Life isn't fair! That's exactly how this young man, Bryce Grayson, the prince of Willias, a kingdom in the countryside of England known for the true love its rulers - his parents - share, feels about his lot in life during the time of Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare and Galileo. Striken with a mysterious, reoccuring illness since birth, Bryce would give anything to lead a normal life, where he can follow his dreams of becoming a knight and astronomer and even having a romantic relationship. Until a young woman, the independent, London historian Lady Marie Dutton, who longs to end her loneliness and doesn't believe love is possible for her, crosses Bryce's path; that's when everything in both of their worlds begin to change. Slowly, Bryce and Marie realize that without each other they are incomplete and together they don't need the hassles the world brings them. Eventually, they discover a true love of their own.
This is an excerpt from the novel. Normally you shouldn't give an excerpt from Chapter 9 but it's one of my favorite chapters in the "Bryce."
Chapter 9
The Conversation
Following dinner, the men and women parted company as was a part of what was considered to be customary practice at royal social events. The men retired to the smoking room where they puffed on foul cigars and drank brandy while the women went to the solarium to gossip.Marie noticed Bryce hadn't taken his leave of her to join the men. She cocked her head and raised her eyebrow at him mischievously and teasingly. "You're not joining the men in the smoking room for cigars and brandy?"He replied with mild distaste, "I'd rather not."She teased him, "What?!? I thought you would be into that type of male bonding.""I can think of other things that are a lot better that I'd rather do.""Like what?" She asked curiously.He looked away shyly, "You don't really want to know.""Yes, I do."He looked at her surprised and stunned. "You're really interested in knowing what I'd be doing rather than wasting my time smoking cigars and drinking brandy with the men?"She locked her eyes on his, "Yes.""I..." He began.He glanced around the room where he was surrounded and trapped by the crowd. He felt uncomfortable around all the people and drowned out by the roar of their conversations. He wished he could get away from it. Somewhere where he could have some privacy when he talked to her. He didn't want to compete with the voices engaged in thousands of different conversations. Or, have them listening in while he had a personal conversation with her. "I'd rather not have this conversation here. Is there some place we can go? Somewhere where you and I can talk..Alone."She smiled. She liked the prospect of talking to and being alone with him away from the interference of everyone and everything. And, so did he, she saw by the pleased look he had on his face and the twinkling delight reflected in his eyes.She shrugged. "I don't know, Bryce. I'm not familiar with this place. I'm not from around here.." She looked at him teasingly. "..Remember?"He smiled then laughed softly. "What an idiot I am! Of course, you don't know your way around here. But, I do. We could go outside into the gardens."She graciously gestured toward him. "Lead the way."*They drifted outside into the palace's gardens on the peaceful, beautiful star-filled summer evening. He leaned up against the stone pillar that was a part of the palace's garden grotto while she sat on the steps nearby him. He looked off into the distant horizon as he focused on and admired the skies above. He seemed distant and far away. She wondered what he was thinking about with the thoughtful expression on his face and lost look in his eyes. She admired him shyly as he stood there. From his well built masculine body, his brown robe hung loosely, which revealed his sword hanging casually from his belt. His arms were crossed casually across his chest, and his black boots were crossed at the ankles in front of him as he casually relaxed against the pillar. Yes, Marie, he's handsome. But, you already knew that!She broke the silence. "So, what were you saying earlier about the things you'd rather be doing than wasting your time smoking and drinking with the men?"He didn't answer her. She followed his gaze to where his eyes were locked on the skies above. It appeared like he was in engaged in some sort of telepathic conversation with the stars. She almost hated to interrupt his silent communion with the Heavens."Bryce?" She called his name gently."Hmm?" He murmured distractedly."Bryce, are you okay?""Hmm?" "Earth to Bryce, come in Bryce.""Hmm.." He looked at her distractedly. "..I'm sorry, Marie. Were you talking to me?""Yes," She teased him gently. "But, you decided to take a little trip to LaLa Land and were on another planet or something."He adverted his eyes embarrassed. "Sorry, I got distracted. I wasn't trying to ignore you, Marie. What was it you were trying to ask me?""You know..what you said earlier about the things you'd rather do," She teased him again. "Instead of being a part of male bonding."He laughed softly. "That. Well, I'd rather be star gazing for one.""Really?" She asked in interested surprise. "Do you like that sort of thing?""Like it? I love it. I studied astronomy at Oxford for awhile."She noted the sad tone in his voice and matching look on his face. She looked at him concerned. "But, you didn't finish your studies?"He sighed. "No, I didn't.""Why?" She asked stunned then quickly tried to cover up her shock and surprise. "I mean, you obviously love astronomy very much, and it's hard to understand the reasons why you'd give up your studies.""I didn't give up my studies." He told her firmly."But..."He looked away and said quietly, "I really don't want to discuss the reason I couldn't continue my studies."She closed her eyes and felt his pain. She heard the deep regret resounding in his voice, saw the pain in his eyes and the sorrow etched onto his face. His words filled with deep regret and sorrow echoed throughout her mind over and over again as she heard him say he couldn't continue his studies. Not knowing the mysterious thing he referred to that had kept him from pursuing his heart's desire tore her apart. It broke her heart that he was unable for whatever reason to obtain his dreams. "I'm sorry." She told him gently."It's not your fault."She switched the subject of the conversation to what she hoped was a more pleasant subject. "I went to Oxford.""Did you really go to Oxford?""Yes.""It's too bad we didn't run into each other there."That thought had crossed her mind too. "Well, I suppose we could have run into each other there. But, it probably wasn't likely since I didn't hang around or out with any scientists or astronomers since I studied history.""Really?" He asked impressed by her."Yes, I was one of very few women to complete their studies at the university."He gazed appreciatively at her. "Bet you were the smartest one in your class."She smiled teasingly at him. "How did you know?"He grinned sloppily at her. "Lucky guess?"She laughed appreciatively. "Good guess.""I don't know how I knew that. I just did," He confessed. "You just strike me as a very intelligent woman.""Is that a compliment?" She teased.His grin broadened. "Maybe.""Thanks, I think." "I didn't mean it that way," He remarked immediately apologetic. Bryce thought he had offended her until he saw the teasing look reflected in her eyes. He smiled then laughed softly.She really enjoyed talking to him and his company. He was really a smart guy and a gentleman. He made her smile and laugh. He had suddenly brought sunshine and happiness into her life, and she was thankful and glad about it. She loved his smile and laugh. She liked him a lot. Marie smiled softly to herself and laughed.He smiled at her teasingly, "So, I take it you're a historian?""Something like that," She bantered back teasingly."Being a historian must be an interesting profession.""It is.""It must be fascinating getting to go to interesting places where you get to look for then discover ancient legends and dig for then find buried treasures.""Well, that's only part of it. Most of what I do is boring, really.""Boring?""Well, I do spend most of my time doing a lot of research in libraries. Which isn't entirely as interesting as some of the places I've been or things I've found.""I wish I could go look for ancient legends and dig for buried treasures in interesting places like you have," He told her with a note of envious jealousy in his voice."I'm sure you've been to lots of interesting places.""No, not really. I've never been out of England.""You're kidding?" She asked in stunned surprise."No. I wish I was." He admitted sadly then looked at her hopefully. "Would you tell me about some of the places you've been?""Oh, Bryce, I don't know." She wanted to let it slide and dismiss it. "I've been to so many places that I hardly know which ones are interesting."He begged her gently. "Tell me, Marie. Please."She sighed. "All right. I've been to Eygpt...""Were you inside an actual pyramid?" He interrupted her, his eyes dancing in delight."Yes, but digging up mummies and other treasures inside pyramids is not as glamorous as one thinks. There are creepy crawly insects and reptiles slithering around as well as other horrible and distasteful things that happen to be infested inside those things."He looked highly amused then he laughed at her. He slapped his knee and doubled over slightly. His laughter echoed throughout the garden. "It's not funny, Bryce," she sternly scolded him.He wiped the tears from his eyes and tried not to laugh. "I'm sorry." She turned away from him stung by his mockery of her. He had laughed at her and that hurt. If he was going to mock her, then she wasn't going to talk to him.Instantly he felt like a horrible monster for laughing at her. He mentally kicked himself for treating her so cruelly. She definitely didn't deserve that kind of treatment from him, he chided himself harshly."Marie, I'm sorry. Really. Please forgive me."She shrugged her shoulders dismissing his apology. She still felt angry and hurt. He bowed his head in shame and deeply regretted what he did. He knew what he had done was wrong. He hadn't meant to treat her so badly, and he punished himself severely for his behavior."Marie, I'm sorry." He touched her shoulder then his fingers gently cupped her chin turning her face toward his. He looked gently and apologetically into her eyes. And, that's when it hit him hard.God, I want to kiss her!He wondered what her lips would feel like sealed against his in a passionate and tender kiss. He felt overwhelmed by the powerful and strong desires, longings and almost need he had to kiss her. He tried to deny his feelings and regain his composure. But he couldn't deny he desperately wanted to kiss her.Bryce, get a hold of yourself!"I..Marie..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, and I know I did. I'm sorry for being a jerk. I'm an idiot. I'm so sorry, Marie. Please forgive me. Please, Marie. Please forgive me." He adverted his eyes. He didn't want to see the sorrow on her face. He cringed thinking about the pain he'd caused her. He couldn't bare to see the pained look in her eyes. He couldn't even look into her eyes..if he did, he'd be filled with his overwhelming desires and the needs he had to kiss her."I forgive you, Bryce," she murmured softly. "Thank you," he murmured quietly in return.He removed his fingers from her chin and distanced himself from her again. He had to keep himself away from being too close to her, or he'd really end up kissing her.Don't ya wanna kiss her? an inner devilish voice teased him.No! His mind answered in an unconvincing lie.Sure, ya do! replied the fiendish voice. No, I don't, he thought a little more confidentially in response.Ya know ya wanna kiss her. So, what are ya waitin' for? Christmas? Go on.. Kiss her! I can't, he firmly scolded the voice in his head.Sure, ya can. Just go ahead..and, do it!I can't, he thought.The excuse he'd gave to his inner personal and private demons sounded pretty lame. The devils' suggestions weakened his resolve and heightened his emotions, which made him want to succumb to the temptation and follow through on his heart's desires.She noticed a far off and distracted look had once again appeared on Bryce's face. "Bryce, are you okay?"He shook himself out of his private personal thoughts and smiled at her wanly. "Sure, I'm fine."She teased him again, "Are you sure? Because I think you just went on another trip to some galaxy far, far away or where ever astronomers go when they get distracted and lost in deep thought." He laughed appreciatively and teased her back. "And, where might that be exactly?"She laughed. "I wouldn't know since I don't know that much about science or astronomy. You'll have to educate me some time."He grinned broadly, "I'll have to keep that in mind. But, you were educating me about some of the interesting places you've been before I..."She interrupted him. "..Bryce, that's been forgiven and forgotten."He nodded. "So, where else beside Egypt have you been, Marie?""Greece.""Ah, the land of gods and great legends of the past.""You make it sound so romantic.""Is it?""Not if you're spending your most of your time locked up in a musty library or digging in the sweltering heat.""Isn't there any place you've gone that you've liked?" He asked curiously."Yes, Italy is very beautiful.""So, you liked doing historical work in Italy," He remarked with intrigued interest. "The country of lovers." "So, some say. Just don't let the French hear you say that.""Well, the French need to get it right. Their country is where lovers go." She laughed softly. "I don't know why the lovers go there when the French are so terribly rude.""Do you ever let your hair down?" "What?!?" She asked utterly confused. She wondered why he'd suddenly decided to completely change the subject of their conversation. Or, where his totally off the wall question had came from.He repeated his question, "Do you ever let your hair down?"She laughed very hard. "What does that question have to do with the price of tea in China?"He laughed. "I don't know. I didn't think we were discussing the price of tea in China.""Well, I certainly don't know why or how my hair became the subject of this conversation.""Oh, I don't know. I was just curious I guess and wondered if you usually wore it up or down.""I usually wear it up. Why? Do you think my hair would look better down?"He shrugged. "I don't know. I've never seen it down."Maybe you'd like him to take your hair down for you..along with some other things. A wicked inner voice teased her.Marie, behave yourself! She harshly rebuked herself. Why hasn't he kissed me yet? sadly asked another inner voice that sounded disappointed like an petulant child.Then it hit her. She'd been holding back on and denying her feelings all night long. The more she hid and denied them, the more persistent they became. Her desires and needs weren't going to be ignored. She wanted Bryce to kiss her..rather badly. She really regretted that he hadn't kissed her, but she couldn't kiss him..that would be too forward."Marie, are you okay?" he asked quietly breaking her out of personal and private thoughts.She slowly collected her composure. "Sure." She saw a mischievous grin cross his lips. "Don't say it.""What?" He feigned innocence."You know what," She teased. "The crack you're about to make about where historians go when they get distracted and lost in personal thoughts.""I wasn't going to make any crack of the kind.""Sure, you weren't."He laughed. "I wasn't."She wagged her finger teasingly at him and smiled. "I'm on to you, Bryce Grayson.""Oooh. Now I'm in trouble.""I'd say you are," She teased and switched the subject on him. "So, where did you get to be learn to be so good with the sword?""Excuse me?" He bantered back teasingly."Oh, I see how you are. You want me to give you some appreciative stroking and laudatory compliments about your skills with the sword, don't you?"He grinned broadly. "It would be nice.""Hubris doesn't suit your gentlemanly personality, Bryce.""Are you trying to tell me I'm a gentleman?""Maybe."He raised his eyebrows mischievously toward her and let a slow smile cross his lips. "Is that what they call a backhanded compliment?""Call it what you will.""The lady plays dirty.""Do I?" She joked then sobered. "Seriously though, you're quite good..No, good isn't the right word for it, but I don't want to over inflate your ego by telling you the truth..that the caliber of your swordsmanship is excellent and you possess a lot of talent with the weapon.""Really?" He replied stunned."Yes, really." She saw the surprise still on his face. She realized he had no idea that she had paid him a compliment nor a clue about how good he really was a sword. "Do you have any idea how good you are with a sword, Bryce?""No," he confessed. "Tell me. How good am I with a sword?""I'd hate to come up against you in a competition or find myself fighting to defend myself against you in some dark alleyway.""You're just saying that to be nice to me.""No, Bryce, I'm not. It's true. No one is a match for you. You have a gift when it comes to wielding the sword."He was touched by her sincerity. He bowed at the waist graciously to show his appreciation of her compliment. "Thank you, Marie.""You're welcome." She looked at him and teased. "I guess star gazing is better than smoking cigars and drinking brandy with the men.""Well, that's just one of the things I'd would much rather do than," He grinned at her teasingly. "What did you call it 'male bonding?'""Were there other things?""Yes. One of which happened to be talking to you."Did what he just said mean what she thought it did?She stammered embarrassed flattered by the remark. "Bryce..."He couldn't believe he'd just unconsciously revealed his concealed interest in her. There was no way he could take back his words or cover them up. He mentally kicked himself for his stupidity and foolishness.He flushed, adverted his eyes shyly and kicked a pebble with his boot in embarrassment. "Marie, I..."He couldn't even look at her. He was too embarrassed to even talk to her now. Then a realization about his personality hit her like a bolt of lighting.He's shy!A slow, gentle smile crossed her lips. She had never met a guy who had been shy before. Especially not shy around women like he was. Guys usually weren't the shy or reserved type.But, he obviously was, and she liked that a lot.She looked at him affectionately and teased him gently. "Bryce, are you shy?""No." He murmured quietly."Yes, you are." She was pleased she had discovered that this trait was a part of his personality. His shyness was one of his most endearing and attractive qualities, one that she really liked best about him."No..I..." He gently defended himself with the embarrassed look still apparent on his face."Bryce, there's nothing wrong with being shy.""How many shy guys do you know?" "Bryce, there's nothing wrong about a guy whose shy.""Guys usually aren't shy," he softly replied."True. But, being a shy guy isn't so bad."He looked at her hesitantly. "It isn't?""No, I don't think so."She smoothed the skirt of her dress, rose and slowly approached him. "Bryce, it's okay to be shy."He looked down at his boots but not at her. "No, it's not.""Bryce, look at me."He shook his head. "I..."She touched his face, cupped her fingers under his chin and gently lifted his face so his eyes met hers. "Bryce..."His eyes gently searched her face and gazed tenderly into her eyes. Bryce adverted his eyes slightly from her face, but she wouldn't let him look away. She saw the swirl of mixed emotions swimming in confusion in his gentle brown eyes. His expression softened as his eyes flickered between her eyes then lingered longingly on her lips. No, Bryce, don't kiss her! But, I want to! His heart filled with desire told him firmly."Bryce, if you're not shy, look me in the eyes and tell me that." She challenged him invitingly.He couldn't look at her at all. "Marie, I..."She caressed his chin with her fingers and told him her voice filled with feeling. "I like it that you're shy, Bryce.""You do?" He murmured softly."Yes. It suits you very well."He struggled to compose himself. "I..Marie...""Bryce, I happen to like shy guys."His eyes searched for the emotions written on her face and in her eyes. He found truth swirling in her eyes and etched onto her face."Do you?" He whispered tenderly."Yes. I think shyness is a very attractive quality in a guy.""I..I don't know what to say."She smiled gently at him and asked softly. "Can I ask you a rather personal question, Bryce?"He flushed embarrassed, "That depends."She hesitated. "I better not. I don't think it's a good idea.""Marie, what is it?"She shook her head. "No, it's much too personal of a question.""Marie, please. I..Ask me please." He requested with gentle tenderness and affection in his voice."No, I couldn't ask you. It'd be forward of me."That, and I'm feeling a little bit shy myself about exposing my heart to you.She dropped her fingers from his chin, pulled her hand away then looked away. She distanced herself from him, but he reached for her. He gently pulled her toward him and touched her face. His hand tenderly caressed her cheek again and again, and she looked shyly into his gentle eyes."Bryce..." She murmured.What is happening to me?Do you know how much I want to kiss you? He silently wondered as he admired her lovingly.What is happening to me?Do you have any idea how much I care about you? She thought as her eyes caressed his eyes, face and body.Both of them stood there helplessly admiring each other. They were so close to each other physically and emotionally. He shyly caressed her eyes and lips over and over with his. She saw the passionate desires and longings dwelling in his eyes. "Bryce.." She murmured quietly. "..Do you want to kiss me?"Yes!!!!! His heart screamed at him loudly in answer.He didn't answer her. He adverted his eyes and stepped away from her.She reached out and took his hands. She placed them in hers and caressed his hands with hers. He gently caressed hers in return."Bryce, you want to kiss me, don't you?""I..." He whispered. "It was very forward of me to ask you that, Bryce. I shouldn't have asked you that. I had no right to." He heard the hurt in her voice. He looked at her and realized she thought he was rejecting her by not answering her question. But, the truth was, he was afraid to answer the question because of what it revealed. His answer consisted of the truth, the truth about his feelings for her. He didn't know if he was ready to tell her the truth yet. "I'm sorry I asked you if you wanted to kiss me, Bryce.""Don't be," he murmured. "You didn't do anything wrong by asking me that. I wanted you to ask me that question.""Bryce...""Marie, I want to tell you. I just don't want to hurt you.""You won't hurt me, Bryce." "Marie, I already have once tonight.""Bryce, I told you that was forgiven and forgotten.""You don't deserve to be hurt. I..." He trailed off unable to finish his sentence. He didn't want to hurt her because he cared too much about her. It had been bad enough when he'd hurt her the first time. But, to hurt her now would be even worse and he couldn't bare or allow himself to do that to her.He glanced down at her hands in his and saw their fingers intertwined. He closed his eyes and braced himself as the images of her caressing and kissing him flooded him. He felt the way she'd feel in his arms, the way she touched him and how her lips felt against his. The images were very vivid and powerful and sent him reeling with great passion and desire.He murmured softly, "Marie..did you..did you want me to kiss you? Is that why you asked me that?"She blushed, "Bryce..."Now she was all shy, flustered and embarrassed. She didn't want to admit - at least not out loud - that she wanted him to kiss her. She still felt disappointed he hadn't kissed her. Although she wanted to, she felt it wasn't right for her to kiss him."Marie, look at me," he gently requested.She looked up and gazed into his brown puppy dog eyes, and her heart melted. He touched her face and brushed away a wisp of her hair that had fallen onto her cheek. "Do you want me to kiss you?" "Bryce...""Marie, I..I really do want to kiss you.""Oh, Bryce, I want you to kiss me too.""I know," he murmured softly and pulled her closer to him.Her eyes widened in surprise. Was he going to kiss her? He brought her next to him and whispered into her hair, "Marie, I want to hold you.""Hold me, Bryce."He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and her arms circled his waist. He hugged her to his body and clutched her against him tightly. She listened to the sound of his heart racing as she leaned her head against his chest. She heard him breathing hard and gently caressed his back.He smelt the sweet scents of soap in her hair. His fingers stroked against the strands of her hair. Her hair brushed up against his face and lips. He fidgeted with the clip in her hair tempted to let her hair out of the bun. He wanted to play and run his fingers through her unrestrained, long, blonde hair.She gently asked him, "How does a handsome and shy guy like you manage to escape the girls' notice?""I don't know." He softly answered."Girls would be crazy not to notice you, Bryce."He flushed in embarrassment. "I didn't think girls noticed me.""Why wouldn't they notice you?""Well, I'm sort of a nerd.""No, you're not, Bryce. A lot of girls would love to get a hold of you.""Why?""Because you're cute.""I'm not cute. I look like a geek.""No, you don't, Bryce. I bet you get chased by a lot of girls.""I hadn't noticed.""That's not surprising. But, I bet it's flattering to be chased by all the girls." "It is flattering to have girls chasing you..especially one like you.""Bryce..." She murmured deeply touched."Marie, you and I have been talking for a long time.""Am I making you neglect your public?" She teased.He laughed. "No. I like talking to you. I could talk to you all night.""So, could I.""Marie, I've really enjoyed sharing your company and talking to you.""So, have I, Bryce.""It's late, and I suppose you have to return to London.""Eventually.""Will we ever see each other again, Marie?""I don't know, Bryce. But, I don't want to say goodbye to you.""Neither do I.""'Parting is such sweet sorrow,' but I never say goodbye. I don't like to say goodbye because it's final. Instead of goodbye, I prefer to say 'As Always.'""As Always," he murmured. "I like that."They hugged."As Always, Bryce." She murmured as she held him close."As Always, Marie." He gently replied.They disengaged from their embrace and departed in separate directions.
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