A Right Royal Mix-up – Uncut!
Disclaimer – it's probably not mine.
My fifth fic of the day… I'm beginning to think I'm super-human or something… ha! No chance, or my fingers wouldn't be so sore from all this typing! Anyhoo, here's numero ocho, hope you like it…
Chapter 8
It was a perfect day for the festivities. The sun shone brightly, but it wasn't too hot. People had started arriving at the palace grounds early, dressed in their best clothes and in a party mood. As the time for the announcement neared, the grounds beneath the balcony became thickly carpeted with excited people waiting for a glimpse of the royal family.
Lily was a little self-conscious about seeing James. What had happened between them was incomprehensible and mustn't happen again. But how could she convey that to him without starting up their cold war once more?
James was unaware of her decision, making it even more difficult. He smiled warmly at her when she joined him and the king a few minutes before the ceremony.
Their appearance on the balcony brought a prolonged cheer from the crowd. They only quieted when King Claude held up his hand. Then they gave him their rapt attention while he announced the engagement of his beloved daughter, Gabrielle Simone, to Prince James Philippe Potter of Grandalia.
When the roar died down, Lily gave her short prepared speech, which was followed by a few words from James.
The crowd was so giddy with excitement that a man called out, "Let's see you give her a kiss, Prince!"
They ignored him, but others in the throng took up the chant. Finally James glanced at Lily ruefully and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.
It didn't satisfy the people. "Is that the best you can do?" another man yelled. "Give her a real kiss!"
Before things could get any more raucous, James took her hands and kissed her gently on the lips. It was radically different from the passionate kiss in her suite, but it affected her almost as strongly. This kiss expressed tenderness and affection. With the right woman, James could be a companion as well as a lover. Lily drew back reluctantly, reminding herself that she wasn't that woman.
King Claude made a brief appearance in the south garden and then left Lily and the prince to handle the reception line, which stretched on endlessly.
She became adept at moving people along, but it was more difficult for James. The men stopped for a moment to express their hearty good wishes, but the women stared at him with dazzled faces, and invented reasons to linger. Older women, young women – it didn't make any difference. His appeal was universal.
Finally Henri took pity on them and ended the reception. He took the sting out of it by inviting everyone to have more champagne and stroll through the gardens.
"I'm glad that's over," James said as they returned to the palace.
"Don't tell me you weren't enjoying all the attention," she teased as they walked down the hall. "You were mobbed by women gazing at you adoringly."
"You're imagining things. They were just being polite to a stranger."
"They would have been friends and more with very little coaxing," she remarked dryly.
He looked at her with a tiny smile. "Don't tell me you were jealous."
"Not at all. I thought it was amusing."
"Too bad. I was beginning to think you cared," he said lightly. When they reached the den near the marble staircase he suggested a drink.
"No, thanks, but I'll keep you company while you have one." She sank down on the couch and kicked off her shoes. They'd been comfortable at the start of the day, but not after hours of standing.
"Why don't you lie down and put your feet up?" he suggested, as he poured his drink.
"I might fall asleep."
"What's wrong with that? The ball doesn't start for hours yet. Stretch out," he urged, walking towards her. "Unless you're afraid of getting your dress wrinkled."
She looked at him warily. "You're not going to suggest I take it off?"
"Not here." He smiled sensuously. "My last glimpse of you unclothed almost made me forget I'm a gentleman."
"That was a mistake," she mumbled, remembering his avid gaze travelling over her nearly nude body.
"That isn't what I'd call it." He laughed, plumping a pillow and urging her head onto it. "Relax. I'm scarcely going to attack you with half of Beaumarre within hollering distance."
Lily knew she was being foolish. James was just clowning around. He could get all the female company he wanted without this much effort. "I'm not being very good company," she murmured as her eyelids drooped.
"You don't have to entertain me. I'm doing what I want to do, too."
Her eyes popped open as he sat at the opposite end of the couch, put his glass on the end table and propped her ankle on his thigh. Before she had a chance to overreact he began to massage her aching foot.
"Does that feel good?"
"Mmm, it feels wonderful," she whispered.
"Then close your eyes. I'll do the other foot next."
Lily was so comfortable she felt like purring. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face and his hands gently massaging her.
When she awoke half an hour later, James was gone and she was covered with a light, fleecy afghan. He was really a very thoughtful man. How could she have misjudged him so badly?
Ariadne came bursting into the room as she was putting on her shoes. "I just got the most fantastic news! Minister Truman has the flu!"
Lily raised her eyebrows. "If that makes you happy, you must get euphoric over earthquakes and other disasters."
"I didn't mean that the way it sounded. Naturally I'm sorry that he isn't feeling well. But it isn't anything life-threatening, and it means I get to go to the ball."
Henri had told Ariadne she couldn't attend because the Minister would wonder why Lily wasn't there. If he started to ask questions, the whole impersonation could be jeopardised. It was possible he might recognise Lily in spite of her metamorphosis.
"Congratulations, Cinderella." Lily smiled. "Just remember the prince is already spoken for."
"I'll settle for Remus. He might not be as glamorous, but I wouldn't need to keep my eye on him every minute. Gabrielle will have to beat off the competition with a stick."
"Not after the wedding. I think James will try to make the marriage work."
"A marriage that was forced on him?"
"He's not as adamantly opposed any longer," Lily murmured.
"That's because you look like Gabrielle, but you're not acting like her. Wait until she takes over. He'll wonder what hit him."
"Not necessarily. When she sees how kind and thoughtful he is, she'll change, too."
Ariadne looked at her disapprovingly. "You used to be so astute about men. How did you let this one get past your guard? A womaniser like James never changes."
"It isn't fair to put labels on people. There's a lot more to him than his playboy image. I found that out when I got to know him better."
"If you say so." Ariadne shrugged. "It doesn't matter whether you're right or wrong about him, because fortunately he isn't your problem. Let's go upstairs. I have to decide what to wear tonight."
Lily had thought her gown from the night before was elegant, but it paled in comparison to the ball gown provided for this evening. The pale yellow chiffon-and-lace creation had a wide, low-cut neckline that was very revealing. Her shoulders were bare, as well as the upper slopes of her high breasts. The long, fluid column of the skirt flowed from an Empire waistline and culminated in a train at the back.
Lily was looking for the circlet sewn onto the skirt when a knock sounded at the door. It was Henri and he was carrying a jeweller's box like the ones Robert had brought in the afternoon, only this one was larger.
"Very nice," he said, circling her while staring at her critically.
Lily tugged at her bodice. "It's a beautiful gown, but I don't think Celeste knew how low-cut this would be on me."
"She knows what she's doing. It's exactly the sort of thing Gabrielle would wear to an affair like this."
"If you say so. What's in the box – more jewellery?"
"These are a selection from the crown jewels."
She gasped when he opened the box. Inside on a bed of white satin was a magnificent diamond necklace that glittered like a burst of fiery stars. The matching bracelet was equally exquisite, but the piece that widened Lily's eyes was a graceful diamond tiara.
"A tiara?" she exclaimed. "Isn't that a bit much?"
"You're a princess and this is the second most important night of your life, outranked only by the wedding celebration."
"That's something we need to talk about. Have you made any progress in finding Gabrielle?"
"She appears to have simply vanished into thin air. I don't understand it." Henri frowned.
"Maybe she had an accident and is lying in a hospital somewhere. Has that occurred to you?"
"We've explored every possibility. Fortunately that's unlikely. Gabrielle is instantly recognisable. Someone would have contacted us, even if she was unable or unwilling to."
"Then what are you going to do?"
Henri shrugged. "The only thing we can do – keep looking. She can't remain hidden away forever."
"She's done a good job of it so far. Whether you find her or not, I can't stay here indefinitely. I have a job to get back to."
"Perhaps I can discreetly pull a few strings to enable you to stay longer."
"I'm not sure I want to," Lily said slowly. "This whole thing seemed like a lark at first. But I didn't realise I'd be meddling with people's lives. Neither Gabrielle nor Prince James wants to marry the other. I'm sure you know that. You know everything else that goes on around here."
"The prince is as mulish as the princess," Henri said dismissively, without admitting anything.
"Is it obstinate to want to marry for love?"
"They both fall in love regularly. The newest face attracts them. If you had spent any time with the prince, you would have seen it for yourself."
"You've all misjudged him. James is actually a warm, kind human being. I realise he's gone from one woman to another, but that will change when he finds the right one."
Henri looked at her without expression. "Prince James's choices are limited. He must marry someone of royal blood. You would be wise to remember that."
"I don't have any personal stake in this." She could tell what Henri was implying. "I simply object to being the Judas goat that leads them to the altar."
"The marriage will take place – with your help or without it," Henri stated flatly. "You're merely saving everyone a great deal of embarrassment." Without giving her a chance to argue the point, he picked up the necklace and clasped it around her neck. "Robert or I will come to your room after the ball to collect these and return them to the safe."
"I feel very nervous about wearing all this jewellery. These pieces must be worth millions."
"More importantly, they are irreplaceable."
"Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better!"
"You have nothing to worry about. The palace is well guarded. I will leave you to finish getting ready. The prince will meet you downstairs in – " he looked at his watch " – precisely twenty minutes."
When he'd gone, Lily realised how deftly Henri had changed the subject after subtly advising her that the prince was off-limits. Warning her not to fall in love with James was becoming a cottage industry, she thought resentfully. As though there were any chance of that happening. Yeah, when pigs played piano!
Hope you enjoyed that! Next chapter – the ball, and Lily and James's budding relationship suffers some setbacks…
Oh, it might take me longer to update than usual – my mumsi dearest has all but banned me from reading or writing fanfiction ("You should be doing your coursework" or "You should be researching current affairs for your interview") so I have to update in secret, before she gets home or in my IT lessons… So sorry if the next chappie's a little late…
Alphabetti Spaghetti goes nicely with CHEEEEEEESSSEEE!!!!
