waist in a fierce hug. “I will m-miss you so t-terribly, Ash.…”

“I will miss you too, love,” he said, returning her embrace with the same ferocity.

When a sob escaped her, Ash glanced behind him. The two boys were both staring at them somberly, while Skye was struggling to fight back tears also.

Longing to ease their sadness, Ash bent down and flung Kate over his shoulder, then carried her down to the lake, where despite her pleas of protest, he tossed her in.

To his vast relief, she came up spitting water and grinning. “I know very well that you are trying to distract me!” she yelled, pushing wet tresses from her eyes. “But I am not ever giving up!”

“No,” Ash yelled back with a dry chuckle. “I would expect nothing less of you.”

It was then that he recognized the tall, lithe form of his Uncle Cornelius in the distance, approaching them on foot. Most likely when the servants hadn’t been able to corral them home, the long-suffering gentleman had come himself to rescue the girls, even though they would not want rescuing.

When Lord Cornelius finally reached their picnic blankets, he looked exasperated and frustrated. It wasn’t that his discipline was nonexistent; it was merely not very effective. At least Ash could control the youngsters most of the time.

Cornelius halted with his arms crossed, his foot tapping, and let his gaze slowly sweep over the lot of them before focusing sternly on Ash.

“I warned you about the intensity of the sun at this time of afternoon, Master Ashton.” He then pointed to Skye’s face, which was flushed pink.

Upon realizing his cousin’s fair skin was burning, Ash instantly swallowed his rebuttal. “We are coming at once, Uncle,” he said, sending Skye a rueful glance and nodding at the others.

At his pronouncement, they all began gathering their belongings and loading down the horses.

Then as a group, they turned and reluctantly trudged home toward the manor. Kate cradled her collection of Greek myths in one arm and fell into step with Uncle Cornelius. Quinn and Jack followed, leading the horses, while Ash and Skye brought up the rear.

As they left the sparkling lake behind, Ash glanced around them, committing the special moment to memory. Not only was this the end of their golden summer afternoon, but soon they would be going their separate ways, and like his young sister, he badly wished to delay their inevitable parting.