Replies to reviews will be in the next chapter. Won't post anything for a few days, got my birthday on Monday so will pretty much be celebrating for days straight, haha. Thanks, everyone!
"Are you sure she won't mind?" Kenna asked Bash as she put makeup on to hide her injuries. She smiled when she felt his hands on her shoulders as he eyed her through the mirror.
"My sister is barely here," he said. "She has a whole factory full of makeup, she doesn't need this set."
Kenna chuckled. "I can't believe your eldest sister is a makeup mogul and your other sister is a fashion designer and models her own work," she said, fixing her hair. "I'm so jealous. Their work is highly loved and respected in Europe!"
"Well, we all have our own successes," he replied, heading away from her to get his phone from the bedside table. "Do you need me to get Dr Winter for you? You did say you were feeling off."
Kenna shook her head. "It's nothing," she said before she suddenly got up and rushed to the bathroom to throw up.
"Perhaps you should stay in bed," Bash suggested.
Kenna sighed, sitting down with her back against the wall by the toilet. "Before you even suggest anything, I'm not pregnant."
"I know," he said. "We were careful and I obviously have to take precautions. Wouldn't want illegitimate children running about."
She watched him lean on the wall, arms crossed. "And I'm on the pill and still used other means of protection with your father... Dr Winter did say I had a concussion."
"And the chilli-mango sundae I dared you to eat last night wouldn't have helped things," Bash added.
Kenna got up and went to the sink, retrieving her new toothbrush. "I'm sorry. For staying, for taking up your time... You've probably got a million things to do."
"Now that I've retired more or less, my days are free. Mostly full of drinking and smoking and Bayard throwing my priceless vases about the house, but I've got nothing to do," Bash told her with a soft smile. "You can stay. That and I wouldn't want you to be hurt by my evil, jealous stepmother."
Kenna giggled before she put some toothpaste onto the toothbrush and began brushing her teeth. Her lips quirked upwards when she saw Bash staring at her through the mirror and she used her free hand to undo her robe.
"How long has it been since you've had a woman in your bathroom?" She asked him.
"I've never had a woman in my bathroom. Not even my home," Bash answered her. "I always used mutual grounds - hotels."
Kenna spat the toothpaste out. "I see," she said, starting to clean up and rinse her mouth.
She put the toothbrush back into the glass jar beside Bash's and turned to face him, smiling to herself when his eyes lowered down to her lace underwear. They hadn't done anything since she came, he and Leith slept downstairs, too drunk or high from whatever Leith was on and she had been taken to sleep in Bash's room. She wondered what it would be like to have Bash quaking under her touch again.
"Louise keeps her designerwear in the fifth guest bedroom," he said, swallowing deeply as his green eyes met her browns. "I know your style is more... risqué but it's all I have to offer in your size. We will have my people go to the chateau to collect your things and bring them here."
Kenna slowly walked over to him, placing her hands on his shoulders. He never moved nor uncrossed his arms. He merely watched on curiously as she looked up at him through her lashes.
"You're so kind, do you know that?" She asked softly, her eyes flittering to his lips.
"Kindness goes a long way," was his reply.
Kenna gave him a smile. "I still wonder how... You're a son of a king and nobody cares... How can they not? You're so loving, kind, humble..."
"No one wants a loving, kind, humble prince. They want someone who can give them a show, a museum spectacle," Bash said, almost angrily. "They forget that we're people, like them. Our lives do not need to be dictated by a crown and how we're linked to it."
"No, they don't," Kenna whispered.
"I mean, people starve and what does King Henry do? He allows the Prime Minister to build a multi-million euro restaurant for the rich," Bash said. "And then he refuses to gently press the Prime Minister to tax the rich. I wouldn't mind being taxed. If it meant children living in one-bedroom homes with their parents eating, I'd give them my house myself."
Kenna stared at him in disbelief. "You and Francis are so similar. How could you be so humble with parents like-"
"Henry and Catherine de Medici?" Bash finished for her. "Trust me, it was easy. They didn't raise us. Most certainly didn't raise me. I've lived here my whole life whilst my younger half-siblings were taken care of by governesses and governors."
"Did your mother raise you?"
Bash nodded. "And she told me to never take things for granted. Because it could all disappear with one," he clicked his fingers. "Snap."
Kenna gasped, nodding a little before she pressed her lips against his. His arms wrapped around her waist and she sighed wistfully into the kiss, her mind ignoring the sound of knocking on the door.
It seemed that Bash didn't care because he lifted her into his arms and entered his bedroom, placing her onto the bed gently. He peppered kisses on Kenna's collarbone which made her moan, moving down as his hand slipped behind her back to-
"Oh!"
He sprung apart from her and Kenna quickly wrapped her robe around her frame as Bash looked up to see the door close quickly. He got off Kenna and fixed his clothes before going over to the door and opening it.
Stepping out into the hallway, he closed the door behind him and faced Elliot.
"What is it?"
"You have visitors," he said, smirking. "I did knock. Multiple times."
Bash cleared his throat, hoping his flustered, red cheeks would go. "Uh, thank you. Who?"
"The usual suspect," Elliot said jokingly. "His Royal Highness himself, the Dauphin of France. He brought the Marquise and her friends with her."
"de Poitiers!"
Bash turned to see Leith walk up to him, his sunglasses on. "We're indoors, Bayard."
"I know, but everything is so bright," Leith said, pouting. "Guess who's here?"
"Francis, I know," Bash said, leading them downstairs. "Did you clean up?"
Leith grinned. "And replaced the vase I broke this time. God, it is good to have money."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself," Bash replied. "You're nouveau riche."
Leith scowled. "Nouveau, vieux... They're both the same thing when you think about it!"
Bash chuckled, finally finding his unexpected visitors in his informal living room. "Brother, Marchioness, Ladies."
"Leith said you were busy," Francis said, giving him a hug.
Bash blushed. "Not at all," he replied, sending Leith a brief glare. "Just wondering what to do with all this free time on my hands. I'm sure my horses are wondering where the hell I am, not coming to visit them at five in the morning any longer."
Mary sat down on an armchair. "Kenna is here," she said bluntly.
"And how do you know that?"
"I may have sent Francis a video of some sort," Leith said. "To make him jealous that he wasn't here with us. I also sent it to the twins-"
"You're an idiot," Bash told Leith.
"I am, but I am your best idiot," Leith replied, grinning.
Bash turned to Mary, Lola and Greer. "She's fine-"
"She looked like she'd been run over!" Lola told him.
"It was a little incident," Bash said. "I happened to come across her and took her here. No point in worrying, she's fine."
Greer scrutinised him suspiciously. "He's lying."
"Pardonne-moi?"
"Mary, his eyes say it all," Greer said to her friend. "What really happened?"
Bash was about to speak but Kenna, herself, stopped him with, "Catherine happened."
Mary turned to Francis. "I told you! Your mother is behind everything."
"Wait, what do you mean?" Francis asked, looking between the two women.
"The awful newspaper article - I bet that was her way of sending us packing back to Scotland," Mary said.
Kenna nodded. "And now, she tried to kill me. First, she put laxatives in my tea and then full-on abducted me in broad daylight!"
"My mother isn't irrational," Francis told them. "Surely, you've wronged her?"
Mary shook her head. "All I've done is love you. I bet she doesn't want to lose her precious son," she said, turning to Kenna.
Kenna blushed furiously. "And I may have... slept with your father on the night of the engagement party-"
"What?!" Francis cried out. "What the-"
"It was a mistake and I swear, it meant nothing," Kenna quickly said, turning to Bash for help.
Bash sighed, turning to Francis. "Dad used her. It's been dealt with. Kenna will stay with me until everything blows over. The only people who know are in this room and obviously Catherine and Father but neither of them will speak about this."
Francis sat down in shock. "How long have you known, Bash?"
"I found out when she turned up here last night, " Bash admitted. "I wasn't happy about it. Try getting the idea of a woman who slept with you and your father on the same day around your head."
"Mum gets... Mum gets difficult," Francis said carefully. "I think it would be wise to remain here. Until after the wedding at least and then you can return to Scotland."
Kenna briefly eyed Bash before her eyes landed on Francis. "I might stay in France. But I promise no one will hear a peep out of me."
Francis eyed her suspiciously and it dawned on him when she looked over at Bash again. "I see. Just keep away from married men, please."
"Definitely," Kenna told him.
"Well, now we know that you're safe," Greer began. "Aren't you going to give us a lovely tour of your new boyfriend's house?"
Kenna gaped as Bash chuckled. "I will have you know... I haven't even had the pleasure of a personal tour."
"So you don't deny it?!" Greer asked, turning to Lola and Mary in amusement.
Kenna shook her head, going over to kiss Bash. "No, I don't," she said, staring into his eyes. "I mean if he'll have me?"
"I think we're far too gone already," Bash replied. "So, yes. Why not?"
"Wait, wait, wait," a voice said, making them all turn to it. "Kenna slept with King Henry? L-Like your dad? Dude..."
"Oh, for f-" Bash turned to Leith. "You were right here when we talked about it, literally seconds ago. How are you just processing this now?"
Leith shrugged, taking his glasses off. "I-I don't even know. I must have... been higher than I thought. It's still affecting me, dear Lord. Give me a minute, I'll get there."
"Somehow, he's still attractive," Greer whispered to Mary who laughed.
"Wait!" Leith said, making them all freeze as he put his hands on his cheeks in shock. "Queen Catherine tried to kill somebody?"
"Oh, God," Mary muttered. "Does he have an 'off' button?"
...
"So kind of you to join us," Catherine said that evening. She glowered at Mary who openly held Francis's hand on top of the dinner table.
Mary beamed. "I thought it was time to eat with the family," she said. "I will be one of you very soon."
"We can't wait," Claude said snippily, stabbing her potato with her fork.
Mary didn't waver under Claude's gaze. "Oh, Princess Claude, your pores are exposed."
Claude gasped and hurried out of the room, taking her compact mirror out of her pocket to inspect her face. It made Francis chuckle and Margaret grin as Catherine glared at Mary.
Elisabeth merely smirked to herself. "Marquise de Moray, are you excited for your honeymoon?"
"I am," Mary replied. "Francis is keeping it a surprise."
"It was the only thing one of us could plan," he said, turning to Mary lovingly. "I want it to be a surprise because I want you to know just how much I know you."
Mary sighed happily and was about to kiss him before she stopped. "Isn't he just the sweetest?" She asked, blushing furiously.
"I heard that your friend, the Comtessa was missing," Henry said, making Mary and Francis turn to him as Catherine gripped her fork and knife tightly. "Is she alright?"
"She is," Francis almost snapped. No thanks to you. He eyed his mother and rolled his eyes. "I believe her wellbeing is none of your concern." He blushed. "Your Majesty."
Henry looked at his wife before turning to Francis. "It is my concern. The Marquise de Moray and her friends are being taken care of in France. We must protect our guests and future relatives. Hospitality goes a long way, Francis."
Mary narrowed her eyes. But your wife almost killed my friend. "We can protect ourselves," she said. "We have a security detail for a reason."
"Where is she now?"
"In alternative residences," Francis replied. "She was becoming flustered with how many times she became lost in the chateau."
Henry nodded. "Understandable." He waved over Michel and whispered something into his ear.
Michel paused before nodding and leaving, giving Francis a quick glance. It was enough to realise that his father was looking for Kenna's whereabouts. To see if she would speak. And he wasn't the only one who noticed as Catherine placed her cutlery down and dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
"Mother," he said quickly. "Mary was asking about the wedding jewellery."
Catherine gasped happily. "She was?"
Mary frowned. "I was?"
"Yes," Francis said. "You should take her to the vaults in two days. Have her select herself. Since I was allowed to choose a honeymoon, allow her to choose our jewellery."
Catherine nodded. "Of course. Why not tomorrow?"
"I wish to treat Mary," Francis said. "We have reservations booked."
"Lovebirds," Elisabeth said, almost sickened. "Aren't you lucky, Marquise? You've struck gold with Francis."
Mary glanced down. More like, he struck gold with me and my family's money. But when they were married, they will find a way out of this situation that links her wealth with his. Perhaps calling James would not be a bad idea.
"Francis is wonderful. I wouldn't expect the world, but he would sure as hell give it to me," Mary replied, feeling him squeeze her hand. She beamed.
"May I be excused?" Francis asked. "I forgot that I told an old school friend of mine that we will be seeing each other tomorrow but I can't as I've made plans with Mary."
Catherine nodded. "Go ahead. It will give us ladies a chance to talk about the final details."
Mary nodded, feeling Francis kiss her cheek before he left the room. Although she knew where he was going, she couldn't have helped but feel annoyed that he'd now forced her to remain. She didn't mind, she could handle Catherine. It was Elisabeth she now had to look out for.
...
"He asked you to look for her, didn't he?" Francis asked Michel who turned in shock to face him.
Michel nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Michel, you may work for my father, but you are loyal to me, right?"
"I am," Michel said, nodding.
"Was my mother truly behind the Comtessa's kidnapping?" Francis asked.
Michel nodded. "She was."
"And the negative newspaper article that affected my fiancée?" Francis added.
The security guard sighed heavily. "Yes."
"I see," Francis said. "Tell my father that Kenna is in a Parisian hotel. She will return for the wedding and leave for Scotland shortly after."
"You went to see the Baron," Michel stated. "She's there, isn't she?"
Francis shook his head. "I didn't see her. And I thought we didn't get involved in my brother's life."
"Very well, Dauphin," Michel replied. "I apologise-"
"Don't," Francis cut him off. "Just tell me everything my mother does which harms my image or the Marchioness's."
"I will."
"Good," Francis said. "Tomorrow, we'll go to Champ de Mars. We'll be taking the Metro and other forms of public transportation. See to a decent security measures plan and make it not obvious."
"And how many of you will there be?"
Francis smiled. "Mary, her three friends, Bash, Leith and the twins. And of course, me."
"Nine," Michel muttered. "Very well, Your Highness." He bowed and walked away, leaving Francis to return to dinner.
"All sorted?" His mother asked.
Francis nodded, sitting down in his seat and taking Mary's hand. "All sorted."
...
The next day, Mary stepped out onto the balcony of the Versailles chateau. It was a clear breath of fresh air, being away from Catherine, Henry and the whole drama in Fontainebleau. At least without their presence here, Bash, Leith, Remy and Julien could stay along with Kenna.
"We will be taking the Metro," Francis said as his makeup artists worked on his prosthetic disguise.
Mary turned to him, remaining outside with a smile on her face. "How exciting. I've never been on a train before."
"You're going to love it," Francis said.
"Are you sure you want to go with that look?"
Francis grinned which received a tut from one of the artists. "What? You don't want to kiss me looking like an old man?"
"It would mortify people," she said, laughing. "But they're doing a great job. Now I can see what you look like as a silver fox."
"So, I'll still be attractive to you in say, forty years?"
Mary bit her lip. They'd be sixty then. "Yes, yes you will."
"So sweet," he said, pursing his lips.
She chuckled and came over to him, pressing her lips on his before backing away and heading to the door. "I'll go see where we're at with leaving."
"Don't be too long. I enjoyed admiring you from the balcony."
"Shut up," Mary replied, but she was grinning with a faint blush on her cheeks.
She headed down the hall and passed Michel who was speaking to Fabian and two of Bash's security team members. They gave her a bow and nod and she nodded back, continuing her way downstairs.
She could hear them before she saw them and she grinned when she entered, spotting Leith standing on top of the coffee table as he told the rest a story about him and Francis. She stood by the doors, arms crossed as she listened on in amusement.
"...face planted into the cake," Leith finished, shaking his head. "Still creeps its way into my nightmares until this day. That was worse than my experience in the Army!"
Mary laughed and her eyes landed on Bash who merely smiled a little. She guessed he didn't laugh much but when Kenna placed a hand on his knee, his eyes lit up and he kissed her neck.
"Speaking of birthdays, it's Henri Junior's thirteenth two days after your wedding," Leith said, jumping off the table. "Is he ready for his first sip of alcohol?"
"Bayard..." Bash said warningly, spotting Mary at the doors. "Come inside, sit and hopefully work out a way to turn this one 'off'."
Mary blushed, remembering what she said yesterday about Leith's 'off' button. "Francis is getting ready."
"Not surprised," Remy said. "He always took five hours to get ready-"
"More like ten," Julien said, making the women giggle. "I never knew it was such an effort to look so good as a prince."
Mary sat down beside Kenna and brought her feet up underneath her. "I just hope that when we're married, I'll have enough time to spend in the bathroom."
After a while of story filled conversations, Francis finally appeared. The women gasped as they looked him up and down. He was dressed in a five-piece tweed suit, brown brogues, a tweed hat and his face was wrinkly with white hairs poking everywhere, from his ears to his nose.
"Oh, God, you were serious when you said you needed a disguise," Greer said, getting up to inspect him with Kenna.
"Why are you feeling up my man?" Mary asked jokingly as she got up to wrap an arm around his waist. "He still looks handsome."
Francis grinned. "Thank you, darling."
"Didn't peg you for the older lover type, but okay," Kenna said, shrugging.
"That's more of your forté," Lola told Kenna, making the men gape.
Kenna giggled. "Trying to think of reasons why I love you, Lola."
"Shall we get going?" Francis asked, turning to see Michel enter. "We'll be taking the train from Gare de Versailles Chantiers."
"The... train?" Kenna asked.
"Yes," Michel said. "Do not worry. I have the best on the case and you will not be kidnapped again. Not on my watch."
Mary gave the guard a nod. "Thank you for putting precautions into place-"
"I'm not worried about being kidnapped again," Kenna said. "I've never taken the train before. None of us has."
"It's interesting," Greer said carefully. "Will there be refreshments and a suitable bathroom?"
Remy turned to her. "It's a train. Not a Versace Hotel."
"And that means...?"
"Oh, I see..." Leith said. "These women are those type of women."
The men shared a nod which made Mary and her friends very confused. She didn't know what that meant. Had their past female friends been open to travel by public transport? Weren't they supposed to be taking private transport because they were with a prince or two?
"What type of women?" Lola asked, turning to Remy accusingly.
"The ones who look down on the ways of the normal people," Julien told him. "Don't worry, our public services are decent. Mostly."
Leith grinned. "Time to teach you, ladies," he began, pointing at them. "How to live like normal people."
...
"...and here is the tour Eiffel or Eiffel Tower," Francis said, gesturing to the landmark in front of them. "I've booked a reservation at Le Jules Verne during non-eating hours. I figured we'd like to eat in peace."
"And not be asked why we have an elderly man with us?" Mary teased him. She wanted nothing more than to hold him, her arm around his waist but they all kept their distances from each other. They could be spotted and approached at any time.
Francis chuckled. "True," he said. "But to admire the views from every angle."
"Like the Seine?" Greer asked. "Only Kenna has had the pleasure of visiting it."
"We will go there afterwards," Francis promised. "And yes, cheesy photos are a must."
Mary grinned and followed him towards the entrance where the doors were opened for them.
"Your Highness," the host said, bowing low. "Your table is ready for you and your guests."
"Thank you," Francis said much to Mary's surprise. Had Francis been here in different disguises frequently?
When they got to their table, it was Lola who brought the subject up, "I am guessing that they know a lot of your disguises?"
Francis grinned cheekily. "Indeed," he replied. "The employees enjoy this one in particular. I call him Monsieur Blanc. He's old, widowed, gives tours, has ten grandchildren and needs the toilet a lot so understandably, the restaurant lets him inside as he offers them patrons in return."
"You give your disguises backgrounds?" Greer asked, slightly intrigued.
"I do," Francis said. "Simon Anjou is his grandson through his eldest daughter."
"Of course, he is," Mary said, giggling.
Francis laughed. "No, there's no connection. All of my disguises are people of their own. Depends on what I'm feeling."
Leith nodded. "We once went to a pub with Seigneur Cœur, our 'former' military commander. Now, that night was wild."
"Lord Heart?" Mary asked curiously.
"Yes, because he killed his enemies with a sword through the heart," Julien jokingly said.
"That and he was dumped fifteen times," Francis said. "He never married and led a lonely life filled with drinking with his younger friends, telling old stories of their war days."
"You never went to war," Bash said quietly, his eyes meeting his brother's mischievous blue ones.
"No, but Seigneur Cœur did. Remember?"
Kenna turned to Bash. "Remy, Julien and Leith always talk about your time in the Army, why don't you?"
"I don't talk about a lot of things," Bash replied. "Not everything is important to talk about."
"Keep your secrets," Kenna said, looking away to see the chef walk up to their table.
He greeted Francis but Francis stopped him from bowing, quickly taking the chef into a tight hug.
"Duke de Anjou... It is wonderful to see you again and you've brought your blushing bride-"
"You mean, I've brought the Dauphin's blushing bride," Francis said, tapping his nose.
Chef Anton nodded in understanding, grinning. "Any dietary requirements?"
"None at all," Mary answered for them. "I am sure you will impress us. Francis speaks nothing but highly of the food served here."
"It is a shame he couldn't make it," Anton replied, giving Francis a smirk. "Very well, my waiters will serve you your beverage of choice, Mesdames et Messieurs."
He left them and Francis sat back down.
"Who else have you got to make our day special?" Mary asked him coyly. "Will we have a performance from Adele or Beyoncé?"
Francis chuckled. "Now, that would be telling."
...
"Where is Monsieur Blanc taking us now?" Mary asked, stuffing her hands into her coat pockets. It was cold, the weather was slightly lukewarm but she felt cold due to the lack of warmth from Francis.
Oh, how her fingers itched to touch him.
They made their way to the River Seine and got onto a private boat. It was more of a yacht, but incredibly small and able to fit all nine people comfortably. It was quite luxurious and even had a female singer waiting on the deck, starting to sing an opera piece in French.
Mary smiled as the singer gave her a wink, never breaking out of the song. She sat down on a seat and twisted her body so she could see the view from there. The fresh air was lovely now and Francis sat beside her, his hand on hers that laid on the soft material of the leather seat.
"We're less exposed now," he told her, kissing her cheek. "No one can clearly see who we are..." He kissed her lips and she smiled against his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered. "Even as Monsieur Blanc."
He chuckled and pulled away as the yacht set off on the Seine.
"...je ne sais, ne sais, ne sais pas pourquoi. C'est comme ça, la Seine et moi.."
Mary turned to the singer. "She's singing that song-"
"From A Monster in Paris!" Lola said. "You love that song."
Mary turned back to Francis. "You remembered?"
"I remember us watching it when it came out before you left for Scotland," he told her. "You couldn't stop singing that song, even after the movie ended."
Mary grinned, kissing him. "Such a gentleman. Remembering my favourite animated film."
"Well, it's based on your favourite opera of all time," Francis said. "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra."
"Be careful, Francis," she said lowly, so only he could hear. "Otherwise I'll take you down to that bedroom and have my way with you."
Francis started to laugh and he got up when the singer finished, dismissing her with a large tip. He took her spot and began to direct everyone's gazes to the places they passed.
"Île de la Cité, and east of it, is the beautiful Notre-Dame," Francis announced. "Yes, the Hunchback of Notre Dame was inspired by it. I hope Victor Hugo is one of our favourite novelists?"
"He is," Greer affirmed. "Before we came to France, we've been brushing up on our French knowledge. I've become obsessed with French work, even taking to reading them in French!"
"Now, isn't that just merveilleux?" Leith asked, giving her a smile which made her blush.
Further down, Francis said, "And the Louvre where the world's largest museum resides, home to the Mona Lisa."
"Can we visit it?" Kenna asked.
"Not right now," Francis said. "But I do believe that Bash will love to take you one day."
"Can you?" Kenna asked him, turning to face him. "Oh, please!"
Bash nodded. "I will see what I can do."
Kenna's eyes sparkled as she said, "France might be my new favourite country."
Francis frowned a little at the next sight. "Uh and this is-"
"Ornamental Tuileries Gardens," Kenna cut him off. "By your mother dearest."
Francis blushed. "Yes," he replied. "Giant playground for us Parisians."
"You're not Parisian," Bash told him, in an attempt to lighten the situation. "I am."
"Yes, and would you like to take over? My back isn't how it used to be," Francis replied jokingly.
"Sit down, Blanc," Bash said, getting up and taking his place.
Francis revelled in it, letting Mary lie on his chest as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride. "Tired?"
"The food was too much," she mumbled happily. "Five out five."
"The day's not over yet, love," he replied.
Bash pointed to his right. "If you'd all kindly turn and see the Grand Palais and Petit Palais..."
...
It was evening by the time they returned to the Versailles chateau and Mary was surprised to see that the day was still not over. She entered and saw that the place was transformed into a 1920s theme.
"What is this?" Mary asked in surprise as the butlers presented them with large, gold boxes wrapped with black bows.
Francis shrugged. "I don't exactly know."
"You didn't think that today was over did you?" Bash asked, taking his box. "Be down in ten."
He took Kenna's hand just as she got her own box and led her upstairs. Mary turned to Francis and grinned, taking her own box from a butler.
"I'm guessing this is one of Bash's wonderfully planned parties?"
"You're in for a treat," Julien said. "La nuit n'est pas encore finie."
Mary nodded, excited as Francis led her to his rooms here. They placed their boxes on his bed and opened them. Inside hers was a Coco Chanel gold frills dress.
"It's so beautiful..."
"Well, Mary," Francis said, lifting his suit from his box. "Get ready for your first proper party."
