Once Upon a Castle - Jill Gregory [100]
She felt the blood drain, leaving her pale and trembling. She tried to speak, but no words came.
A short time later Lord Falcon, William, and Diana, along with the servants, came in search of their errant houseguest. They found her still standing on the terrace, her hands linked with Chandler’s.
“The carriage is here to take you to London,” Lord Falcon began.
“Miss Andrews won’t be leaving, Father.” Chandler never took his gaze from hers. “I’ve convinced her that one of life’s greatest adventures awaits her here at Falcon’s Lair.”
“I see.” A slow smile spread across the old man’s face. To Felicity he said, “I told you happy endings are the best, my dear.” Signaling to the others, he led the party indoors, where they continued to stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring at the couple on the terrace.
Chandler and Felicity never moved. Yet a shimmering light seemed to surround them. William explained to Diana that it was probably a trick of the sunlight.
Soaring above Felicity and Chandler was a magnificent falcon. It turned its head one time, as if studying the man and woman, then catching a wind current, opened its great wings and lifted high into the air.
There were many who swore it continued climbing until it reached the sun. The story was repeated until it became just another of the many legends that surrounded Falcon’s Lair.
But it couldn’t top the legend of the family’s boldest adventurer, Chandler, who returned from the Amazon to find Felicity, the woman of his dreams, awaiting him. Together they founded a dynasty destined for greatness.
It is said their love burned brighter than the sun and will continue to burn for all eternity.
DRAGONSPELL
Marianne Willman
To Friends and Friendship—especially to Nora, Ruth, and Jill, whose loyalty and love are valued “above rubies”
And to Linda and Tina Blaschke, “pearls beyond price,” whose friendship, love, and support eased us through a very trying time
1
Once upon a time, in the days of Magic and Wonder, there lived a princess in the Kingdom of Amelonia. Like all proper princesses, she was lovely as the dawn, with fiery hair and skin like petals of the rose. But she was not like any other princess, then or now, as you will soon discover. And such an unusual princess surely deserves to win the love of a most unusual man…
On a warm summer’s day, several noble ladies sat in the castle’s solar, heads bowed over their embroidery frames. In the courtyard outside, a market day was in progress, sounds of music and laughter drifting in through the open casement window.
The only sounds inside, except for the occasional snick of tiny golden scissors, were the frequent sighs of the youngest, whose jeweled coronet sat slightly askew on her shimmering auburn hair. The amethyst cabochons were the exact color of her thickly lashed eyes.
How tedious to be stuck away on such a beautiful afternoon. No, unbearable! thought the Princess Tressalara. If she had her way, she would be riding out over the meadows with her hair blowing free in the sun, instead of wasting her time in such drudgery.
She stabbed the golden needle into the taut cloth in the frame…and into her finger, as well.
“By Saint Ethelred’s beard!” she exclaimed in annoyance, sucking her injured finger. A small drop of blood splashed onto her white silk gown.
The court ladies gasped in shock at such language from their princess. Lady Grette, the chief among the others, rose and went to her mistress’s side, making soothing little noises. When the princess was annoyed, it was best to stay out of her way; but when her rosy pink mouth firmed to a hard line, an explosion was imminent.
“Now, now. Patience is a virtue to be cultivated by the wise seamstress. I know it is hard, Princess Tressalara, to remain indoors on a fine summer’s day. But you must finish your work before you ride out. You are King Varro’s daughter, and it is time and more that you learn all the duties and skills of a royal lady.” How else was the headstrong princess ever going to mend her ways and acquire