For Love and Loyalty by Diana Rubino

Author:Diana Rubino [Rubino, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Time Travel, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“Are you expecting callers?” Richard whispered. He and Julianna pulled apart as if caught doing something wrong.

“No, unless somebody forgot something. But I do have a doorbell.”

She got up and, out of force of habit, opened the door without asking who it was. A microphone flew in her face, followed by a camcorder with The Royal Issue splashed across its side. A blinding light shone into her eyes, stunning her.

“Miss Hammond!”

“Uh—” She nodded dumbly.

“I’m Brooke Hill from BBC One’s The Royal Issue. We heard you summoned the ghost of King Richard the Third, and he’s living with you. Can we have a comment from you? Where is he? Harry, get a shot of the living room. Zoom in on the Richard the Third Society plaque there.”

“No! You heard wrong!” Julianna covered the camera lens with her palm.

“But Miss Hammond—”

“What’s all the commotion here?” The stern yet calm voice from the sofa commanded attention. Both reporter and cameraman halted in their tracks, stared and blinked. Richard stood there, shoulders squared, head erect, a challenging smile touching his eyes.

Still staring, Brooke dug into her satchel and yanked out the now-world famous photo of Richard’s facial reconstruction. Black lashes rimmed the expressive eyes, dark hair fell to the shoulders, a ruddy flush colored the cheeks, an amused smile played upon the lips.

With two strides, Brooke stood beside him and thrust the photo next to his face. “See? The resemblance is undeniable. It’s him!” She then backed away, as if the revelation scared her.

Richard stepped forward, now invading her space. “How daft.” He plucked the photo from her hand and perused it with a tilted head and cocked brow. “I do not resemble this image in the least. I’m much better looking than this apple-john.” With a quick wink at Julianna, he thrust it back at Brooke. “I am insulted. What a personal affront. I demand an apology at once.”

“Not Richard? But—but—” She turned to Julianna in desperation, but she wasn’t about to help her.

“It’s plain to see, my cousin Rick is actually quite a babe.” Julianna beamed at her ‘cousin’. “And Richard’s brother King Edward isn’t—uh, wasn’t too hard on the eyes either. But Richard was the hottie in the family.” She smoothed a lock of his hair.

“You’re not entirely wrong, my lady,” Richard spoke, his tone accommodating. “Yes, I do resemble Richard the Third. In strength of character, loyalty and integrity. I forgive my enemies as he forgave his, and I treat my fellow subjects fairly and equitably. He was a kind and just king, a splendid example of what a monarch should be, and I have naught but the utmost respect and admiration for him. I strive to emulate his evenhanded and exculpating nature in all my endeavors.” He tossed a glance at the photo. “As Julianna says—I am far more handsome. Any Ricardian experts will agree. Not that I am known to be a braggart, but...” He hadn’t raised his voice one iota, but somehow he managed to project.

The

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