Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied.
This is a story about a son of Duke from a fictious kingdom and the life and experiences that he has when he ends up in America. During this story we discover two fictious nations and principalities and their royal families ... These are completely the product of my imagination and bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead.
This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission.
If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as you'll not find any here.
Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In an effort to help you follow what is happening the characters are listed below, but in addition since Lord Aquamaine is a very rich young man other things are listed as well, such as his businesses to help you follow.
Characters ----------- Lancelot Jefferson Bravender VI The Honourable Lord Bravender, Viscount of Aeden Grandpa Bradley Patterson ... LJ's Grandpa Baron - LJ's Horse
Mr Jake ... Caretaker of LJ's estates. Greg Chalmers - LJ's man at arms Rupert Devereaux - Interior Designer Brodie Reid - Clothes Designer Matt LeRoy - Manager of Oklanhoma Ranch Mr Drew - Oklahoma Foreman
King Roger of Aquamaine ... King of Chrysland Prince David – Heir to the throne of Aquamaine.
Belinda Tremaine Davison - Vice President of America William Tremaine - LJ attorney and Belle's father Arnold Tremaine - Attorney and Belle's brother Peter Tremain - Belle's oldest son
Thomas – Lancelot's Major-Domo Simon – Lancelot's Footman Saunders – Lancelot's Butler Mike and Dave - Lancelot's security guards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Titles ------- Lord Ravenswood - 14th Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden Viscount Ravenswood Earl of Lizonby Earl of Aylsgart Baron Rooksfeld
Viscount Aeden Viscount of Rooksfeld
Marquess of Reymire Earl of Kirkowen Lord Mallamtap
Baron of Crogdun
Lord Aquamaine Duke of Rookfort Marquess of Conroy Baron of Kingsmere
17th Duke of Valkland
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Locations --------- Chrysland (Nation) Lizondia (Neighbouring nation)
Towns in Chrysland ------------------ Lizonby Aylsgart Valtland Jusland Sifton Park - Aquamaine Aquamaine
Properties ---------- Rooksfeld Manor (Near Lizonby) Aquamaine Palace (Home to the kings of Chrysland) Aquamaine House Florida Ocean Front House Oklahoma Ranch Texas Ranch (Main Home)
Aquamaine LLC ------------- Aquamaine Fruit and Vegetables - Florida Aquamaine Horse and Cattle Company - Oklahoma and Texas Aquamaine Wineries - Califormia and Texas Aquamaine Hotel
Lord Aquamaine --------------
Chapter 2 – America
You know thinking back it was an extremely difficult time. A time that was filled with great joy, especially the hours spent with Grandpa and Prince David travelling around my properties and meeting everyone. This would form a template for how I treated my lands and properties as I grew. Knowing my people were important for if you give loyalty you can rightly expect it back. I found that I liked to know the people that worked for me.
Disaster and hate seemed to follow me though as I tried to moved on. A desire for revenge had been germinating for years in certain people and now with my father gone it was all focused in my direction. I remember that there were many tears over the next few weeks as I got used to life without Troy. Tears though would flow freely when the revenge finally germinated.
I kept visiting all of my lands and people that rented property from me so that they got to know me and I got to know them. It kept me busy and I liked that. It was also my desire that my people feel comfortable approaching me for changes or improvements that they felt that they needed. When they did I made sure that my Mr Jake assigned workers to make sure that the changes were made.
I soon became popular with the people of the land and the companies that rented my properties and they were happy when I raised the rents slightly to compensate for the changes we were making. The increase the King suggested we put into an improvement fund so that there were always funds there for any improvements that Mr Jake agreed were needed.
Eventually we felt happy that all of the lands, property and houses were running smoothly and well maintained and that we had a good team of staff working for us. We made sure that we knew all of the staff by name and that there was a yearly bonus made available when everything went well in the area that they worked.
In addition to the regular reports from Saunders we asked that the Housekeepers themselves have an open communication with us so that we knew they were happy with how the houses were running and so that they had the ability to make any suggestions for improvement directly to us.
We stayed until after the New Year and made a tour of all of the properties over the holiday season with small gifts for each of the staff. It was the first Christmas that I can remember and the parties that were thrown at the palace were exceptional. I also held one at each property for the staff and local people... I finally felt as if I belonged.
When the New Year arrived I thought that the New Year's party was just to celebrate the New Year, but as I walked into the Ballroom at Aquamaine Palace I was totally blown away. I had never known when my birthday was, but the King remembered and arranged everything with Grandfather.
As Prince David and I walked into the Ballroom the whole House, staff and guests, broke out singing "Happy Birthday to you." I broke down into tears and ran to the library sobbing. The King and his family made me feel whole like I had never felt before.
Prince David raced after me. "What's wrong Lance?"
"I've never had a birthday before. I never even knew when it was. Father just ignored us. David I was so alone. Nobody bothered whether I was alive or dead before. You and your father have changed all of that."
He turned me round and held me as I cried "Look Lance you mean the world to me. The King feels the same. Let us try to make amends. Come and celebrate not only your birthday, but also your new life." I pulled myself together and went into the Ballroom and once again they sang happy birthday. I was only ten and felt on top of the world.
There were presents from everyone, even the staff of all of my properties. It was nice as they had banded together and bought presents from the area specific to the title or house. One thing that I loved was a kilt that the King bought for me as we apparently had Scottish blood. It was something about Bonnie Prince Charlie coming to our lands or something like that.
The world was good and I loved the King and David with all my heart, but I had to stay with Grandpa. So after the New Year it was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye and agreed that Prince David would tour the United States on behalf of the King in the spring.
As I boarded the plane I already missed David and raced off the plane for one final goodbye. It was followed by the king who hugged me and whispered, "Lancelot if you ever need to come home call and we will make it happen." We were all in tears as Thomas walked with me back on to the plane.
Grandpa felt guilty uprooting me and taking me thousands of miles away from everything that I knew. He wanted me to know what would eventually become mine so we started our tour by landing in Florida not far from Jacksonville.
We stayed at what was like a small house. Grandpa called it an ocean front property. It had eight bedrooms detached family building. It was actually two houses knocked into one and had its own swimming pool and own private beach. Grandpa told me that we owned some of the condos that had been built around here as well. That was a new word so I had to investigate. Grandpa soon got fed up of all the questions and bought me an English American dictionary.
Our house and condos sat on the waterfront between Jacksonville and Orlando somewhere. What did it matter to me it was just another property at the time, somewhere to sleep that had a grand view of the ocean. Would you believe that I had never even seen the sea? Or at least, if I had I could not remember it.
The next day we had a short drive. Can't say how long it was as I slept most of the way, to a farm because I had jet lag. What surprised me was the name. Grandpa had called it Aquamaine Fruit and Vegetables. I was told it spanned over 60,000 acres and grew a variety of vegetables but concentrated on fruit, mainly Peach, Raspberries, Blueberry, oranges and grapefruits.
I looked at the fruit and asked if we could send some over to David and the King as a gift. Grandpa simply stated that the palace already bought their fruit from him anyway, but that he would send a shipment of special fruit specifically from me.
The man who ran the farm, Mr Carl surprised me because instead of losing his temper with a kid running under his feet all day he spent time explaining what they did. He also explained that my mother had loved Florida and it was her that bought the farms not grandpa. When she died the farms were left to Troy and me. Grandpa simply looked after them for us.
By the time the day was over I had fallen in love with the area and promised that I would visit regularly. I also promised to visit in the spring with the Prince of Aquamaine. He said that he would be honoured as he was from Chrysland and had moved over here with his family several years ago. He said that I would find quite a large Ex-Pat following in America and that they all supported me. At that he bowed and Thomas gave him our card if he should ever need to get in touch.
While Thomas got everything ready for the next stage of our tour Grandpa and I went for a walk along the beach when we returned to the house and he gave me my first swimming lesson. Swimming would fast become a sport that I would excel in.
I soon found out that the habit of walking shirtless was quite acceptable and was shocked at how undressed certain people were. Both Grandpa and I took great delight in having the sun on our bodies.
I did notice that we now had two people dressed in black following us all of the time and pointed this out to grandpa. It was then he told me the King had assigned a security detail to us for our safety. I was after all third in line to the throne. They would be with me for years and were Mike and Dave, partners in life as well as work.
As we got back to the house Thomas told us that the Whitehouse had been on the phone and that Madam Vice President and her children would like to meet me. She was the first ever female Vice President and had only missed out on President because women never become Presidents. Apparently the president would like to meet us and attend a Charity Gala held in my honour when we reached Texas. Thomas gave Grandpa her telephone number and we called her.
When the phone was answered I simply stated, "Yes I'm sorry, good afternoon. Could I speak to Madam Vice President please...Yes of course, please let her know Lord Aquamaine is returning her call... Thank you... Madam Vice President?"
"Good afternoon Sire this is Belinda Davison."
"Good afternoon ma'am this is Lord Aquamaine Duke of Rookfort, Marquess of Conroy. I understand you called."
"Yes your Grace. King Roger called the Whitehouse to arrange the tour of Prince David in the spring. While he was on the call he pointed out that you are now a resident in the United States and that your mother was no less than Amanda Patterson."
Grandpa looked shocked and spoke for the first time, "Hello madam this is Bradley Patterson, Viscount of Aeden ... Madam how did you know my daughter?"
"Uncle Bradley you don't recognise me? I was Mandy's roommate at UT Austin."
"Little Belle? Oh my god! How are you? Hold on. No questions now, we'll catch up when you come out to Aquamaine Texas. It's so good to have my second daughter back. I will not take no for an answer about coming out to us. You will note that my whole operation is now called Aquamaine Holdings. On the ranch we have an oil gusher that we christened MandyBelle."
"Thank you Papa of course we will come to visit you. Now Lord Aquamaine when do you expect to reach Texas? I understand Papa is taking you on a tour of the Aquamaine Holdings?"
"Belle it's Papa again. I would think we will settle in Texas no later than a week from now. We are going to Oklahoma and then on to California before heading back to Texas. No better make that three weeks just in case we have some fun as well."
"Thanks Papa that would be great. My Lord, since your mother was American you have the right to claim American citizenship and thus be a dual citizen with both America and Chrysland. I would like complete this as I know your mother lived in the USA right up to her marriage and so you qualify. If you agree I will get William Tremaine the famous attorney to present your case to the courts."
"Thank you Ma'am I think that I would like that."
"Your Grace quit the Ma'am, its Aunt Belle to you and always will be."
"Okay I can do that only if you call me Lance or LJ as Papa calls me."
"Okay now to business. I would like to hold a Charity Gala in aid of any charity of your choice. I was thinking possibly child based charities. You and Papa would be the President's guests of honour. After the meal there will be an auction of items that have been donated."
"Aunt Belle, if Papa or Thomas will get me some art materials I would like to donate a painting of my ancestral home Rooksfeld Manor. I used to paint and would like to try again. If it turns out rubbish we can forget it. I have several photographs so have plenty of material to use. Maybe I could do two. I also love the Palace of Aquamaine. I'm sure American's have seen them before, but to have their own painting would be different. Especially since I understand there are so many ex-pats over here."
"LJ, that's a splendid idea. Part of what we will be auctioning are several good looking Hollywood men as they have offered one days service to whoever the buyer is. Rather daring if you ask me, but then who am I? If we plan on Saturday three weeks from now, that will give my people plenty of time to make the arrangements. We'll head out to the ranch Papa say on the Thursday. LJ, will that give you enough time to complete the paintings?"
"Yes it will."
Papa spoke up, "Belle, this is Papa. I think that will be fine, but let me call Thomas in and see if that agrees with the calendar that he keeps for His Grace." Papa stood and rang the bell for Thomas.
"Yes Sir how may I help?"
I asked Aunt Belle to explain what was happening. "That would be fine Madam. I take it that the evening will be formal and The Duke will need to be dressed in his uniform that he wore Parliament House."
"Thomas what a splendid idea...! The Viscount will be fine in just his white tuxedo and black tie, but full dress for the Duke would be wonderful. The American public will lap it up. Sorry Sir as long as that meets with your approval."
"Yes Ma'am it most certainly does. Aunt Belle what did you do before you went into politics?"
"Why I actually own my own law firm sweetie."
"Belle this is Papa, could you arrange for one of you firm to call or come out to Oklahoma as we need someone to represent Lord Aquamaine here in the States."
"It would be my pleasure Papa. William Tremaine my father has already requested that I mention that to you. My brother Arnold Tremaine is partner in the firm and I think he would be good for The Duke. I'll talk with him and arrange for him to come out."
We continued talking and then the call ended as Saunders called us for our evening meal. "Saunders do we have a cook yet?"
"No my Lord we do not." I could tell he did not approve.
"Can you work with Thomas to get one hired as soon as possible? You should not have to do this as well as everything else. We will also need full house staff wherever we go."
He looked shocked, "Very good Sir. Thank you." I really liked Saunders and if I could help him in any way I was determined to do so.
The next day we flew to Oklahoma and the Aquamaine Horse and Cattle Company. The ranch manager Matt LeRoy was a real cowboy and loved the fact that his boss was now a Viscount. Apparently when we went to Parliament the whole ranch watched and loved every minute of it.
I had only ever seen a horse in the distance as daddy sold all of ours when the house became a commune. I had never been up close or ridden one. Over the next few days Drew the ranch foreman picked out a horse that seemed to be taken with me every time I entered the stable. It was strange as I walked past the stalls all of the horses ignored me except this one. He was a young dapple grey and he got worrisome if I did not stop and talk to him.
He had never let anyone ride him before, but Drew got me to take his reins and walk him into the paddock. He was a gentle as anything with me and just nudged his head on my neck every so often. When we reached the paddock I looked at him and decided to call him Baron. He loved it and he nodded his head and then nuzzled me.
While this was happening Drew placed a blanket on him. Baron looked back and then at me with a sad look in his eyes. I was his boy and he loved me and knew that I needed him. Next, it was the saddle. They expected him to bolt, but he nuzzled me and loved me while they were doing it. I was his boy and he needed me at the moment as he was afraid and I just talked to him and kissed him nose as I pressed my face up against his.
I was small, but Drew showed me how to place my foot in the stirrup and swing my leg over and mount Baron. He stood totally still while I got used to it and then when I was on his back I simply leaned down and nuzzled his neck and kissed him. His head reached back accepting my love.
I clicked my tongue as I had seen others do and he step forward slowly. He was looking after me and soon Papa and Drew were riding next to me. "Baron, do you want to go faster?" I asked and he nodded and I kicked me heels and he took off at a gentle canter.
We rode for almost an hour looking over all of the lands that formed the ranch. I loved it. I loved Baron. "Baron you need to find a horse for when Prince David comes over. Can you do that for me?" I swear he understood as he nodded his head.
On top of one of the hills there seemed to be a pump type of affair and we rode up to it. We couldn't get too close, but Drew explained that it was one of Papa's oil wells. Papa told him that it was mine, just like the whole operation in Oklahoma was mine. Drew just looked at me and said "Nice to meet ya, Mr Boss man I'm sure" and he tipped his hat at me and smiled.
We rode to a meadow and I jumped down and walked with Baron. They could tell something was on my mind so got down. "Papa," I loved calling him that since hearing the Vice President call him it, "Why are you telling everyone that everything we see is mine?"
"That's easy my young Lordship. It's because I've given it to you. You're my only living relative and I do not want the American tax man to get their hands on it. I have plenty of money so I have signed all of my properties and businesses over to you.
"Everything is mostly managed by your own management company so it will look after itself. You will get a report monthly on how the LLC is running. You also have your own auditors that look after things for you.
"I should have told you, but with so much going on it slipped my mind. I'm getting old. I want you protected." I simply put my arm around his waist and we walked.
"Your Grace?" I looked at Mr Drew. "Speaking for everyone here in Oklahoma we'll be honoured to be working for you."
"Why thank you Mr Drew."
"Why I ain't a mister sir, just call me Drew and I'll serve you willingly."
When we got back Matt LeRoy showed me all of the workings of the Ranch and how everything flowed into the accounts. Including how much I was making from the oil pumps which totally shocked me. I was finding out that I loved figures. I was also finding that from Oklahoma alone I was very rich. I learned that once a quarter any profits after all of the expenses were covered would be transferred into my personal bank account just like all of the other businesses.
The next day, after a tearful farewell with Baron we flew to California. It was here that I fell in love with something that Papa did not own, but that would shape my business life.
We stayed in a newly built hotel. When talking to the manager we found out that it was due to close as the owners had gone bust. The bank was in the process of repossession. The owners had been running a chain of hotels for several years and had grown too big too quick and did not have the finances to keep to keep it going.
I went outside and what I saw was a replica of Rooksfeld Manor. It had been built in the same style. The manager stood with me as I walked around the building. "Are they all like this? I mean a replica of a stately home?"
"You have a discerning eye My Lord. Yes all of the buildings are based on different stately homes from around the world. I personally love this one as it is a copy of your own beloved Rooksfeld."
"Who should we contact to investigate about purchasing the hotels?" He handed me a card. It was the bank and the card stated they would bring along the estate agents handling the sale and also the owners.
I got Thomas to phone immediately told him that I wanted it. I asked him to find out how much it was. I could see us setting it up so that it mimicked my properties; stately home hotels in America. It would be Aquamaine International. All of the staff would be decked out in a version of the Aquamaine Livery that my households wore and a version of my coat of arms would appear on everything, including the grand entrance carpet.
The building was already a grand affair, rather than a multi-storey building. So it mimicked a stately home in every way. It had a grand stone exterior and the bank representative that came out said that they were all supposed to mimic the stately homes of Chrysland.
It was as wide as Rooksfeld and was five floors high. On each floor were either ballrooms of different sizes or conference and presentation rooms. The main ballroom was on the ground floor and would accommodate two thousand five hundred people for any function. It was a grand affair, but not quite as grand as Rooksfeld and in the grand ballroom I wanted to add frescos.
There were two hundred bedrooms and each of them was a copy of stately home bedrooms. Several of them had four poster beds and everyone had bathrooms attached to it. All of the rooms cried luxury. The top floor of the West wing had larger suites available and was specifically called the Presidential Suite and another King Suite.
Toward the east wing of the hotel was a gym complex that the hotel users could take advantage of and there was a swimming pool and sauna in what would have been the basement, again this was very reminiscent of the stately homes as these were added after the property had been built.
It was like home from home for me. The bank representative and Estate Agent tried to ignore me and spoke solely to Papa and Thomas. I simply looked at Papa and said "Come on Papa let's find our rooms they obviously do not want me to buy it."
At that the Estate Agent looked at me and with the man from the bank laughed, but it was the man from the bank that said, "How the hell would you afford something like this you little pipsqueak this is a man's world." That was it.
I very calmly said, "Thomas call the bank and ask for the manager to come out here as we originally requested, I will not accept anyone else. Also ask for the owners as I requested as I will now only deal with them. If they ask who wants to see them tell them tell them Lord Aquamaine, Duke of Rookfort and Marquess of Conroy...Third in line to the throne of Chrysland. Oh and tell the bank manager he may very well have lost my account which is worth millions."
I looked at the people who were there already. Looking at the Estate Agent I simple asked. "Is it an American thing to ignore children? If I can get the owner here we will not need you at all and you will have lost your commission on this sale as I refuse to deal with ignorant people like you." I looked at the bank representative, "You can pack your things when you get back to the bank because if you are not sacked then I will sue the bank."
At that point the Bank Manager and the owners walked into the building. The bank manager went up to Papa and tried to talk. The owners however recognised me and knelt in front of me, "My Lord Aquamaine it is an honour" and the bank manager did a double take.
I held out my hand and he kissed my coat of arms as did his wife. "Stand please. Thank you for acknowledging me. You are the only ones, but since we are in America I was warned it would be like this."
I turned to the bank manager, "Are you the bank manager?" He nodded. "Good I want him sacked for rudeness and incompetence. He may have lost you my account. Which I can assure you is worth several million dollars. You may even have lost it as well as you too ignored me because I was just ... a kid."
I turned to the owner, "Now who currently owns this hotel and is the whole chain of hotels for sale? Thomas?"
"Yes My Lord?"
"Please call King Roger and see if he knows of any reason why I should not invest in a chain of hotels." I looked back at the owners.
"There is at least one identical to this in every state sir and we were hoping to open more. We visited Chrysland several years ago and loved it's grandeur. We wanted to bring that to the people who use our hotels. Our favourite is New York and the exterior is just a little grander more like Aquamaine Palace."
"Good that is exactly my idea as well. Now let's talk money. I understand it is in receivership or at least about to be. Plus there are renovations that will be required so I need your base price and if it is not an honest one I will walk out of the deal."
Papa just stood there and watched with a smile on his face. The owner said, "We owe the bank just under $50,000,000 sir."
Thomas looked at me, "The King would like to talk to you Your Grace."
I took the phone, "Good morning Uncle Roger, I mean sire."
"Lance listen, and listen carefully. What you are planning is a cracking idea. Calling it Aquamaine International will really put Chrysland on the map. The throne will purchase the buildings and you will cover the renovations as I know you have definitive ideas of what you want to do.
There's an interior designer that I've used in both Aquamarine House and the Palace. Is that the type of look you are trying to achieve?"
"Yes Sir, I love Aquamaine House and feel if we can copy that type of grandeur people will clamour to get rooms as it would be pure luxury."
"I agree. I'll contact Rupert for you and see if he can come over and work on the project. Now remember the buildings are my gift, to my godson. Hold on David is speaking... He's just been on the phone to Rupert and it's his gift to his brother. Your designer is Rupert Devereaux and he will be with you by the end of the week. Thomas can co-ordinate everything. Try to make a list of things that you would like, so that he has a base to work with. Now, what type numbers are we talking about?"
"Thank you Sire... There is at least one hotel in every state, except Alaska. That makes forty nine add to that a few extra. Like I know there is two in Texas and one in Albany and New York so we are talking over fifty hotels. They're asking $50,000,000."
"The price does seem a little steep in this market. Let me talk to the Viscount please." The King said.
"Thank you Uncle... Papa he wants to speak to you. Everyone we already have Rupert Devereaux on board as our interior designer." The owners gasped as everyone had heard of Rupert. It was simply that he did not work for just anyone. Papa spoke for some time with the King.
When he completed the call he said "I'm authorised by King Roger of Chrysland" there was a shocked look on the bank people's faces, "to offer $35,000,000 as there is so much work that His Lordship desires to be completed. I am sure that it is more than you would have received from the bank. If you're in agreement it is dependent on the team that Thomas and I pull together, which will include Rupert Devereaux, approving of all of the properties. Do you agree?"
"Yes My Lord" and the owner shook on it with Papa and me. I had the feeling that the original debt he stated was slightly exaggerated.
"Are you still there Sire?" Papa listened. "Thank you sire" He closed the phone and handed it to Thomas. "Thomas please contact Rupert and co- ordinate when he will be ready to leave as we can send one of the ranch jets out for him."
Thomas bowed, "Very good sir" and he stepped back to my side and started making notes on things that needed to be done.
Next Papa looked at the bank manager, "As far as we are concerned we have handled the sale with the owners so you are not required. We will notify you when monies are available. A bankers draft from the Throne of Chrysland will be with me by the end of the day as a show of good will. The balance will be available only once all properties are approved and the sale complete. If you will excuse me I need to contact my attorney and get them here as soon as possible."
With that he called Aunt Belle and asked if Arnold could come out to California as we needed his expertise. If he needed property law experts with him then he should hire them on my behalf. I spoke with Belle later that night and she was excited about the project that we were starting and said that Arnold was not the property expert, but her husband was so he would be with him.
She did get me thinking as she pointed out that there may be a need for upper class clothes stores and such at or near the hotels. If so she had a girlfriend called Brodie Reid that could work with me on this. I put her on to Thomas and he made all of the notes and took contact details for Brodie that we would need.
Papa looked at the Estate Agent, "You sir have lost the sale completely as you were taken out of the circle because of your attitude to his Grace the Duke. The bank would have been, but their involvement is unavoidable."
As everyone got busy I asked the reception if they had plain sketching paper or graph paper that I could use for making sketches. Within minutes the bellhop handed me two pads with drawing pencils. While Papa took control of everything Thomas followed me as I went around. I sketched everything I saw and he was astounded by the quality of the pictures. He made notes of everything that I said for each room.
I sketched lightly what I could see, then in slightly heavier pencil I sketch what I wanted everything to look like. Thomas simply gasped at what he was seeing as the sketches developed. Once I added colour you could see what we were looking for.
By the time we were sitting down to our evening meal I had an artist representation of how each area of the ground floor would look. Over the next couple of days we visited our wineries and completed each artist's sketch of what I wanted to accomplish. As promised in the afternoon of the fourth day Rupert turned up and we all fell in love with him. I think particularly Thomas who would eventually become his occasional love interest when they were in the same area.
That afternoon we walked through the hotel and discussed our vision of each room and the overall impression we wanted to have at the end of the exercise. Rupert was blown away by my drawings as they showed each room how we saw it and how in the end we wanted him to make it look. He said it made his job easy.
At that point Thomas told everyone that we now had our team to tour the different hotels and it would be led by Rupert and Saunders with Aunt Belle's husband and her brother Arnold. Rupert had bought a team of his own and as we readied to move on to Texas we left Saunders in control of the hotel project and agreed that we would meet again in a month at the ranch in Texas to close on the deal once Saunders and Rupert had finalised the inspection. I asked Rupert for sample costings so that we had an idea on the cost of the overall renovation.
I was blown away with California and yet again the fact that Papa had signed everything there over to me. I loved him so much and he treated me so well. If everything was mind blowing before Texas, then I was absolutely blown away by Texas. The ranch house had eighteen bedrooms and was plantation style which I had always loved. It was beautiful.
The ranch specialised in Texas Longhorn Cattle and American Quarter Horses. They were also experimenting with a Texas winery and it was doing pretty well. Like Oklahoma we had oil on the ranch and the pumping area was called MandyBelle II.
In total over all of the operations we owned a total of 975,000 acres mixed between farming and ranching. All of them had one thing in common. They were part of Aquamaine Holdings'. Oklahoma and Texas were Aquamaine Horse and Cattle'. Florida was Aquamaine Farms' and California was Aquamaine Wine'. Papa when he changed the name also made it an LLC company so it was called Aquamaine Holdings LLC. It was an LLC as far as tax purposes were concerned, but I was the only member.
With my security men it was strange going to school and the Headmaster refused to give me a place until he was told in no uncertain terms by Papa that Madam Vice President had recommended this school as she used to attend and if needed she was willing to intervene on my behalf.
So it was the next week that I started school. Even though I was only ten, I was placed in the seventh grade with twelve and thirteen year olds as my placement tests showed that I was advanced for my age. I effectively skipped a year. This caused a problem straight away as I was younger than any one in my class and no one talked to me. It felt so different from Chrysland where I had enjoyed school.
The second lesson of the day was sports. I had heard about baseball and basketball and American football, but never seen any of them before. So coach made a big deal out of ridiculing me. Greg Chalmers one of the boys in my class surprised me when he told the coach to stop being a bully and give me a chance since I was new.
After so many years of looking after myself and Troy I was used to being in the back ground and no one noticing me. Until now, hell in the first lesson no one spoke to me at all. Sports, second lesson and I was the centre of attention. Greg looked at me as said, "First, what's your name mate? I've seen them two gorillas following you so who are you?"
Coach thought it was funny when I looked at Greg and just shook my head. "Come on sonny stand up and tell us all." With that he reached to physically grab me. He nearly ripped my arm out of the socket the way he grabbed me and I screamed in pain.
Mike the security man picked him up by his collar and said, "You are never to again try to touch His Grace Lord Aquamaine. He is the Most Noble Duke of Rookfort is that understood?" I looked around and several of the children in my class were knelt before me.
I felt so insignificant. I looked at everyone, "I am Lancelot Jefferson Bravender VI, Lord Aquamaine Duke of Rookfort - Marquess of Conroy. Before that I was the Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden." They were all still down on their knees. Now though all of the other classes in the sports hall had joined them.
"Please stand I'm just one of you. I'm Lance Bravender living with my grandpa. I've only been in America for a few days." I said.
Greg looked at me and said, "That's it though my Lord. You are the third in line to the throne of my homeland. My family have always worked for your family in one way or another and now we work for Viscount of Aeden at Aquamaine Holdings. I believe you know him."
The coach chirped up "Everyone knows the old Viscount at Aquamaine Ranch he owns most of the land around here."
I looked at him. "That's just it. He does not."
The coach laughed, "What do you mean he doesn't? Of course he does. I even live in one of the properties that he owns."
"No coach, you live in one of my properties. I am his only living relative and now I am the owner of what used to belong to my grandfather. As I said I am just a normal lad, but I'm now your landlord! Do you understand what I am saying?"
This seemed to change his attitude quite considerably and he never bullied me again. My security even began to coach when we had sports class. I joined the track and swimming teams as those were the things I loved.
During sports I discovered that Dave one of my security guards was a fully qualified Black Belt. I asked that he set up a training area so that he could practice. I asked that he be my Sensei and train me in martial arts so that I could learn to protect myself.
I had settled in school when it was the weekend the Vice President was due to visit and we were to attend the Charity Gala in Dallas.
Aunt Belle arrived on Thursday evening and with her all of her team and family. She had two children all boys younger than me. As her husband stepped down from the plane I collapsed in Dave's arms and my Grandfather fell to the ground. There standing before us was my Father, or at least someone who looked exactly like him.
Aunt Belle was deeply concerned by all of this especially since Papa collapsed as well. We were all back at the ranch house when I came to in Aunt Belle's arms. I looked at her husband, "Who are you?"
He looked at me, "I'm not sure I know what you mean." Peter, Aunt Belle's oldest son had bought me a glass of water that I sipped and looked at his father.
"I think you know very well what I mean. My father was Lancelot Jefferson Bravender, Lord Ravenswood - Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden, Earl of Lizonby and Aylsgart, Baron Rooksfeld. Once he died I inherited those titles. In addition I am also Lord Aquamaine, Duke of Rookfort - Marquess of Conroy. I ask again. Who the hell are you? I thought you were father come back from the dead."
Belle looked shell shocked when she heard what I said and just starred at her husband.
"Lance it's a long story." He looked at me full of love. "At the same time that your grandmother was pregnant with your father there was a troupe of players attending the theatre in Lizonby near your home and your Grandfather went to see them. A young travelling girl took his eye. Well to cut a long story short she became pregnant and had a son. Me."
He paused in thought, "To save a scandal the family paid her a considerable amount of money to keep it quiet and move away from Chrysland. They even paid for the family to move to America and purchased property for them so that I would have a decent life. They gave us a ranch out in Montana."
He looked at Papa, "Before I left as a baby my father took me in his arms and granted upon me Viscount of Aylsgart telling my mother that if anyone should find out that the title would be forfeit. She didn't want a title and told him to stuff it where the sun didn't shine." We chuckled.
He continued, "She was fifteen and thought she was in love. He was thirty. Since then we've lived over here and made a name for ourselves. As you know I am an attorney that specialises in property and have been working for you." He knelt and bowed his head and said, "I happily recognise you sire."
Aunty Belle just looked at him, "I swear Papa I never knew. I never met Lance's father."
"It matters not. By birth right it means that you are the third in line to the Throne of Chrysland. Does it not?" I asked.
"No son, my mother investigated this and though I am the bastard heir it is the lineage through the eldest son that is recognised as the heir apparent. That is valid not only to the throne, but also peerage and dukedoms alike. I have no claim to anything while you live and that is as it should be. All I ask is your hand in friendship and I will serve you faithfully."
I held out my ring. He looked at it and then at me. Hesitation, something was wrong. "Why do you hesitate sir? If you are as you say or are you an actor just like your mother? There is no question in my mind that we could be connected and yet you hesitate. Why?"
"You are nothing, but a boy!" He seemed to be struggling, and sweat was forming on his forehead, "You've already been nearly dead because they tried to murder you. I am nothing whilst you live. If you were dead then I could come out of obscurity and claim my right to your titles, but... you are nothing but a boy sir. Nothing...!" With that he pulled out a gun and held it directly at me and started to pull the trigger back.
Belle screamed and lurched for him to knock him off target. Papa had knelt there after he collapsed and as he saw the gun and the trigger being pulled leapt forward and threw himself in the way of the bullet to save my life.
He clung to me and gasped for air... "Never doubt my love..........." As I looked in his eyes I saw the life drain out of him a single tear fell and he was gone. At the same time my security shot the Vice President's husband dead.
"Papa...!" I screamed. I held his lifeless body, "Papa please, don't leave me now ... Please." I rocked his body back and forth sobbing. In the background I heard Thomas.
"This is a State emergency I must speak to King Roger or Prince David now! This is Thomas, Major-Domo to Lord Aquamaine." He waited. "Thank you. Your Majesty it is my solemn duty to inform you that the Viscount of Aeden has just been murdered saving Lord Aquamaine. His Grace desperately needs you."
"Thomas is he there?"
"He's hysterical, clinging to his Papa. The bastard brother of his father tried to kill him to claim what he said was his birthright. His Papa threw himself in front of him."
"You mean the chorus girls little bastard. I wondered if he would show his head."
"He was married to the Vice President Sir and has been dealt with, but that leaves his family. Lance's security must come above all now."
"Very well Thomas put the phone on speaker and just hold it to him so he can hear."
"Lancelot... Lance son can you hear me? This is your Godfather."
"Your majesty...? Oh God sir what am I going to do?" I just sobbed. By now the Vice President had come to me and so had her children Bobby and Peter. "Aunt Belle I am so sorry that you've lost your husband." I just sobbed and couldn't stop.
"Lancelot please listen, and listen well. He and I married three years ago and have never been close I think he married me for the contact that he knew I would have with Papa now I think about it. Soon after we married I became pregnant, but lost the babies. He was always going on about getting in touch. Now I think about it he was raving when he turned up at your hotel and you were no longer there."
I looked at her, "I need another attorney."
"Thomas here is my card it has my father's details. Contact him and tell him what has happened. Tell him King Roger has requested that he act as Attorney for Lord Aquamaine. He's the best. Currently semi retired, but hates it. Tell him he's needed here to arrange a press conference as soon as possible. Arnold will handle the hotels sir."
Thomas looked at me and I nodded. He just said "Yes ma'am."
Aunt Belle looked at me, "Do you want to return to Chrysland or stay here?"
"It is a little early, but I think here." At that moment we heard the King having forgotten that he was still on speaker.
"Lancelot, we are going to be on the next flight available and will stay with you until the funeral. Mr Jake has said he will stay on to look after everything for you. We actually think he's sweet on the housekeeper Dotty. We'll talk about the future when we arrive. Remember you will always have me." He paused.
Next he addressed the Aunt Belle. "Madam, I think we need to postpone the Gala until after the funeral. I also want your husband's family hunted out and bought to justice, or his Grace will never be safe."
I looked up at the phone and realised that I would never be happy, that my life was doomed from the start because of who I was. Maybe it would have been better if I had died with Troy. Why me? Why the fuck me? Don't they realise that all I want is a normal life. They seek this nobility and titles that I hold. They could have it tomorrow as long as they allowed me to live my life as I so choose. I would willingly give it to them if I could!
I then realised that grandpa even though we had only known each other for a short time had taught me so much. Forgetting all of Chrysland, I now owned Aquamaine Holdings LLC. The bastard's family would never own that. It had nothing to do with them.
I owned Aquamaine Hotels and they would never have anything to do with them. I realised I was no longer that little boy anymore I was worth something. I was no longer that weak unwanted kid from the manor that shrank into the shadows. I had a life and I was worth as much as anyone else.
Suddenly I was pulled from my thoughts, "Do not worry your Majesty the special Agents are already on the way to the ranch and all known properties. They will be arrested or taken out before you arrive."
"No I need to see the matriarch if she is still alive, so that the throne can revoke the arrangement that we made. Thomas and Simon stay with his Lordship until we get there. You know the procedure full lockdown, do not allow anyone access to his Grace except the Vice President or Rupert if he arrives. That also includes the President we are declaring complete lockdown."
"Of course sire" said Thomas.
"Right I am hanging up Prince David has just informed me that the flight leaves in thirty minutes so we are on our way. Do not worry about anything. Thomas, work with the Vice President to arrange a State Funeral and also I need the attorney who arranged the original purse for the bastards family so that we can revoked it" and he hung up.
There was a sudden banging on the ranch door as I lay on the sofa with the Aunt Belle singing a lullaby to me. "I have to see him. Please sir you don't understand we go to school together and I just heard about his Papa. Please let me get to him." It was Greg and he was sobbing.
"I am sorry sir we are on complete lockdown by order of the King." Greg must have heard of this before judging by his reaction.
"Yes my father thought you would be, so he sent me to Lord Aquamaine so that he has a Man at Arms to protect him. Lance, sorry Your Grace please let me in. I have to be with you. I have to protect you."
I called out, "Thomas let him in he was the only one that helped me at school. His family are from Chrysland and have always served my family. He kissed my ring in front of everyone. I trust him."
"His Grace has requested your presence please be aware the Vice President is with him."
"Thank you." He ran in to the family room and saw me lying down. "Your Grace..." He rushed forward and again kissed my ring. Then he fell forward and hugged me. "God Lance I do not know what I would have done if we had lost you. I could not live without you." He kissed my cheek and then stepped to the entrance of the room and stood guard uncovering the gun he was wearing on his waist.
Just less than twenty four hours later noise started outside. When we investigated it was the press wanting a statement on what had happened as they had heard about the arrests and also the death of my uncle.
For some reason no-one had heard of the death of Papa. This was really annoying me and I so wanted to go and address them. Both Thomas and Greg made me sit it out until about two hours later the King and Prince David arrived.
As they were seen to exit the limo all hell broke out in the press shouting and asking why Lord Aquamaine had murdered the Vice President's husband. By this time I was openly sobbing, it was really getting to me how the public thought that I had killed Papa and everyone.
"Madam."
"Your Majesty, Prince David." They all greeted each other in the normal manner.
When Greg realised who had walked into the room he immediately got down on one knee and bowed his head. I stood and greeted Uncle Roger and David and we hugged. "Your Grace, who do we have here?" The king asked as he held out his hand and Greg kissed his ring, the same with David.
"Your Majesty, Prince David I would like to present Greg Chalmers an Ex- Pat attending my school who was sent over by his family to be my Man at Arms when they heard what had happened."
"Greg it is with much appreciation that I thank you. I do feel though that his Grace's Man at Arms should not be what was called a commoner in the olden day, please kneel. Thomas smiled and handed him my dress sword. "Greg what is your full name?"
"My name is Gregory Terrance Chalmers sire."
"Gregory Terrance Chalmers I bestow up you the position of Knight of Aquamaine, Viscount of Lizonby. From this day on wherever Lord Aquamaine is you shall be as his Man at Arms and protector. Arise, Sir Gregory." He had tears flowing and stepped back to my side bowing low to the King.
David stepped up, "As Lancelot's Man at Arms you will need all of our contact details so that you can take control should the situation call for it. On this card are all of our details."
"Thank you my Prince."
"Right, Lancelot how are you?" asked the King.
"You are asking me something that I cannot answer at the moment. I came here thinking that I would have years with Papa getting to know him and now within less than a year I have lost the whole family that I have ever known and my own family have caused it."
"I know, remember I said we will always be your family. We do have news for you as well as there have been changes. My old uncle who was second in line to the throne passed away two weeks ago so that means you are now the second in line to the throne of Chrysland."
Aunt Belle said exactly what I was thinking, "Oh my!"
"We do not have to make any decisions today, but with what has happened we will need to. First you will need a place to live as I am sure that you well intend to stay in America and not let anyone beat you." He looked at Belle, "Madam I also want Special Agents assigned to his security team. The crown will pay all costs" said the King. Belle simply nodded and stepped out to arrange it.
Gregory stepped forward. "Your Majesty if I may speak."
The king looked at Greg, "Certainly."
"Well my father and mother both work, but we live in a rented two bedroom house. They are old Chrysland citizens and refuse to become Americans. Pops is a baker and ma runs the shop for him. They work many hours, but I am sure they would be willing to become guardians of his Grace, even if it is only on a temporary basis."
"That might work. Are they good parents?" asked the Aunt Belle as she stepped back into the room.
Greg grinned from cheek to cheek, "Oh yes they're the best. I am their only son now." He sniffed.
We all asked, "Now?"
"Yes Ma'am, two years ago my older brother Gary was serving in army and came under hostile fire. He died, but not before he became a hero. He carried his Gunnery Sergeant back to safety as the sergeant had been badly wounded. Sergeant Wilks still lives around here."
"Gregory, please call your parents and request them to attend as soon as possible. One desires to speak to them."
He bowed, "Yes Sire."
He was about to leave when the Belle spoke. "If you can also contact Gunnery Sergeant Wilks please ask him to attend as the US may have a mission for him if he is willing."
"My father is still in touch with him. I will do what I can madam."
I looked at Thomas, "Please show Greg where the phone is Thomas." At that point there was a knock at the door and Thomas was about to answer when Aunt Belle walked to the door and just said "Let me."
Within a few moments she came into the room with two gentlemen. "Your Grace, Your Majesty and Prince David ... Oh god I am sure that I got that wrong! Anyway people we have Mr William Tremaine and Arnold Tremaine. William is my father and was the attorney that put together the bastard's agreement. Arnold is my brother and has been working with my husband on the hotels."
The King stepped forward, "Mr William Tremaine we need to talk, but I want to talk in private. I am sorry your Grace, but you do not need to know any of what we are about to discuss. We will make sure that all properties that are recovered are added to Aquamaine Holdings. While we are in the Library why don't you talk to Arnold about the Hotel project? Madam, please join us."
After they walked out I suddenly realised that I was alone with Arnold and I could not even see my Security detail. I blacked out and started having a panic attack and a seizure. "Someone help me!" Arnold shouted.
Prince David was the first one to me. He looked at Arnold and said, "What the hell happened and be careful what you say sir."
"Sire I don't know. He was alright when everyone was around. As soon as we were alone he seemed to have a panic attack and then this happened." Arnold said.
Thomas was at my side like a shot. "We should have known my Liege as he has been through so much. Being left with a stranger he thought that he was going to die like everyone else that he has ever been close to."
All meetings were postponed for a few minutes while everyone looked after me. Aunt Belle, ever the mother, took me into her lap and sang to me with the king by her side.
Suddenly they heard a small voice, "I am so sorry everyone. I am Okay now. Thank you." When everyone went back to what they were doing Greg and Mike and Dave my men stayed. I found talking about the hotels with Arnold to be relaxing and I was in my element.
Within minutes we had Rupert on the phone and were discussing what had been done so far. Suddenly Arnold became very agitated "Rupert what did you say he was doing before the Belle's husband flew out here today? I can't remember seeing him."
Rupert was thoughtful, "He was in the basement with one of his friends they wouldn't tell anyone what they were doing."
Arnold shouted, "Evacuate! Evacuate and get the sniffer dogs and bomb squad in there NOW! The man was shot today after trying to kill His Grace. How many buildings has he been like this at?"
"Just this one" Rupert replied.
I suddenly shouted, "Rupert for god sake get out of there and get the bomb squad in! Arrest the man that was with him."
"I am on it your Grace I'll call back as soon as we know what is happening... Evacuate...!" and the phone went dead. David had heard the conversation and ran to his father to tell him of the development. They all came back into the family room and we waited for the call back from Rupert. So it was a good time for Thomas to serve drinks and snacks.
About fifteen minutes later we were called by Rupert and the police chief and were informed that bombs had been set and an arrest of a hired bomb expert. The man said that he was to wait until contacted before detonating. We were lucky no one was harmed. The police sent the squad into all of the hotels and verified that they were Okay.
That's all for now folks ... Just as everything was settling down for LJ and this has had to happen ... what will happen to him now that he is all alone? Chapter 3 will follow soon.
If you enjoy reading the stories on nifty consider donating to the site to help with costs - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Come on people let me know what you think. When you write us with your feedback it helps us to continue ... Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ... I know it has been said many times, you keep us going and give us the determination to keep posting when you write. For those of you that do contact me I will always try to reply.
If there are any editors out there let me know. I have reviewed it, but a second pair of eyes never hurts.
A little about myself ... I'm from the UK and born in Yorkshire. I have always loved writing and hope you enjoy...Let me know!!