Notes: This is a sequel to my first story 'Traitor's vengeance' and is the second of the series.
Disclaimer: Hélène, Steven, Juliette and Captain de Polignac are all mine but sadly Henry Danielle and all of the other characters belong to Andy Tennant etc.
Rating: PG
The Runaway Royals - Part One
"Mother, I can't tell you how wonderful this is," Danielle said as she surveyed the scene around her. People from all over France and beyond had gathered to celebrate the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duc d'Orleans, to Danielle de Barbarac. It had been the most talked about event in Europe for over a month. Prince Henry was widely acknowledged as the most eligible bachelor in Europe since the engagement of the King of England was announced. The news that he had lost his heart to a servant girl had shocked the continent.
Danielle was right it truly was a remarkable sight. The food, the dancing, the intelligent conversation was all to Danielle's taste. Ambassadors of foreign nations were plentiful as few monarchs could actually attend at such short notice. There were none who were not eager to have just a brief conversation with the new Princess. Most were desperate to find out if she really was as quick witted as many had perceived her to be.
"My dear when I promise to hold a reception I see no reason for it not to be perfect, I don't care how little time there is to prepare. Besides this is the last chance I will have to celebrate the marriage of one of my children. My daughters are all gone now." A tear was forming in the Queen's eye as she spoke. It was obvious that she missed her daughters very much. She had always had a special bond with her only son, but she had enjoyed having her daughters at home. They were scattered all over Europe now.
"I'm so sorry that none were able to attend," Danielle said. "I would have loved to meet them. I expect they could have told me much about their little brother."
"Believe me you don't want to meet them. No man ever had such rotten sisters as mine. They teased me constantly when I was a child. I was quite glad to be rid of them." The Queen playfully slapped her son on the arm, knowing full well that he was teasing her. He knew that his sisters had adored and mothered him from themoment he was born to the day his youngest sister Madeleine married The King of Scotland.
"You should go and visit them at some time," the Queen said. "I'm sure Madeleine will receive you and Margaret is always wanting visitors. They would certainly adore you my dear." Henry did not want to get involved in one of his mother's sentimental remembrances. They generally tended to be long and painful. He also had something to collect from their chambers.
"If you will both excuse me, I have something to attend to," Henry said whilst standing up to leave.
"Well don't be long dear, I think your father is getting ready for the toast." Henry simply nodded and left the table.
'What is he up to?' Danielle thought as she saw her husband walk out of the ball room. He had to have a good reason that it merited walking out of their wedding reception.
"I am very much looking forward to meeting Henry's sisters. In fact I received a letter the other day from the Queen of Poland, asking Henry and I to visit as soon as we can." Danielle felt it only correct to refer to Eleanor by her proper title, she was after all a Queen.
"Trust me my dear, wait until summer before you begin to trek East. Poland is all very well and good but the winders are biting. If you want to go somewhere warmer in the Winter go and Visit Margaret in Savoy." Just then the King broke from his group and came to speak with his daughter-in-law.
"Danielle my dear, the place needs livening up a bit, where is Henry, the two of you must dance again."
"He's disappeared again Francis," the Queen said to him, a little put out at her Husband thinking that her ball wasn't lively enough."
"Then in that case you can dance with somebody else. Where is Lord Grey, if I remember correctly he was rather nimble." Just then, as if by some sort of magic that very gentleman walked by. "Ahh, speak of the devil. Steven, we need some action on the floor, you and Danielle will make perfect partners." Danielle rose and offered her hand to her guard.
Steven was a little surprised. He was just passing through to go and check on the horses and now he was being pushed into dancing with the Princess. He did not mind though, it was a chance to talk to her. She usually spent so much time with her husband, she had little need of his services.
As they whirled around the room, they laughed and joked, but really were thinking of other people. People who were just about to come together elsewhere.
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As Henry made his way down the corridor towards his chambers, he hummed a little tune to himself. He was on his way to collect a little surprise. In honour of their marriage, he had commissioned a jeweller in Paris to make a ring for her with the Royal seal on it which he would present to her in sight of the congregation downstairs. Now she would truly be a Princess of France. He had also had a pair of earrings made for her, which he would surprise her with in private.
He pushed open the heavy door to their room and strolled in, over to his dressing room, where he had hidden his surprise. He was excited. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to see his bride adorned in beautiful things. Inside his room, he strolled over to his chest and lifted the lid. Laying in prime position on the top was a blue velvet pouch, inside which the two carved wooden boxes were hidden. He wanted to quickly hide the earrings where she would find them, but where? Under the pillow? Next to her book?
He marched over to her own dressing room to see if there was anywhere suitable in there. He opened the door and wandered in. Really he shouldn't be in there, this was Danielle's exclusive territory, but it was all in a good cause. Then he heard a voice to the side of him. "Your Highness." It was a surprised, female voice, which he knew as well as his own.
He turned to look at her. "Hélène," he whispered. There was an awkward silence between them. this was the first time they had been alone together in many months. It was a meeting that they knew was inevitable, but nonetheless had sought to avoid.
Eventually Hélène recovered herself and spoke again. "Is there something you wanted Your Highness?"
"Why aren't you at the reception? You are invited you know."
"Yes, I know. I needed to sort some things out in here first. I didn't want to be in here too late. I'm sure Your Highness wishes for privacy at night." The formality, which now existed between them pained Henry. He didn't care about their past, she was still his oldest ands most trusted friend.
"Hélène, why do you call me that? I'm still Henry. I'm still your best friend. No matter what has happened that will never end. Friendship is forever."
"But it can change. If you will excuse me sire, I should really be getting to the reception. The Princess was so eager that I attend, she will be wondering where I am." She then walked past Henry leaving him confused at what had just passed, and worried about the future. ________________________________________________________________
As Hélène entered the ballroom she looked around for the princess. Over the past few weeks she had become very fond of the princess. It was already coming to a stage where they were more like friends. Despite Hélène's past with Henry, she couldn't help but like Danielle. She was honest, clever and genuine. There was nothing pretentious about her. Hélène felt almost protective over her. She once thought how must she despised having the task of guiding the Princess, now she was glad to do it.
As she looked around the room she noticed a flash of brilliant scarlet whizzing around the dance floor. Hélène always took very special care to choose the correct gown for the Princess. Scarlet so became her and she really had to be the belle of the ball that night. Any bitterness that Hélène once felt had disappeared, this girl deserved to be happy. What she felt for Henry was nothing in comparison to Danielle's love, this was the sort of thing that happened only once in a lifetime. It didn't stop Hélène from hurting though.
Dancing with the Princess was another of Hélène's new found favourites, the Duke of Winchester. They had spent quite a lot of time talking when the Princess was not there. He was a deeply learned man and behind that solemn exterior he was very charming.
As the dance ended Henry entered the ballroom, just in time to grab his wife before she accepted anymore dances. He led her over to his parents and asked his father to get the congregation's attention, while he sat his wife down.
As the room quietened down. Henry pulled the box containing the ring from the back of his jacket. "As you all know, this reception is in honour of my new bride the Princess Danielle. I would like to take this opportunity, in front of you all to make a public declaration of my love for this angel that I have married." He took the ring from the box and placed it on her delicate finger. "Danielle, I love you and my family loves you. This ring is a symbol of the Valois. It means that you belong."
Danielle was genuinely touched by her husband's gesture and she threw her arms around him, burying her head into his chest. this was partly to show her appreciation, and partly to hide the tears which were welling up in her eyes. "Henry," she whispered. "It's wonderful." With this embrace the party began again, but that was not the end of Henry's speech.
He turned to face his father, who had a satisfied grin on his face. He was genuinely pleased to have Danielle as a member of his family. "Father. I was thinking that it is time for Danielle and I to take our honeymoon. Aunt Margaret has once again asked us to go to Navarre." His sudden thoughts about the honeymoon had a lot to do with his recent encounter with Hélène. He needed to get Danielle away from the gossiping courtiers of the province. He needed time to think about how Danielle should find out. He could trust Hélène to be discreet, but he couldn't say the same for anyone else.
"My sister, won't be happy until you are living with her over there. There is far too much for you to be doing here in Hautefort for you to be going away now. I want you and Danielle here, your honeymoon can wait."