Forever My Love (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page A

where the cart had gone over the rocky bluff. They looked at each other, realizing that if Lady Alissa had been in the cart, she would also have been smashed on the rocks below!
    "I... I am a bit shaky," Lady Alissa whispered. "Could we... dismount long enough for me to catch my breath? I have no wish to be near a horse at the moment."
    Royal nodded. "Just allow me to dismount first, then I will help you down." She slid to the ground and held her arms up to Lady Alissa. "If you will trust me, I'll endeavor to bear your weight."
    Lady Alissa smiled weakly. "You have just saved my life, at great risk to your own. There will never be a time when I do not trust you, Royal Bradford."
    Royal braced herself against a tree and stood on tiptoes to grip Lady Alissa's tiny waist. "Perhaps you should not be too hasty with your trust. I may yet spill us both on the ground. Hold on."
    As Royal supported her companion's entire weight, her knees almost buckled, but she managed to pull the frightened girl free of the horse. When she felt herself collapsing, Royal managed to deposit her burden safely on a pile of leaves. Emotionally and physically spent, Royal dropped to the ground, glad that the frightening ordeal was over.
    "Are you all right?" Royal inquired, noticing how pale Lady Alissa was and how her eyes still held a hint of fear. "Is anything broken?"
    Lady Alissa tested her arm. "Nothing's broken. That was a truly the most incredible, frightening moment of my life," she stated. "Considering all my misadventures with horses, I don't care to go near one of those animals ever again."
    "My papa always told me if I was thrown from a horse, I should get right back on again." Royal paused. "I... am sorry. Of course, that would not apply in your case. I had heard that you lost your ability to walk because of a riding accident."
    In a move that surprised Royal, Lady Alissa reached out and wrapped her fingers around hers. "From this day forward, Royal, you need never apologize to me for anything. You saved my life, and I am grateful. No one has ever done so much for me before." She was thoughtful for a moment. "I don't understand why you would help me when I have been so unkind to you."
    "I never stopped to consider the consequences. I only knew that if I didn't act quickly, you would either be killed or horribly injured. I'm sure you would have done the same for me under like circumstances."
    Lady Alissa leaned her head back against the tree trunk and closed her eyes. "I would like to think so, but I'm not certain...." She opened her eyes and stared at Royal. "I have been so wretched to you, and I don't know why, except that I am so unhappy, and you are everything I am not. I watched you proudly ignore us when we all made sport of you."
    She squeezed Royal's hand. "Teach me to be as you are. Show me how to rise above disillusionment and torment. I want to be like you."
    Royal blinked in astonishment. "I would be pleased to help you in any way I can. But I'm not special. I can assure you I have a temper, and at times it is hard to keep it under control."
    "You will not regret this day, Royal Bradford. I intend to make up to you for all the hurt I have inflicted on you in the past."
    Royal was uncomfortable. "You owe me nothing, Lady Alissa. What I did was instinctive—I would have done the same for anyone. I will not accept a friendship based on such a thin thread of gratitude."
    Lady Alissa looked astonished. "Lud, you are a proud one! I would like to climb inside your head and know what makes you so independent in your thinking."
    "It's not that. Just because you almost met with a fatal accident doesn't make me want to be your friend. I didn't like you before... why should I like you now?"
    Lady Alissa had never been spoken to in such a manner. She stared at Royal with a growing respect. "That may be so, Royal Bradford, but I would like to have you as a friend. I am weary of those who only tell me what they think I want to hear. I have a