The Royal Couple: A Christian Romance (Royals Book 1) Read online

  She broke away from him.

  “Gerald just died. It’s too soon,” she forced out around the lump in her throat.

  She hadn’t waited for his response but fled the garden and went up to her room. This time he hadn’t followed her. She had returned home early the next morning. She had ignored his calls and returned his gifts and had not seen nor spoken to him since that night.

  Chapter 4

  Present day

  Now here they were nine months later.

  William watched Barbara with an unwavering gaze as he awaited her response.

  Nine years ago he had made the hardest decision of his life when he had let her go and the regret had haunted him every day since.

  At Prudence’s wedding they had talked, laughed, danced and eventually kissed and it seemed as if there had been no separation between them. Then he had to go and open his foolish mouth and tell her that since she was now free they could be together. Afterward, he considered how callous his words must have sounded. He might as well have said, “Isn’t it great that your husband’s been killed? Now there’s nothing standing in the way of our happiness.”

  Still, what had given him hope was that she hadn’t balked at the idea of them resuming their romance. She’d only said that it was too soon. He’d interpreted that as, “As soon as I get past this mourning period we can start dating again.”

  He had envisioned a scenario where he’d remain in the wings, providing friendly comfort as she got over her husband’s death. Then they would fall into each other’s arms when it was decent to do so.

  It hadn’t played out that way at all. After she had left him he had given her what he considered a reasonable amount of time, a few days, and then he had contacted her.

  He had noted that her tone was guarded and distant. She had indicated that she couldn’t talk at the time but she hadn’t returned his call. When he called another time, it had gone straight to her voicemail. He had left a message. That also went unanswered. But what really gave him a clue that she was giving him the cold shoulder was when the gifts he had sent her were all returned unopened. He’d never in all his life felt so helpless, so rejected.

  In the business world he had a reputation for being fearless, aggressive, driven and determined. Yet, with Barbara, he had no idea what he should do. He’d thought of showing up on her doorstep and demanding that she talk with him but he soon dismissed that idea. He didn’t want to add stalker to the list of things she already had against him. Finally, in defeat, he had decided to do nothing except wait the whole mourning period thing out. Now to have her imply that he had read her signals all wrong made it all he could do not to explode with helpless anger.

  ~*~*~*~

  Barbara looked down at her nails as she contemplated William’s statement. Since their encounter at the wedding, she’d had several months to try to sort out her feelings for him. She had come to the conclusion that she didn’t want to trust him with her heart again. Besides, he wasn’t even a Christian and if it were God’s will that she remarry, He certainly wouldn’t want her to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever.

  She had to convince William there was no chance for him. He was a very persistent man. Even though she had ignored his calls and his gifts, here he was, yet again refusing to take the hint. No, she had to be firm and forthright this time.

  She took a deep breath and jumped in with a more vigorous effort to make her point.

  “I can’t get involved with you, William. I’m sorry if I misled you at Prudence’s wedding.”

  His head jerked back in surprise and confusion. “Why can’t you get involved with me?” he asked.

  She sighed. This was not going to be easy. He was like a dog chewing on a bit.

  “Because,” Barbara said softly but with undeniable conviction. “I can’t trust myself to a man who doesn’t know the Lord.”

  At least that was part of the reason.

  William’s posture immediately stiffened.

  “What do you mean I don’t know the Lord? My parents are Christian. I had a Christian upbringing, same as you. I may not be a regular churchgoer but I know that there is a God.”

  Barbara didn’t blink. She held William’s glacial stare and responded gently.

  “The demons also know that there is a God, and tremble. I’m sorry, but nothing you’ve just said convinces me you’re a true believer. Faith isn’t inherited like your family inherits titles. Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord, William? Have you given the reigns of your life over to him?”

  William tried to hold her gaze but eventually he looked away. He cleared his throat and admitted, “No, I haven’t done that.”

  Barbara was quiet as she watched him run a hand through his hair and look down at his shoes. His tone was tentative when he asked, “So, are you saying that there’s no chance for us?”

  “All I can offer you is friendship, William.”

  Barbara could see a muscle working in his jaw as he stared off into the night. She was so sure that he would tell her where she could stuff her consolation prize that she thought she’d heard him wrong when he finally sighed and said, “Okay. I’ll take it.”

  “You’ll take it?” she repeated.

  He nodded. Just then, a waitress appeared and told them that all guests were required to be seated for dinner. They rose and walked in silence back to the house.

  Place cards were side by side at the long table that seated twenty-two. Barbara was sure that it was not coincidence that she and William were seated next to each other.

  She leaned over and whispered to Prudence, “You could have warned me that William was going to be here.”

  Prudence smiled mischievously. “What and spoil the surprise?”

  Barbara soon found, though, that she had little to worry about in terms of her close proximity to William. The guest to William’s right was a ballet dancer. She seemed to find him fascinating and monopolized his attention throughout most of the meal. Whenever he would attempt conversation with Barbara, she would interject with some random question and draw William’s attention back to her.

  Finally, he seemed to have had enough. He spoke firmly, but not unkindly, to the ballerina.

  “If you’ll excuse me, please. I’m having a conversation with a friend.”

  He bluntly dismissed her by turning away to converse with Barbara.

  “So what time are you leaving tomorrow?” he asked.

  “How do you know that I’m leaving tomorrow?” she asked. No doubt Prudence had filled him in on all of her plans.

  He seemed to have picked up the slight annoyance in her tone. He took a bite of his toffee apple pudding and looked at her with blatant curiosity.

  “Prudence told me. Was it supposed to be a secret?”

  “No,” she said, almost too quickly.

  What difference did it make if he knew or not? It didn’t change anything.

  “The jet is scheduled to leave at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. What about you, what time are you leaving tonight?”

  William took his final bite of the dish and dabbed his mouth with his napkin.

  “I’m actually leaving tomorrow evening as well. I’m spending the night here.”

  Her mind screamed, “You’re doing what!?” Her mouth said, “Oh, that’s nice.”

  Suddenly, a voice in Barbara’s head insisted, “Invite him to church.”

  No, I can’t. Suppose he reads more into it than I intend.

  “Invite him to church.”

  She sighed and turned to him. “Prudence is coming to church with me tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”

  He pursed his lips for a few seconds. Then he said, “Sure. Thanks for inviting me.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Prudence had kept her word. She was there in the pew beside Barbara. She hadn’t promised to be awake, however. Despite the large romantic, white hat that almost covered Prudence’s eyes, Barbara could see that they kept drifting close.

  Before she’d retired for
bed Barbara had leaned over to Prudence and whispered, “Remember, church in the morning so don’t party ‘til dawn.” Prudence had rocked with laughter, clearly planning to disregard Barbara’s advice. So now Barbara showed her no mercy as she nudged her awake with her elbow every time she caught her napping.

  Stavros had joined them, much to Barbara’s surprise. He’d said matter-of-factly, “Where my wife goes, I go.” He was sitting to his wife’s left. At least he was awake, although he looked bored to tears and kept checking his watch.

  William, seated to her right, was also wide awake, Barbara noted, but she also noted from her peripheral vision that he was spending more time stealing glances at her than participating in the service. At some point, though, the minister seemed to have caught his attention and Barbara said a prayer to God that the sermon would impact him.

  After lunch, they all adjourned to the large family room and played a few board games and occasionally commented on the soccer game on TV. Then, Barbara and Prudence chatted while William provided Stavros with solicited advice on financial investment.

  As Barbara began to share her plans for her Foundation’s annual charity gala with Prudence, Stavros stepped out of the room and William drifted over to them.

  Barbara said, “The first event committee meeting is in two weeks.”

  “That early?” Prudence asked, stretching like a cat on the plush sectional. “Wasn’t the last gala just a few months ago?”

  Barbara brought her bare feet under her and sunk deeper into the sofa. “Three months ago actually, but remember this is a huge event so we have to start fundraising several months in advance. I’m actually a little late this year. I should have had the first planning meeting in February but I’ve been very busy with this new movie I’m producing.”

  William took a seat on the ottoman in front of them.

  “What are you two plotting over here?” he asked, in the British upper-class lilt that Barbara found, much to her dismay, still sent shivers down her spine. He was speaking to both of them but was staring directly at her.

  “We’re plotting to get you to church on a regular basis,” teased Prudence.

  William’s eyebrows shot up as he glanced across at his cousin.

  “Really? You want to get me to church more. Well you’ll need to start the ball rolling then, set the right example for me. That might prove a bit of a challenge though given that you don’t get out of bed until noon on Sundays.”

  He neatly dodged the throw cushion that Prudence hurled at his head.

  “Now, tell me what you two girls were really discussing.”

  Barbara couldn’t hide her amusement at their exchange. After a chuckle, she proceeded to update William on the gala that the Changing Lives Foundation would be hosting for the third year. It was to raise money for the Changing Lives Community Centers set up across America to help at-risk youth. Then she remembered something.

  “William, last year Lamport Financials bought a corporate table. I think the executive manager of the New York division and some of his staff attended. I hope that your company can be generous again this year.”

  William nodded thoughtfully.

  Later that afternoon, when William was ready to return to London, he took Barbara aside.

  “Is it okay if I give you a call when I return home?”

  She shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”

  They exchanged phone numbers.

  William pocketed his phone.

  “Take care then,” he said and after one last long look at her he was gone.

  Barbara leaned against the closed door and sighed deeply.

  Prudence came into the foyer. She watched Barbara with interest.

  “Has he left?”

  Barbara nodded.

  “May I ask what’s going on between you two?” Prudence asked.

  Barbara avoided Prudence’s gaze and was suddenly fascinated with the Andre Derain painting on the wall.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you could cut the tension between you two with a knife. It’s as plain as the nose on my face that you two have feelings for each other. Why don’t you just date him and put both of you out of your misery?”

  Barbara folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at Prudence.

  “I am not about to make the same mistake that I made nine years ago that’s why. One shattered heart in a lifetime is quite enough.”

  Prudence’s green eyes reflected hurt.

  “You don’t have to be so touchy, Barbara. I’m sorry about what happened with William years ago. But that’s water under the bridge. I know for a fact that he loves you.”

  Barbara sighed. “I apologize, Prunes.”

  She unfolded her arms and stuck them in the pockets of her jeans.

  “I didn’t mean to get defensive. It’s just that seeing William again has me kind of off balance.”

  Prudence hugged her.

  “It’s alright. I’ve got a big mouth. It’s really none of my business. He’s like a brother to me and you’re the only woman he’s ever seemed happy with, that’s all. You can’t blame me for wanting to see you two together. You know what a romantic I am.”

  Barbara grinned involuntarily.

  “Yes, I know. You are little Miss Matchmaker who thought it would be too cute to pair me and William at your wedding.”

  Barbara held up a hand as Prudence began to protest.

  “Uh uh, don’t deny it. You think I didn’t realize that I was not the tallest woman there. Stavros’ sister, Athena, is at least two inches taller than I am. I’ll bet that you gave specific instructions to the wedding planner.”

  “Hmm…so what does it say that you didn’t object?”

  “Well…it was your big day. I didn’t want to make an issue of it…”

  “Sure you didn’t,” Prudence cackled.

  Chapter 5

  William Lamport’s jet had landed safely at London City Airport and he was now on his way to his penthouse condominium in the London Waldorf International Hotel and Towers. This was the place he had called home for the last ten years.

  He sat in the back of the stately black Rolls Royce and contemplated whether he should open the slim chrome laptop on the seat next to him and compose the email he planned to send to his management team…or whether he should just wait until he got home.

  He decided to wait. He knew that if he weren’t careful he would be in serious danger of becoming a workaholic. He had spent the time on the flight catching up on emails and reviewing reports for a meeting scheduled that week with the senior directors of the Lamport Group.

  Today had been the first time in months that he had actually rested on a Sunday. The Beijing expansion had been grueling. The level of attention he had paid to that particular project had been unusual. He did not believe in micromanaging and was comfortable delegating to the capable management staff who supported him. So what had propelled him to take a hands on approach to the Beijing expansion? For one, it had helped to keep his mind off of Barbara.

  Following their encounter at Prudence’s wedding, he had reached out to her but she had given him the cold shoulder. It had been akin to being banished to Siberia. The only thing that had kept him sane was burying himself in his work in an attempt to forget her.

  The other reason for his hands-on approach was how near and dear the project had been to his father’s heart, one that he had started before ill health had forced him to put it aside.

  For Lord William Lamport II, Lamport Holdings had been more than a business. It had been a legacy. A philosophy that he had drilled into his son.

  William grew introspective as he recalled when he had taken over Lamport Holdings five years ago after his father had stepped down as CEO. It was a position for which he had been groomed all his life. When it finally arrived, it had been tinged with sadness because being at the helm of the company he loved had been quickly followed by losing the father he loved.

  Despite this, he had assumed the
leadership position with the confidence that he could take the company to even greater heights than it had reached thus far. He could still recall the headline in World Finance Magazine: With the Crown Prince of Lamport Holdings Now on the Throne Do Employees and Stakeholders Have Anything to Fear? The cover story had concluded that, based on his track record in business, stakeholders in fact had reason to celebrate.

  The article proved prophetic. In five years, the company’s market share had increased by 30% and Lamport Holdings was now the largest private corporation in the United Kingdom. Finance was still Lamport’s core business but, in a drive that he had initiated shortly after he had started working for the company, William had expanded its focus to include commodities, real estate and vehicles, including luxury cars, aircraft and yachts. The company now had a presence in twenty-five countries.

  William’s thoughts drifted to his mother. He had not spoken to her in over a week. He knew that he would get an earful from her, although she understood his situation better than most. As the widow of the late Lord William Lamport, she had experienced first-hand what it meant to be in a relationship with a powerful, driven business man.

  William decided to give his mother a call.

  Kendra Lamport answered her cell phone on the fifth ring. Her satin smooth, cultured voice sounded slightly breathless.

  “Mum, are you alright?” William’s voice reflected some anxiety. Ever since he had lost his father he was more concerned about his mother than he had been in the past. He saw himself as being the one to take care of her now, although considering his busy lifestyle he was doing a lousy job. What eased the guilt was that Lady Kendra Lamport was not the sort of woman who required that type of attention. She did a fantastic job taking care of herself and staying busy with her various charities. Added to that, she was the consummate social butterfly, flittering to this or that social engagement.