“Tonight, I wish to right a wrong of the House of Blue.More than two hundred years ago, our family—supported by both court and government—conspired to deprive a nobleman of his title, his lands, and his fortune for political gain.After careful research and counsel—due in great part to the efforts of my daughter, Lady Royal, and members of the Cross family, most especially Officer Michael Cross—I have issued a Letters Patent to restore the Duchy of the Midlands to the Fickle family, together with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto.
“MP Hamish Fickle will henceforth be styled Lord Midlands, Duke of the Midlands.I thought no finer time than the Rose Ball to make this announcement.”
The response was a deafening silence, then rapid and quick spurts of shouts.
“You must be joking.”
“He’s brainwashed Her Majesty and the Crown.”
“Long live Queen Catherine and Lord Midlands.Hip, hip hurray!”
The ballroom exploded with conversation embroiled in laughter, chatter, and some anger.Michael leaned over the railing, eyes sharp, then toward Lady Royal, who stood smiling beside her brothers.
Queen Catherine settled the room and continued her elegant speech, describing in detail the Blues’ crime and then apologized—again—to the Fickle family.
“I ask your forgiveness on behalf of my ancestors.May you and your family be blessed, Lord Midlands, and restored to the good fortune once given you by my great ancestor, King Magnus the Third.”
Hamish stepped forward, bowed to the queen, shook her hand, and uttered three very loud words.“All is forgiven.”
No sooner had the words left his lips than a blinding kaleidoscope of light filled the ballroom through every window, every open door, and if possible, the stone walls.
The guests stirred with awe and wonder and exited en masse through the doors onto the castle grounds, hands shielding their eyes, phones raised as if man’s invention could capture God’s eye.
Michael thundered down the stairs with eyes anxious for Lady Royal.Gunner and the team were frenetic over the coms, calling for locations on Her Majesty and the king consort, the princes and their wives, and the royal guests… Who had eyes on their royal guests?
Yet out on the lawn, the air was calm and the waters below at rest.Michael came to a halt, along with everyone else, and gazed toward the Highcrest Mountains as a river of light streamed down through the summer trees, down the mountain pathways, into the Dalholm streets, spilling onto the woods and gardens of Hadsby Castle.
His coms went silent as shouts rose from the Old Hamlet along with a cacophony of car horns.The Eye of God bloomed wider and brighter, holding a glowing pulse, and then even the street noise fell silent, and a hush seemed to blanket the whole world.
All is calm.All is bright.
Michael barely felt the pressure of a hand on his shoulder but turned at the first hint of Scottie’s perfume.
“The Eye of God,” she whispered, resting her chin on him.“Why now?”
“Forgiveness.It inspires miracles.”Michael brought her round to settle her back against his chest, wrapping his arm about her.Someone, somewhere, began a song.Then another.The Eye continued to flicker and glow, changing colors, elicitingawesof wonder.
Time became endless.For all Michael knew, days had passed while he stood there holding Scottie.
Then, as soon as it came, the Eye left, drawing up from the hamlet, through the forest trees, subtly fading until all that remained was a waving peace and the magic of wonder.
No one moved.To where would they all go?They’d just caught a glimpse of true Royal Majesty.
Michael suddenly realized everyone could see Lady Royal’s equerry caressing her in a romantic hold, but he didn’t care.He loved her.She was his.They’d witnessed the Eye of God together.She glanced up at him but remained against his chest, speaking with others as they began to stir, talking in low whispers, each one, down to a man, stammering to put words to what they’d seen.
“Beauty.”
“Incredible.”
“Eye.”
“God.Undone.”
Ah, perhaps the Eye of God was the origination of Dalholm’s shorthand speech.Not the harsh winter cold.
Everywhere Michael’s gaze landed, he felt a warm affection.He didn’t know two-thirds of these lads and lasses, but he loved every one of them.He caught sight of Mum and Dad and swelled with pride and good feelings.When Hamish Fickle came into view, he had a strange urge to offer him a hug.To what kingdom had they been transported?
He released Scottie when Her Majesty appeared in front of them.He offered his queen a curt bow.
