Chapter 1

July 18, 1822

Daphne and her mother Charlotte stood on the deck of the king's ships taking them to Scotland. They should arrive in Scotland and Inveraray Castle that evening. They learned there would be three other girls who would be going to Inveraray Castle at the invitation of the King. Emily a beautiful girl with blond hair and big blue eyes she was a replica of her mother Iris. Lilly was beautiful with her raven black hair and her brown eyes. Her mother Alice looked nothing like her she was blond and blue eyed, and she was young. This had to be Lilly's step mother, but they didn't say, and Daphne and Charlotte didn't ask.

Then there was Olivia and her mother Ava who were as different as night and day. They were similar in looks both had brown hair and blue eyes but where Olivia was outgoing her mother was shy and timid. They were all different than Daphne and her mother. Charlotte had bright red hair and she was sweet and childlike. Daphne had a softer copper color hair than her mother and she had the attitude to go with it. She had the green eyes of the Valentine family. Daphne surmised this was going to be an interesting trip after meeting the other three girls.

Daphne found out just how interesting it was going to be when she heard screaming coming from outside their cabin. Daphne ventured out into the hallway to find out who was being murdered. She found Emily shouting for the crewmen apparently her cabin was not suitable for an Earls wife and daughter. Daphne during the confusion peeked into the room she was complaining about and it looked just like the one Daphne and Charlotte had been place in and they were the wife and daughter of a Marquis making Charlotte a Marchioness not to mention she held the birth right of the title Princess of Savoy and they weren't complaining. The poor crewmen were having a tough time with the woman. Daphne felt sorry for him and gave him a hand.

"I know your accommodations are not as luxurious as you expected but it is only for a few hours. I am sure all of us can make do. Besides I think it is extremely rude to complain about a free trip to Scotland."

The woman went back into their rooms to embarrassed to do otherwise. When Daphne went into her room her mother had a concerned look on her face.

"Do you not think you were a bit harsh."

Daphne gave her one of those looks that said she was being ridiculous.

"If you a Princess are not insulted about the accommodations claiming they are not suitable for an Earls daughter is quite pretentious. And no matter your standing in the ton courtesy should not be an option. The king offered us free travel never did it clam we would be in the lap of luxury."

Charlotte laughed it was true, but still Daphne should not judge those girls by her standards she was raised differently, and Charlotte was proud her family was not normal for the aristocracy family they were all close and carefree. Her brother Charles family was a perfect example of that. The rest of the trip Daphne and Charlotte didn't see anyone until it was time to disembark. When she was getting off the ship the crewmen whom she had assisted earlier came up to her and handed her a small box, and his thanks. Daphne thanked the man and went to join the others. There were two coaches big enough to hold four of them apiece, but Emily complained they should have had a coach to themselves.

Daphne didn't say anything she just followed her mother into the carriage. She knew the castle was up on the hill the loch they dock at was Loch Fyne which was directly below the castle. With all the forest surrounding them it took them an hour to reach the castle. It was magnificent. There were four towers and a whole lot of castle in between. But it was the grounds that amazed Daphne they were greener than anything she had ever seen, and they were heightened by their burst of color from the flora gracing the property. It was simply put beautiful. The doors to the castle were opened and the girls were let into a simple entry but the doors leading into the Armory Hall which was spectacular with all the weapons surrounding the room. But what made this room so spectacular was the man standing on the level above. He was quite handsome.

"Greetings Ladies I am the Duke of Argyll and welcome to my home. Please feel free to roam the grounds when you are not busy with your lessons. Mr. will be your teacher while you are here. Conner is the estate Stewart and if you need anything he will be the one who will assist you. While you have a light supper, your trunks will be placed in your rooms and when they are finished arranging your belonging you will be brought to your rooms."

There was a Grand Buffet waiting for them Daphne couldn't believe all the diverse types of food being displayed it spanned the globe. Daphne wanted to have a taste of it all. Jamie decided being in a room full of silly girls was not how he wanted to spend his evening. He had to admit the four-young woman were quite beautiful, and one of the mothers or guardians was young enough to be one of the maidens but they were off limits. They had been sent to him by his grandfather and he would not do anything to besmirch his family name. His grandparents had done enough.

He was going to spend tonight in his study getting good and drunk. He had only received the Royal decree two days ago. He looked at the paper that had arrived.

GIVR

The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by

The King to inform

His Grace James, Campbell the Duke of Argyll and the Duke of Lancaster will be hosting at a celebration of His Royal Highness Royal visit to Scotland, who will partake in the pageantry and social festivities related to the Kings visit. The king has supplied a tutor for their time in Scotland, their time at Inveraray will be spent being taught the protocol of this major social event. They will arrive at Inveraray Castle the Dukes ancestral home on the eve of the 18, July 1822 by evening at the docks of Loch Fyne. It is requested His Grace supply transportation for the young ladies and their escorts to Inveraray Castle.

No reply is required

State Proclamation Secretary, Lord Chamberlain's office

Buckingham Palace, London, S.W. 1A. 1AA

He hadn't even planned on celebrating the Kings visit or his birthday. Why should he the King didn't give a damn about him or his grandmother. Now he would be required to not only attend the celebrations he would have to open his home to a bunch of silly young girls, who he was sure were only here looking for a rich and titled husband. He took another drink and cursed the old man. Maybe he should have gone to his property in Lancaster or even gone to London after all the king would be here in Scotland, so he wouldn't be bothered with all the pomp and circumstance expected of him. He poured himself another drink.

Daphne woke early and decided to look around the grounds before they were to be overwhelmed with lessons on how to behave while in Scotland in the presence of the King. Also, to teach them some traditional Scottish dances. For some reason the king wanted to see English girls doing Scottish dancing. Daphne found this to be absurd there were plenty of young Scottish women who would be more than capable of doing the traditional dances. Well that was all beside the point, it was a free trip to Scotland and she was going to make the most out of it.

James watched as the young girl with the coppery locks strolling the grounds. She was quite beautiful he had noticed her yesterday when they invaded his house. He had heard from the Captain of the ship she seemed to be the most practical of the bunch which Jamie was certain didn't amount to anything. Still knowing she was a giggling female he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Daphne found a hill on the grounds it wasn't an overly high hill, but it was lush and green, and she suddenly felt like she wanted to roll down it. How immature would she look if she got caught rolling down a hill. No one would think she was ten and seven and a mature woman. But there was something about this hill that was calling to her. She started to walk up the hill slowly then she started to race up to the top. Once she reached the top of the hill she looked around the grounds to make sure no one was around. She even tried to see if anyone from the castle was able to see her. Satisfied no one would witness her during a moment of childness she sat down on the hill and situated herself to roll down.

Jamie couldn't believe what he was seeing there was no way she was planning on doing something like rolling down the hill. She must have a book and planned to read. He started to laugh when she folded her hands and then started to roll herself down. He hadn't seen anyone roll down that hill since he had been ten and his nanny scolded him for it. He had a lot of good memories rolling down that hill. He might just have to go and do it again if it was back in fashion. He walked away from the window the young girl was on her way back and he didn't want her to think he had been spying on her.

Daphne rolled down the hill without anyone seeing her digression and she was glad, but she was glad she rolled down the hill. She felt exhilarated and childish and that was alright as far as she was concerned. But she needed to get back to the Castle her lessons would be starting soon. Mr. McDermet was in the ballroom waiting for the girls to assemble. Daphne didn't want to be the one to keep everyone waiting so she decided to not go and check her appearance after her morning roll.

When Daphne walked into the ballroom she must have been more disheveled than she had thought because Emily asked her what had happened to her. She just smiled.

"I took a tumble down a hill."

Jamie had overheard the young lady's explanation he laughed all the way to the stables. She had not made up anything she just didn't bother telling them she had thrown herself down the hill on purpose. He felt like he needed to get away from the young ladies, but he knew he was going to have to make an appearance or it would look like he was avoiding them. Which he was but they didn't need to know that.

The girls practiced the entire day until it was time to get ready for supper. All of them took exceptional care of their appearance in case the Duke was present for dinner. All except Daphne who didn't need to make an impression she wasn't looking for a husband. She had decided that when she decided to come to Scotland, so there was no need for her to look extra special anyway. Besides Emily and Lilly had staked their claim on the Duke, and they were both so beautiful he wouldn't be able to resist when they threw themselves at him.

That night the Duke decided to in fact make an appearance for dinner. Who was he kidding he had a houseful of beautiful women who wanted to be the center of attention who was he to deny them. The girls all seemed impressed all but the redhead. She seemed to be enjoying everything his presence wasn't needed. Which kind of disturbed him women fell at his feet why not her?

She knew he was watching her but for the life of her Daphne couldn't figure out why. Did she have something on her face, was her dress a mess why was he staring at her? She wished he would stop he was making her feel uncomfortable.

Her eyes were green deep green the color of the hill she had tumbled down this morning. He wondered if they got darker when she was angry or if she had a fiery temper that matched the red in her hair. She interested him but to get involved with her would be his doom he would have to marry her, and he wasn't ready to settle down. He reminded himself he would not bring any shame to his title or his name. He pulled his attention away from the young lady and looked to the blonde who seemed to be having a silent fit because his attention was elsewhere.

"Forgive me my dear my mind wandered momentarily. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that these parties we will be attended are in hopes of making a good match."

James pondered that for a moment he had to agree with her for the most part the young ladies would be attending the parties to find a good match.

"I believe that is what most parties are for. It is to help those of marrying age find each other and make good matches. I suppose most girls your age are looking for a husband to take care of them."

He looked over at the redhead and wonder what her opinion on the matter is.

"What do you think Lady..."

He didn't know her name she smiled at him but said nothing as if he hadn't been addressing her after all there were two other girls near her that he could have been talking to. Lilly was the one who answered him.

She is Lady Halverson, I am Lady Primrose, Lady Williams, and who you were having a conversation with was Lady Carmichael.

Thank you, Lady Primrose, for the introduction. He brought his attention back to Lady Halverson.

"So, Lady Halverson what is your opinion on the matter of parties and marriage?"

"I think she is correct most young ladies are there to find a good match. But I think there are other things people go to the parties for. Take me for instance I am not looking for a husband this year, I am here solely to enjoy myself and the sights of Scotland. I am in a position my family is well off and I do not have to marry until I want to. There for it is not completely true."

Emily hissed at her, but Daphne didn't back down. Daphne continued.

"Your grace you are young do you go to the parties looking for a wife?"

He shook his head no,

"I am not in the market at this time for a wife I am only five and twenty."

Daphne turned to Emily

"You see His Grace doesn't attend the parties for marriage purposes mostly he is looking for entertainment."

He couldn't have heard her correctly and if he did. He was pretty sure she didn't know what she was implying. He looked at her mother to see if she had been shocked by her daughter's suggestion and found her laughing to herself.

"Daphne, I think your opinions are quite forward you have only just met his grace you don't know why he goes to the parties or if he does."

Daphne laughed

"I stand corrected mother the Duke may go just for the sake of being among his rank and no other reason. I apologies your grace for thinking you were like most men and went for the company of beautiful women."

James took a sip of his wine he was smiling behind the glass. She indeed had a temper or at least an attitude to match her fiery locks. Sparing with her was going to be fun. Perhaps the old man had done him a favor after all.