Prince Charming by Julie Garwood Page A

didn’t fit in with the upper crust of England’s society, and perhaps that was why she always had her head in the clouds and her nose in the dime novels. Yes, she was a dreamer, just as her grandmother had accused, but Taylor didn’t think that was so terrible. Reality was often quite ugly, and it would have been completely unbearable if she hadn’t been able to daydream every now and then. It was escapism, pure and simple.
    She loved romantic stories most of all. Unfortunately, the only heroes she’d ever known were those dashing figures she’d read about. Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett were her favorites. They were long dead now, but the romantic legends surrounding their lives still enchanted writers and readers alike.
    Madam wanted her to become a realist, and all because she believed there weren’t any heroes left.
    Lady Catherine was in such a state of despair, she very nearly knocked Taylor down on her way to the steps. She was thinking only of running away from the cruelty.
    Taylor grabbed hold of the distraught girl. “Do slow down, Catherine.”
    â€œPlease let me pass,” Catherine begged.
    Tears were already streaming down her face. Taylor refused to let go of her arm. “Quit crying,” she ordered. “You aren’t going anywhere. If you leave, it will be all the more difficult for you to show your face in public again. You can’t allow Jane to have such power over you.”
    â€œYou don’t know what happened,” Catherine wailed. “She said . . . she’s telling everyone I . . .”
    Taylor gave her a little squeeze to get her to calm down. “It doesn’t matter what vile things she’s saying. If you pretend to ignore her and her slander, no one will believe her.”
    Catherine pulled a handkerchief out of the sleeve of her gown and mopped her face. “I was so mortified,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I did to cause her to turn on me the way she did.”
    â€œYou’re young and very pretty,” Taylor answered. “And that is why she turned on you. Your mistake was getting too close to her. You’ll survive, Catherine, just as I have. I’m certain Jane’s already looking for someone else to try to make miserable. Being cruel amuses her. She’s quite disgusting, isn’t she?”
    Catherine managed a weak smile. “Oh, yes, Lady Taylor. She really is disgusting. You should have heard what she just said about you. The sapphires you’re wearing should belong to her.”
    â€œIs that so?”
    Catherine nodded. “She says Lady Esther’s gone dotty and . . .”
    Taylor cut her off. “I’m not interested in anything Jane has to say about my dear grandmother.”
    Catherine peeked over Taylor’s shoulder. “She’s watching us,” she whispered.
    Taylor refused to look. Lord, just a little longer, she thought, and then she could leave this godawful place.
    â€œCatherine, would you do an enormous favor for me?”
    â€œAnything,” Catherine fervently promised.
    â€œWear my sapphires.”
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    Taylor reached up to unclasp the necklace from the back of her neck. She removed her earrings next.
    Catherine was gaping at her. The look on her face was quite comical. Taylor smiled in reaction.
    â€œYou cannot be serious, Lady Taylor. They must have cost a fortune. Jane will scream if she sees me wearing them.”
    â€œShe will become upset, won’t she?” She drawled out her question and smiled again.
    Catherine burst into laughter. The sound echoed throughout the hall. It was cleansing, honest, joyful. Taylor was suddenly feeling much better.
    Taylor assisted Catherine in putting the jewelry on before speaking again.
    â€œNever be ruled by possessions, and never, ever make wealth more important to you than your selfrespect and your dignity. Otherwise you’re bound to end up like