A Right Royal Mix-up
I've got my lazy arse in gear, and here's the result! Chapter six all ready and waiting, at your disposal. Have fun! Oh, and I'm offering a prize of 89 cauldron cakes and an orang-utan to anyone who can be bothered to read both versions of this and can spot the two subtle differences between them…
Disclaimer – I don't think I've done one of these for a few chapters. So, if I missed one, this disclaims them too. I don't own any characters you recognise from Harry Potter, I borrowed most of the plot from Tracy Sinclair's 'The Princess Gets Engaged' and if you tried to sue me, it'd be more trouble than it's worth.
Chapter 6
Lily and Ariadne spent all the next day finding out more than they wanted to know about royal protocol and the Montrechet family.
"I can see why Lily has to learn this stuff, but why do I have to?" Ariadne complained. "I could be doing a lot more interesting things."
"If you were Princess Gabrielle's close friend, you'd know her family background," Robert explained. "Now, let's continue. What's the name of her mother's sister and how many children does she have?"
The two women were quizzed until it was time to dress for the reception that evening. After being released from "class," they returned to Lily's suite and went out on the balcony for a few moments to get some fresh air. Her balcony had a view of the front entry of the palace.
While they were reviewing all the things they had to remember, three long black limousines appeared on the winding driveway.
"What do you suppose those cars are doing here?" Lily asked. "It's too early for guests to start arriving."
Ariadne shrugged. "It's probably just some official palace business."
Her explanation seemed reasonable as several older men with briefcases got out of the lead car. Then the chauffeur of the second car opened the passenger door in the back and a tall dark-haired man in a grey silk suit stepped out.
"It's Prince James!" Ariadne squealed as both women leaned over the balcony for a better look.
Whether he could have heard her from that distance, or whether he was just conscious of their intense scrutiny, James turned to look in their direction. He stared at Lily for a long moment before turning to the young man beside him and saying a few words.
Then the prince was surrounded by Henri and other dignitaries who bowed and greeted him with short speeches, after which the entire party went into the palace.
Lily turned to Ariadne in consternation. "Did you see that? He didn't recognise me. I told Henri we'd never get away with it!"
"Don't get excited. He was too far away to be sure it was you – I mean, Gabrielle."
"We knew who he was."
"How could you miss him, with all that pomp and ceremony?
Everything here is done according to protocol. He couldn't very well wave and yell hello."
"I hope you're right," Lily answered doubtfully.
"I know I am." Ariadne's face lit with excitement. "He's even more gorgeous in person. I can't wait to meet him! Come on, let's get dressed."
Before Lily could change clothes, Robert knocked at the door to tell her the king wanted to see her for a few moments.
As they walked down the corridor Lily said nervously, "What if he doesn't think I look like his daughter?"
"He will. You saw everyone's reaction."
"Her father might feel differently. Why does he want to see me?"
"One doesn't ask the king that question." Robert smiled.
He turned Lily over to a servant who showed her into the king's sitting room. The furnishings were as elegant as she expected, yet the room wasn't used solely for relaxing. Claude was signing papers at an exquisitely carved desk.
His eyes widened as he looked at her. "Remarkable!" he exclaimed.
"Henri told me you bore a striking resemblance to my daughter, but I wasn't prepared for this."
"That makes me feel better. I'm really quite nervous about impersonating the princess," Lily said diffidently.
"You have my deepest gratitude for helping us out of an untenable position. How can I repay you?"
"It isn't necessary. Your hospitality is quite enough."
"Were you given adequate accommodations?"
"Yes, my suite is simply beautiful," Lily assured him.
"Splendid. If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask." The king's secretary was hovering in the doorway, waiting to get his attention. "I'll look forward to seeing you this evening, then," Claude said, dismissing her.
Robert had told Lily that the formal events would take place starting the following day. On this first evening of the prince's arrival there would be only a small, informal reception. Lily was afraid of being overdressed when she saw the gown that had been provided for her.
It was simple enough, yet wildly sexy. The long, creamy satin dress was cut on the bias and completely unadorned. It clung to her body like a second skin. Spaghetti straps held up the low-cut bodice, and the back plunged almost to her waist.
The dress was exactly the sort of thing Gabrielle would wear. She'd been pictured in similar outfits. Still, Lily's heart was beating rapidly as she and Ariadne paused outside the double doors of the salon where the reception was being held.
"Try not to blow it before we have a glass of champagne." Ariadne grinned.
There were at least fifty people at the "small, informal reception" – all unfamiliar. Except for Prince James. He was at the far end of the room talking to King Claude and several other people. Lily's pulse raced as she gazed at his lean, handsome face.
Henri led her over to them, giving her last minute instructions in a low voice. "The man with James is his equerry, Remus Lupin. You've met him, but you don't know him well, so don't worry about not remembering his background."
"How about the other man with them?" she asked nervously. "The one with the beard?"
"Nobody you need bother with."
Claude was outwardly relaxed, but Lily could tell the king's tension matched hers. His eyes were watchful as he greeted her with a smile. "Ah, here you are, my dear. Beautiful as always. But I'm sure you'd rather hear that from James."
As the others turned toward him expectantly, the prince's eyes travelled over Lily, lingering on her high, firm breasts. "Gabrielle's beauty has been widely remarked upon," he drawled.
While Claude frowned, Remus said quickly, "It would be hard not to sing Her Highness's praises."
Lily was too relieved to have passed the crucial test to realise that James might have been alluding to the princess's lurid press notices. Once she was sure he'd accepted her, she was free to look at him more closely.
James was even better looking in person. Photographs didn't capture the vitality of the man, or the leashed power in his splendid body. She sensed powerful emotions in his gaze and her pulse quickened. The prince might not have seen much of Gabrielle lately, but he was certainly not indifferent to her. Would it become a problem to hold him off?
Lily couldn't imagine any woman wanting to! He would make love like he did everything else – superbly, satisfying his partner beyond her wildest dreams.
Ariadne was hovering in the background, hoping for an opportunity to meet the prince. Henri motioned her over, deciding a diversion would be welcome. The tension in the little group was building.
"May I present Mademoiselle Figg, Your Highness," he said to James. "She is a school friend of the princess's."
After the introductions had been made all around, Remus asked, "Will you be staying for the festivities?"
"I wouldn't miss them for anything. You can just feel the romance in the air, can't you?" Ariadne sighed blissfully. "Everybody is in such a happy mood."
"That's one of the duties of royalty – to make one's subjects happy," James remarked sardonically.
"May I get you a glass of champagne, mademoiselle?" Remus asked quickly.
"That's an excellent idea. You young people run along and enjoy yourselves," Claude said.
It was good advice, but difficult to follow. When Ariadne and Remus drifted away along with the others, Lily didn't know what to say to James. And he wasn't giving her much help. He seemed so withdrawn and aloof.
She looked for a way to break the ice. Without knowing any of the friends or experiences he'd shared with Gabrielle, it wasn't easy. Finally, in desperation she remarked, "I guess it's going to be a busy week."
His high cheekbones sharpened. "That isn't the adjective I'd use."
"I know men don't like big fancy parties, but I must admit I'm looking forward to them."
"Why? What outrageous stunt are you planning?"
She looked at him with a slight frown. The prince's tone was definitely hostile. Had he and Gabrielle had an argument? That could be why she took off – not because she didn't want to marry James, as she'd told her father.
"Whatever happened in the past is over with," Lily said carefully. "I'm sure we can work it out."
He stared at her moodily. "I wish I could believe that."
Before she could reassure him, they were joined by a bejewelled older woman wearing a big smile. "Gabrielle, darling, I'm so happy for you!" She kissed Lily on both cheeks. "And you, my dear boy. You make a simply gorgeous couple."
"You're very kind, Madame Duchais," James murmured, providing Lily with a much needed clue. This must be Gabrielle's Aunt Genevieve, her mother's sister.
"Your marriage will unite our two countries as never before," the older woman continued. "Your parents must be so pleased."
"They're even happier than we are," James replied sardonically. "Isn't that true, Gabrielle?"
"I wouldn't say that." Lily smiled and linked her arm with his. "I'm pretty thrilled about it myself." She could feel his long body stiffen.
His mouth tightened, but he managed a smile. "Would you excuse us, Madame Duchais? I have something I want to say to Gabrielle."
"Of course, run along. I know how it is with lovebirds," she said archly. "You want to be alone."
"You're right." His arm circled Lily's waist like a vice. "I wouldn't want anyone else to hear what I have to say to Gabrielle."
As he hustled her toward the tall French windows leading to the garden, Lily was very much aware of his angular hip pressing against hers.
James didn't stop at the terrace. He pulled her down a winding path, past a flower garden to a lacy gazebo set in a grove of trees. She was completely bewildered and slightly uneasy. Was his apparent anger really frustration at their lack of privacy? Did he plan to make up passionately? Lily was torn between anticipation and apprehension. Just how intimate were he and Gabrielle?
The filtered moonlight cast shadows over James's face, sharpening his high cheekbones and turning his eyes into unfathomable pools. He loomed over her in the semi-darkness, potently male and more than a little dangerous.
Lily tried to tell herself she was being fanciful. He was a civilised, sophisticated man. But she instinctively took a step backwards. If James decided to get physical, she would be no match for him.
"Don't even think about it!" His hands fastened around her arms and he jerked her toward him. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what king of game you're playing."
She looked at him blankly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"That wide-eyed-innocent act is out of character – like the rest of your behaviour tonight."
"I thought I was being very pleasant," she said warily.
"That's what I mean."
"You're complaining because I'm acting like an adult? It's more than I can say for you," she couldn't help adding. "Two people can have an argument and still be civil to each other."
"What does that have to do with anything? I want to know why you're giving everyone the impression that you're thrilled about this marriage. What am I supposed to do, play Romeo to your Juliet?"
"You might at least pretend we're in love, even if you've had a change of heart."
"You're not making sense. I feel the same way about you that I always have," he said morosely. "You're a spoiled little brat."
"At least I don't hold a grudge." She slanted a glance at him. "I can't even remember what we argued about."
"I don't recall any particular argument. We disagree on everything, so we've managed to avoid each other most of the time. Maybe we can continue on that way after the public display is over."
"You're not even going to try to make this marriage work?" she asked in outrage.
"Spare me the phoney indignation. You're as dead-set against this marriage as I am."
Lily stared at him in surprise. "You don't want to marry Ga- " She caught herself just in time. "You don't want to marry me?"
"There's no audience, so knock it off," he said disgustedly. "You undoubtedly had as big a fight with your father as I did with mine. I guess we brought this on ourselves by thinking we could simply ignore the paparazzi, but our parents could have picked a less painful way to teach us a lesson."
Lily was shocked by the revelation that both the prince and the princess were opposed to their marriage. They had seemed so perfect for each other – both of them glamorous, rich and royal. But they were also equally spoiled and wilful. Lily realised the marriage would be a disaster under those circumstances.
"You'll just have to try harder to convince your parents that you and – I mean, that we're wrong for each other," she said.
He uttered a short, bitter laugh. "How far did you get with your father?"
While Lily was thinking of a response, Henri appeared. "Ah, there you are. Is everything all right?" His expression was unruffled, but he flicked a glance at Lily. "Your guests are wondering where you disappeared to."
"Surely they can understand our desire to be alone," James answered derisively.
"Yes, assuredly, and I hesitate to intrude on your privacy. But King Claude wishes to propose a toast to welcome Your Highness to Beaumarre."
"I certainly wouldn't want to miss that," James drawled.
Lily accompanied the men back to the palace in silence, deeply regretting her part in this sorry affair. If Gabrielle had remained missing, her father would have had to admit it and the engagement would have fallen through.
There might have been diplomatic repercussions, but the monarchies would have survived. Protocol wasn't excuse enough to force two people into a loveless marriage. Unfortunately it was too late now for her to do anything about it.
She was forced to stand next to James, in front of all the assembled guests while a beaming King Claude held up a glass of champagne.
"First I want to welcome Prince James to our country and to the Montrechet family. As you all know, tomorrow my daughter and the prince will become formally engaged."
He was interrupted by applause and well-bred cheers.
"I want to thank all of you, family and dear friends alike, for being here tonight to celebrate this very happy occasion with us," the king continued. "I'm sure we all wish this lovely young couple a long and happy marriage."
Lily stole a peak at James. His face was expressionless, but she could sense the tension in his lean body. Say something! she willed him silently. It's now or never. You don't have to go through with it.
But the prince wasn't in tune with her wavelength. He stood ramrod-straight and tall, gazing out into the crowd with a regal expression, as Claude concluded his speech.
When it was over, the guests crowded around to offer congratulations and make enthusiastic comments. They were mostly polite little platitudes, except for Aunt Genevieve's.
"I know you're dying to kiss her," she told James. "Go ahead, dear boy, this is a private party. You can indulge yourself."
Remus was standing next to him. "The prince doesn't wish to seem disrespectful," he said quickly.
"Nonsense! He's going to marry the girl, isn't he?"
"True, but perhaps he feels a public display is unseemly," Henri said.
"You're getting to be an old fuddy-duddy, Henri," Genevieve said. "A little kiss between an about-to-be engaged couple is scarcely a public display."
People standing nearby were giving them amused looks. James muttered something under his breath and clamped an arm around Lily's waist, drawing her against his side. As he lowered his head to kiss her on the cheek, she turned her face to look at him. Instead of a chaste kiss on the cheek, their lips brushed.
It was just a fleeting touch, but she reacted to him instantly. The brief contact made her want the real thing – to feel his mouth firmly against hers, his lips teasing hers apart.
Lily turned away abruptly. What was the matter with her? She was acting like a giddy teenager. A couple of nights ago she'd felt this way about Philippe. Now, James.
Suddenly she stiffened and turned to stare at him. Was it possible that Philippe had really been James, out for a last night on the town before his engagement? The resemblance was striking, although Philippe hadn't been this regal. She remembered him as being slightly shorter, too, and certainly not this impeccably groomed. And Lily couldn't imagine Prince James ever appearing in public needing a shave.
It was undoubtedly only a coincidence that both men were wrestling with a problem that made them unhappy. She didn't even know what Philippe's problem was. Something perfectly mundane like losing his job, no doubt.
James thought Lily was annoyed with him because of their inadvertent kiss. "I could scarcely help it," he said in an irritated undertone. "I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't," he muttered.
Genevieve wasn't conscious of any tension. "I'm sure you could kiss her with more feeling than that, but perhaps it's a good thing. You'd only make all the other girls jealous. Isn't that right, Gabrielle?"
Lily gave her a blank look. "Oh… yes, I suppose so."
"Don't tell me you don't know," the older woman said archly.
"May I get you more champagne, madame?" Henri took the woman's elbow and expertly led her away.
"Your aunt is quite the romantic," Remus said with a smile after they'd left.
"Dowagers thrive on these big extravaganzas," Lily answered dismissively.
She and Remus made small talk for a few minutes. It wasn't relaxed, however, because James didn't join in. At least he wasn't making barbed comments anymore, Lily told herself. But she was very conscious of his brooding presence.
Fortunately they were never alone for long. People kept coming over to chat, which made things easier. James was too well mannered to be surly to the guests. As he accepted their good wishes, Lily got to see the charisma that made him so sought after.
His charm was especially potent with the female sex – married or single. Lily was amused to see these sophisticated women acting as flirtatiously as young girls.
But James was almost equally popular with men. He was as knowledgeable about sports and politics as he was about art and the theatre – a true Renaissance man.
All of this and the physique of a Greek god. Lily sighed. Why couldn't she have met someone like him who was available?
It was a difficult evening due to all the undercurrents, although the guests weren't aware of them. Everyone was having too good a time to leave.
Lily was relieved when King Claude finally said goodnight, signalling that the party was over. He called her aside as he was leaving.
"Thank you for being here," he said quietly. "You have done a great service for Beaumarre."
"I hope so." She looked at him hesitantly, wanting to say more. But how could she tell a king that he was doing a terrible injustice to two people – one of them his own daughter?
The moment passed as he kissed her on the forehead, in keeping with the act he was putting on for any onlookers. "Sleep well, my dear."
After Lily and James had said goodnight to the last reluctant guest, he loosened his tie. "I'm going to have a drink. Would you care for one?" he asked her.
She knew he was only asking out of courtesy so she shook her head. "No, thanks. I think I'll go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
"Yes, well, goodnight then." He watched moodily as she ascended the broad marble staircase.
Next chapter – a little more L/J action… (possibly!) and James actually 'proposes'…
D'ya wanna be a wallaby?
Hoppidy hoppidy hop
D'ya wanna be a wallaby?
Jumpety jump jump jump
D'ya wanna be a wallaby?
Yeah!
Peace, love and lettuce!
Fire-bird
