“You’re too kind. I truly believe you will meet a special woman, fall in love, and plan a life with her. I will cherish this night with my last breath.”
“That will never happen. I’m in love with you.”
Stewart pulled himself away from her and reached over the edge of the bed. Natasha sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, keeping her bare shoulders tucked under the sheet. A box came into her line of vision as he settled back on the bed. Sitting upright, he held the item for her to see. It was a small box. Natasha stared in disbelief. Her brain registered that it was a perfect size for a ring. Her heart was convinced her brain was wrong. Even if marriage was possible, which it was not, Stewart would be foolish to consider a commitment before he graduated and started his career. Stewart’s family would insist on his ability to support a family before considering marriage. She turned her attention back to the box, terrified at what it might contain.
“I imagined this moment differently, but given the situation, I believe it is appropriate,” Stewart informed her. “My intentions were honourable when I agreed to lie with you.”
Natasha was silent. Stewart removed the lid to reveal a gold band with a beautiful diamond and two sapphires set on either side. Her heart broke. Why is this happening now? How can Stewart even consider it? It was her worst nightmare. Her world crumbled around her. With her eyes swelling with tears, she stared at the ring, unable to speak or move.
“I love you, Natasha. Once you graduate, I will approach your father for his blessing if you agree to become my wife.”
Natasha remained silent. Stunned.
“I am certain, once your father and I are acquainted, he will approve. Within two years, I will be well-educated and able to support you and, God willing, a family. My parents adore you and were delighted when I informed them of my intentions. They were by my side as I purchased the ring.”
He paused. She never spoke. What could she say?
“I looked at traditional rings, but Momma noticed the diamond with the sapphires. You have spoken many times about the colour of my eyes. We felt this ring would be perfect.”
Stewart removed the ring, placed it on the end of her left ring finger and pushed it toward her knuckle.
“Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”
Numbly, she listened to Stewart’s words, but couldn’t respond. She loved him with her entire being, but her father would never approve of their marriage. Tears rolled unchecked down her face.
“This is not the response I was expecting. I imagined a big smile and an exuberant voice saying ‘yes.’”
Unable to look into his eyes, Natasha was ashamed she had never told him the truth. She allowed him to hope there might be a future for them. She would always cherish every moment she spent with him, but now she regretted returning to the river. Furious with herself, she must tell Stewart the truth. Admit she had deceived him.
“I’m certain you love me.”
“Indeed I do. With all my heart.”
“Say yes,” he pleaded. “Kiss me. Agree to become my wife.”
Her mind raced for adequate words. Tempted to just tell him her surname, she remembered a comment years earlier. He knew very little about the royal family—her family. At the time, that information was pleasing to her ears. Now, it made this moment even more difficult.
Her cheeks wet from tears, Natasha slid her hand from Stewart’s grip. She removed the ring from her finger, placed it in Stewart’s palm, and folded his fingers over it. Stewart looked stunned, devastated.
“I’m distraught, seeing the pain in your face,” she sobbed between the words. “I must speak honestly, with a true heart, but first, I must show you something.”
Natasha crawled out of bed and dressed quickly. Her back was to Stewart as she opened the bottom drawer of her wardrobe, removed the top items, and dug out a photograph wrapped in paper.
Chapter Nineteen
When Natasha stood up and turned, Stewart was dressed and sitting on the edge of her bed. He never moved, but stared at the ring resting in his palm. She sat by his side and handed him a flimsy package.
“Please forgive me,” she whispered, pain robbing her of breath. “I have deceived you. You must believe the pain in my heart is overwhelming.”
He placed the ring back into the box, set it aside, and took the package from her. With the material wrapping removed he glanced at the portrait and then back at her.
“I don’t understand. It is a portrait of the royal family.”
She nodded, hoping he would focus his attention on the faces. He continued to look at her. Frustrated, she pointed.
“Stewart. Look at the princess,” she pleaded.
His gaze returned to the portrait. His jaw dropped.
“No. Good God, no,” he cried. “No.” He vehemently denied the truth his eyes told him was real. “You’re Natasha Hathaway.”
Stewart looked up at her and then back to the portrait.
“This can’t be your family.” He studied the picture again. “These are not your brothers. These are not the men I became acquainted with.”
“You must believe me,” she pleaded. “I feel your despair. I would rather die a thousand deaths than see you grieving so. Natasha Hathaway would be honoured, proud, and privileged to be your wife, but I cannot.”
Stewart’s attention shifted to the bed.
“I violated the princess. Worse, I have disgraced my family. Tarnished my father’s name. I will most certainly be hanged, or lose my head. I shall die in shame.”
“No-o-o,” she assured him. “This shall be our secret. A secret I shall take to the grave.”
He looked into her eyes and scowled. His eyes were a cold shade of blue.
“You deceived me, from the day we met. Everything has been a lie.”
He grabbed the box with the ring inside and stalked toward the door without saying another word.
“Stewart, please. Allow me—” Natasha jumped from the side of the bed and ran after him. The door was left swinging open. “—to explain,” she whispered.
She looked down the empty hallway as he exited the building. It was over. She always knew it would end, but it wasn’t supposed to end this way. In her imagination, their relationship ended with a sad but pleasant goodbye. Not with tears and anger. She closed her door and stumbled back to the bed they had shared. Grabbing the pillow Stewart had rested on she pressed it to her face, curled into the fetal position, and cried inconsolably. I have been such a fool. I never questioned the fact my heart would be broken, but Stewart was not to suffer. I am a stupid, naïve fool.
* * *
Suddenly, the scene before Keeghan shifted from the grief-stricken girl in the dorm room to images flickering across the screen, a recap of the story she just experienced. When it ended she turned her attention to Alexander, hoping for an explanation.
“Enough for now. You require time to absorb the information you have been given.”
“You can’t end the story there.”
“It is time you returned to your home.”
He stood and walked off, disappearing.
Chapter Twenty
Keeghan and William
New to the area as a result of her dad’s promotion and transfer, Keeghan Kinsdale registered at the local high school. On her first day, she studied the map of the school, attempting to get her bearings. Searching for her locker, she wandered down the wide hallway. Keeghan noted two guys standing by some open lockers. Both were attractive. One was chatting loudly while the other glanced at his buddy and then turned his attention back to his locker. He pulled out some books. The chatter came to an abrupt end when she walked by. A voice stopped her.
Kyle, the guy chatting, introduced himself. With an air of great self-importance, he told her he was in his final year and was the quarterback for the school football team. He was determined to impress her. Whatever. She found his personality a little overbearing, but, given her own shy disposition, he could likely introduce
her to other students. That would eliminate that awful task of approaching strangers to establish new friendships.
The next day, he asked her out for dinner. Within a few weeks they were double-dating with Kyle’s friend, William, and his girlfriend, Kelly.
Keeghan was attracted to Will, but it never developed beyond harmless flirting. She found his passionate eyes and wit quite appealing.
The end of the school year approached. Kyle was accepted to the University of Alberta. Will decided to stay close to home, pleased with the idea of attending university in Vancouver.
Friendships dissolved and relationships fizzled. She wouldn’t miss Kyle.
In need of a summer job, Keeghan saw a small advertisement in the local paper. A retail store was hiring. She prepared a resumé and walked it into the store the next day.
She left the interview, walked out of the building, and removed her cell from her purse.
“Mom. I got the job. It’s a small independent store that specializes in imported woollens, silk, jewellery and perfume. The second I walked into the store, I loved the place. They’re guaranteeing thirty hours a week until September. I’m thrilled. The owners are fantastic.”
“I’m proud of you, Keeghan. We’ll talk more tonight.”
* * *
After a busy summer, Keeghan headed back for her last year of high school. Given their rapport, her boss offered her hours on Friday night and Saturday at the store. She enjoyed the financial independence, and loved working retail.
The final school year sped by. Upon graduation the owners once again offered thirty hours a week, which she accepted gleefully. Her parents, in the meantime, decided to sell their home and move to Victoria. Keeghan hated the commute. Hurry up and wait for the ferry and then the ride to the shop. One Friday night during her bike ride home, she considered her options. Winter was approaching. Even without the clocks turning back, it became dark earlier. She hated the idea of taking the ferry twice a day, in order to continue living with her parents. Perhaps it’s time to spread my wings and make the big move out on my own.
That very night she began her search for an apartment within a short distance of the shop. It was a difficult proposition to find something reasonably priced. Her parents offered to cover that dreaded first and last months’ rent. She signed a lease for an apartment that was a bit beyond her budget. Now she needed another job to bring in additional income in order to have money for social activities. Keeghan found a position as a waitress working Friday and Saturday nights, and all day Sunday. Her new boyfriend, Craig, wasn’t impressed with the increase in her work hours. Predictably, the four-month-old relationship fizzled.
Keeghan split her time between the two jobs, working in the boutique during the day and waitressing at night.
Two months later, she phoned her mom with exciting news.
“I’ve been offered full time hours at the boutique. Base pay plus commission.”
“That is a huge complement, Keeghan. They must be very pleased with you. Are you planning to quit working at the restaurant?”
“No. Not yet anyway. I make decent tips. Commissions don’t come with a guarantee. I will have to cut my hours at the restaurant back, though. I’ll only work Saturday night. It will be heavenly to have a day off.”
* * *
Keeghan had been in her apartment nine months when she received a text message from a friend.
‘Hey Keegh. Good news, bad news. Jill got engaged and is moving in with Sam. I need a new roommate. Interested? $800 a month to split my mortgage and condo fee. Text me.’
At that price, it was a no-brainer. Keeghan was ecstatic at the prospect of moving to nicer accommodations. She worked out a new budget and was pleased to discover she could afford to quit waitressing. Keeghan gave her notice at the diner and moved into Sherry’s two-bedroom condo.
* * *
Will received his Bachelor of Commerce, graduating with honours. While finishing his degree, he was approached by headhunters with potential jobs. After careful consideration, he accepted an offer from a prestigious financial institution. A year later, at his weekly Sunday night dinner with his family, he was discussing the job.
“I’m not happy at work,” he admitted. “The largest percentage of my day is spent assisting the staff with their lending applications. My phone rings off the hook, and the emails keep popping in. I enjoy dealing with clients, but I don’t have the time for them. It’s frustrating as hell.”
“What about branch management?” his grandfather asked.
“I’m only one step away from that. I’d still be dealing with the lending until I get assigned to a decent-sized branch. That won’t happen overnight. Branch management would have the added pressure of the regional manager or head office breathing down my neck as well. More profits, it’s all they care about. They don’t give a shit about the people, clients, or staff as long as they make money. At least that’s the case for my employer and Jim’s. Heaven help them if their top execs don’t make a seven figure salary as they nickel and dime their clients to death. Even their staff. They work their asses off serving clients, and yet they’re not paid well. It’s disgusting. Profitability. It’s the favourite word of executives.” He looked around the table. “Sorry Dad, Papa. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. The staff is fantastic, but the bullshit infuriates me.”
“Do you like investing?” his dad asked.
“When I have time to do it, yeah. That’s the part I like.”
“Well then, maybe it’s time to ask for a transfer to another division. It means house calls, and you still have quotas to meet. Profitability isn’t going away.”
“I know that, Dad. I’m not sure they’ll consider me for the investment division. In the eyes of the powers that be, have I done my due diligence to warrant the promotion?”
“If they say no, you put the word out that you’re looking elsewhere. You’re a smart guy. You’ll get another job.”
Not that he doubted it, but it was comforting to know he had his family’s support.
* * *
A week later, he sent his dad a text.
‘My transfer was accepted. I’m starting in the investment division on Monday. Base pay plus commission. Can’t wait! I’ll call Papa tonight.’
‘Congratulations, William. Your mom and I are proud of you.’
A year later, Will wrapped up the meeting with a high-value couple and drove out of the multi-million-dollar estate subdivision. His phone buzzed, indicating a new text message. He pulled the car over and looked at his phone. The message from his dad read:
‘Your mom’s birthday. Celebrating on Saturday instead of Sunday.’
“Shit. I forgot to get a gift.” He parked his car on the street by some one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques and began walking, looking in the windows.
The street was quiet, peaceful. Appreciating the fresh air, he tilted his head back. The heat from the sun warmed his face. Looking down, a thick, platinum bracelet caught his attention. It sparkled on the black velvet cloth. Beside it, there was a unique etched pendant with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds on a white gold chain. A bell tinkled above his head as he entered the building.
* * *
Keeghan heard the door chime and glanced at the well-dressed man who entered the shop. Knowing she would be finished within a few minutes, her focus remained on her current customer. She continued toward the register. She accepted the cash payment and thanked the client before turning her attention to the gentleman. Given his attire, she assumed he was on lunch break, or perhaps visiting the area while on a business trip. Either way, she wanted a sale.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, please,” he responded before turning to face her.
Keeghan recognized her high school friend immediately. On this day, of all mornings, she had been in a hurry and pulled her hair back instead of wearing it down. She regretted that now.
“Keegh? Keeghan Kinsdale?”
A bit nervous a
bout running into her old friend, she flicked her bangs.
“Oh my gosh, Will. How are you?”
For once, Keeghan was thankful the store was quiet. No customers to interrupt their conversation. Will was as funny and handsome as she remembered. The conversation continued until he glanced at his watch.
“I’d like to buy this bracelet and necklace for my mom.”
She walked to the computer and completed the sale.
“I don’t suppose you’d be free for dinner later, would you?” Will lifted an eyebrow. That puppy dog look she remembered so well.
“I don’t have any definite plans for tonight. I’d love to have dinner and catch up on things.” She smiled.
“Great. Listen, I’ve gotta go, or I’ll be late for an appointment. I’ll pick you up. What time do you get off?”
“The shop closes at five, and then I have to finish the paperwork and lock up.”
“That will work. I leave my office at five.”
“Leave the gift with me. I’ll wrap it for you.”
“Bonus. See you in a few hours, Keeghan.”
* * *
With ten minutes to spare before a conference call, Will sent a text message to Jim.
‘Humble apologies, bud. Reneging on our boys’ night. If tonight goes well, and I hope it does, I’ll introduce you to my high school friend. Talk later.’
‘Female friend?’ Jim responded.
‘Yup. :- )’
* * *
The afternoon dragged by. Keeghan was excited at the prospect of getting reacquainted. She had just finished counting the cash from the register when Will tapped on the locked door. She moved away from the counter and let him in.
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